Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

Current Report

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 12, 2016

 

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-14649   54-1910453

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

160 Exeter Drive

Winchester, Virginia

  22603-8605
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(540) 542-6300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

Item 1.01

 

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

     2   

Item 1.02

 

Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

     4   

Item 9.01

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

     5   
 

Signatures

     6   
 

Exhibits

     7   

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On January 12, 2016, Trex Company, Inc. (the “Company”), as borrower; Bank of America, N.A. (“BOA”), as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer; and certain other lenders including Citibank, N.A. (“Citi”), Capital One, N.A., and SunTrust Bank (each a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”) arranged by Bank of America Merrill Lynch as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and also the First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (together, the “Third Amended Credit Agreement”) to amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 20, 2014, as amended (the “Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company, as borrower; Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”), as a lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer; Citi and BOA, each as a lender; and BB&T Capital Markets, as lead arranger. In connection, with the Third Amended Credit Agreement, BB&T withdrew from the credit facility and assigned its role as Administrative Agent to BOA.

The Third Amended Credit Agreement

Under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, the Lenders agreed to provide the Company with one or more revolving loans in a collective maximum principal amount of $250,000,000 from January 1 through June 30 of each year and a maximum principal amount of $200,000,000 from July 1 through December 31 of each year throughout the term, which ends January 12, 2021. Previously, under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, BB&T, Citi and BOA agreed to provide the Company with one or more revolving loans in a collective maximum principal amount of $150,000,000 from January 1 through June 30 of each year and a maximum principal amount of $100,000,000 from July 1 through December 31 of each year throughout the term, which would have ended on November 20, 2019 if not replaced by the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

Included within the revolving loan limit are sublimits for a letter of credit facility in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000; and Swing Line Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000. The revolving loans, the letter of credit facility and the swing advance loans are for the purpose of raising working capital and supporting general business operations.

The Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans, and Letter of Credit Facility

The Revolving Loans, the Swing Line Loans and the Letter of Credit facility provide the Company, in the aggregate, the ability to borrow a principal amount not to exceed $250,000,000 from January 1 through June 30 of each year and a maximum principal amount of $200,000,000 from July 1 through December 31 of each year (the “Revolving Loan Limit”). The Company is not obligated to borrow any amount under the Revolving Loan Limit. As a result of this transaction, the Company paid off the amount of the loans outstanding and borrowed approximately $20 million under the Revolving Loans. Within the Revolving Loan Limits, the Company may borrow, repay, and reborrow, at any time or from time to time while the Revolving Loans are in effect.

Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) under the Revolving Loans and the Swing Line Loans accrue interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement) and Eurodollar Rate Loans for the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans accrue interest at the Adjusted London InterBank Offered Rate plus the Applicable Rate (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement).

 

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The Base Rate for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%.

The Applicable Rate means the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent as set forth in the Third Amended Credit Agreement:

 

Pricing
Tier

  

Consolidated Debt to

Consolidated EBITDA

Ratio

   Eurodollar Rate Loans /
Letter of Credit Fee
    Base Rate Loans     Commitment
Fee
 

1

   ³  2.50:1.00      1.90     0.90     0.30

2

   < 2.50:1.00 but  ³  2.00:1.00      1.65     0.65     0.25

3

   < 2.00:1.00 but  ³  1.50:1.00      1.40     0.40     0.20

4

   < 1.50:1.0      1.15     0.15     0.15

Repayment of all then outstanding principal, interest, fees and costs is due on January 12, 2021.

Letter of Credit

The Letter of Credit facility provides that upon application by the Company, BOA shall issue to the Company’s credit one or more letters of credit in the aggregate amount of up to $15,000,000, or such lesser amount as may be required by law. The Company shall reimburse BOA for all amounts payable, including interest, under a Letter of Credit at the earlier of (i) the date set forth in the application or (ii) one business day after the payment under such Letter of Credit by BOA.

Assignment of Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, Substitution of Trustee and Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust

The Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, as previously modified (the “Amended Virginia Deed of Trust”) granted the lenders under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement security interest in the real property owned by the Company located in the County of Frederick, Virginia and the City of Winchester, Virginia (the “Winchester Property”). Under the Amended Virginia Deed of Trust, the Company granted to the trustee named in the Amended Virginia Deed of Trust certain collateral, all as more specifically described in the Amended Virginia Deed of Trust, together with all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by BB&T as Administrative Agent in connection with the collection of such awards, payments and proceeds, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

The Assignment of Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, Substitution of Trustee and Amendment (the “Virginia Assignment”) assigned to BOA in its capacity as successor administrative agent on behalf of the Lenders, all of BB&T’s right, title and interest in and to the security under the Amended Virginia Deed of Trust in its capacity as resigning administrative agent on behalf of the lenders identified in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Virginia Assignment also substituted the trustee identified under the Amended Virginia Deed of Trust and installed PRLAP, INC. as the successor trustee.

Amended and Restated Deed of Trust

Amended and Restated Deed of Trust (the “Amended Nevada Deed of Trust”) amends and restates certain terms of the Nevada Deed of Trust dated January 6, 2012 and as modified on November 20, 2104. The Amended Nevada

 

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Deed of Trust grants to the Lenders a security interest in the real property owned by the Company located in the City of Fernley, County of Lyon, State of Nevada (the “Nevada Property”). Under the Amended Nevada Deed of Trust, the Company grants to the trustee named in the Nevada Deed of Trust certain collateral, all as more specifically described in the Amended Nevada Deed of Trust, together with all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by BOA as Administrative Agent in connection with the collection of such awards, payments and proceeds, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees.

The Amended Nevada Deed of Trust, as modified, secures the Company’s obligations under the Third Amended Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents (as defined in the Second Amended Credit Agreement).

Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement and Notices of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights and Trademarks

Under the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, the Company, subject to certain permitted encumbrances, as collateral security for the above-stated loans and all other present and future indebtedness of the Company owing to the Lenders grants to BOA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, a continuing security interest in certain collateral, all as more specifically described in the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement.

The security interests granted to BOA, as Administrative Agent in the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement for the ratable benefit of the Lenders secures: (a) the payment and performance of the Obligations (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement); and (b) certain reasonable costs and expenses as more specifically described therein. In addition, the Company has granted as collateral security for the above-stated loans and all other present and future indebtedness of the Company owing to the Lenders grants to BOA, as Administrative Agent under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for the Lenders a continuing security interest in certain patents and trademarks.

Transaction Fees

As a result of the transaction and excluding legal and accounting fees payable as a result of the transaction, the Company incurred closing fees equal to $335,710.00.

All capitalized terms used in this section but not otherwise defined herein or in the Third Amended Credit Agreement shall have the meanings provided for by the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this report is incorporated by reference in this Item 1.02.

Effective as of January 12, 2016, the following were terminated:

 

  1. Revolver Note dated November 20, 2014 payable by the Company to Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of the lesser of $80,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Branch Banking and Trust Company.

 

  2. Revolver Note dated November 20, 2014 payable by the Company to Citibank, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $45,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Citibank, N.A.

 

  3. Revolver Note dated November 20, 2014 payable by the Company to Bank of America, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $25,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Bank of America, N.A.

 

  4. Swing Advance Note dated November 20, 2014 payable by the Company to Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of the lesser of $5,000,000 or the outstanding Swing Line Loans made by Branch Banking and Trust Company.

No fees were due or owing as a result of the termination of the aforementioned agreements.

 

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

4.1    First Amendment dated January 12, 2016 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 between the Company, as borrower; Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer ; and certain other lenders arranged by Bank of America Merrill Lynch as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. FILED HEREWITH
4.2    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Bank of America, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $110,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Bank of America, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.3    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Citibank, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $75,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Citibank, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.4    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Capital One, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $35,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Capital One, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.5    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to SunTrust Bank in the amount of the lesser of $30,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by SunTrust Bank. FILED HEREWITH
4.6    Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 between the Company, as debtor, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent (including Notices of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights and Trademarks). FILED HEREWITH.
4.7    Assignment of Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, Substitution of Trustee and Amendment, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as grantor, PRLAP, INC, as trustee, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Capital One, N.A., and SunTrust Bank, as Beneficiaries relating to real property partially located in the County of Frederick, Virginia and partially located in the City of Winchester, Virginia. FILED HEREWITH
4.8    Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as grantor, First American Title Insurance Company, as trustee, and Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Capital One, N.A., and SunTrust Bank, as Beneficiaries relating to real property located in the County of Fernley, Nevada. FILED HEREWITH
4.9    Intellectual Property Security Interest Assignment Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as borrower, Branch Banking and Trust Company, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent including Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights and Notice of Grant o Security Interest in Trademarks. FILED HEREWITH

 

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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.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/ S /    Bryan H. Fairbanks  

Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: January 14, 2016

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

TREX COMPANY, INC.

Current report on Form 8-K

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

4.1    First Amendment dated January 12, 2016 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 between the Company, as borrower; Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender, Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer ; and certain other lenders arranged by Bank of America Merrill Lynch as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. FILED HEREWITH
4.2    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Bank of America, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $110,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Bank of America, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.3    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Citibank, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $75,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Citibank, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.4    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to Capital One, N.A. in the amount of the lesser of $35,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by Capital One, N.A. FILED HEREWITH
4.5    Revolver Note dated January 12, 2016 payable by the Company to SunTrust Bank in the amount of the lesser of $30,000,000 or the outstanding revolver advances made by SunTrust Bank. FILED HEREWITH
4.6    Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 between the Company, as debtor, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent (including Notices of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights and Trademarks). FILED HEREWITH.
4.7    Assignment of Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, Substitution of Trustee and Amendment, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as grantor, PRLAP, INC, as trustee, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent for Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Capital One, N.A., and SunTrust Bank, as Beneficiaries relating to real property partially located in the County of Frederick, Virginia and partially located in the City of Winchester, Virginia. FILED HEREWITH
4.8    Amended and Restated Deed of Trust, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as grantor, First American Title Insurance Company, as trustee, and Bank of America, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Capital One, N.A., and SunTrust Bank, as Beneficiaries relating to real property located in the County of Fernley, Nevada. FILED HEREWITH
4.9    Intellectual Property Security Interest Assignment Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among the Company as borrower, Branch Banking and Trust Company, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent including Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights and Notice of Grant o Security Interest in Trademarks. FILED HEREWITH

 

7

Exhibit 4.1

FIRST AMENDMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT (this “ Amendment ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 to the Credit Agreement referenced below is by and among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders identified on the signature pages hereto, BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“ Bank of America ” or the “ New Administrative Agent ”), in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, a revolving credit facility has been extended to the Borrower pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased and extended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of November 20, 2014 among the Borrower, the Lenders identified therein and Branch Banking and Trust Company as Administrative Agent;

WHEREAS, Branch Banking and Trust Company has notified the Borrower that it intends to resign as Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.06 of the Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Required Lenders approve the appointment of Bank of America as successor Administrative Agent;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested certain modifications to the Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Required Lenders have approved the appointment of Bank of America as successor Administrative Agent and the all the Lenders have approved the modifications to the Credit Agreement requested by the Borrower on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement (defined below).

2. Appointment of Successor Administrative Agent . Effective as of the date hereof, (a) Branch Banking and Trust Company resigns as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) Bank of America is appointed as successor Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (c) Bank of America accepts appointment as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

3. Lender Joinder . From and after the date hereof, each Person identified on the signature pages hereto as a Lender that is not a party to the Credit Agreement immediately prior to giving effect to this Amendment (each, a “ New Lender ”) shall be deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a “Lender” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as if it had executed the Credit Agreement.

4. Exiting Lenders . Each of the entities executing this Amendment under the heading “Exiting Lenders”, each in its capacity as an existing Lender under the Credit Agreement (an “ Exiting Lender ”), is signing this Amendment for the sole purpose of amending the Credit Agreement and


assigning its Commitments and outstanding Loans to the other Lenders party hereto. Upon giving effect to this Amendment, the outstanding Loans and Commitments of each Exiting Lender under the Credit Agreement shall be fully assigned at part to the other Lenders party hereto to the extent necessary such that after giving effect thereto, the Commitments (and related Loans) shall be held by the non-Exiting Lenders according to Schedule 2.01 of the Amended Credit Agreement, provided that interest and fees that have accrued for the account of the Exiting Lenders prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment will be paid to such Exiting Lenders, and each Exiting Lender shall cease to be a Lender under the Credit Agreement. The assignment effected by this Section shall be an assignment for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and be deemed to have been consummated in accordance with Section 11.06 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

5. Amendments .

5.1 The Credit Agreement, including the schedules and exhibits thereto, is amended in its entirety to read in the form of such Credit Agreement, schedules and exhibits attached hereto as Exhibit A to this Amendment (the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”).

5.2 The Aggregate Revolving Commitments are increased to $250,000,000. The Revolving Commitment of each Lender as of the date hereof is amended to equal the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 attached to the Amended Credit Agreement in Exhibit A . Immediately after giving effect to the amendment of the amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement, each Lender (including each New Lender) is deemed to have purchased from (x) the L/C Issuer a risk participation in each outstanding Letter of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit and (y) the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in each outstanding Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

5.3 Each Lender with a Net Increase in Revolving Exposure shall make Revolving Loans on the date hereof, the proceeds of which may be used by the Administrative Agent to repay Revolving Loans of any Lender with a Net Decrease in Revolving Exposure, in each case, in an amount necessary such that after giving effect thereto each Lender holds its Applicable Percentage of the outstanding Revolving Loans. As used herein, (a) “ Net Increase in Revolving Exposure ” means with respect to any Lender the amount of any positive difference of the Formula; (b) “ Net Decrease in Revolving Exposure ” means with respect to any Lender the amount of any negative difference of the Formula; and (c) the “ Formula ” means the amount equal to (i) the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans, in each case, immediately after giving effect to this Amendment (but prior to giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans on the date hereof) minus (ii) the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans, in each case, immediately prior to giving effect to this Amendment.

3. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective as of the date hereof upon satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth on Exhibit B to this Amendment in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent.

4. Amendment is a “Loan Document” . This Amendment is a Loan Document and all references to a “Loan Document” in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all such references in the representations and warranties in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents) shall be deemed to include this Amendment.

 

2


5. Representations and Warranties; No Default . Each Loan Party represents and warrants to Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent and each Lender that after giving effect to this Amendment, (a) each of the representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in the Amended Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and (b) no Default exists.

6. Reaffirmation of Obligations . Each Loan Party (a) acknowledges and consents to all of the terms and conditions of the Amended Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment, (b) affirms all of its obligations under the Loan Documents, (c) agrees that neither this Amendment nor all documents, agreements and instruments executed in connection with this Amendment operate to reduce or discharge such Loan Party’s obligations under the Loan Documents and (d) affirms that as of the date hereof of the outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans is $14,000,000.

7. Reaffirmation of Security Interests . Each Loan Party (a) affirms that each of the Liens granted in or pursuant to the Loan Documents are valid and existing and (b) agrees that neither this Amendment and all documents, agreements and instruments executed in connection with this Amendment in any manner impair or otherwise adversely affect any of the Liens granted in or pursuant to the Loan Documents.

8. No Other Changes . Except as modified hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.

9. Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by Branch Banking and Trust Company in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent and Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket disbursements of counsel to Branch Banking and Trust Company in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent and to Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent.

10. Counterparts; Delivery . This Amendment 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as an original.

11. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereof has caused this First Amendment to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer as of the first day and year written above.

 

BORROWER:     TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation
    By:  

/s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks

    Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
    Title:   VP & CFO

TREX COMPANY, INC.

FIRST AMENDMENT


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:     BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, as resigning Administrative Agent, solely for the purpose of confirming the effectiveness of its resignation as set forth in section 2(a) hereof
    By:  

/s/ Christopher E. Verwoerdt

    Name:   Christopher E. Verwoerdt
    Title:   senior Vice President
    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as successor Administrative Agent
    By:  

/s/ Kelly Weaver

    Name:   Kelly Weaver
    Title:   Vice President
LENDERS:     BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender
    By:  

/s/ Mary K. Giermek

    Name:   Mary K. Giermek
    Title:   Senior Vice President
    CITIBANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ T. Carter Waddell

    Name:   T. Carter Waddell
    Title:   Senior Vice President
    CAPITAL ONE, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Andrew Brkic

    Name:   Andrew Brkic
    Title:   Senior Vice President
    SUNTRUST BANK
    By:  

/s/ Elizabeth Tallmadge

    Name:   Elizabeth Tallmadge
    Title:   Managing Director
EXITING LENDERS:     BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY
    By:  

/s/ William B. Keene

    Name:   William B. Keene
    Title:   Vice President

TREX COMPANY, INC.

FIRST AMENDMENT


EXHIBIT A

AMENDED CREDIT AGREEMENT

[See attached.]


Published CUSIP Number: 89531UAA2

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of January 12, 2016

among

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

as the Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER IDENTIFIED HEREIN,

as the Guarantors,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,

CITIBANK, N.A,

as Syndication Agent,

and

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

Arranged By:

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

     1   

1.01

  Defined Terms      1   

1.02

  Other Interpretive Provisions      26   

1.03

  Accounting Terms      26   

1.04

  Rounding      27   

1.05

  Times of Day; Rates      27   

1.06

  Letter of Credit Amounts      27   

ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

     28   

2.01

  Revolving Loans      28   

2.02

  Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans      28   

2.03

  Letters of Credit      29   

2.04

  Swing Line Loans      38   

2.05

  Prepayments      41   

2.06

  Optional Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments      42   

2.07

  Repayment of Loans      42   

2.08

  Interest      42   

2.09

  Fees      43   

2.10

  Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate      44   

2.11

  Evidence of Debt      44   

2.12

  Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback      45   

2.13

  Sharing of Payments by Lenders      46   

2.14

  Cash Collateral      47   

2.15

  Defaulting Lenders      48   

2.16

  Incremental Facilities      50   

ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     52   

3.01

  Taxes      52   

3.02

  Illegality      57   

3.03

  Inability to Determine Rates      57   

3.04

  Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans      58   

3.05

  Compensation for Losses      59   

3.06

  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      60   

3.07

  Survival      60   

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

     61   

4.01

  Reserved      61   

4.02

  Conditions to all Credit Extensions      61   

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     61   

5.01

  Existence and Power      61   

5.02

  Organizational and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention      61   

5.03

  Binding Effect      62   

5.04

  Financial Information      62   

5.05

  Litigation      62   

5.06

  Compliance with ERISA      62   

5.07

  Payment of Taxes      63   

5.08

  Subsidiaries      63   

 

i


5.09

  Investment Company Act, Etc      63   

5.10

  All Consents Required      63   

5.11

  Ownership of Property; Liens      63   

5.12

  No Default or Event of Default      64   

5.13

  Full Disclosure      64   

5.14

  Environmental Matters      64   

5.15

  Compliance with Laws      64   

5.16

  Capital Securities      65   

5.17

  Margin Stock      65   

5.18

  Insolvency      65   

5.19

  Security Documents      65   

5.20

  Labor Matters      65   

5.21

  Patents, Trademarks, Etc      65   

5.22

  Insurance      66   

5.23

  Reserved      66   

5.24

  Ownership Structure      66   

5.25

  Reports Accurate; Disclosure      66   

5.26

  Location of Offices      67   

5.27

  Reserved      67   

5.28

  Broker’s Fees      67   

5.29

  Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc      67   

5.30

  Reserved      67   

5.31

  No Default or Event of Default      67   

5.32

  Anti-Corruption; OFAC      68   

5.33

  Material Contracts      68   

ARTICLE VI COVENANTS

     68   

6.01

  Information      68   

6.02

  Inspection of Property, Books and Records      71   

6.03

  Capital Expenditures      72   

6.04

  Sale/Leasebacks      72   

6.05

  Financial Covenants      72   

6.06

  Acquisitions      72   

6.07

  Loans or Advances      73   

6.08

  Restricted Payments      73   

6.09

  Investments      74   

6.10

  Negative Pledge      74   

6.11

  Maintenance of Existence, etc      75   

6.12

  Dissolution      75   

6.13

  Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets      76   

6.14

  Use of Proceeds      76   

6.15

  Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes      76   

6.16

  Insurance      77   

6.17

  Change in Fiscal Year      77   

6.18

  Maintenance of Property      77   

6.19

  Environmental Notices      77   

6.20

  Environmental Matters      77   

6.21

  Environmental Release      78   

6.22

  [Reserved.]      78   

6.23

  Transactions with Affiliates      78   

6.24

  Joinder of Subsidiaries      78   

 

ii


6.25

  No Restrictive Agreement      79   

6.26

  Partnerships and Joint Ventures      79   

6.27

  Additional Debt      79   

6.28

  Modifications of Organizational Documents      80   

6.29

  ERISA Exemptions      80   

6.30

  Hedge Transactions      80   

6.31

  Performance of Loan Documents      80   

6.32

  Operating Leases      80   

6.33

  Deposit Accounts      81   

6.34

  Anti-Corruption; OFAC      81   

6.35

  Further Assurances      81   

6.36

  Specific Covenants Regarding the Excluded Subsidiary      81   

ARTICLE VII RESERVED

     81   

ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     81   

8.01

  Events of Default      81   

8.02

  Remedies Upon Event of Default      84   

8.03

  Application of Funds      84   

ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     86   

9.01

  Appointment and Authority      86   

9.02

  Rights as a Lender      86   

9.03

  Exculpatory Provisions      86   

9.04

  Reliance by Administrative Agent      87   

9.05

  Delegation of Duties      88   

9.06

  Resignation of Administrative Agent      88   

9.07

  Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders      89   

9.08

  No Other Duties; Etc      90   

9.09

  Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding      90   

9.10

  Collateral and Guaranty Matters      91   

9.11

  Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements      92   

ARTICLE X GUARANTY

     92   

10.01

  The Guaranty      92   

10.02

  Obligations Unconditional      92   

10.03

  Reinstatement      93   

10.04

  Certain Additional Waivers      94   

10.05

  Remedies      94   

10.06

  Rights of Contribution      94   

10.07

  Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee      95   

10.08

  Keepwell      95   

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     95   

11.01

  Amendments, Etc      95   

11.02

  Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications      97   

11.03

  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement      99   

11.04

  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      100   

11.05

  Payments Set Aside      102   

11.06

  Successors and Assigns      102   

11.07

  Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality      106   

 

iii


11.08

  Rights of Setoff      107   

11.09

  Interest Rate Limitation      108   

11.10

  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      108   

11.11

  Survival of Representations and Warranties      109   

11.12

  Severability      109   

11.13

  Replacement of Lenders      109   

11.14

  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc      110   

11.15

  Waiver of Jury Trial      111   

11.16

  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      111   

11.17

  Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents      112   

11.18

  USA PATRIOT Act Notice      112   

11.19

  Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness      112   

 

iv


SCHEDULES   
1.01    Exclusions From Net Income
2.01    Commitments and Applicable Percentages
2.03    Existing Letters of Credit
5.05    Litigation
5.21    Intellectual Property Matters
5.24    Ownership Structure
5.33    Material Contracts
6.07    Loans and Advances
6.09    Investments
6.10    Negative Pledge
6.23    Affiliate Transactions
6.27    Additional Debt
11.02    Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS   
1.01    Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
2.02    Form of Loan Notice
2.04    Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
2.05    Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
2.11(a)    Form of Note
3.01    Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
6.01    Form of Compliance Certificate
6.24    Form of Joinder Agreement
11.06(b)    Form of Assignment and Assumption
11.06(b)(iv)    Form of Administrative Questionnaire

 

v


THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of January 12, 2016 among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The Borrower and BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY (“ BB&T ”) are parties to a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 20, 2014, as amended (the “ Prior Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which certain lenders have made certain credit facilities available to the Borrower. Contemporaneously with, but immediately prior to, the effectiveness of this Agreement, BB&T has resigned as administrative agent under the Prior Credit Agreement, has assigned all of its right, title and interest as administrative agent thereunder to Bank of America, N.A. and is no longer a Lender.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby amend and restate the Prior Credit Agreement in its entirety, 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 ”, by any Person, means the acquisition by such Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of either (a) all or any substantial portion of the property of, or a line of business or division of, another Person or (b) at least a majority of the Voting Stock of another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person.

Administrative Agent ” means Bank of America 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 11.02 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 substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b)(iv) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Aggregate Revolving Commitments ” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders. The initial amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date is, (a) from January 1 through and including June 30 of each year, $250 million and (b) from July 1 through and including December 31 of each year, $200 million.


Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement.

Applicable Percentage ” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time; provided that if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable. The Applicable Percentages shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 .

Applicable Rate ” means the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(d) :

 

Pricing

Tier

  

Consolidated Debt to

Consolidated EBITDA

Ratio

  

Eurodollar Rate Loans /

Letter of Credit Fee

  

Base Rate Loans

  

Commitment

Fee

           
           

1

   > 2.50:1.00    1.90%    0.90%    0.30%

2

   < 2.50:1.00 but  >  2.00:1.00    1.65%    0.65%    0.25%

3

   < 2.00:1.00 but  >  1.50:1.00    1.40%    0.40%    0.20%

4

   < 1.50:1.0    1.15%    0.15%    0.15%

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Tier 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the first Business Day immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.01(d) , whereupon the Applicable Rate shall be adjusted based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio contained in such Compliance Certificate. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date to the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015 shall be determined based upon Pricing Tier 4. 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) .

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.

Arranger ” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

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 11.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b) or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

2


Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease, 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 payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease, (c) in respect of any Securitization Transaction, the outstanding principal amount of such financing, after taking into account reserve accounts and making appropriate adjustments, determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment and (d) in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted in accordance with GAAP at the debt rate implied in the applicable lease) of the obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the term of such lease.

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, including the notes thereto.

Availability Period ” means, with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 , and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 .

Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’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 “prime rate” announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 .

Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 .

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 day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all capital expenditures.

 

3


Capital Securities ” 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.

Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. “ 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, as at any date, (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations and (e) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).

Cash Management Agreement ” means any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, (b) in the case of any Cash Management Agreement in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, is, as of the Closing Date or within 30 days thereafter, a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent and a party to a Cash Management

 

4


Agreement or (c) within 30 days after the time it enters into the applicable Cash Management Agreement, becomes a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives 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.

Change in Control ” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all Capital Securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Borrower representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the Borrower on a fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

(b) during any period of 24 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.

Closing Date ” means the date hereof.

Collateral ” means a collective reference to all property with respect to which Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the other holders of the Obligations, are purported to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents. “ Collateral ” shall not include (1) any Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in the Excluded Subsidiary, or (2) the Olive Branch Property.

Collateral Documents ” means a collective reference to the Security Agreement, the Mortgages and other security documents as may be executed and delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of Section 5.19 or any of the Loan Documents.

 

5


Collateral Document Amendments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16 .

Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. ).

Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(d) .

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.

Consolidated Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the total of all Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, (i) eliminating all offsetting debits and credits between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and all other items required to be eliminated in the course of the preparation of consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, (ii) subtracting an amount equal to the cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of $10,000,000 held by the Borrower on such date of determination, and (iii) with respect to Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with any NMTC Transaction, (a) including the portion thereof constituting NMTC Put Option Debt, (b) excluding the entire portion thereof constituting NMTC Excluded Debt if such NMTC Excluded Debt is unsecured, non-amortizing and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (c) if such NMTC Excluded Debt is secured, amortizing or not subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or if any NMTC Recapture Event has occurred, only excluding the amount of any loans made by the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) all convertible debt shall be stated at its face amount and not the amount otherwise adjusted pursuant to the effect of FASB APB 14-1, (B) in the event the Borrower shall Guarantee any Debt of a Subsidiary incurred in connection with any NMTC Transaction, such Guarantee and such Debt shall not be double-counted.

Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio ” means the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period of determination, the Consolidated Net Income plus interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis for such period.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of measurement, the ratio of (i) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA for the four-quarter period ending on such date minus cash taxes for such four-quarter period minus Capital Expenditures for such four-quarter period minus Restricted Payments (other than those described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) made in cash for such four-quarter period, to (ii) the sum of current maturities of long-term debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such four-quarter period and consolidated interest expense for such four-quarter period, in each case as measured for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) with respect to debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with any NMTC Transaction, (a) clause (ii) above shall include the portion thereof constituting NMTC Put Option Debt, (b) clause (ii) above shall exclude the entire portion thereof constituting NMTC Excluded Debt if such NMTC Excluded Debt is unsecured, non-amortizing and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (c) if such NMTC Excluded Debt is secured, amortizing or not subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or if any NMTC Recapture Event has occurred, clause (ii) above shall only exclude the amount of any loans made by the Borrower and/or such

 

6


Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction, and (2) in the event the Borrower shall guarantee any debt of a Subsidiary incurred in connection with any NMTC Transaction, such guarantee and such debt shall not be double-counted.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding extraordinary non-cash gains and extraordinary non-cash losses as determined in accordance with GAAP and excluding the Net Income Exclusions) for such period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude (a) 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, and (b) 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 Income 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).

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. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 5% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Debt ” 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 for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount available to be drawn under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) the Swap Termination Value of any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);

(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;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness;

 

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(g) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Capital Securities or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Capital Security, 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 Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing; and

(i) all Debt of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above 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 joint venturer, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.

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) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.15(d) , 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, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any 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 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, (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 Capital Security in that Lender or any direct or indirect

 

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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(d) ) 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 Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

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 of any property by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction and any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith, but excluding any Recovery Event.

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

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 11.06(b)(iii) and (v)  (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) ).

Environmental Authority ” means any foreign, federal, state, local or regional government that exercises any form of jurisdiction or authority under any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Authorizations ” means all licenses, permits, orders, approvals, notices, registrations or other legal prerequisites for conducting the business of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party required by any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Judgments and Orders ” means all judgments, decrees or orders arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirements, whether or not entered upon consent or written agreements with an Environmental Authority or other entity arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirement, whether or not incorporated in a judgment, decree or order.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.

 

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Environmental Liabilities ” means any liabilities, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, arising from and in any way associated with any Environmental Requirements.

Environmental Notices ” means notice from any Environmental Authority or by any other person or entity, of possible or alleged noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Requirement, including without limitation any complaints, citations, demands or requests from any Environmental Authority or from any other person or entity for correction of any violation of any Environmental Requirement or any investigations concerning any violation of any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Proceedings ” means any judicial or administrative proceedings arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Releases ” means releases as defined in CERCLA or under any applicable federal, state or local environmental law or regulation and shall include, in any event and without limitation, any release of petroleum or petroleum related products.

Environmental Requirements ” means any legal requirement relating to health, safety or the environment and applicable to a Loan Party, any Subsidiary of a Loan Party or the Properties, including but not limited to any such requirement under CERCLA or similar state legislation and all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, orders, writs, decrees and common law.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or any successor law and all rules and regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder. Any reference to any provision of ERISA shall also be deemed to be a reference to any successor provision or provisions thereof.

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 Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).

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 by Bloomberg (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “ LIBOR Rate ”) 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 the LIBOR Rate, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that (i) 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 as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and (ii) if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurodollar Rate.”

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

Excess Liquidity ” means, as of any date of determination thereof by the Administrative Agent, the sum of (a) the Borrower’s unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents which are subject to a first priority (and exclusive) Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, plus (b) an amount equal to the remainder of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments minus (ii) the sum of (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings, plus (B) the aggregate amount, if any, of all trade payables of the Borrower aged in excess of historical levels with respect thereto and all book overdrafts of the Borrower in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

Excess Liquidity Requirement ” means $40,000,000.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means Trex Wood-Polymer Espana, S.L.

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 under a Loan Document by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act (or the application or official interpretation 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 10.08 and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or 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 Contract, such exclusion shall apply to only the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any 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 11.13 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) , 3.01(a)(iii) or 3.01(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 pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Letters of Credit ” means the Letters of Credit set forth on Schedule 2.03 .

 

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Facility Termination Date ” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized).

FASB ASC ” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue 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, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, (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 Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent, and (c) if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Fee Letter ” means the letter agreement, dated December 7, 2015 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

Fiscal Year ” means any fiscal year of the Borrower.

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 the 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 Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations 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.

 

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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, 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 supranational 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 Debt 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 Debt or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Debt or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Debt 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) each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower identified as a “Guarantor” on the signature pages hereto, (b) each Person that joins as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.13 or otherwise, (c) with respect to (i) Obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreement, (ii) Obligations under any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (iii) any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 10.01 and 10.08 ) under the Guaranty, the Borrower, and (d) the successors and permitted assigns of the foregoing.

Guaranty ” means the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations pursuant to Article X .

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, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedge Bank ” means any Person that (i) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract, is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Swap Contract in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, is, as of the Closing Date or within 30 days thereafter, a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent and a party to a Swap Contract or (iii) within 30 days after the time it enters into the applicable Swap Contract, becomes a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative

 

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Agent, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract; provided , in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement.

Honor Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c) .

Incremental Facility ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16 .

Incremental Facility Amendment ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16 .

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.

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 clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b) .

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07 .

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; 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; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.

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 Loan Notice; provided that:

(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

Internal Revenue Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Capital Securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other

 

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acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) an Acquisition. 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.

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 Document ” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.24 executed and delivered by a Domestic Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.24 or any other documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose.

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 Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable 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 Borrowing of Revolving Loans.

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Issuer ” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor 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 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 1.06 . 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.

Lenders ” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto, each other Person that becomes a “Lender” in accordance with this Agreement and their successors and assigns and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swing Line Lender.

 

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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 references 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 and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.

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 the L/C Issuer.

Letter of Credit Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h) .

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (b) $15 million. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any 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 Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, each Joinder Agreement, the Collateral Documents and the Fee Letter (but specifically excluding Secured Hedge Agreements and any Secured Cash Management Agreements).

Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02 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.

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

Master Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

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Maturity Date ” means January 12, 2021; provided , however , that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, (a) 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 102% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , an amount equal to 102% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (c) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgages ” means the mortgages, deeds of trust or deeds to secure debt that purport to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a security interest in the fee interests of any Loan Party in any real property.

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 Income Exclusions ” means the items listed on Schedule 1.01 .

Nevada Property ” means the real estate and personal property relating to the facility owned by the Borrower and located in Lyon County, Nevada.

NMTC Excluded Debt ” means, with respect to any NMTC Transaction, (i) the amount of any Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with such NMTC Transaction, minus (ii) any NMTC Put Option Debt relating thereto.

NMTC Program ” means the New Market Tax Credit Program enacted by the United States Congress as part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (and codified as Section 45D of the Code), or any similar program adopted by any state or local government or Governmental Authority, which permits certain individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in qualified community development entities.

NMTC Put Option Debt ” means, with respect to any NMTC Transaction, the obligations of the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) under any put/call option agreement entered into in connection with such NMTC Transaction, assuming the put is exercised.

NMTC Recapture Event ” means any recapture event (within the meaning of the NMTC Program) resulting in all or any portion of any NMTC Excluded Debt becoming due and payable by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary.

NMTC Transaction ” means a transaction in which the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (as a qualified low-income community business) obtains a qualified low-income community investment from a qualified community development entity, in each case under, and within the meanings set forth in, the NMTC Program.

 

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Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (b) 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 ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a) .

Notice of Loan Prepayment ” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05 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 Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Borrower.

Obligations ” means with respect to each Loan Party (i) 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, and (ii) all obligations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary owing to a Cash Management Bank or a Hedge Bank in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements, in each case identified in clauses (i) and (ii) 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 , however , that the “Obligations” of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Olive Branch Property ” means all real and personal property of the Borrower located in Olive Branch, Mississippi as of the Closing Date.

Organizational Action ” means with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other legally authorized incorporated or unincorporated entity, any corporate, organizational or partnership action (including any required shareholder, member or partner action), or other similar official action, as applicable, taken by such entity.

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 or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (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 (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, 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 (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).

 

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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 any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans 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 11.06(d) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d) .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

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 Internal Revenue Code.

Permitted Liens ” means, at any time, Liens in respect of property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary permitted to exist at such time pursuant to the terms of Section 6.10 .

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 6.01 .

Poly Business ” means the Borrower’s lines of business related to polyethylene film conversion operations.

 

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Pro Forma Basis ” means, with respect to any transaction, that for purposes of calculating the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.05 , such transaction (including the incurrence of any Debt therewith) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the most recent four fiscal quarter period preceding the date of such transaction for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) . In connection with the foregoing, (a) with respect to any Disposition or Recovery Event, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property disposed of shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period occurring prior to the date of such transaction and (ii) Debt which is retired shall be excluded and deemed to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period and (b) with respect to any Acquisition, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items attributable to the Person or property acquired shall be included to the extent relating to any period applicable in such calculations to the extent (A) such items are not otherwise included in such income statement and cash flow statement items for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any defined terms set forth in Section 1.01 and (B) such items are supported by financial statements or other information reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) any Debt incurred or assumed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including the Person or property acquired) in connection with such transaction and any Debt of the Person or property acquired which is not retired in connection with such transaction (A) shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable period and (B) if such Debt has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Debt as at the relevant date of determination.

Pro Forma Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing reasonably detailed calculations of the financial covenants set forth in S ection 6.05 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b)  after giving effect to the applicable transaction on a Pro Forma Basis.

Properties ” means all real property owned, leased or otherwise used or occupied by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party. “ Property ” means any one of such Properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Properties” shall not include the Olive Branch Property.

Public Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 .

Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Real Property Security Documents ” means with respect to the fee interest of any Loan Party in any real property:

(a) a fully executed and notarized Mortgage encumbering the fee interest of such Loan Party in such real property;

(b) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, maps or plats of an as-built survey of the sites of such real property certified to the Administrative Agent and the title insurance company issuing the policies referred to in clause (c) of this definition in a manner satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company, dated a date satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor, which maps or plats and the surveys on which

 

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they are based shall be sufficient to delete any standard printed survey exception contained in the applicable title policy and be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping in 2011 with items 2, 3, 4, 6(b), 7(a), 7(b)(1), 7(c), 8, 9, 10, 11(a), 13, 14, 16,17, 18 and 19 on Table A thereof completed;

(c) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies issued by a title insurance company acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to such real property, assuring the Administrative Agent that the Mortgage covering such real property creates a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on such real property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, which title insurance policies shall otherwise be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall include such endorsements as are requested by the Administrative Agent;

(d) evidence as to (i) whether such real property is in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards (a “ Flood Hazard Property ”) and (ii) if such real property is a Flood Hazard Property, (A) whether the community in which such real property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, (B) the applicable Loan Party’s written acknowledgment of receipt of written notification from the Administrative Agent (1) as to the fact that such real property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and (C) copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries evidencing life of loan flood insurance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and naming the Administrative Agent and its successors and/or assigns as sole loss payee on behalf of the Lenders;

(e) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an environmental assessment report, as to such real property, in form and substance and from professional firms acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(f) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such real property, and the uses of such real property, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable zoning Laws (the evidence submitted as to which should include the zoning designation made for such real property, the permitted uses of such real property under such zoning designation and, if available, zoning requirements as to parking, lot size, ingress, egress and building setbacks); and

(g) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an opinion of legal counsel to the Loan Party granting the Mortgage on such real property, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Recipient ” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

Recovery Event ” means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.

Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c) .

 

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Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a 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 having Total Credit Exposures representing more than 66 2/3% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders; provided , however , that Required Lenders shall require at least two unaffiliated Lenders so long as there are at least two unaffiliated Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

Resignation Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06 .

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant 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. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Restricted Payment ” means (i) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Capital Securities of any Person (except dividends payable solely in shares of such Person’s Capital Securities); or (ii) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of (a) any shares of Capital Securities of any Person (except shares acquired upon the conversion thereof into other shares of its Capital Securities) or (b) any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of Capital Securities of any such Person.

Revolving Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 , (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 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto or in any documentation executed by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 , 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 Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Revolving Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a) .

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means, with respect to any Person, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby such Person shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

Sanction(s) ” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government, including OFAC, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

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 or any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank with respect to such Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11 .

Secured Hedge Agreement ” means any Swap Contract that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank with respect to such Swap Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11 .

Secured Party Designation Notice ” shall mean a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.01 .

Securitization Transaction ” means, with respect to any Person, any financing transaction or series of financing transactions (including factoring arrangements) pursuant to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person may sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in, accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar rights to payment to a special purpose subsidiary or affiliate of such Person.

Security Agreement ” means the Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of even date herewith, by and among the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, to be executed and delivered in connection herewith.

Solvent ” or “ Solvency ” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (b) 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 in the ordinary course of business, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s

 

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property would constitute unreasonably small capital, (d) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) 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. 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 ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.08 .

Subordinated Debt ” means any other Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which by its terms is subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and to an extent reasonably acceptable 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 Voting Stock is 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 Obligation ” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swing Line Lender ” means Bank of America 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) .

 

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Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of a Borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.04 or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approve by 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) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (b) $5 million. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

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 creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of 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.

Total Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments of such Lender at such time, the outstanding Loans of such Lender at such time and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Total Revolving Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans, all Swing Line Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Type ” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

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).

United States ” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3) .

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, Capital Securities issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

Winchester Property ” means the real estate owned by the Borrower and personal property relating to the Borrower’s facility located in Winchester, Virginia.

 

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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 Loan Document or Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (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, Preliminary Statements of and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any Law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced 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 assets and properties, tangible and intangible, real and personal, 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 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, Debt of the Loan Parties and their 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.

 

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(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, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) 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. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

(c) Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities . All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Borrower is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

(d) Calculations . Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that all calculations of the financial covenants in Section 6.05 (including for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate) shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis with respect to (i) any Disposition of all of the Capital Securities of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, a Subsidiary, (ii) any Disposition of a line of business or division of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, or (iii) any Acquisition, in each case, occurring during the applicable period.

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 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 , however , 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.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01 Revolving Loans.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “ Revolving Loan ”) to the Borrower in Dollars 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 such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed the lesser of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01 . Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein, provided , however , all Borrowings made on the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans.

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of 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 Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such 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 principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing 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 a Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable 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 Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

 

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(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable 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 the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each 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 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 Bank of America 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, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing of Revolving Loans is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such 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 the 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, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans.

(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 Bank of America’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 six Interest Periods in effect.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

(g) This Section 2.02 shall not apply to Swing Line Loans.

2.03 Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the 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 five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for

 

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the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the 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, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments 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. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not 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 Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) holding a majority of the Revolving Credit Exposure have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the Maturity Date, unless all the Lenders that have Revolving Commitments have approved such expiry date.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not 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 the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the 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 the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

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(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $25,000;

(D) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

(E) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its reasonable discretion) with the Borrower or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(b) ) 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 the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure; or

(F) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the 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 the 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 Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the 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 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 L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the 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

 

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+Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the 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 the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the 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 the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any 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, the 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 the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole 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 the 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 L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the date that is twelve months after the Maturity Date; provided , however , that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the 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 S ection 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in

 

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writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(iv) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “ Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit ”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “ Non-Reinstatement Deadline ”), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in S ection 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.

(v) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the 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 drawing under such Letter of Credit, the 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 L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing, failure to make such reimbursement shall not constitute an Event of Default if the Unreimbursed Amount is refinanced with Revolving Loans as provided below. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are 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 unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a

 

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Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if 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 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 L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable 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 Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are 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 L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C 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 Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Se ction 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 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 L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is

 

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required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the 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 Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Repayment of Participations .

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any 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 the 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 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 L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable 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 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 any Loan Party 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 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;

 

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(iv) waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

(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 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 L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; 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, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.

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 L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or 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 from pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the 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

 

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the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the 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 L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The 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; Limitation of Liability . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the 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 the 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 Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.15 , with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans 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 1.06 . 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 Maturity 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, 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 L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, 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 tenth Business Day after the end of each March,

 

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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 Maturity 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 1.06 . In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees 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 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.

2.04 Swing Line Loans.

(a) Swing Line Facility . 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 , may in its sole discretion make loans (each such loan, a “ Swing Line Loan ”) to the Borrower in Dollars 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 Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that (i) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (B) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (ii) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan and (iii) 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 be a Base Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each 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 Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

(b) Borrowing Procedures . Each Borrowing of Swing Line Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) by a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such Swing Line Loan Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the

 

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requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $100,000 and integral multiples of $50,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any 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 Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (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 discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable 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 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 Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such 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 Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is 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 Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each 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 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

 

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(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 Loan included in the relevant 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 that 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable 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 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable 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 Lender funds its Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(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.

2.05 Prepayments.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments of Loans .

(i) The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Notice of Loan Prepayment to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving 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 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 such prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the 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 Applicable Percentage 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. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Subject to Section 2.15 , each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

(ii) Swing Line Loans . 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 (i) 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 (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). 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.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments of Loans . If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans and/or Swing Line Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(i) unless after the prepayment in full of the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect. All amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)

 

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shall be applied first, ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second , to the outstanding Revolving Loans, and, third , to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations. Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05 , but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.

2.06 Optional Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments; 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 $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

2.07 Repayment of Loans.

(a) Revolving Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

(b) Swing Line Loans . The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

2.08 Interest.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(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.

 

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(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, 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.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (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) 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.

2.09 Fees.

In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03 :

(a) Commitment Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Rate times (ii) the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments exceed the sum of (y) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (z) 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 Revolving Commitments for purposes of determining the commitment fee. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the 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 last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b) Other Fees .

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Arranger 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. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

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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-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 Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA 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 L/C Issuer, 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

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 promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.11(a) (a “ Note ”). 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.

 

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(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a) above, 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. 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 (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.

 

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(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the 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 the 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, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(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 11.04(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 11.04(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.

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 any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, 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 principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

 

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(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), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14 , or (C) 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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

2.14 Cash Collateral.

(a) Certain Credit Support Events . If (i) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Maturity 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 the 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(b) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

(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 Issuer 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 2.14(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 L/C Issuer as herein provided (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.10 ), 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 Bank of America. 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.

 

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(c) Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.14 or Sections 2.03 , 2.05 , 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, 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 otherwise 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 11.06(b)(vi)) ) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the 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 L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

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 Law:

(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 the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.01 .

(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 11.08 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 Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14 ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no 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 and the Borrower; 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 the L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under

 

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this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.14 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the 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 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 competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) 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, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, 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(b) . 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 2.14 .

(C) With respect to any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (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 that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (b) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(b) 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

 

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extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s 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.

(c) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans . If the reallocation described in clause (b)  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 Law, (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 2.14 .

(d) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer 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 satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), 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 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(b) ), 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 (including the Borrower), 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 Incremental Facilities .

The Borrower may from time to time increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments (each such increase, an “ Incremental Facility ”) to this Agreement at the option of the Borrower by an agreement in writing entered into by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Person (including any existing Lender) that agrees to provide a portion of such Incremental Facility (each an “ Incremental Facility Amendment ”); provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Facilities shall not exceed $25,000,000;

(b) no Default shall exist on the effective date of such Incremental Facility or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility;

(c) the representations and warranties of each 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 on and as of the effective date of such Incremental Facility, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date;

 

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(d) no existing Lender shall be under any obligation to provide any commitment to any Incremental Facility and any such decision whether to provide a commitment to an Incremental Facility hall be in such Lender’s sole and absolute discretion;

(e) each Incremental Facility shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

(f) each Person providing a commitment to an Incremental Facility shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee;

(g) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(i) a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the date of such Incremental Facility signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching resolutions adopted by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Loan Party approving such Incremental Facility and (B) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such Incremental Facility, the conditions in clause (b) and (c) above are true and correct;

(ii) such amendments to the Collateral Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to cause the Collateral Documents to secure the Obligations after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (collectively “ Collateral Document Amendments ”);

(iii) opinions of legal counsel to the Loan Parties in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (including each Person providing a commitment to an Incremental Facility), dated as of the effective date of such Incremental Facility; and

(iv) a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating that after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Facility on a Pro Forma Basis (and for purposes of the calculations under this clause (iv) assuming that such any then proposed Incremental Facility is fully drawn) the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.05 recomputed as of the end of the period of four fiscal quarters most recently for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section  6.01(a) or (b) ;

(h) such Incremental Facility shall have the same terms (including interest rate and interest rate margins but excluding upfront fees payable solely to the Lenders under such Incremental Facility) applicable to the Aggregate Revolving Commitments;

(i) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding on the date of such increase, (x) each Lender providing such Incremental Facility shall make Revolving Loans, the proceeds of which shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to prepay Revolving Loans of the existing Lenders, in an amount necessary such that after giving effect thereto the outstanding Revolving Loans are held ratably among all of the Lenders with a Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrower shall pay an amount required pursuant to Section 3.05 as a result of any such prepayment of Revolving Loans of existing Lenders; and

 

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(j) the existing Lenders with a Revolving Commitment shall on the effective date of such Incremental Facility be deemed to have made such assignments (which assignments shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 11.06(b) ) of the outstanding participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility and the Administrative Agent may make such adjustments to the Register as are necessary so that, after giving effect to such assignments and adjustments, each Lender with a Revolving Commitment (including the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility) will hold participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans equal to its pro rata share thereof.

The commitments under any Incremental Facility and credit extensions thereunder shall constitute Commitments and Credit Extensions under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guarantees and security interests created by the Collateral Documents. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into, and the Lenders agree that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be amended by, each Incremental Facility Amendment and any Collateral Documents Amendment to the extent the Administrative Agent and the Borrower deem necessary in order to establish the applicable Incremental Facility and to effect such other changes agreed by the Borrower and the Persons providing such Incremental Facility and approved by the Administrative Agent; provided , however, that the Incremental Facility Amendment shall not effect any change described in Section 11.01(a) without the consent of each Person required to consent to such change under such clause (it being agreed, however, that any Incremental Facility will not, of itself, be deemed to effect any of the changes described in Section 11.01(a) and that modifications to the definitions of “Commitments”, “Loans” and “Required Lenders” or other provisions relating to voting provisions to provide the Persons providing the applicable Incremental Facility with the benefit of such provisions will not, by themselves, be deemed to effect any of the changes described in Section 11.01(a)) . The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment.

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 under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (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 Internal Revenue 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

 

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accordance with the Internal Revenue 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 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 Internal Revenue 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 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 Loan Parties . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Loan Parties 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) Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten 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, 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant

 

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Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party 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 the 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 the 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 . As soon as practicable, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01 , such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(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 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) , 3.01(e)(ii)(B) and 3.01(e)(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 copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

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(B) any 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 copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, 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-8BENE (or W-8BEN, 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 copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-A to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-B or Exhibit 3.01-C , 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 3.01-D 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 copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

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(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.

(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.

(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 the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall pay to the Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party 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 Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (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 Loan Party 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 the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party 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 the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

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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 Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extensions 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 issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension 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 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.

(a) If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i) the Administrative Agent determines that (A) 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 (B) 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 (i), “ Impacted Loans ”), or (ii) 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.

 

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(b) 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)(i) of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding 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 the 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 the 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 (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the 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 the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the 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 the

 

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L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the 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 the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or the 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 the 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 six-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 the Borrower shall have received at least ten (10) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (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 Eurodollar 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 Eurodollar 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 11.13 ;

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 used in determining 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 make any Credit Extension to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Credit Extension 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, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the 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 the L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the 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 11.13 .

3.07 Survival.

All of the Loan Parties’ obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Reserved.

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions.

The obligation of each Lender and the L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a 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) The representations and warranties of each 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 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 as of such earlier date.

(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 Issuer 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 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 and the Guarantors represent and warrant that:

5.01 Existence and Power.

The Borrower is a corporation, and each Guarantor is a corporation, limited liability company or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, is duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, such qualification is necessary, and has all organizational powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted.

5.02 Organizational and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention.

The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party (i) are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary Organizational Action, (iii) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, (iv) do not

 

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contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable Law or of the Organization Documents of such Loan Party or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (v) do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except for a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

5.03 Binding Effect.

This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Loan Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents, when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Loan Parties to such Loan Document enforceable in accordance with their respective terms; provided , that the enforceability hereof and thereof is subject in each case to general principles of equity and to Debtor Relief Laws and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

5.04 Financial Information.

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young, LLP, copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each of the Lenders, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the interim period ended September 30, 2015, copies of which have been delivered to each of the Lenders, fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such periods stated.

(b) Since December 31, 2014, there has been no event, act, condition or occurrence having a Material Adverse Effect.

5.05 Litigation.

As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.05 , there is no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties threatened, against or affecting the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority which (a) in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Loan Documents, (b) could impair the ability of the Loan Parties to perform their respective obligations under, this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Loan Documents, or (c) has, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.06 Compliance with ERISA.

(a) The Loan Parties and each member of the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, and have not incurred any liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA.

(b) Neither the Loan Parties nor any member of the Controlled Group is or ever has been obligated to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan.

 

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(c) The assets of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party do not and will not constitute “plan assets,” within the meaning of ERISA, the Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the borrowing and repayment of amounts hereunder, do not and will not constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA or the Code.

5.07 Payment of Taxes.

There have been filed on behalf of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries all Federal, state and local income, excise, property and other tax returns which are required to be filed by them and all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by or on behalf of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary have been paid. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Loan Parties, adequate.

5.08 Subsidiaries.

Each of the Subsidiaries of each Loan Party is a corporation, a limited liability company or other legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, is duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, such qualification is necessary, and has all organizational powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. No Loan Party has any Subsidiaries except those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.24 and as set forth in any Compliance Certificate provided to the Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(d) after the Closing Date, which accurately sets forth each such Subsidiary’s complete name and jurisdiction of organization.

5.09 Investment Company Act, Etc.

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is a “holding company,” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

5.10 All Consents Required.

All approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or other actions of any Person or of any Governmental Authority (if any) required in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party, have been obtained.

5.11 Ownership of Property; Liens.

Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries has title or the contractual right to possess its properties sufficient for the conduct of its business and none of such properties is subject to any Lien except as permitted in Section 6.10 .

 

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5.12 No Default or Event of Default.

No Loan Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, except where such default, alone or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.13 Full Disclosure.

All information heretofore furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all such information hereafter furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender will be, true, accurate and complete in every material respect or based on reasonable estimates on the date as of which such information is stated or certified. The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders in writing any and all facts which, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.14 Environmental Matters.

(a) No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is subject to any Environmental Liability which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and no Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party has been designated as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA. None of the Properties (or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties with respect to Properties not owned by the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party) has been identified on any current or proposed (i) National Priorities List under 40 C.F.R. §300, (ii) CERCLIS list or (iii) any list arising from a state statute similar to CERCLA.

(b) To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties and except (i) as disclosed in the environmental reports relating to the Nevada Property and the Winchester Property delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date or (ii) as could not otherwise reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Hazardous Materials have been or are being used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of, managed or otherwise handled at, or shipped or transported to or from the Properties or are otherwise present at, on, in or under the Properties, or, to the best of the knowledge of the Loan Parties, at or from any adjacent site or facility, except for Hazardous Materials, such as petroleum products, cleaning solvents, pesticides and other materials used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of, and managed or otherwise handled in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation the Poly Business) of such Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party in compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements.

(c) Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries has procured all Environmental Authorizations necessary for the conduct of their business contemplated on such Property, and is in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Requirements in connection with the operation of the Loan Party’s, and each of their respective Subsidiary’s, respective businesses.

5.15 Compliance with Laws.

Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of a Loan Party is in compliance with all applicable Laws, regulations and similar requirements of Governmental Authorities, including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws and all regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (including with respect to timely filing of reports), except where such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings or where non-compliance, alone or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.16 Capital Securities.

All Capital Securities, debentures, bonds, notes and all other securities of each Loan Party and their respective Subsidiaries presently issued and outstanding are validly and properly issued in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, but not limited to, the “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable states and the federal securities laws. The issued shares of Capital Securities of each of the Loan Party’s respective Subsidiaries are owned by the Loan Parties free and clear of any Lien or adverse claim, except for a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

5.17 Margin Stock.

No Loan Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or be used for any purpose which violates, or which is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Following the application of the proceeds from each Credit Extension, 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, will be “Margin Stock.”

5.18 Insolvency.

After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Credit Extensions under this Agreement, the Borrower is Solvent.

5.19 Security Documents.

The Collateral Documents create valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, which security interests and Liens are currently perfected security interests and Liens, prior to all other Liens other than Permitted Liens.

5.20 Labor Matters.

There are no strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other labor disputes against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened. The hours worked by and payment made to employees of the Loan Parties and each Subsidiary of any Loan Party have been in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and any other applicable federal, state or foreign law dealing with such matters. All payments due from the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or for which any claim may be made against the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as appropriate.

5.21 Patents, Trademarks, Etc .

The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes, service marks and rights with respect to the foregoing that are material to the businesses, assets, operations, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except as

 

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disclosed on Schedule 5.21 , the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct their business without infringement or claim of infringement of any material license, patent, trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, trade secret or any other intellectual property right of others and there is no infringement or claim of infringement by others of any material license, patent, trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property right of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, in each case which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.22 Insurance .

(a) The Loan Parties and each of their Subsidiaries has (either in the name of such Loan Party or in such Subsidiary’s name), with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (including on all its property, and public liability and worker’s compensation) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business.

(b) Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent

5.23 Reserved.

5.24 Ownership Structure .

As of the Closing Date, Part I of Schedule 5.24 is a complete and correct list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower and of each Loan Party setting forth for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding any Capital Securities in such Subsidiary, (iii) the nature of the Capital Securities held by each such Person, and (iv) the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by such Capital Securities. (i) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, free and clear of all Liens and has the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding Capital Securities in each Person shown to be held by it on such Schedule, (ii) all of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each Person is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (iii) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including, without limitation, any stockholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or outstanding securities convertible into, any additional Capital Securities of any type in, any such Person. Except as listed on Part II of Schedule 5.24 , neither the Loan Parties nor their respective Subsidiaries are engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person. Except as listed on Part III of Schedule 5.24 , there are no outstanding stock purchase warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of Capital Securities of the Loan Parties or their respective Subsidiaries.

5.25 Reports Accurate; Disclosure .

All information, exhibits, financial statements, documents, books, records or reports furnished or to be furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any Loan Document, including without limitation all reports furnished pursuant to Section 5.04 , are true, complete and accurate in all material respects; it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the projections and forecasts provided by the Borrower in good faith and based upon reasonable assumptions are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period

 

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or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results. Neither this Agreement, nor any Loan Document, nor any agreement, document, certificate or statement furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.

5.26 Location of Offices .

The Borrower’s name is Trex Company, Inc. The location of the Borrower (within the meaning of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) is Delaware. The Borrower has not changed its name, identity, structure, existence or state of formation, whether by amendment of its Organization Documents, by reorganization or otherwise, and has not changed its location (within the meaning of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) within the five (5) years preceding the Closing Date or any subsequent date on which this representation is made.

5.27 Reserved .

5.28 Broker’s Fees .

Except as set forth in the Fee Letter, no broker’s or finder’s fee, commission or similar compensation will be payable with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set forth in the Fee Letter, no other similar fees or commissions will be payable by any Loan Party for any other services rendered to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries ancillary to the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.29 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc .

All statements contained in any certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument delivered by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such statement made in or in connection with any amendment thereto or any statement contained in any certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party prior to the Closing Date and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the underwriting or closing of the transactions contemplated hereby) shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties as of the date of such certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument in favor of the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders under this Agreement. All such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Credit Extensions.

5.30 Reserved .

5.31 No Default or Event of Default .

No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists, or would result from any Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, which constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Default or Event of Default.

 

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5.32 Anti-Corruption; OFAC .

(a) The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws

(b) None of the Loan Parties, nor any of their Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

5.33 Material Contracts .

Schedule 5.33 is, as of the Closing Date, a true, correct and complete listing of all contracts (other than any contracts relating to any NMTC Transaction) to which any Loan Party is a party, the breach of or failure to perform which, either by a Loan Party or other party to such contract, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (“ Material Contract ”).

The Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties that is a party to any Material Contract has performed and is in compliance with all of the material terms of such Material Contract, and no Loan Party has knowledge of any default or event of default that exists with respect to any such Material Contract.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

The Borrower and Guarantors hereby agree, jointly and severally, that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid:

6.01 Information.

The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent, who will then promptly deliver to each of the Lenders:

(a) as soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) calendar days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in form to the Administrative Agent, all as audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and certified by such independent public accountants to be free of any “going concern” or like exceptions and qualifications not acceptable to the Required Lenders; provided , that the Borrower may deliver, in lieu of the foregoing consolidated annual financial statements only, the annual report of the Borrower for the applicable Fiscal Year on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, but only so long as the consolidated financial statements contained in such annual report are substantially the same in content as the consolidated financial statements required by this Section 6.01(a) ;

 

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(b) as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) calendar days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in form to the Administrative Agent, and all reviewed by Ernst & Young, LLP or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the chief financial officer of the Borrower; provided , that the Borrower may deliver, in lieu of the foregoing quarterly consolidated financial statements only, the quarterly report of the Borrower for the applicable Fiscal Quarter on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, but only so long as the consolidated financial statements contained in such quarterly report are substantially the same in content as the consolidated financial statements required by this Section 6.01(b) .

(c) as soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each calendar month (except with respect to any calendar month that is the last month of a Fiscal Quarter), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such calendar month (together with an executive summary discussion and analysis) and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for such calendar month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such calendar month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding calendar month and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

(d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause (a) above for each Fiscal Year and each set of financial statements referred to in clause (b) above for each Fiscal Quarter, a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.01 and with compliance calculations in form and content satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (a “ Compliance Certificate ”), of the chief financial officer or other authorized officer of the Borrower (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Loan Parties were in compliance with the requirements of Section 6.05 on the date of such financial statements, (ii) setting forth the identities of the respective Subsidiaries on the date of such financial statements, (iii) stating whether any Default or Event of Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Default or Event of Default then exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Loan Parties are taking or propose to take with respect thereto, and (iv) stating whether, since the date of the most recent previous delivery of financial statements pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above, any event has occurred or condition exists that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and, if so, the nature of such event or condition;

(e) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of annual financial statements referred to in paragraph (a) above, a statement of the firm of independent public accountants which reported on such statements to the effect that nothing has come to their attention to cause them to believe that the Borrower has failed to comply with the requirements of Section 6.05(a), (b) or (c) as of the date of such financial statements;

(f) within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, or any event that results in a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of the chief financial officers or authorized officers of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

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(g) promptly after the same become publicly available, but only upon request of the Administrative Agent, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(h) if and when the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice;

(i) promptly after the Borrower knows of the commencement thereof, notice of any litigation, dispute or proceeding (and any material development in respect of such proceedings) involving a claim against a Loan Party and/or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party for $1,000,000 or more (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of the claim and does not dispute coverage);

(j) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of each report submitted to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries by independent public accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, each report submitted to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries concerning its accounting practices and systems and any final comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in connection with the annual audit of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;

(k) [Reserved];

(l) notice of the occurrence of any default or event of default under any agreement or note evidencing any Debt of any Loan Party having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000, or under any Material Contract, and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(m) as soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating budget of the Borrower for such Fiscal Year, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(n) from time to time such additional information regarding the assets, financial position or business of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, and each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Lender, may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(g) (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

 

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the website address listed on Schedule 11.02 ; 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: (i) 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 and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. 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.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar electronic transmission 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 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 so long as the Borrower is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information 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 11.07 ); (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 Arranger 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 as “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

6.02 Inspection of Property, Books and Records.

The Borrower will (i) keep, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; (ii) permit, and will cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and each Loan Party to permit, with reasonable prior notice which notice shall not be required in the case of an emergency or during the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or its designees, at the expense of the Borrower and the Loan Parties, to perform periodic appraisals (including real estate, machinery and equipment and trademark appraisals), inspections and investigations of the Borrower, the Loan Parties and the Collateral (including, without limitation, verification of the accounts and inventory of the Borrower) and the records pertaining thereto, from time to time; and (iii) permit, and will cause each Subsidiary to permit, representatives of any Lender at the Borrower’s expense to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and

 

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make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants. The Loan Parties agree to cooperate and assist in such visits and inspections, in each case at such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be desired.

6.03 Capital Expenditures.

The Loan Parties shall not make Capital Expenditures in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of any Capital Expenditures through and including the 30 th day after the making thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Capital Expenditures (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, the amount of such Capital Expenditures shall not count against such annual $25,000,000 limitation.

Amounts not incurred in any Fiscal Year may not be carried forward to a subsequent period.

6.04 Sale/Leasebacks.

The Loan Parties shall not, nor shall they permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

6.05 Financial Covenants.

(a) [Reserved].

(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.50 to 1.0, measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ended December 31, 2015.

(c) Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio to exceed 3.00 to 1.0 measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter (and in the case of Consolidated EBITDA, for the four-quarter period ending on such date).

6.06 Acquisitions.

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make any Acquisition, unless (a) the line or lines of business of the Person to be acquired are substantially the same as or reasonably related to one or more line or lines of business conducted by the Borrower (including without limitation the Poly Business), (b) the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such Acquisition, (c) after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and the Borrower shall be in actual and pro-forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.05 (as calculated as of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which the Borrower is then required to have delivered quarterly financial statements in accordance with Section 6.01(a) or (b)  as if such Acquisition and all related transactions (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith and the assumption or incurrence of all Debt related to such Acquisition) had been consummated as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter), (d) Excess Liquidity shall be at least $15,000,000 on each day from the 30 th day prior to the consummation of such Acquisition through and including the 30 th day after the consummation thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Acquisition (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in

 

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connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual consummation thereof, and (e) the aggregate consideration (including all Debt of such Person being acquired that is not discharged by the seller at the time of such Acquisition, all Debt as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party takes subject, and all other liabilities (including contingent earn-out payments) paid or to be paid in connection with such Acquisition) paid in connection with any single Acquisition shall not exceed $10,000,000 and in connection with all Acquisitions made during any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $20,000,000; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the consummation of any Acquisition through and including the 30 th day after the consummation thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Acquisition (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual consummation thereof, the aggregate consideration paid in connection with such Acquisition shall not count against the $10,000,000 per Acquisition limitation or the annual $20,000,000 limitation in this clause (e).

6.07 Loans or Advances.

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make loans or advances to any Person except: (a) deposits required by government agencies or public utilities; (b) loans or advances to the Borrower or any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary; provided , all such Debt shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement that in any such case is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; (c) loans and advances, if any, outstanding on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.07 ; (d) loans made in connection with any NMTC Transaction, but only to the extent offset by Debt incurred in connection with such NMTC Transaction under Section 6.27(d) , and (e) unsecured loans or advances not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.07 , which when aggregated with all other loans and advances made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties under this clause (e) and the total Investments made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under Section 6.09(iv) do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any loans, advances or deposits permitted by clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. All loans or advances permitted under this Section 6.07 (other than under clause (d) hereof) shall be evidenced by written promissory notes and all such notes shall be subject to the Administrative Agent’s first priority Lien pursuant to the Security Agreement.

6.08 Restricted Payments.

The Loan Parties shall not declare or make any Restricted Payment unless (i) after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and the Borrower shall be in actual and pro-forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.05 (as calculated as of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which the Borrower is then required to have delivered quarterly financial statements in accordance with Section 6.01(a) or (b)  as if such Restricted Payment and all related transactions (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter), (ii) Excess Liquidity shall be at least $15,000,000 on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of such Restricted Payment through and including the 30 th day after the making of such Restricted Payment, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Restricted Payment (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been made on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, and (iii) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made by the Loan Parties during any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $25,000,000; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of any such Restricted Payment through and including the 30 th day after the making of such Restricted Payment,

 

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as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Restricted Payment (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, the amount of such Restricted Payment shall not count against the annual $25,000,000 limitation in this clause (iii).

6.09 Investments.

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make Investments in any Person except as permitted by Sections 6.06 and Section 6.07(a) through (e)  and except Investments in (i) cash and Cash Equivalents, (ii) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 ; and (iii) Investments not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.09 , made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with practices existing on the Closing Date, which when aggregated with all other Investments made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under clause (iii) and the aggregate outstanding loans and advances made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under Section 6.07(e) do not exceed $1,000,000; provided , that after giving effect to such Investment and at any time after any such Investment is made, no Default or Event of Default exists.

6.10 Negative Pledge.

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party will create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement encumbering assets (other than Collateral) securing Debt outstanding on the date of this Agreement, in each case as described and in the principal amounts set forth on Schedule 6.10 ;

(b) Liens for taxes, assessments or similar charges, incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and with due diligence by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which (i) the Loan Party has established reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and (ii) the Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(c) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of workers’ compensation, to participate in any fund in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social security programs, or for other similar purposes;

(d) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers or other like liens, securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business that: (1) are not yet due and payable and which in no event shall become a Lien prior to any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens; or (2) are being contested diligently in good faith pursuant to appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Loan Party has established reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and which in no event shall become a Lien prior to any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(e) good faith pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amount due thereunder, or to secure statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(f) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any of clauses (a) through (e) of this Section; provided , that (i) such Debt is not secured by any additional assets, and (ii) the amount of such Debt secured by any such Lien is not increased;

(g) any Lien imposed as a result of a taking under the exercise of the power of eminent domain by any governmental body or by any Person acting under governmental authority;

(h) minor survey exceptions or minor encumbrances, easements or reservations, or rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties, which are necessary for the conduct of the activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or which customarily exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and which do not in any event materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and other easements, covenants, restrictions, reservations, exceptions and other matters shown on any title insurance commitment or survey provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof and not objected to by the Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof;

(i) Liens securing the Obligations created or arising under the Loan Documents; and

(j) Liens securing Debt incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any NMTC Transaction, provided that (i) such Liens encumber only the assets acquired with the proceeds of such Debt, and (ii) such Liens are subordinated to Liens securing the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

6.11 Maintenance of Existence, etc.

Except as otherwise permitted by Section 6.12 , each Loan Party shall maintain its organizational existence and carry on its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same line or lines of business or line or lines of business reasonably related to the business now carried on and maintained (including without limitation the Poly Business). Any Loan Party pledging Collateral under the Collateral Documents shall be organized as a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or other legal entity.

6.12 Dissolution.

No Loan Party shall suffer or permit dissolution or liquidation either in whole or in part or redeem or retire any shares of its own Capital Securities, except: (a) through corporate or company reorganization to the extent permitted by Section 6.13 ; (b) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 ; and (c) dissolution or liquidation of any Loan Party other than the Borrower so long as (i) all of the assets of such Loan Party have been transferred to the Borrower or another Loan Party or such assets will become assets of the Borrower or another Loan Party by operation of law, and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or such other Loan Party shall execute and deliver such documents or instruments as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to confirm that the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any Collateral pledged by such Loan Party shall continue in full force and effect after such dissolution or liquidation.

 

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6.13 Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets.

No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any substantial part of its assets to, any other Person, or discontinue or eliminate any business line or segment, provided , that (a) pursuant to the consummation of an Acquisition permitted under Section 6.06 (but not otherwise) a Loan Party may merge with another Person if (i) such Person was organized under the laws of the United States of America or one of its states, (ii) the Loan Party is the Person surviving such merger, (iii) immediately after giving effect to such merger, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (b) Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may merge with one another, provided that (i) if the Borrower merges with another Subsidiary, the Borrower is the Person surviving such merger and (ii) if the Borrower is not party to such merger but another Loan Party is party to such merger, a Loan Party is the Person surviving such merger; (c) the Borrower may dispose of the Olive Branch Property; and (e) so long as no Event of Default shall exist or would result therefrom, the foregoing limitation on the sale, lease or other transfer of assets and on the discontinuation or elimination of a business line or segment shall not prohibit (i) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and for fair value; (ii) transfers of assets between the Borrower and any Subsidiary in connection with an NMTC Transaction; provided that such Subsidiary has become a party to this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents pursuant to Section 6.24 hereof; and (iii) any other transfer of assets or the discontinuance or elimination of a business line or segment (in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions); provided that aggregate value of the assets so transferred by all Loan Parties and all Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, and all other assets utilized in all other business lines or segments so discontinued by all Loan Parties and all Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, shall not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate during any Fiscal Year.

6.14 Use of Proceeds.

No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (a) directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or (b) for any purpose in violation of any applicable law or regulation. Except as otherwise provided herein, the proceeds of the Credit Extensions shall be used: (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the Borrower, including the Borrower’s indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement; (ii) for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes, (iii) for the issuance of Letters of Credit, and (iv) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement. No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including Regulations T, U or X.

6.15 Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes .

Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party and each member of the Controlled Group to, comply in all material respects with applicable laws (including but not limited to Environmental Laws, ERISA and the Patriot Act), regulations and similar requirements of governmental authorities (including but not limited to the PBGC), except where the necessity of such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings diligently pursued. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for labor, supplies, rent and other obligations which, if unpaid, might become a Lien against the property of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, except liabilities being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and with respect to which (a) the Borrower shall have set up reserves in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such contest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, comply with all material terms and conditions of all Material Contracts to which it is a party.

 

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6.16 Insurance .

(a) Maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or such Subsidiary operates.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, (i) maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or stricter requirements otherwise required by the Administrative Agent, (ii) furnish to the Administrative Agent evidence of the renewal (and payment of renewal premiums therefor) of all such policies prior to the expiration or lapse thereof, and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any redesignation of any such improved real property into or out of a special flood hazard area.

(c) Cause the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns to be named as lender’s loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent, that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty days (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may agree) prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or canceled

6.17 Change in Fiscal Year

No Loan Party will make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change its Fiscal Year without the consent of the Required Lenders.

6.18 Maintenance of Property .

Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, maintain all of its properties and assets in good condition, repair and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except as otherwise provided in any of the Collateral Documents.

6.19 Environmental Notices .

Each Loan Party shall furnish to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of all material Environmental Liabilities, pending or threatened Environmental Proceedings, Environmental Notices, Environmental Judgments and Orders, and Environmental Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the Properties of which any Loan Party has notice.

6.20 Environmental Matters .

No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any Third Party to, use, produce, manufacture, process, treat, recycle, generate, store, dispose of, manage at, or otherwise handle or ship or transport to or from the Properties any Hazardous Materials except for Hazardous Materials such as cleaning solvents, pesticides, petroleum products and other materials used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed, managed or otherwise handled in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation the Poly Business) in strict compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements.

 

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6.21 Environmental Release .

Each Loan Party agrees that, upon the occurrence of an Environmental Release at, under or on any of the Properties owned by any Loan Party, it will act immediately to investigate the extent of, and to take appropriate remedial action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or not ordered or otherwise directed to do so by any Environmental Authority.

6.22 [Reserved .]

6.23 Transactions with Affiliates .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with any Affiliate of a Loan Party or such Subsidiary (which Affiliate is not a Loan Party or an Subsidiary of a Loan Party), except as permitted by law and in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to reasonable terms which are no less favorable to the Loan Party or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate, and except for NMTC Transactions and the transactions described in Schedule 6.23 .

6.24 Joinder of Subsidiaries .

(a) The Loan Parties shall cause any Person which becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party after the Closing Date to become a party to, and agree to be bound by the terms of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including without limitation the Collateral Documents) as a Guarantor pursuant to a Joinder Agreement, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects and executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after the day on which such Person became a Subsidiary; provided, however, that (1) the Excluded Subsidiary shall not be required to become a Guarantor hereunder, and (2) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor hereunder if, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent based on information provided by the Borrower, doing so would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower. The Loan Parties shall also cause such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with the instrument referred to above.

(b) Each Loan Party shall pledge: (a) the lesser of 65% or the entire interest owned by such Loan Party, of the Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in any Person which becomes a first tier Foreign Subsidiary after the Closing Date; and (b) the entire interest owned by the Loan Parties of the Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in any Person which becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case pursuant to the Security Agreement within ten (10) Business Days after the day on which such Person became a Subsidiary, and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent such shares of the Capital Securities together with stock powers executed in blank. The Loan Parties shall also cause such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to be delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with such pledge.

(c) Once any Subsidiary becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.24(a) or any Capital Securities (or equivalent equity interests) of a Subsidiary are pledged to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 6.24(b) , such Subsidiary thereafter shall remain a party to this Agreement and the Capital Securities (or equivalent equity interests) in such Subsidiary (including, without limitation, all initial Subsidiaries) shall remain

 

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subject to the pledge to the Administrative Agent even if such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided, that if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower as a result of the Borrower’s transfer or sale of one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital Securities of such Subsidiary in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the terms of Section 6.13 , the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to release such Subsidiary from this Agreement and release the Capital Securities of such Subsidiary from the Security Agreement.

(d) Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Borrower or any other Loan Party to pledge to the Administrative Agent any Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in the Excluded Subsidiary.

6.25 No Restrictive Agreement .

No Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, after the date of this Agreement, any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement that, directly or indirectly, prohibits or restrains, or has the effect of prohibiting or restraining, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, any of the following by the Loan Party or any such Subsidiary: the incurrence or payment of Debt, the granting of Liens, the declaration or payment of Restricted Payments or other distributions in respect of Capital Securities of the Loan Party or any Subsidiary, the making of loans, advances or Investments or the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of property, real, personal, intangible or tangible.

6.26 Partnerships and Joint Ventures .

No Loan Party shall become a general partner in any general or limited partnership or a joint venturer in any joint venture, except for any Investment permitted by Section 6.09 .

6.27 Additional Debt .

No Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall directly or indirectly issue, assume, create, incur or suffer to exist any Debt or the equivalent (including obligations under capital leases), except for: (a) the Debt owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents; (b) the Debt existing and outstanding on the Closing Date described on Schedule 6.27 ; (c) Debt subordinated to the Obligations by subordination agreement(s) satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion; (d) so long as no NMTC Recapture Event with respect to any NMTC Transaction has occurred, any Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction, and (e) unsecured Debt not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.27 , the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which when aggregated with all other outstanding unsecured Debt of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under this clause (e) shall not, at any time, exceed $1,000,000.

The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (a) redeem, purchase prior to maturity, pay, or prepay any Subordinated Debt in violation of the subordination agreement applicable thereto, (b) amend, modify, waive or extend or permit the amendment, modification, waiver or extension of any term of any document governing or relating to any Subordinated Debt or (c) designate any Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as “Senior Indebtedness,” “Senior Debt” or any similar designation under any agreement governing any Subordinated Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than the Obligations; provided , that the Borrower shall be permitted on one occasion to repay Subordinated Debt with the proceeds of additional Subordinated Debt (the “ Substitute Subordinated Debt ”) incurred contemporaneously with such repayment, provided: (1) such Substitute Subordinated Debt is in a principal amount no less than the principal amount of the Subordinated Debt being repaid; (2) the Borrower provides the Administrative Agent with written notice of such repayment no less than fifteen

 

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(15) calendar days prior to such repayment; (3) such repayment is made no less than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the maturity date of the Subordinated Debt being repaid; and (4) prior to such repayment, the holder of such Substitute Subordinated Debt executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a subordination agreement satisfactory to the Required Lenders in their sole discretion.

6.28 Modifications of Organizational Documents .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to, amend, supplement, restate or otherwise modify its Organization Documents or other applicable document which modification is adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

6.29 ERISA Exemptions .

The Loan Parties shall not permit any of their respective assets to become or be deemed to be “plan assets” within the meaning of ERISA, the Code or the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.

6.30 Hedge Transactions .

The Loan Parties will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Contract, other than Swap Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Loan Parties are exposed in the conduct of their business or the management of their liabilities. Solely for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower acknowledges that a Swap Contract entered into for speculative purposes or of a speculative nature (which shall be deemed to include any Swap Contract under which any Loan Party is or may become obliged to make any payment (i) in connection with the purchase by any third party of any common stock or any Debt or (ii) as a result of changes in the market value of any common stock or any Debt) is not a Swap Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks.

6.31 Performance of Loan Documents .

Each Loan Party will at its own expense duly fulfill and comply with all obligations on its part to be fulfilled or complied with under or in connection with the Collateral, and all documents related thereto and will do nothing to impair the rights of any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, or of the holders of the Obligations in, to and under the Collateral. Each Loan Party shall clearly and unambiguously identify each item of the Collateral in its computer or other records to reflect that the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, has the Lien therein granted by the Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents.

6.32 Operating Leases .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall create, assume or suffer to exist any operating lease except operating leases which: (a) (i) are entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) the aggregate indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties under all such operating leases during any period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters shall at no time exceed $15,000,000; and (b) are between the Borrower or any Guarantor, as landlord, and the Borrower or any Guarantor as tenant.

 

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6.33 Deposit Accounts .

The Loan Parties shall maintain their primary demand deposit and cash management accounts with the Administrative Agent.

6.34 Anti-Corruption; OFAC .

(a) The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries conduct its businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(b) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

(c) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, 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 Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

6.35 Further Assurances .

Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such further instruments, documents and certificates, and do and cause to be done such further acts, in each case as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to maintain in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, Liens on the Collateral that are duly perfected in accordance with the requirements of, or the obligations of the Loan Parties under, the Loan Documents and all applicable Laws.

6.36 Specific Covenants Regarding the Excluded Subsidiary .

Without limiting the generality of any of the forgoing covenant, the Borrower agrees that it will not (i) re-activate the Excluded Subsidiary or permit the Excluded Subsidiary to engage in any business activities, (ii) convey any assets to the Excluded Subsidiary, or (iii) make any loans or advances to the Excluded Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VII

RESERVED

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default.

If one or more of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower (i) shall fail to pay when due any principal of any Credit Extension, (ii) shall fail to pay when due any L/C Obligations with respect to any Letter of Credit, or (iii) shall fail to pay any interest on any Credit Extension within three (3) Business Days after such interest shall become due; or any Loan Party shall fail to pay any fee or other amount payable hereunder within three (3) Business Days after such fee or other amount becomes due; or

 

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(b) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Sections 6.01 , 6.02 , 6.03 , 6.04 , 6.05 , 6.06 , 6.07 , 6.08 , 6.09 , 6.10 , 6.11 , 6.12 , 6.13 , 6.14 , 6.16(b) , 6.17 , 6.23 , 6.24 , 6.25 , 6.26 , 6.27 , 6.28 , 6.29 , 6.30 , or 6.32 ; or

(c) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained or incorporated by reference in this Agreement (other than those covered by clause (a) or (b) above or clauses (n) or (p) below); provided , that such failure continues for fifteen (15) calendar days after the earlier of (i) the first day on which any Loan Party has knowledge of such failure or (ii) written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent at the request of any Lender; or

(d) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or deemed made by the Loan Parties in Article V of this Agreement or in any financial statement, material certificate or other material document or report delivered pursuant to this Agreement by any Loan Party shall prove to have been untrue or misleading in any material respect when made (or deemed made); or

(e) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall fail to make any payment in respect of Debt (other than the Notes) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $250,000 after expiration of any applicable cure or grace period; or

(f) any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of Debt outstanding of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $250,000 or the mandatory prepayment or purchase of such Debt by any Loan Party (or its designee) or such Subsidiary of a Loan Party (or its designee) prior to the scheduled maturity thereof, or enables the holders of such Debt or commitment to provide such Debt or any Person acting on such holders’ behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof, terminate any such commitment or require the mandatory prepayment or purchase thereof prior to the scheduled maturity thereof; or

(g) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, administrator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing; or

(h) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, administrator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) calendar days; or an order for relief shall be entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect; or

 

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(i) any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay when due any material amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any Loan Party, any member of the Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan or Plans or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or Plans to enforce Section 515 or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have been dismissed within thirty (30) calendar days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any such Plan or Plans must be terminated; or

(j) (1) one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) calendar days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect, or (2) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall have made payments in settlement of any litigation or threatened proceeding in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate without the prior approval of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; or

(k) one or more federal tax Liens shall be filed against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under Section 6323 of the Code or one or more Liens of the PBGC shall be filed against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under Section 4068 of ERISA, in either case which (i) are in an aggregate amount of less than $250,000 and are not paid or otherwise discharged within thirty (30) days, or (ii) are in an aggregate amount of $250,000 or more; or

(l) a Change in Control shall occur; or

(m) the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, shall fail for any reason to have a valid first priority security interest in any of the Collateral (other than as a direct result of any action or inaction on the part of the Administrative Agent); or

(n) a default or event of default shall occur and be continuing under any of the Collateral Documents, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document or any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any obligation to be observed or performed by it under any Collateral Document, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document, and such default, event of default or failure to perform or observe any obligation continues beyond any applicable cure or grace period provided in such Collateral Document, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document; or

(o) a material default or event of default shall occur and be continuing under any of the Material Contracts or any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any material obligation to be observed or performed by it under any Material Contract, and such material default, event of default or failure to perform or observe any obligation continues beyond any applicable cure or grace period provided in such Material Contract; or

 

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(p) (i) any of the Guarantors shall fail to pay when due any Guaranteed Obligations or shall fail to pay any fee or other amount payable hereunder when due (in either case after giving effect to any applicable grace period); or (ii) any Guarantor shall disaffirm, contest or deny its obligations under Article X; or

(q) if the Borrower, except as permitted by Section 6.12 or 6.13 , at any time fails to own (directly or indirectly, through wholly-owned Subsidiaries) 100% of the outstanding shares of the voting stock, voting membership interests or equivalent equity interests of each Guarantor that was a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary at the time it became a Guarantor under this Agreement; or

(r) any Loan Party shall (or shall attempt to) disaffirm, contest or deny its obligations under any Loan Document; or

(s) the occurrence of any event, act or condition which the Required Lenders determine either does or has a reasonable probability of causing a Material Adverse Effect.

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, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the 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, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or at equity;

provided , however , that upon 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, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the 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.

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 2.14 and 2.15 , be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

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First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including reasonable 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 Issuer (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth , to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings, (b) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Hedge Agreements, (c) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (d) Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them; 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 2.14 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth 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. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or such Guarantor’s assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.

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 a Secured Party Designation Notice, 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 for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

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ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authority.

Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America 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 Issuer, and no 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 Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “ collateral agent ” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (in its capacities as a Lender, Swing Line Lender (if applicable), potential Hedge Banks and potential Cash Management Banks) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral, 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 XI (including Section 11.04(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 any Loan Party 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 or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.

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

 

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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

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party 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.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (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 11.01 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 final and nonappealable judgment. Any such action taken or failure to act pursuant to the foregoing shall be binding on all Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person 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 be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, communication, 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 be fully protected in relying 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 the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), 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.

 

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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 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 non appealable 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 Issuer 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 thirty 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 Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. 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 thirty 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 Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed 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

 

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and the 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 (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 11.04 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 (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (A) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (B) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

(d) Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) . If Bank of America 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 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 from and after the date of such resignation 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 Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

Each Lender and the 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 the 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 agents, documentation agents or co-agents 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 the 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 Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) , 2.03(i) , 2.09 and 11.04 ) 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 the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, 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 11.04 .

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 the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.

The holders of the Obligations 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,

 

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(b) at any other sale or 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 Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the holders thereof 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 Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities 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)(i) through (a)(vi) of Section 11.01 , and (ii) 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 Capital Securities 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 Lender or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.09 , each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the 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 the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is 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 or any Recovery Event, or (iii) as approved in accordance with Section 11.01 ;

(b) 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 to be senior to the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.10 ; and

(c) 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.

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 .

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.

 

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9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of Section 8.03 , the Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof 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) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document) 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 except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation 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. 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 in the case of the Facility Termination Date.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTY

10.01 The Guaranty.

Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each other holder of Obligations as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Loan Documents or the other documents relating to the Obligations, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under applicable Debtor Relief Laws.

10.02 Obligations Unconditional.

The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 10.01 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent

 

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permitted by applicable Law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 10.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or any other Loan Party for amounts paid under this Article X until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be done or omitted;

(c) the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

(e) any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including for the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including any creditor of any Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Loan Documents or any other document relating to the Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.

10.03 Reinstatement.

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Article X shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each other holder of the Obligations on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such holder of the Obligations in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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10.04 Certain Additional Waivers.

Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 10.02 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 10.06 .

10.05 Remedies.

The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as specified in Section 10.02 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances specified in Section 10.02 ) for purposes of Section 10.01 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 10.01 . The Guarantors acknowledge and agree that their obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents and that the holders of the Obligations may exercise their remedies thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.

10.06 Rights of Contribution.

The Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any Guarantor shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such Guarantor shall have a right of contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The payment obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 10.06 shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Obligations until such time as the Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated, and none of the Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 10.06 against any other Guarantor until such Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated. For purposes of this Section 10.06 , (a) “ Excess Payment ” shall mean the amount paid by any Guarantor in excess of its Ratable Share of any Obligations; (b) “ Ratable Share ” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any payment of Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such payment of Obligations of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of all of the Loan Parties exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder) of the Loan Parties; provided , however , that, for purposes of calculating the Ratable Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any payment of Obligations, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such payment; and (c) “ Contribution Share ” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any Excess Payment made by any other Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties) of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment; provided , however ,

 

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that, for purposes of calculating the Contribution Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such Excess Payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such Excess Payment. This Section 10.06 shall not be deemed to affect any right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that any Guarantor may have under Law against the Borrower in respect of any payment of Obligations.

10.07 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.

The guarantee in this Article X is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to the Obligations whenever arising.

10.08 Keepwell.

Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty in this Article X by any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (a “ Specified Loan Party ”) or the grant of a security interest under the Loan Documents by any such Specified Loan Party, in either case, becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable Debtor Relief Laws, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.01 Amendments, Etc.

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any 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

(a) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i) 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 (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Commitments of any Lender);

 

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(ii) 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) or any scheduled reduction of the Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment or whose Commitments are to be reduced;

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (i) of the final proviso to this Section 11.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such amount; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (A) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (B) 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;

(iv) change 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;

(v) change any provision of this Section 11.01(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(vi) release all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are secured by such Collateral;

(vii) release the Borrower without the consent of each Lender, or, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.11 , Section 6.12 and Section 6.13 , all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are guarantied thereby, except to the extent such release is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or

(b) unless also signed by the L/C Issuer, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it;

(c) unless also signed by the Swing Line Lender, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; and

(d) unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

provided , further , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code

 

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of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein, (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Loan Party to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders, (iv) an Incremental Facility Amendment shall be effective if signed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Person that agrees to provide a portion of the applicable Incremental Facility and (v) any Collateral Document Amendments shall be effective if signed by the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent.

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 such 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 such Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any other Loan Document to cure or correct administrative errors or omissions, any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency or to effect administrative changes, and such amendment shall become effective without any further consent of any other party to such Loan Document so long as (i) such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender or other holder of Obligations in any material respect and (ii) the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment.

11.02 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 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 any Loan Party, to the address, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02

 

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(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02 ; and

(iii) if to any other Lender, 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 Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail, FpML messaging, 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 the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the 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 Issuer 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.

(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,

 

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any Lender, the 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 any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.

(d) Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the 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 Issuer 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 Law, 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 Issuer and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party 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 Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the 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 a Loan Party. 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.

11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.

No failure by any Lender, the 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 or under any other Loan Document (including the imposition of the Default Rate) 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

 

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accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; 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) the 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 11.08 (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.

11.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) Costs and Expenses . The Loan Parties 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the 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 connection with the 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 Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the 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 fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including any Loan Party) 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, 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 the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned

 

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or operated by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party 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 any Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by any Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c) , this Section 11.04(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 Loan Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the 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), the 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 Exposures of all Lenders 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 sub-agent), the 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), the 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, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party 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 shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(e) Payments . All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.

 

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(f) Survival . The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

11.05 Payments Set Aside.

To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the 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, the 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 the 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 Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

11.06 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto 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 or thereunder without the prior written consent of 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 subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (e) of this Section (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 Issuer 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 and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that 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 and the related Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after

 

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giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in subsection (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 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 $5,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of a Revolving Commitment (and the related Revolving Loans thereunder) 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 Loans and Commitments, and rights and obligations with respect thereto, assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;

(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 or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; 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 any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and

(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments.

(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 shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) 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) a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of 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 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, the 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 Law 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.

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 11.04 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 (including the Borrower), 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

 

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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.

(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of 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 Issuer 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 11.04(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 Section 11.01(a) 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 11.13 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 11.08 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 a non-fiduciary 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

 

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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 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 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; 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 Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as 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 Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If Bank of America 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, (1) 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 (2) 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 Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

11.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 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

 

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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 become a Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 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 any Loan Party 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 or 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 (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Loan Party or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, 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 Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party 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 Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

The Loan Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless (and only to the extent that) the Loan Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Loan Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing such press release or other public disclosure.

The Loan Parties consent to the use of the name, product, photographs, logo or trademark of the Loan Parties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in customary marketing material relating to the transaction contemplated hereby; provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will not issue any press release or make other public disclosures or advertisements to the public without the consent of the Borrower.

11.08 Rights of Setoff.

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, 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

 

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currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office 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, the L/C Issuer 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, the 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, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the 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.

11.09 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 Law (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 Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

11.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents 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, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the 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 fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of any Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

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11.11 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 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.

11.12 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 11.12 , 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, the 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.

11.13 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 11.06 ), 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 11.06(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);

(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

 

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(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.

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.

11.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) 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 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY HERETO 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 ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO, 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 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SITTING IN ARLINGTON COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, 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 VIRGINIA 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 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE COLLATERAL IS LOCATED.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY HERETO 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

 

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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.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

11.15 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.

11.16 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), each of the Loan Parties 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 Arranger and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) each of the Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Loan Parties 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 Arranger 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 Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent , the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each of the Loan Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any Lender 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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11.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement, any other document executed in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Loan Notices, Swing Line 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 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 the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

11.18 USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the Act. The Loan Parties 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 Act.

11.19 Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.

Each Loan Party (a “ Subordinating Loan Party ”) agrees that the payment of all obligations and indebtedness, whether principal, interest, fees and other amounts and whether now owing or hereafter arising, owing to such Subordinating Loan Party by any other Loan Party is expressly subordinated to the payment in full in cash of the Obligations. If the Administrative Agent so requests, any such obligation or indebtedness shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the holders of the Obligations and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the holders of the Obligations on account of the Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may make and receive payments with respect to any such obligations and indebtedness, provided , that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any such obligations and indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Administrative Agent.

[END]

 

112


Schedule 1.01

Exclusions from Net Income

 

1. Non-cash items, including but not limited to warranty, lease and/or LIFO inventory reserves, the impact of convertible bonds, including non-cash interest expenses, and potential non-cash impairment charges relating to the Olive Branch Property, fixed assets or other investments, offset by any cash actually paid for any of the above.


Schedule 2.01

Commitments and Applicable Percentage

 

Lender

   Revolving Commitment
January 1 – June 30
     Revolving Commitment
July 1 – December 31
     Applicable Percentage
(Revolving Commitment)
 

Bank of America, N.A.

   $ 110,000,000.00       $ 88,000,000.00         44.000000000

Citibank, N.A.

   $ 75,000,000.00       $ 60,000,000.00         30.000000000

Capital One, N.A.

   $ 35,000,000.00       $ 28,000,000.00         14.000000000

SunTrust Bank

   $ 30,000,000.00       $ 24,000,000.00         12.000000000

Total

   $ 250,000,000.00       $ 200,000,000.00         100.000000000


Schedule 2.03

Existing Letters of Credit

None.


Schedule 5.05

Litigation

None.


Schedule 5.21

IP Claims

None.


Schedule 5.24

Ownership Structure

 

Part I         

Subsidiary Name

  

Jurisdiction

   Capital
Securities
  

Ownership Percentage

Trex Wood Polymer Espana, S.L.    Spain    Capital Shares    The Company owns 100% of the Capital Shares

Part II

Trex Wood Polymer Espana, S.L. (“TWPE”) owns a 35% interest in Denplax, S.A., a joint venture, which is in the process of liquidation.

Part III

Equity (time-based restricted stock, time-based restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock, performance-based restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and options) issued under the terms of the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and the Trex Company, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as more particularly described in the Company’s most recent Proxy, and Forms 10-K and 10-Qs filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Schedule 5.33

Material Contracts

 

1. Deed of Lease, dated June 15, 2000, between Trex Company, LLC and Space, LLC, as amended by an Amendment, dated February 22, 2010, between Trex Company, Inc., as successor by merger to Trex Company, LLC, and TC.V.LLC, as successor to Space, LLC.

 

2. Deed of Lease, dated as of July 27, 2005, between the Company and 1 Dulles Town Center, L.L.C.

 

3. Loan Documents


Schedule 6.07

Loans or Advances

 

1. Loan to Denplax, S.A. in the amount of $1,621,855 as of January 12, 2016.


Schedule 6.09

Investments

 

1. Trex has made an investment in TWPE in the amount of $483,097 as of November 17, 2014. TWPE has a comparable investment in Denplax, S.A.


Schedule 6.10

Negative Pledge

1. Original Financing Statement, File No. 00344485, filed on February 1, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

2. Original Financing Statement, File No. 00344824, filed on February 1, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

3. Original Financing Statement, File No. 02745523, filed on August 6, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

4. Original Financing Statement, File No. 13018598, filed on August 4, 2011 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

5. Original Financing Statement, File No. 24093326, filed on October 23, 2012 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC, as Secured Party.

6. Original Financing Statement, File No. 33015402, filed on July 31, 2013 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, Trinity Division, as Secured Party.

7. Original Financing Statement, File No. 41416551, filed on April 1, 2014 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, Trinity Division, as Secured Party.

8. Original Financing Statement, File No. 52885753, filed on July 3, 2015 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, as Secured Party.

9. Original Financing Statement, File No. 53641247, filed on August 20, 2015 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, as Secured Party.

10. Letter of Credit issued by Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of $108,756.00.


Schedule 6.23

Affiliate Transactions

 

1. Loan to Denplax, S.A. in the amount of $1,621,855 as of January 12, 2016.


Schedule 6.27

Additional Debt

Letter of Credit issued by Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of $108,756.00.


Schedule 11.02

Certain Addresses for Notices

BORROWER :

Trex Company, Inc.

160 Exeter Drive

Winchester, Virginia 22603

Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer

Telecopier No. (540) 542-6887

Telephone Nos. (540) 542-6940 and (540) 542- 6356

with a copy to:

Woods Rogers PLC

10 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1400

Roanoke, VA 24011

Attention: Nicole F. Ingle, Esquire

Telecopier No. (540) 983-7711

Telephone No. (540) 983-7561

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT :

Administrative Agent’s Office

(for advances, payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

901 Main St.

TX1-492-14-11

Dallas, Texas 75202-3714

Attention: Mary Porter

Tel: 972-338-3808

Facsimile: 214-290-9674

Email: mary.h.porter@baml.com

Remittance Instructions – USD:

Bank of America, N.A.

New York, NY

ABA# 026009593

Account No.: 1292000883

Account Name: Corporate Credit Services

Ref: Trex Company

Other Notices as Administrative Agent :

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

900 W. Trade St., 6 th Floor

NC1-026-06-03

Charlotte, NC 28255

Attention: Melissa Mullis

Tel: 980-386-9372

Facsimile: 704-409-0617

Email: melissa.mullis@baml.com


L/C ISSUER:

Bank of America, N.A.

Trade Operations

1 Fleet Way

Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30

Scranton, Pa. 18507

Attention: Trade Operations

Tel: 570-496-9619

Facsimile: 800-755-8740

Email: tradeclientserviceteamus@baml.com

Remittance Instructions :

Bank of America, N.A.

New York, NY

ABA #: 026-009-593

Account #: 04535-883980

Attn: Scranton Standby

Ref: Scoular Company


Exhibit 1.01

FORM OF SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE

Date:                      ,             

 

To: Bank of America, N.A.,
   as Administrative Agent
   Agency Management
   901 Main St.
   TX1-492-14-11
   Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
   Attention: Mary Porter
   Tel: 972-338-3808
   Facsimile: 214-290-9674
   Email: mary.h.porter@baml.com

Ladies and Gentlemen:

THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE is made by                                 , a                     (the “ Designor ”), to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement referenced below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”). All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) pursuant to which certain loans and financial accommodations have been made to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender is permitted to designate its [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] as a [“Secured Cash Management Agreement”/“Secured Hedge Agreement”] under the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires that the Designor deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent; and

WHEREAS, the Designor has agreed to execute and deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice:

1. Designation . [                    ] hereby designates the [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] described on Schedule 1 hereto to be a “ [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] ” and hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that such [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] satisfies all the requirements under the Loan Documents to be so designated. By executing and delivering this Secured Party Designation Notice, the Designor, as provided in the Credit Agreement, hereby agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Loan Documents which are applicable to it as a provider of a [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] and hereby (a) confirms that it has received a


copy of the Loan Documents and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own decision to enter into this Secured Party Designation Notice, (b) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement), and (c) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Loan Documents and will perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a provider of a [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] . Without limiting the foregoing, the Designor agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent as contemplated by Section 11.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW . THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have caused this Secured Party Designation Notice to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

[signature page follows]

 

DESIGNOR:
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Schedule 1

To Secured Party Designation Notice


Exhibit 2.02

FORM OF LOAN NOTICE

Date:                      ,             

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

¨     A Borrowing of Revolving Loans

¨     A conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans

 

  1. On                                 (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of $                                 .

 

  3. Comprised of                                 .
       [Type of Loan requested]

 

  4. For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of months.

[With respect to such Borrowing, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing.]

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.04

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

Date:              , 20     

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender

 

Cc: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Re: Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:

 

1. On             , 20            (a Business Day).

 

2. In the amount of $            .

With respect to such Borrowing of Swing Line Loans, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing of Swing Line Loans.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.05

FORM OF NOTICE OF LOAN PREPAYMENT

Date:                      ,         

 

TO: Bank of America, N.A., as [Administrative Agent][Swing Line Lender]

 

RE: Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower hereby notifies the [Administrative Agent][Swing Line Lender] that on                      pursuant to the terms of Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower intends to prepay/repay the following Loans as more specifically set forth below:

 

¨ Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Loans in the following amount(s):

¨ Eurodollar Rate Loans: $                            

            Applicable Interest Period:                            

¨ Base Rate Loans: $                            

 

¨ Voluntary prepayment of Swing Line Loans in the following amount: $                            

Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.11(a)

 

FORM OF NOTE

                     , 20     

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                              or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT 3.01-A

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:                      , 20         


EXHIBIT 3.01-B

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:                      , 20         


EXHIBIT 3.01-C

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:                      , 20         


EXHIBIT 3.01-D

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Date:                      , 20         


Exhibit 6.01

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 6.01(d) of the Credit Agreement,                         , the duly authorized                         of the Borrower hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (1) the calculations of the financial covenants contained in Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement attached hereto are true, accurate and complete as of                     , 20         (the “Compliance Date”), (2) no Default or Event of Default is in existence on and as of the date hereof, and (3) except as disclosed on a schedule attached hereto: (i) no new applications have been filed by or on behalf of the Borrower for the registration of any patent, trademark or copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency, (ii) no new registrations have been issued to the Borrower for any patent, trademark or copyright by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency, and (iii) (A) the Borrower has not decided to abandon any existing application or registration relating to any United States patent, trademark or copyright, (B) no material adverse determination or development (including the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any court) has occurred regarding the Borrower’s ownership of any United States patent, trademark or copyright, its right to register the same, or to keep and maintain the same, and (C) there is no known infringement, misappropriation or dilution by a third party of any United States patent, trademark or copyright of the Borrower.

The company-prepared financial statements which accompany this certificate are true and correct in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments.

Delivered herewith are detailed calculations demonstrating compliance by the Borrower with the financial covenants contained in Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement as of the Compliance Date referred to above.

Dated as of              , 20          .

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,  
a Delaware corporation  
By:  

 

  (SEAL)
Name:  

 

 
Title:  

 

 


Financial Covenant Calculations

[To Be Provided By Trex Company, Inc. In Form and

Content Satisfactory to Administrative Agent]


Exhibit 6.24

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of             , 20    , is by and between                         , a                             (the “ Subsidiary ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as it may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors, the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

The Loan Parties are required by Section 6.24 of the Credit Agreement to cause the Subsidiary to become a “Guarantor”.

Accordingly, the Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations:

1. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a “Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Guarantors contained in the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the Subsidiary hereby jointly and severally together with the other Guarantors, guarantees to each Lender, the L/C Issuer, each other holder of the Obligations and the Administrative Agent, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof.

2. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Security Agreement, and shall have all the obligations of an “Obligor” (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) thereunder as if it had executed the Security Agreement. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Security Agreement. Without limiting generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 2, the Subsidiary hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a right of set off against any and all right, title and interest of the Subsidiary in and to the Collateral (as such term is defined in Section 2 of the Security Agreement) of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, that:

(i) The Subsidiary’s chief executive office, tax payer identification number, organizational identification number, and chief place of business are (and for the prior four months have been) located at the locations set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto and the Subsidiary keeps its books and records at such locations.

(ii) The location of all owned real property of the Subsidiary is as shown on Schedule 2 attached hereto.

(iii) The Subsidiary’s legal name and jurisdiction of organization is as shown in this Agreement and the Subsidiary has not in the past four months changed its name, been party to a merger, consolidation or other change in structure or used any tradename except as set forth in Schedule 3 attached hereto.


(iv) The patents, copyrights, and trademarks listed on Schedule 4 attached hereto constitute all of the registrations and applications for the patents, copyrights and trademarks owned by the Subsidiary registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

3. The address of the Subsidiary for purposes of all notices and other communications is the address set forth for the Borrower on Schedule 11.02 of the Credit Agreement.

4. The Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the Subsidiary under Article X of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement by the Subsidiary.

5. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract.

6. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Subsidiary has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officers, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Acknowledged and accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


Schedule 1

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Chief Executive Office, Tax Identification Number, Organization Identification Number

and Chief Place of Business of Subsidiary]

Schedule 2

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Owned Real Property]

Schedule 3

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Tradenames]

Schedule 4

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks]


Exhibit 11.06(b)

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (this “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount[s] and equal to the percentage interest[s] identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Swing Line Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as, the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.     Assignor:                                                                     
   [Assignor [is][is not] a Defaulting Lender.]
2.     Assignee:                                                                     
   [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [ identify Lender ] 1 ]
3.     Borrower:    Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation
4.     Administrative Agent:    Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.     Credit Agreement:    Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
6.     Assigned Interest:   

 

Revolving Commitment   

Aggregate Amount of

Commitment/Loans for
all Lenders *

     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned *
     Percentage Assigned
of Commitment/
Loans 2
 
   $            $              %   
   $         $           %   
   $         $           %   

 

1 Select as applicable.
* Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.
2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.


[7.     Trade Date:             ] 3

Effective Date:                         , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

 

  Title:
ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

 

  Title:

 

[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By  

 

  Title:
[Consented to:] 5

[BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as L/C Issuer][ and Swing Line Lender]

By  

 

  Title:

[TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation]

By  

 

  Title:

 

3 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.
4 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
5 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.


ANNEX 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties .

1.1. Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06(b)(iii) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to the Assignee.


3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.


Exhibit 11.06(b)(iv)

FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

See attached.


EXHIBIT B

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

This Amendment shall become effective upon, and the obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its Credit Extension under the Amended Credit Agreement is subject to, the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Receipt by the New Administrative Agent of the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(i) Loan Documents . Executed counterparts of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party and, in the case of this Amendment, by each Lender, the Exiting Lenders, Branch Banking and Trust Company in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent and Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent.

(ii) Collateral Assignment Agreement; Other Collateral . The New Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of a Collateral Assignment Agreement executed by the Borrower, Branch Banking and Trust Company in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent and Bank of America in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent.

(iii) Opinions of Counsel . Favorable opinions of legal counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the New Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated as of the Closing Date.

(iv) Organization Documents, Resolutions, Etc .

(A) copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of such Loan Party to be true and correct as of the Closing Date;

(B) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the New 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; and

(C) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in its state of organization or formation.

(v) Personal Property Collateral .

(A) amendments to existing UCC financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral;


(B) all certificates evidencing any certificated Corporate Securities pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with duly executed in blank, undated stock powers attached thereto;

(C) duly executed notices of grant of security interest in the form required by the Security Agreement as are necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the United States registered intellectual property of the Loan Parties; and

(vi) Real Property Collateral . Real Property Security Documents with respect to the Nevada Property and the Winchester Property.

(vii) Evidence of Insurance . Copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Loan Parties evidencing liability and casualty insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents, including naming the New Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns as additional insured (in the case of liability insurance) or loss payee (in the case of property insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.

(viii) Closing Certificate . A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and 4.02(b) of the Amended Credit Agreement have been satisfied.

(ix) Accrued Interest and Fees . Borrower shall have repaid all interest and fees which have accrued under the Credit Agreement through the date hereof to the resigning Administrative Agent for distribution to the existing lenders under the Credit Agreement pursuant to the Credit Agreement immediately in effective prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment.

(b) Fees . Receipt by the New Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders of any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date.

(c) Attorney Costs . The Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the New Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the New Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements 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 New Administrative Agent).

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03 of the Amended Credit Agreement, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified on this Exhibit B, each Lender that has signed this Amendment shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder 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.


Published CUSIP Number: 89531UAA2

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of January 12, 2016

among

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

as the Borrower,

THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER IDENTIFIED HEREIN,

as the Guarantors,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,

CITIBANK, N.A,

as Syndication Agent,

and

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO

Arranged By:

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS      1   

1.01

 

Defined Terms

     1   

1.02

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     26   

1.03

 

Accounting Terms

     26   

1.04

 

Rounding

     27   

1.05

 

Times of Day; Rates

     27   

1.06

 

Letter of Credit Amounts

     28   
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS      28   

2.01

 

Revolving Loans

     28   

2.02

 

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

     28   

2.03

 

Letters of Credit

     30   

2.04

 

Swing Line Loans

     38   

2.05

 

Prepayments

     41   

2.06

 

Optional Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments

     42   

2.07

 

Repayment of Loans

     42   

2.08

 

Interest

     42   

2.09

 

Fees

     43   

2.10

 

Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate

     44   

2.11

 

Evidence of Debt

     45   

2.12

 

Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback

     45   

2.13

 

Sharing of Payments by Lenders

     47   

2.14

 

Cash Collateral

     47   

2.15

 

Defaulting Lenders

     48   

2.16

 

Incremental Facilities

     51   
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY      53   

3.01

 

Taxes

     53   

3.02

 

Illegality

     57   

3.03

 

Inability to Determine Rates

     58   

3.04

 

Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans

     58   

3.05

 

Compensation for Losses

     60   

3.06

 

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     60   

3.07

 

Survival

     61   
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS      61   

4.01

 

Reserved

     61   

4.02

 

Conditions to all Credit Extensions

     61   
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      62   

5.01

 

Existence and Power

     62   

5.02

 

Organizational and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention

     62   

5.03

 

Binding Effect

     62   

5.04

 

Financial Information

     62   

5.05

 

Litigation

     63   

5.06

 

Compliance with ERISA

     63   

5.07

 

Payment of Taxes

     63   

5.08

 

Subsidiaries

     64   

 

i


5.09

 

Investment Company Act, Etc

     64   

5.10

 

All Consents Required

     64   

5.11

 

Ownership of Property; Liens

     64   

5.12

 

No Default or Event of Default

     64   

5.13

 

Full Disclosure

     64   

5.14

 

Environmental Matters

     65   

5.15

 

Compliance with Laws

     65   

5.16

 

Capital Securities

     65   

5.17

 

Margin Stock

     66   

5.18

 

Insolvency

     66   

5.19

 

Security Documents

     66   

5.20

 

Labor Matters

     66   

5.21

 

Patents, Trademarks, Etc

     66   

5.22

 

Insurance

     67   

5.23

 

Reserved

     67   

5.24

 

Ownership Structure

     67   

5.25

 

Reports Accurate; Disclosure

     67   

5.26

 

Location of Offices

     68   

5.27

 

Reserved

     68   

5.28

 

Broker’s Fees

     68   

5.29

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc

     68   

5.30

 

Reserved

     68   

5.31

 

No Default or Event of Default

     68   

5.32

 

Anti-Corruption; OFAC

     68   

5.33

 

Material Contracts

     69   
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS      69   

6.01

 

Information

     69   

6.02

 

Inspection of Property, Books and Records

     72   

6.03

 

Capital Expenditures

     73   

6.04

 

Sale/Leasebacks

     73   

6.05

 

Financial Covenants

     73   

6.06

 

Acquisitions

     73   

6.07

 

Loans or Advances

     74   

6.08

 

Restricted Payments

     74   

6.09

 

Investments

     75   

6.10

 

Negative Pledge

     75   

6.11

 

Maintenance of Existence, etc

     76   

6.12

 

Dissolution

     76   

6.13

 

Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets

     77   

6.14

 

Use of Proceeds

     77   

6.15

 

Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes

     78   

6.16

 

Insurance

     78   

6.17

 

Change in Fiscal Year

     78   

6.18

 

Maintenance of Property

     78   

6.19

 

Environmental Notices

     79   

6.20

 

Environmental Matters

     79   

6.21

 

Environmental Release

     79   

6.22

 

[Reserved.]

     79   

6.23

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     79   

6.24

 

Joinder of Subsidiaries

     79   

 

ii


6.25

 

No Restrictive Agreement

     80   

6.26

 

Partnerships and Joint Ventures

     80   

6.27

 

Additional Debt

     81   

6.28

 

Modifications of Organizational Documents

     81   

6.29

 

ERISA Exemptions

     81   

6.30

 

Hedge Transactions

     81   

6.31

 

Performance of Loan Documents

     82   

6.32

 

Operating Leases

     82   

6.33

 

Deposit Accounts

     82   

6.34

 

Anti-Corruption; OFAC

     82   

6.35

 

Further Assurances

     83   

6.36

 

Specific Covenants Regarding the Excluded Subsidiary

     83   
ARTICLE VII RESERVED      83   
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES      83   

8.01

 

Events of Default

     83   

8.02

 

Remedies Upon Event of Default

     86   

8.03

 

Application of Funds

     86   
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      87   

9.01

 

Appointment and Authority

     87   

9.02

 

Rights as a Lender

     88   

9.03

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     88   

9.04

 

Reliance by Administrative Agent

     89   

9.05

 

Delegation of Duties

     89   

9.06

 

Resignation of Administrative Agent

     90   

9.07

 

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

     91   

9.08

 

No Other Duties; Etc

     92   

9.09

 

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding

     92   

9.10

 

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

     93   

9.11

 

Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements

     94   
ARTICLE X GUARANTY      94   

10.01

 

The Guaranty

     94   

10.02

 

Obligations Unconditional

     94   

10.03

 

Reinstatement

     95   

10.04

 

Certain Additional Waivers

     96   

10.05

 

Remedies

     96   

10.06

 

Rights of Contribution

     96   

10.07

 

Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee

     97   

10.08

 

Keepwell

     97   
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS      97   

11.01

 

Amendments, Etc

     97   

11.02

 

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications

     100   

11.03

 

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement

     101   

11.04

 

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     102   

11.05

 

Payments Set Aside

     104   

11.06

 

Successors and Assigns

     104   

11.07

 

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

     109   

 

iii


11.08

 

Rights of Setoff

     110   

11.09

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     110   

11.10

 

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     111   

11.11

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

     111   

11.12

 

Severability

     111   

11.13

 

Replacement of Lenders

     111   

11.14

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc

     112   

11.15

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     113   

11.16

 

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     114   

11.17

 

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

     114   

11.18

 

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

     114   

11.19

 

Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness

     115   

 

iv


SCHEDULES
1.01    Exclusions From Net Income
2.01    Commitments and Applicable Percentages
2.03    Existing Letters of Credit
5.05    Litigation
5.21    Intellectual Property Matters
5.24    Ownership Structure
5.33    Material Contracts
6.07    Loans and Advances
6.09    Investments
6.10    Negative Pledge
6.23    Affiliate Transactions
6.27    Additional Debt
11.02    Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
1.01    Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
2.02    Form of Loan Notice
2.04    Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
2.05    Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
2.11(a)    Form of Note
3.01    Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
6.01    Form of Compliance Certificate
6.24    Form of Joinder Agreement
11.06(b)    Form of Assignment and Assumption
11.06(b)(iv)    Form of Administrative Questionnaire

 

v


THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of January 12, 2016 among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The Borrower and BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY (“ BB&T ”) are parties to a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 20, 2014, as amended (the “ Prior Credit Agreement ”), pursuant to which certain lenders have made certain credit facilities available to the Borrower. Contemporaneously with, but immediately prior to, the effectiveness of this Agreement, BB&T has resigned as administrative agent under the Prior Credit Agreement, has assigned all of its right, title and interest as administrative agent thereunder to Bank of America, N.A. and is no longer a Lender.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby amend and restate the Prior Credit Agreement in its entirety, 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 ”, by any Person, means the acquisition by such Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of either (a) all or any substantial portion of the property of, or a line of business or division of, another Person or (b) at least a majority of the Voting Stock of another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person.

Administrative Agent ” means Bank of America 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 11.02 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 substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b)(iv) or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Aggregate Revolving Commitments ” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders. The initial amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date is, (a) from January 1 through and including June 30 of each year, $250 million and (b) from July 1 through and including December 31 of each year, $200 million.


Agreement ” means this Credit Agreement.

Applicable Percentage ” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time; provided that if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable. The Applicable Percentages shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15 .

Applicable Rate ” means the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(d) :

 

Pricing
Tier

  

Consolidated Debt to Consolidated
EBITDA Ratio

  

Eurodollar Rate Loans /
Letter of Credit Fee

  

Base Rate Loans

  

Commitment
Fee

1    ³ 2.50:1.00    1.90%    0.90%    0.30%
2    < 2.50:1.00 but ³ 2.00:1.00    1.65%    0.65%    0.25%
3    < 2.00:1.00 but ³ 1.50:1.00    1.40%    0.40%    0.20%
4    < 1.50:1.0    1.15%    0.15%    0.15%

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) ; provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Tier 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the first Business Day immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.01(d) , whereupon the Applicable Rate shall be adjusted based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio contained in such Compliance Certificate. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date to the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(d) for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015 shall be determined based upon Pricing Tier 4. 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) .

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.

Arranger ” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

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 11.06(b) ), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b) or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease, 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 payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease, (c) in respect of any Securitization Transaction, the outstanding principal amount of such financing, after taking into account reserve accounts and making appropriate adjustments, determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment and (d) in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted in accordance with GAAP at the debt rate implied in the applicable lease) of the obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the term of such lease.

Audited Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, including the notes thereto.

Availability Period ” means, with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06 , and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 .

Bank of America ” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Base Rate ” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’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 “prime rate” announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 .

Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01 .

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 day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all capital expenditures.

 

3


Capital Securities ” 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.

Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. “ 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, as at any date, (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within six months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $250,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations and (e) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).

Cash Management Agreement ” means any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

Cash Management Bank ” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, (b) in the case of any Cash Management Agreement in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, is, as of the Closing Date or within 30 days thereafter, a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent and a party to a Cash Management

 

4


Agreement or (c) within 30 days after the time it enters into the applicable Cash Management Agreement, becomes a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives 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.

Change in Control ” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all Capital Securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of the Borrower representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of the Borrower on a fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

(b) during any period of 24 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.

Closing Date ” means the date hereof.

Collateral ” means a collective reference to all property with respect to which Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the other holders of the Obligations, are purported to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents. “ Collateral ” shall not include (1) any Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in the Excluded Subsidiary, or (2) the Olive Branch Property.

Collateral Documents ” means a collective reference to the Security Agreement, the Mortgages and other security documents as may be executed and delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of Section 5.19 or any of the Loan Documents.

 

5


Collateral Document Amendments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16 .

Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender.

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. ).

Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(d) .

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.

Consolidated Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the total of all Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding on such date, (i) eliminating all offsetting debits and credits between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and all other items required to be eliminated in the course of the preparation of consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, (ii) subtracting an amount equal to the cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of $10,000,000 held by the Borrower on such date of determination, and (iii) with respect to Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with any NMTC Transaction, (a) including the portion thereof constituting NMTC Put Option Debt, (b) excluding the entire portion thereof constituting NMTC Excluded Debt if such NMTC Excluded Debt is unsecured, non-amortizing and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (c) if such NMTC Excluded Debt is secured, amortizing or not subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or if any NMTC Recapture Event has occurred, only excluding the amount of any loans made by the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) all convertible debt shall be stated at its face amount and not the amount otherwise adjusted pursuant to the effect of FASB APB 14-1, (B) in the event the Borrower shall Guarantee any Debt of a Subsidiary incurred in connection with any NMTC Transaction, such Guarantee and such Debt shall not be double-counted.

Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio ” means the ratio of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period of determination, the Consolidated Net Income plus interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis for such period.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of measurement, the ratio of (i) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA for the four-quarter period ending on such date minus cash taxes for such four-quarter period minus Capital Expenditures for such four-quarter period minus Restricted Payments (other than those described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof) made in cash for such four-quarter period, to (ii) the sum of current maturities of long-term debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such four-quarter period and consolidated interest expense for such four-quarter period, in each case as measured for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) with respect to debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with any NMTC Transaction, (a) clause (ii) above shall include the portion thereof constituting NMTC Put Option Debt, (b) clause (ii) above shall exclude the entire portion thereof constituting NMTC Excluded Debt if such NMTC Excluded Debt is unsecured, non-amortizing and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (c) if such NMTC Excluded Debt is secured, amortizing or not subordinated to the Obligations in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, or if any NMTC Recapture Event has occurred, clause (ii) above shall only exclude the amount of any loans made by the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction, and (2) in the event the Borrower shall guarantee any debt of a Subsidiary incurred in connection with any NMTC Transaction, such guarantee and such debt shall not be double-counted.

 

6


Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding extraordinary non-cash gains and extraordinary non-cash losses as determined in accordance with GAAP and excluding the Net Income Exclusions) for such period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude (a) 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, and (b) 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 Income 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).

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. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 5% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

Credit Extension ” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Debt ” 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 for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount available to be drawn under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) the Swap Termination Value of any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);

(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;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness;

 

7


(g) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Capital Securities or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Capital Security, 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 Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing; and

(i) all Debt of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above 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 joint venturer, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.

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) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.15(d) , 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, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any 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 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, (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 Capital Security in that Lender or any direct or indirect

 

8


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(d) ) 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 Issuer, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

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 of any property by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction and any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith, but excluding any Recovery Event.

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

Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 11.06(b)(iii) and (v)  (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) ).

Environmental Authority ” means any foreign, federal, state, local or regional government that exercises any form of jurisdiction or authority under any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Authorizations ” means all licenses, permits, orders, approvals, notices, registrations or other legal prerequisites for conducting the business of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party required by any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Judgments and Orders ” means all judgments, decrees or orders arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirements, whether or not entered upon consent or written agreements with an Environmental Authority or other entity arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirement, whether or not incorporated in a judgment, decree or order.

Environmental Laws ” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.

 

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Environmental Liabilities ” means any liabilities, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, arising from and in any way associated with any Environmental Requirements.

Environmental Notices ” means notice from any Environmental Authority or by any other person or entity, of possible or alleged noncompliance with or liability under any Environmental Requirement, including without limitation any complaints, citations, demands or requests from any Environmental Authority or from any other person or entity for correction of any violation of any Environmental Requirement or any investigations concerning any violation of any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Proceedings ” means any judicial or administrative proceedings arising from or in any way associated with any Environmental Requirement.

Environmental Releases ” means releases as defined in CERCLA or under any applicable federal, state or local environmental law or regulation and shall include, in any event and without limitation, any release of petroleum or petroleum related products.

Environmental Requirements ” means any legal requirement relating to health, safety or the environment and applicable to a Loan Party, any Subsidiary of a Loan Party or the Properties, including but not limited to any such requirement under CERCLA or similar state legislation and all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations, orders, writs, decrees and common law.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or any successor law and all rules and regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder. Any reference to any provision of ERISA shall also be deemed to be a reference to any successor provision or provisions thereof.

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 Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).

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 by Bloomberg (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “ LIBOR Rate ”) 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 the LIBOR Rate, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that (i) 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 as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and (ii) if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

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Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurodollar Rate.”

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

Excess Liquidity ” means, as of any date of determination thereof by the Administrative Agent, the sum of (a) the Borrower’s unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents which are subject to a first priority (and exclusive) Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, plus (b) an amount equal to the remainder of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments minus (ii) the sum of (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings, plus (B) the aggregate amount, if any, of all trade payables of the Borrower aged in excess of historical levels with respect thereto and all book overdrafts of the Borrower in excess of historical practices with respect thereto, in each case as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

Excess Liquidity Requirement ” means $40,000,000.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means Trex Wood-Polymer Espana, S.L.

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 under a Loan Document by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act (or the application or official interpretation 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 10.08 and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or 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 Contract, such exclusion shall apply to only the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any 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 11.13 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) , 3.01(a)(iii) or 3.01(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 pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Letters of Credit ” means the Letters of Credit set forth on Schedule 2.03 .

 

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Facility Termination Date ” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized).

FASB ASC ” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue 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, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, (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 Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent, and (c) if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Fee Letter ” means the letter agreement, dated December 7, 2015 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.

Fiscal Quarter ” means any fiscal quarter of the Borrower.

Fiscal Year ” means any fiscal year of the Borrower.

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 the 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 Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations 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.

 

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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, 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 Debt 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 Debt or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Debt or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Debt 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) each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower identified as a “Guarantor” on the signature pages hereto, (b) each Person that joins as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.13 or otherwise, (c) with respect to (i) Obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreement, (ii) Obligations under any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (iii) any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 10.01 and 10.08 ) under the Guaranty, the Borrower, and (d) the successors and permitted assigns of the foregoing.

Guaranty ” means the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations pursuant to Article X .

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, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Hedge Bank ” means any Person that (i) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract, is a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent, (ii) in the case of any Swap Contract in effect on or prior to the Closing Date, is, as of the Closing Date or within 30 days thereafter, a Lender or the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative Agent and a party to a Swap Contract or (iii) within 30 days after the time it enters into the applicable Swap Contract, becomes a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender or the Administrative

 

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Agent, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract; provided , in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement.

Honor Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c) .

Incremental Facility ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16 .

Incremental Facility Amendment ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16 .

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.

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 clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b) .

Information ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07 .

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; 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; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.

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 Loan Notice; provided that:

(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

Internal Revenue Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Capital Securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other

 

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acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) an Acquisition. 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.

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 Document ” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.24 executed and delivered by a Domestic Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.24 or any other documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose.

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 Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable 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 Borrowing of Revolving Loans.

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Issuer ” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor 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 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 1.06 . 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.

Lenders ” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto, each other Person that becomes a “Lender” in accordance with this Agreement and their successors and assigns and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swing Line Lender.

 

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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 references 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 and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.

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 the L/C Issuer.

Letter of Credit Fee ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h) .

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (b) $15 million. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any 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 Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, each Joinder Agreement, the Collateral Documents and the Fee Letter (but specifically excluding Secured Hedge Agreements and any Secured Cash Management Agreements).

Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02 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.

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

Master Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

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Maturity Date ” means January 12, 2021; provided , however , that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, (a) 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 102% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14(a)(i) , (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) , an amount equal to 102% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (c) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgages ” means the mortgages, deeds of trust or deeds to secure debt that purport to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a security interest in the fee interests of any Loan Party in any real property.

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 Income Exclusions ” means the items listed on Schedule 1.01 .

Nevada Property ” means the real estate and personal property relating to the facility owned by the Borrower and located in Lyon County, Nevada.

NMTC Excluded Debt ” means, with respect to any NMTC Transaction, (i) the amount of any Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) in connection with such NMTC Transaction, minus (ii) any NMTC Put Option Debt relating thereto.

NMTC Program ” means the New Market Tax Credit Program enacted by the United States Congress as part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (and codified as Section 45D of the Code), or any similar program adopted by any state or local government or Governmental Authority, which permits certain individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in qualified community development entities.

NMTC Put Option Debt ” means, with respect to any NMTC Transaction, the obligations of the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (without duplication) under any put/call option agreement entered into in connection with such NMTC Transaction, assuming the put is exercised.

NMTC Recapture Event ” means any recapture event (within the meaning of the NMTC Program) resulting in all or any portion of any NMTC Excluded Debt becoming due and payable by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary.

NMTC Transaction ” means a transaction in which the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary (as a qualified low-income community business) obtains a qualified low-income community investment from a qualified community development entity, in each case under, and within the meanings set forth in, the NMTC Program.

 

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Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (b) 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 ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a) .

Notice of Loan Prepayment ” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05 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 Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Borrower.

Obligations ” means with respect to each Loan Party (i) 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, and (ii) all obligations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary owing to a Cash Management Bank or a Hedge Bank in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements, in each case identified in clauses (i) and (ii) 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 , however , that the “Obligations” of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Olive Branch Property ” means all real and personal property of the Borrower located in Olive Branch, Mississippi as of the Closing Date.

Organizational Action ” means with respect to any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other legally authorized incorporated or unincorporated entity, any corporate, organizational or partnership action (including any required shareholder, member or partner action), or other similar official action, as applicable, taken by such entity.

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 or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (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 (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, 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 (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).

 

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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 any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans 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 11.06(d) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d) .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

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 Internal Revenue Code.

Permitted Liens ” means, at any time, Liens in respect of property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary permitted to exist at such time pursuant to the terms of Section 6.10 .

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 6.01 .

Poly Business ” means the Borrower’s lines of business related to polyethylene film conversion operations.

 

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Pro Forma Basis ” means, with respect to any transaction, that for purposes of calculating the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.05 , such transaction (including the incurrence of any Debt therewith) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the most recent four fiscal quarter period preceding the date of such transaction for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) . In connection with the foregoing, (a) with respect to any Disposition or Recovery Event, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property disposed of shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period occurring prior to the date of such transaction and (ii) Debt which is retired shall be excluded and deemed to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period and (b) with respect to any Acquisition, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items attributable to the Person or property acquired shall be included to the extent relating to any period applicable in such calculations to the extent (A) such items are not otherwise included in such income statement and cash flow statement items for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any defined terms set forth in Section 1.01 and (B) such items are supported by financial statements or other information reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) any Debt incurred or assumed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including the Person or property acquired) in connection with such transaction and any Debt of the Person or property acquired which is not retired in connection with such transaction (A) shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable period and (B) if such Debt has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Debt as at the relevant date of determination.

Pro Forma Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower containing reasonably detailed calculations of the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.05 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b)  after giving effect to the applicable transaction on a Pro Forma Basis.

Properties ” means all real property owned, leased or otherwise used or occupied by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party. “ Property ” means any one of such Properties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Properties” shall not include the Olive Branch Property.

Public Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 .

Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Real Property Security Documents ” means with respect to the fee interest of any Loan Party in any real property:

(a) a fully executed and notarized Mortgage encumbering the fee interest of such Loan Party in such real property;

(b) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, maps or plats of an as-built survey of the sites of such real property certified to the Administrative Agent and the title insurance company issuing the policies referred to in clause (c) of this definition in a manner satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company, dated a date satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor, which maps or plats and the surveys on which

 

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they are based shall be sufficient to delete any standard printed survey exception contained in the applicable title policy and be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping in 2011 with items 2, 3, 4, 6(b), 7(a), 7(b)(1), 7(c), 8, 9, 10, 11(a), 13, 14, 16,17, 18 and 19 on Table A thereof completed;

(c) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies issued by a title insurance company acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to such real property, assuring the Administrative Agent that the Mortgage covering such real property creates a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on such real property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, which title insurance policies shall otherwise be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall include such endorsements as are requested by the Administrative Agent;

(d) evidence as to (i) whether such real property is in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards (a “ Flood Hazard Property ”) and (ii) if such real property is a Flood Hazard Property, (A) whether the community in which such real property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, (B) the applicable Loan Party’s written acknowledgment of receipt of written notification from the Administrative Agent (1) as to the fact that such real property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and (C) copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries evidencing life of loan flood insurance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and naming the Administrative Agent and its successors and/or assigns as sole loss payee on behalf of the Lenders;

(e) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an environmental assessment report, as to such real property, in form and substance and from professional firms acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(f) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such real property, and the uses of such real property, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable zoning Laws (the evidence submitted as to which should include the zoning designation made for such real property, the permitted uses of such real property under such zoning designation and, if available, zoning requirements as to parking, lot size, ingress, egress and building setbacks); and

(g) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an opinion of legal counsel to the Loan Party granting the Mortgage on such real property, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Recipient ” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

Recovery Event ” means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.

Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c) .

 

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Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a 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 having Total Credit Exposures representing more than 66 2/3% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders; provided , however , that Required Lenders shall require at least two unaffiliated Lenders so long as there are at least two unaffiliated Lenders that are not Defaulting Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

Resignation Effective Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06 .

Responsible Officer ” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant 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. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Restricted Payment ” means (i) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Capital Securities of any Person (except dividends payable solely in shares of such Person’s Capital Securities); or (ii) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of (a) any shares of Capital Securities of any Person (except shares acquired upon the conversion thereof into other shares of its Capital Securities) or (b) any option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of Capital Securities of any such Person.

Revolving Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 , (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 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto or in any documentation executed by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 , 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 Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Revolving Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a) .

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means, with respect to any Person, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby such Person shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

Sanction(s) ” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government, including OFAC, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“ HMT ”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

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 or any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank with respect to such Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11 .

Secured Hedge Agreement ” means any Swap Contract that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank with respect to such Swap Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.11 .

Secured Party Designation Notice ” shall mean a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.01 .

Securitization Transaction ” means, with respect to any Person, any financing transaction or series of financing transactions (including factoring arrangements) pursuant to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person may sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in, accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar rights to payment to a special purpose subsidiary or affiliate of such Person.

Security Agreement ” means the Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of even date herewith, by and among the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, to be executed and delivered in connection herewith.

Solvent ” or “ Solvency ” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (b) 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 in the ordinary course of business, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s

 

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property would constitute unreasonably small capital, (d) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) 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. 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 ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.08 .

Subordinated Debt ” means any other Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which by its terms is subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and to an extent reasonably acceptable 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 Voting Stock is 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 Obligation ” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Swing Line Lender ” means Bank of America 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) .

 

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Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of a Borrowing of Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.04 or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approve by 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) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (b) $5 million. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

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 creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of 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.

Total Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments of such Lender at such time, the outstanding Loans of such Lender at such time and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Total Revolving Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans, all Swing Line Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Type ” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

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).

United States ” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3) .

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, Capital Securities issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

Winchester Property ” means the real estate owned by the Borrower and personal property relating to the Borrower’s facility located in Winchester, Virginia.

 

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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 Loan Document or Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (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, Preliminary Statements of and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any Law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced 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 assets and properties, tangible and intangible, real and personal, 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 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, Debt of the Loan Parties and their 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.

 

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(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, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) 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. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

(c) Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities . All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Borrower is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

(d) Calculations . Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that all calculations of the financial covenants in Section 6.05 (including for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate) shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis with respect to (i) any Disposition of all of the Capital Securities of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, a Subsidiary, (ii) any Disposition of a line of business or division of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, or (iii) any Acquisition, in each case, occurring during the applicable period.

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.

 

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1.06 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 , however , 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 CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01 Revolving Loans .

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “ Revolving Loan ”) to the Borrower in Dollars 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 such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed the lesser of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01 . Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein, provided , however , all Borrowings made on the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans.

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of 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 Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such 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 principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c) , each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing 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 a Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be

 

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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 Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable 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 the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each 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 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 Bank of America 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, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing of Revolving Loans is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such 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 the 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, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans.

(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 Bank of America’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 six Interest Periods in effect.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

(g) This Section 2.02 shall not apply to Swing Line Loans.

 

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2.03 Letters of Credit .

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment .

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the 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 five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the 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, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments 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. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not 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 Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) holding a majority of the Revolving Credit Exposure have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the Maturity Date, unless all the Lenders that have Revolving Commitments have approved such expiry date.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not 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 the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

 

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(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $25,000;

(D) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

(E) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its reasonable discretion) with the Borrower or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(b) ) 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 the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure; or

(F) such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the 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 the 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 Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the 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 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 L/C Issuer, by personal

 

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delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the 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 the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the 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 the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the 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 the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any 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, the 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 the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole 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 the 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 L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any

 

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time to an expiry date not later than the date that is twelve months after the Maturity Date; provided , however , that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the 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 Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(iv) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “ Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit ”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “ Non-Reinstatement Deadline ”), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.

(v) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the 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 drawing under such Letter of Credit, the 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 L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “ Honor Date ”), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing, failure to make such reimbursement shall not constitute an Event of Default if the Unreimbursed Amount is refinanced with Revolving Loans as provided below. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such

 

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Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are 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 unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if 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 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 L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable 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 Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are 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 L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C 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 Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 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 L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

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(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the 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 Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Repayment of Participations .

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any 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 the 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 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 L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable 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 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 any Loan Party 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 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;

 

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(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 L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

(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 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 L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; 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, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.

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 L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer . Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of

 

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any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower from pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the 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 the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the 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 L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The 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; Limitation of Liability . Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the 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 the 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 Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.15 , with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “ Letter of Credit Fee ”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans 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 1.06 . 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 Maturity 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, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

 

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(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer . The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, 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 tenth 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 Maturity 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 1.06 . In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees 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 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.

2.04 Swing Line Loans .

(a) Swing Line Facility . 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 , may in its sole discretion make loans (each such loan, a “ Swing Line Loan ”) to the Borrower in Dollars 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 Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that (i) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (A) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (B) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (ii) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan and (iii) 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 be a Base Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each 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 Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

 

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(b) Borrowing Procedures . Each Borrowing of Swing Line Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) by a Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such Swing Line Loan 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 principal amount of $100,000 and integral multiples of $50,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any 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 Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (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 discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable 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 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 Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 . The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such 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 Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is 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 Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each 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.

 

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(iii) If any 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 Loan included in the relevant 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 that 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 Lender’s obligation to make Revolving 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 Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable 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 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable 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.

 

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(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 Lender funds its Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable 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.

2.05 Prepayments .

(a) Voluntary Prepayments of Loans .

(i) The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Notice of Loan Prepayment to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving 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 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 such prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the 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 Applicable Percentage 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. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 . Subject to Section 2.15 , each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

(ii) Swing Line Loans . 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 (i) 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 (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $50,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). 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 Prepayments of Loans . If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans and/or Swing Line Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(i) unless after the prepayment in full of the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect. All amounts required to be paid pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied first, ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second , to the outstanding Revolving Loans, and, third , to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations. Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05 , but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.

2.06 Optional Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments .

The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments; 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 $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

2.07 Repayment of Loans .

(a) Revolving Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

(b) Swing Line Loans . The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

2.08 Interest .

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable

 

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Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(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) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, 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.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (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) 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.

2.09 Fees .

In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03 :

(a) Commitment Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Rate times (ii) the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments exceed the sum of (y) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (z) 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 Revolving Commitments for purposes of determining the commitment fee. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the 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 last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

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(b) Other Fees .

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Arranger 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. 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-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 Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA 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 L/C Issuer, 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Revolving 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 promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.11(a) (a “ Note ”). 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 subsection (a) above, 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. 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 (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

 

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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 date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the 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 the 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, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(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 11.04(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 11.04(c) .

 

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(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.

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 any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, 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 principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, 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), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14 , or (C) 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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

2.14 Cash Collateral .

(a) Certain Credit Support Events . If (i) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Maturity 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 the 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(b) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

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(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 Issuer 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 2.14(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 L/C Issuer as herein provided (other than Liens permitted under Section 6.10 ), 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 Bank of America. 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 2.14 or Sections 2.03 , 2.05 , 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, 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 otherwise 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 11.06(b)(vi)) ) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the 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 L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

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 Law:

(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 the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.01 .

 

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(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 11.08 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 Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14 ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no 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 and the Borrower; 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 the 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 2.14 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the 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 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 competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) 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, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, 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(b) . 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).

 

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(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 2.14 .

(C) With respect to any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (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 that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (b) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(b) 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 such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s 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.

(c) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans . If the reallocation described in clause (b)  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 Law, (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 2.14 .

(d) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer 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 satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), 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 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(b) ), 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 (including the Borrower), 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.

 

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2.16 Incremental Facilities .

The Borrower may from time to time increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments (each such increase, an “ Incremental Facility ”) to this Agreement at the option of the Borrower by an agreement in writing entered into by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Person (including any existing Lender) that agrees to provide a portion of such Incremental Facility (each an “ Incremental Facility Amendment ”); provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Facilities shall not exceed $25,000,000;

(b) no Default shall exist on the effective date of such Incremental Facility or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility;

(c) the representations and warranties of each 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 on and as of the effective date of such Incremental Facility, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date;

(d) no existing Lender shall be under any obligation to provide any commitment to any Incremental Facility and any such decision whether to provide a commitment to an Incremental Facility hall be in such Lender’s sole and absolute discretion;

(e) each Incremental Facility shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

(f) each Person providing a commitment to an Incremental Facility shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee;

(g) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(i) a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the date of such Incremental Facility signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching resolutions adopted by the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Loan Party approving such Incremental Facility and (B) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such Incremental Facility, the conditions in clause (b) and (c) above are true and correct;

(ii) such amendments to the Collateral Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to cause the Collateral Documents to secure the Obligations after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (collectively “ Collateral Document Amendments ”);

(iii) opinions of legal counsel to the Loan Parties in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender (including each Person providing a commitment to an Incremental Facility), dated as of the effective date of such Incremental Facility; and

(iv) a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating that after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Facility on a Pro Forma Basis (and for purposes of the calculations under this clause (iv) assuming that such any then proposed

 

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Incremental Facility is fully drawn) the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.05 recomputed as of the end of the period of four fiscal quarters most recently for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section  6.01(a) or (b) ;

(h) such Incremental Facility shall have the same terms (including interest rate and interest rate margins but excluding upfront fees payable solely to the Lenders under such Incremental Facility) applicable to the Aggregate Revolving Commitments;

(i) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding on the date of such increase, (x) each Lender providing such Incremental Facility shall make Revolving Loans, the proceeds of which shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to prepay Revolving Loans of the existing Lenders, in an amount necessary such that after giving effect thereto the outstanding Revolving Loans are held ratably among all of the Lenders with a Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrower shall pay an amount required pursuant to Section 3.05 as a result of any such prepayment of Revolving Loans of existing Lenders; and

(j) the existing Lenders with a Revolving Commitment shall on the effective date of such Incremental Facility be deemed to have made such assignments (which assignments shall not be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 11.06(b) ) of the outstanding participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility and the Administrative Agent may make such adjustments to the Register as are necessary so that, after giving effect to such assignments and adjustments, each Lender with a Revolving Commitment (including the Lenders providing such Incremental Facility) will hold participation interests in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans equal to its pro rata share thereof.

The commitments under any Incremental Facility and credit extensions thereunder shall constitute Commitments and Credit Extensions under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guarantees and security interests created by the Collateral Documents. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into, and the Lenders agree that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be amended by, each Incremental Facility Amendment and any Collateral Documents Amendment to the extent the Administrative Agent and the Borrower deem necessary in order to establish the applicable Incremental Facility and to effect such other changes agreed by the Borrower and the Persons providing such Incremental Facility and approved by the Administrative Agent; provided , however, that the Incremental Facility Amendment shall not effect any change described in Section 11.01(a) without the consent of each Person required to consent to such change under such clause (it being agreed, however, that any Incremental Facility will not, of itself, be deemed to effect any of the changes described in Section 11.01(a) and that modifications to the definitions of “Commitments”, “Loans” and “Required Lenders” or other provisions relating to voting provisions to provide the Persons providing the applicable Incremental Facility with the benefit of such provisions will not, by themselves, be deemed to effect any of the changes described in Section 11.01(a)) . The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment.

 

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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 under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (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 Internal Revenue 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 Internal Revenue 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 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 Internal Revenue 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 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 Loan Parties . Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Loan Parties 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) Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten 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

 

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to such Recipient, and any penalties, 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party 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 the 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 the 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 . As soon as practicable, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01 , such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(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 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

 

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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) , 3.01(e)(ii)(B) and 3.01(e)(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 copies 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 copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, 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-8BENE (or W-8BEN, 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 copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-A to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BENE (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S.

 

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Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-B or Exhibit 3.01-C , 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 3.01-D 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 copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.

(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.

(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 the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its reasonable discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 , it shall pay to the Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section 3.01

 

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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 Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (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 Loan Party 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 the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party 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 the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving 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 Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extensions 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 issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension 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 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.

 

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3.03 Inability to Determine Rates .

(a) If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i) the Administrative Agent determines that (A) 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 (B) 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 (i), “ Impacted Loans ”), or (ii) 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.

(b) 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)(i) of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding 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 the L/C Issuer;

 

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(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 the 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 (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the 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 the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements . If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the 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 the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the 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 the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement . A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or the 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 the 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 six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

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(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 the Borrower shall have received at least ten (10) days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (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 Eurodollar 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);

(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 Eurodollar 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 11.13 ;

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 used in determining 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 make any Credit Extension to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Credit Extension 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, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the 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

 

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Borrower such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, 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 the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the 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 11.13 .

3.07 Survival .

All of the Loan Parties’ obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Reserved .

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions .

The obligation of each Lender and the L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a 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) The representations and warranties of each 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 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 as of such earlier date.

(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 Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

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Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a 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 and the Guarantors represent and warrant that:

5.01 Existence and Power .

The Borrower is a corporation, and each Guarantor is a corporation, limited liability company or other legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, is duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, such qualification is necessary, and has all organizational powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted.

5.02 Organizational and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention .

The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party (i) are within such Loan Party’s organizational powers, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary Organizational Action, (iii) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority, (iv) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable Law or of the Organization Documents of such Loan Party or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (v) do not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except for a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

5.03 Binding Effect .

This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Loan Parties enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the other Loan Documents, when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Loan Parties to such Loan Document enforceable in accordance with their respective terms; provided , that the enforceability hereof and thereof is subject in each case to general principles of equity and to Debtor Relief Laws and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

5.04 Financial Information .

(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young, LLP, copies of which have been

 

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delivered to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each of the Lenders, and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower for the interim period ended September 30, 2015, copies of which have been delivered to each of the Lenders, fairly present, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such dates and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such periods stated.

(b) Since December 31, 2014, there has been no event, act, condition or occurrence having a Material Adverse Effect.

5.05 Litigation .

As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 5.05 , there is no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties threatened, against or affecting the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority which (a) in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Loan Documents, (b) could impair the ability of the Loan Parties to perform their respective obligations under, this Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Loan Documents, or (c) has, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.06 Compliance with ERISA .

(a) The Loan Parties and each member of the Controlled Group have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, and have not incurred any liability to the PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA.

(b) Neither the Loan Parties nor any member of the Controlled Group is or ever has been obligated to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan.

(c) The assets of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party do not and will not constitute “plan assets,” within the meaning of ERISA, the Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the borrowing and repayment of amounts hereunder, do not and will not constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA or the Code.

5.07 Payment of Taxes .

There have been filed on behalf of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries all Federal, state and local income, excise, property and other tax returns which are required to be filed by them and all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by or on behalf of the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary have been paid. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Loan Parties, adequate.

 

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5.08 Subsidiaries .

Each of the Subsidiaries of each Loan Party is a corporation, a limited liability company or other legal entity, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, is duly qualified to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business, such qualification is necessary, and has all organizational powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. No Loan Party has any Subsidiaries except those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 5.24 and as set forth in any Compliance Certificate provided to the Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(d) after the Closing Date, which accurately sets forth each such Subsidiary’s complete name and jurisdiction of organization.

5.09 Investment Company Act, Etc .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is a “holding company,” or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

5.10 All Consents Required .

All approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or other actions of any Person or of any Governmental Authority (if any) required in connection with the due execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement and any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a party, have been obtained.

5.11 Ownership of Property; Liens .

Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries has title or the contractual right to possess its properties sufficient for the conduct of its business and none of such properties is subject to any Lien except as permitted in Section 6.10 .

5.12 No Default or Event of Default .

No Loan Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, except where such default, alone or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.13 Full Disclosure .

All information heretofore furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby is, and all such information hereafter furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender will be, true, accurate and complete in every material respect or based on reasonable estimates on the date as of which such information is stated or certified. The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders in writing any and all facts which, alone or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.14 Environmental Matters .

(a) No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party is subject to any Environmental Liability which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and no Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party has been designated as a potentially responsible party under CERCLA. None of the Properties (or to the knowledge of the Loan Parties with respect to Properties not owned by the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party) has been identified on any current or proposed (i) National Priorities List under 40 C.F.R. § 300, (ii) CERCLIS list or (iii) any list arising from a state statute similar to CERCLA.

(b) To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties and except (i) as disclosed in the environmental reports relating to the Nevada Property and the Winchester Property delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date or (ii) as could not otherwise reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Hazardous Materials have been or are being used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of, managed or otherwise handled at, or shipped or transported to or from the Properties or are otherwise present at, on, in or under the Properties, or, to the best of the knowledge of the Loan Parties, at or from any adjacent site or facility, except for Hazardous Materials, such as petroleum products, cleaning solvents, pesticides and other materials used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed of, and managed or otherwise handled in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation the Poly Business) of such Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party in compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements.

(c) Each of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries has procured all Environmental Authorizations necessary for the conduct of their business contemplated on such Property, and is in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Requirements in connection with the operation of the Loan Party’s, and each of their respective Subsidiary’s, respective businesses.

5.15 Compliance with Laws .

Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary of a Loan Party is in compliance with all applicable Laws, regulations and similar requirements of Governmental Authorities, including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws and all regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (including with respect to timely filing of reports), except where such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings or where non-compliance, alone or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.16 Capital Securities .

All Capital Securities, debentures, bonds, notes and all other securities of each Loan Party and their respective Subsidiaries presently issued and outstanding are validly and properly issued in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, but not limited to, the “Blue Sky” laws of all applicable states and the federal securities laws. The issued shares of Capital Securities of each of the Loan Party’s respective Subsidiaries are owned by the Loan Parties free and clear of any Lien or adverse claim, except for a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

 

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5.17 Margin Stock .

No Loan Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, and no part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or be used for any purpose which violates, or which is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Following the application of the proceeds from each Credit Extension, 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, will be “Margin Stock.”

5.18 Insolvency .

After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Credit Extensions under this Agreement, the Borrower is Solvent.

5.19 Security Documents .

The Collateral Documents create valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, which security interests and Liens are currently perfected security interests and Liens, prior to all other Liens other than Permitted Liens.

5.20 Labor Matters .

There are no strikes, lockouts, slowdowns or other labor disputes against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened. The hours worked by and payment made to employees of the Loan Parties and each Subsidiary of any Loan Party have been in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and any other applicable federal, state or foreign law dealing with such matters. All payments due from the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or for which any claim may be made against the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as appropriate.

5.21 Patents, Trademarks, Etc .

The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, technology, know-how and processes, service marks and rights with respect to the foregoing that are material to the businesses, assets, operations, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.21 , the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct their business without infringement or claim of infringement of any material license, patent, trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, trade secret or any other intellectual property right of others and there is no infringement or claim of infringement by others of any material license, patent, trademark, trade name, service mark, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property right of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, in each case which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.22 Insurance .

(a) The Loan Parties and each of their Subsidiaries has (either in the name of such Loan Party or in such Subsidiary’s name), with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (including on all its property, and public liability and worker’s compensation) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business.

(b) Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent

5.23 Reserved .

5.24 Ownership Structure .

As of the Closing Date, Part I of Schedule 5.24 is a complete and correct list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower and of each Loan Party setting forth for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding any Capital Securities in such Subsidiary, (iii) the nature of the Capital Securities held by each such Person, and (iv) the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by such Capital Securities. (i) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, free and clear of all Liens and has the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding Capital Securities in each Person shown to be held by it on such Schedule, (ii) all of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each Person is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (iii) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including, without limitation, any stockholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or outstanding securities convertible into, any additional Capital Securities of any type in, any such Person. Except as listed on Part II of Schedule 5.24 , neither the Loan Parties nor their respective Subsidiaries are engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person. Except as listed on Part III of Schedule 5.24 , there are no outstanding stock purchase warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of Capital Securities of the Loan Parties or their respective Subsidiaries.

5.25 Reports Accurate; Disclosure .

All information, exhibits, financial statements, documents, books, records or reports furnished or to be furnished by the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any Loan Document, including without limitation all reports furnished pursuant to Section 5.04 , are true, complete and accurate in all material respects; it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the projections and forecasts provided by the Borrower in good faith and based upon reasonable assumptions are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results. Neither this Agreement, nor any Loan Document, nor any agreement, document, certificate or statement furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.

 

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5.26 Location of Offices .

The Borrower’s name is Trex Company, Inc. The location of the Borrower (within the meaning of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) is Delaware. The Borrower has not changed its name, identity, structure, existence or state of formation, whether by amendment of its Organization Documents, by reorganization or otherwise, and has not changed its location (within the meaning of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code) within the five (5) years preceding the Closing Date or any subsequent date on which this representation is made.

5.27 Reserved .

5.28 Broker’s Fees .

Except as set forth in the Fee Letter, no broker’s or finder’s fee, commission or similar compensation will be payable with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. Except as set forth in the Fee Letter, no other similar fees or commissions will be payable by any Loan Party for any other services rendered to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries ancillary to the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.29 Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc .

All statements contained in any certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument delivered by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such statement made in or in connection with any amendment thereto or any statement contained in any certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party prior to the Closing Date and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the underwriting or closing of the transactions contemplated hereby) shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties as of the date of such certificate, financial statement, schedule or other instrument in favor of the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders under this Agreement. All such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Credit Extensions.

5.30 Reserved .

5.31 No Default or Event of Default .

No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists, or would result from any Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, which constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Default or Event of Default.

5.32 Anti-Corruption; OFAC .

(a) The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

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(b) None of the Loan Parties, nor any of their Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

5.33 Material Contracts .

Schedule 5.33 is, as of the Closing Date, a true, correct and complete listing of all contracts (other than any contracts relating to any NMTC Transaction) to which any Loan Party is a party, the breach of or failure to perform which, either by a Loan Party or other party to such contract, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (“ Material Contract ”).

The Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the other Loan Parties that is a party to any Material Contract has performed and is in compliance with all of the material terms of such Material Contract, and no Loan Party has knowledge of any default or event of default that exists with respect to any such Material Contract.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

The Borrower and Guarantors hereby agree, jointly and severally, that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid:

6.01 Information .

The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent, who will then promptly deliver to each of the Lenders:

(a) as soon as available and in any event within ninety (90) calendar days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in form to the Administrative Agent, all as audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and certified by such independent public accountants to be free of any “going concern” or like exceptions and qualifications not acceptable to the Required Lenders; provided , that the Borrower may deliver, in lieu of the foregoing consolidated annual financial statements only, the annual report of the Borrower for the applicable Fiscal Year on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, but only so long as the consolidated financial statements contained in such annual report are substantially the same in content as the consolidated financial statements required by this Section 6.01(a) ;

 

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(b) as soon as available and in any event within forty-five (45) calendar days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and satisfactory in form to the Administrative Agent, and all reviewed by Ernst & Young, LLP or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the chief financial officer of the Borrower; provided , that the Borrower may deliver, in lieu of the foregoing quarterly consolidated financial statements only, the quarterly report of the Borrower for the applicable Fiscal Quarter on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, but only so long as the consolidated financial statements contained in such quarterly report are substantially the same in content as the consolidated financial statements required by this Section 6.01(b) .

(c) as soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the end of each calendar month (except with respect to any calendar month that is the last month of a Fiscal Quarter), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such calendar month (together with an executive summary discussion and analysis) and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for such calendar month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year ended at the end of such calendar month, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding calendar month and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments) as to fairness of presentation, GAAP and consistency by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

(d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause (a) above for each Fiscal Year and each set of financial statements referred to in clause (b) above for each Fiscal Quarter, a certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.01 and with compliance calculations in form and content satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (a “ Compliance Certificate ”), of the chief financial officer or other authorized officer of the Borrower (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Loan Parties were in compliance with the requirements of Section 6.05 on the date of such financial statements, (ii) setting forth the identities of the respective Subsidiaries on the date of such financial statements, (iii) stating whether any Default or Event of Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Default or Event of Default then exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Loan Parties are taking or propose to take with respect thereto, and (iv) stating whether, since the date of the most recent previous delivery of financial statements pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above, any event has occurred or condition exists that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and, if so, the nature of such event or condition;

(e) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of annual financial statements referred to in paragraph (a) above, a statement of the firm of independent public accountants which reported on such statements to the effect that nothing has come to their attention to cause them to believe that the Borrower has failed to comply with the requirements of Section 6.05(a), (b) or (c)  as of the date of such financial statements;

(f) within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, or any event that results in a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of the chief financial officers or authorized officers of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

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(g) promptly after the same become publicly available, but only upon request of the Administrative Agent, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(h) if and when the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice;

(i) promptly after the Borrower knows of the commencement thereof, notice of any litigation, dispute or proceeding (and any material development in respect of such proceedings) involving a claim against a Loan Party and/or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party for $1,000,000 or more (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of the claim and does not dispute coverage);

(j) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of each report submitted to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries by independent public accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, each report submitted to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries concerning its accounting practices and systems and any final comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in connection with the annual audit of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;

(k) [Reserved];

(l) notice of the occurrence of any default or event of default under any agreement or note evidencing any Debt of any Loan Party having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $500,000, or under any Material Contract, and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(m) as soon as available and in any event within thirty (30) calendar days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating budget of the Borrower for such Fiscal Year, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(n) from time to time such additional information regarding the assets, financial position or business of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, and each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Lender, may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) or Section 6.01(g) (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

 

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the website address listed on Schedule 11.02 ; 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: (i) 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 and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions ( i.e. , soft copies) of such documents. 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.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar electronic transmission 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 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 so long as the Borrower is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information 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 11.07 ); (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 Arranger 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 as “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

6.02 Inspection of Property, Books and Records .

The Borrower will (i) keep, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; (ii) permit, and will cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and each Loan Party to permit, with reasonable prior notice which notice shall not be required in the case of an emergency or during the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or its designees, at the expense of the Borrower and the Loan Parties, to perform periodic appraisals (including real estate, machinery and equipment and trademark appraisals), inspections and investigations of the Borrower, the Loan Parties and the Collateral (including, without limitation, verification of the accounts and inventory of the Borrower) and the records pertaining thereto, from time to time; and (iii) permit, and will cause each Subsidiary to permit, representatives of any

 

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Lender at the Borrower’s expense to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants. The Loan Parties agree to cooperate and assist in such visits and inspections, in each case at such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be desired.

6.03 Capital Expenditures .

The Loan Parties shall not make Capital Expenditures in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of any Capital Expenditures through and including the 30 th day after the making thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Capital Expenditures (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, the amount of such Capital Expenditures shall not count against such annual $25,000,000 limitation.

Amounts not incurred in any Fiscal Year may not be carried forward to a subsequent period.

6.04 Sale/Leasebacks .

The Loan Parties shall not, nor shall they permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

6.05 Financial Covenants .

(a) [Reserved].

(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.50 to 1.0, measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ended December 31, 2015.

(c) Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio . The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA Ratio to exceed 3.00 to 1.0 measured as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter (and in the case of Consolidated EBITDA, for the four-quarter period ending on such date).

6.06 Acquisitions .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make any Acquisition, unless (a) the line or lines of business of the Person to be acquired are substantially the same as or reasonably related to one or more line or lines of business conducted by the Borrower (including without limitation the Poly Business), (b) the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such Acquisition, (c) after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and the Borrower shall be in actual and pro-forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.05 (as calculated as of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which the Borrower is then required to have delivered quarterly financial statements in accordance with Section 6.01(a) or (b)  as if such Acquisition and all related transactions (including the

 

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making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith and the assumption or incurrence of all Debt related to such Acquisition) had been consummated as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter), (d) Excess Liquidity shall be at least $15,000,000 on each day from the 30 th day prior to the consummation of such Acquisition through and including the 30 th day after the consummation thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Acquisition (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual consummation thereof, and (e) the aggregate consideration (including all Debt of such Person being acquired that is not discharged by the seller at the time of such Acquisition, all Debt as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party takes subject, and all other liabilities (including contingent earn-out payments) paid or to be paid in connection with such Acquisition) paid in connection with any single Acquisition shall not exceed $10,000,000 and in connection with all Acquisitions made during any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $20,000,000; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the consummation of any Acquisition through and including the 30 th day after the consummation thereof, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Acquisition (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual consummation thereof, the aggregate consideration paid in connection with such Acquisition shall not count against the $10,000,000 per Acquisition limitation or the annual $20,000,000 limitation in this clause (e).

6.07 Loans or Advances .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make loans or advances to any Person except: (a) deposits required by government agencies or public utilities; (b) loans or advances to the Borrower or any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary; provided , all such Debt shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement that in any such case is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; (c) loans and advances, if any, outstanding on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.07 ; (d) loans made in connection with any NMTC Transaction, but only to the extent offset by Debt incurred in connection with such NMTC Transaction under Section 6.27(d) , and (e) unsecured loans or advances not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.07 , which when aggregated with all other loans and advances made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties under this clause (e) and the total Investments made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under Section 6.09(iv) do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate outstanding; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any loans, advances or deposits permitted by clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of this Section, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. All loans or advances permitted under this Section 6.07 (other than under clause (d) hereof) shall be evidenced by written promissory notes and all such notes shall be subject to the Administrative Agent’s first priority Lien pursuant to the Security Agreement.

6.08 Restricted Payments .

The Loan Parties shall not declare or make any Restricted Payment unless (i) after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and the Borrower shall be in actual and pro-forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 6.05 (as calculated as of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which the Borrower is then required to have delivered quarterly financial statements in accordance with Section 6.01(a) or (b)  as if such Restricted Payment and all related transactions (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter), (ii) Excess Liquidity shall be at least $15,000,000 on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of such

 

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Restricted Payment through and including the 30 th day after the making of such Restricted Payment, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Restricted Payment (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been made on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, and (iii) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made by the Loan Parties during any Fiscal Year shall not exceed $25,000,000; provided , that so long as the Borrower maintains Excess Liquidity greater than the Excess Liquidity Requirement on each day from the 30 th day prior to the making of any such Restricted Payment through and including the 30 th day after the making of such Restricted Payment, as calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Restricted Payment (including the making of any Credit Extensions hereunder in connection therewith) had been consummated on the 30 th day prior to the actual making thereof, the amount of such Restricted Payment shall not count against the annual $25,000,000 limitation in this clause (iii).

6.09 Investments .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall make Investments in any Person except as permitted by Sections 6.06 and Section 6.07(a) through (e)  and except Investments in (i) cash and Cash Equivalents, (ii) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.09 ; and (iii) Investments not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.09 , made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with practices existing on the Closing Date, which when aggregated with all other Investments made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under clause (iii) and the aggregate outstanding loans and advances made by the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under Section 6.07(e) do not exceed $1,000,000; provided , that after giving effect to such Investment and at any time after any such Investment is made, no Default or Event of Default exists.

6.10 Negative Pledge .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party will create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

(a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement encumbering assets (other than Collateral) securing Debt outstanding on the date of this Agreement, in each case as described and in the principal amounts set forth on Schedule 6.10 ;

(b) Liens for taxes, assessments or similar charges, incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet due and payable or that are being contested in good faith and with due diligence by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which (i) the Loan Party has established reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and (ii) the Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(c) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment of workers’ compensation, to participate in any fund in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age pensions or other social security programs, or for other similar purposes;

(d) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers or other like liens, securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business that: (1) are not yet due and payable and which in no event shall become a Lien prior to any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens; or (2) are being contested diligently in good faith pursuant to appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Loan Party has established reserves reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders and which in no event shall become a Lien prior to any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

 

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(e) good faith pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or leases, not in excess of ten percent (10%) of the aggregate amount due thereunder, or to secure statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business;

(f) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any of clauses (a) through (e) of this Section; provided , that (i) such Debt is not secured by any additional assets, and (ii) the amount of such Debt secured by any such Lien is not increased;

(g) any Lien imposed as a result of a taking under the exercise of the power of eminent domain by any governmental body or by any Person acting under governmental authority;

(h) minor survey exceptions or minor encumbrances, easements or reservations, or rights of others for rights-of-way, utilities and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties, which are necessary for the conduct of the activities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or which customarily exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and which do not in any event materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and other easements, covenants, restrictions, reservations, exceptions and other matters shown on any title insurance commitment or survey provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof and not objected to by the Administrative Agent prior to the date hereof;

(i) Liens securing the Obligations created or arising under the Loan Documents; and

(j) Liens securing Debt incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any NMTC Transaction, provided that (i) such Liens encumber only the assets acquired with the proceeds of such Debt, and (ii) such Liens are subordinated to Liens securing the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

6.11 Maintenance of Existence, etc .

Except as otherwise permitted by Section 6.12 , each Loan Party shall maintain its organizational existence and carry on its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same line or lines of business or line or lines of business reasonably related to the business now carried on and maintained (including without limitation the Poly Business). Any Loan Party pledging Collateral under the Collateral Documents shall be organized as a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or other legal entity.

6.12 Dissolution .

No Loan Party shall suffer or permit dissolution or liquidation either in whole or in part or redeem or retire any shares of its own Capital Securities, except: (a) through corporate or company reorganization to the extent permitted by Section 6.13 ; (b) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08 ;

 

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and (c) dissolution or liquidation of any Loan Party other than the Borrower so long as (i) all of the assets of such Loan Party have been transferred to the Borrower or another Loan Party or such assets will become assets of the Borrower or another Loan Party by operation of law, and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or such other Loan Party shall execute and deliver such documents or instruments as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to confirm that the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any Collateral pledged by such Loan Party shall continue in full force and effect after such dissolution or liquidation.

6.13 Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets .

No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, consolidate or merge with or into, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any substantial part of its assets to, any other Person, or discontinue or eliminate any business line or segment, provided , that (a) pursuant to the consummation of an Acquisition permitted under Section 6.06 (but not otherwise) a Loan Party may merge with another Person if (i) such Person was organized under the laws of the United States of America or one of its states, (ii) the Loan Party is the Person surviving such merger, (iii) immediately after giving effect to such merger, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (b) Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries may merge with one another, provided that (i) if the Borrower merges with another Subsidiary, the Borrower is the Person surviving such merger and (ii) if the Borrower is not party to such merger but another Loan Party is party to such merger, a Loan Party is the Person surviving such merger; (c) the Borrower may dispose of the Olive Branch Property; and (e) so long as no Event of Default shall exist or would result therefrom, the foregoing limitation on the sale, lease or other transfer of assets and on the discontinuation or elimination of a business line or segment shall not prohibit (i) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and for fair value; (ii) transfers of assets between the Borrower and any Subsidiary in connection with an NMTC Transaction; provided that such Subsidiary has become a party to this Agreement and the other applicable Loan Documents pursuant to Section 6.24 hereof; and (iii) any other transfer of assets or the discontinuance or elimination of a business line or segment (in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions); provided that that aggregate value of the assets so transferred by all Loan Parties and all Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, and all other assets utilized in all other business lines or segments so discontinued by all Loan Parties and all Subsidiaries of Loan Parties, shall not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate during any Fiscal Year.

6.14 Use of Proceeds .

No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (a) directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, or (b) for any purpose in violation of any applicable law or regulation. Except as otherwise provided herein, the proceeds of the Credit Extensions shall be used: (i) to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the Borrower, including the Borrower’s indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement; (ii) for working capital and other lawful corporate purposes, (iii) for the issuance of Letters of Credit, and (iv) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement. No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that would violate any rule or regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, including Regulations T, U or X.

 

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6.15 Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes .

Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party and each member of the Controlled Group to, comply in all material respects with applicable laws (including but not limited to Environmental Laws, ERISA and the Patriot Act), regulations and similar requirements of governmental authorities (including but not limited to the PBGC), except where the necessity of such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings diligently pursued. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, claims for labor, supplies, rent and other obligations which, if unpaid, might become a Lien against the property of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, except liabilities being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and with respect to which (a) the Borrower shall have set up reserves in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the Administrative Agent is satisfied that, while any such contest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of the Administrative Agent’s Liens. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, comply with all material terms and conditions of all Material Contracts to which it is a party.

6.16 Insurance .

(a) Maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or such Subsidiary operates.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, (i) maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or stricter requirements otherwise required by the Administrative Agent, (ii) furnish to the Administrative Agent evidence of the renewal (and payment of renewal premiums therefor) of all such policies prior to the expiration or lapse thereof, and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any redesignation of any such improved real property into or out of a special flood hazard area.

(c) Cause the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns to be named as lender’s loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent, that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty days (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may agree) prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or canceled.

6.17 Change in Fiscal Year .

No Loan Party will make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change its Fiscal Year without the consent of the Required Lenders.

6.18 Maintenance of Property .

Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of a Loan Party to, maintain all of its properties and assets in good condition, repair and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except as otherwise provided in any of the Collateral Documents.

 

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6.19 Environmental Notices .

Each Loan Party shall furnish to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of all material Environmental Liabilities, pending or threatened Environmental Proceedings, Environmental Notices, Environmental Judgments and Orders, and Environmental Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the Properties of which any Loan Party has notice.

6.20 Environmental Matters .

No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any Third Party to, use, produce, manufacture, process, treat, recycle, generate, store, dispose of, manage at, or otherwise handle or ship or transport to or from the Properties any Hazardous Materials except for Hazardous Materials such as cleaning solvents, pesticides, petroleum products and other materials used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated, stored, disposed, managed or otherwise handled in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation the Poly Business) in strict compliance with all applicable Environmental Requirements.

6.21 Environmental Release .

Each Loan Party agrees that, upon the occurrence of an Environmental Release at, under or on any of the Properties owned by any Loan Party, it will act immediately to investigate the extent of, and to take appropriate remedial action to eliminate, such Environmental Release, whether or not ordered or otherwise directed to do so by any Environmental Authority.

6.22 [Reserved.]

6.23 Transactions with Affiliates .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall enter into, or be a party to, any transaction with any Affiliate of a Loan Party or such Subsidiary (which Affiliate is not a Loan Party or an Subsidiary of a Loan Party), except as permitted by law and in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to reasonable terms which are no less favorable to the Loan Party or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate, and except for NMTC Transactions and the transactions described in Schedule 6.23 .

6.24 Joinder of Subsidiaries .

(a) The Loan Parties shall cause any Person which becomes a Subsidiary of a Loan Party after the Closing Date to become a party to, and agree to be bound by the terms of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including without limitation the Collateral Documents) as a Guarantor pursuant to a Joinder Agreement, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in all respects and executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after the day on which such Person became a Subsidiary; provided, however, that (1) the Excluded Subsidiary shall not be required to become a Guarantor hereunder, and (2) no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor hereunder if, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent based on information provided by the Borrower, doing so

 

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would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower. The Loan Parties shall also cause such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with the instrument referred to above.

(b) Each Loan Party shall pledge: (a) the lesser of 65% or the entire interest owned by such Loan Party, of the Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in any Person which becomes a first tier Foreign Subsidiary after the Closing Date; and (b) the entire interest owned by the Loan Parties of the Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in any Person which becomes a Domestic Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case pursuant to the Security Agreement within ten (10) Business Days after the day on which such Person became a Subsidiary, and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent such shares of the Capital Securities together with stock powers executed in blank. The Loan Parties shall also cause such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to be delivered to the Administrative Agent concurrently with such pledge.

(c) Once any Subsidiary becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.24(a) or any Capital Securities (or equivalent equity interests) of a Subsidiary are pledged to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 6.24(b) , such Subsidiary thereafter shall remain a party to this Agreement and the Capital Securities (or equivalent equity interests) in such Subsidiary (including, without limitation, all initial Subsidiaries) shall remain subject to the pledge to the Administrative Agent even if such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided, that if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower as a result of the Borrower’s transfer or sale of one hundred percent (100%) of the Capital Securities of such Subsidiary in accordance with and to the extent permitted by the terms of Section 6.13 , the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to release such Subsidiary from this Agreement and release the Capital Securities of such Subsidiary from the Security Agreement.

(d) Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Borrower or any other Loan Party to pledge to the Administrative Agent any Capital Securities or equivalent equity interests in the Excluded Subsidiary.

6.25 No Restrictive Agreement .

No Loan Party will, nor will any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into, after the date of this Agreement, any indenture, agreement, instrument or other arrangement that, directly or indirectly, prohibits or restrains, or has the effect of prohibiting or restraining, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, any of the following by the Loan Party or any such Subsidiary: the incurrence or payment of Debt, the granting of Liens, the declaration or payment of Restricted Payments or other distributions in respect of Capital Securities of the Loan Party or any Subsidiary, the making of loans, advances or Investments or the sale, assignment, transfer or other disposition of property, real, personal, intangible or tangible.

6.26 Partnerships and Joint Ventures .

No Loan Party shall become a general partner in any general or limited partnership or a joint venturer in any joint venture, except for any Investment permitted by Section 6.09 .

 

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6.27 Additional Debt .

No Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall directly or indirectly issue, assume, create, incur or suffer to exist any Debt or the equivalent (including obligations under capital leases), except for: (a) the Debt owed to the Lenders under the Loan Documents; (b) the Debt existing and outstanding on the Closing Date described on Schedule 6.27 ; (c) Debt subordinated to the Obligations by subordination agreement(s) satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion; (d) so long as no NMTC Recapture Event with respect to any NMTC Transaction has occurred, any Debt incurred by the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary in connection with such NMTC Transaction, and (e) unsecured Debt not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.27 , the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which when aggregated with all other outstanding unsecured Debt of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries of Loan Parties under this clause (e) shall not, at any time, exceed $1,000,000.

The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (a) redeem, purchase prior to maturity, pay, or prepay any Subordinated Debt in violation of the subordination agreement applicable thereto, (b) amend, modify, waive or extend or permit the amendment, modification, waiver or extension of any term of any document governing or relating to any Subordinated Debt or (c) designate any Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as “Senior Indebtedness,” “Senior Debt” or any similar designation under any agreement governing any Subordinated Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, other than the Obligations; provided , that the Borrower shall be permitted on one occasion to repay Subordinated Debt with the proceeds of additional Subordinated Debt (the “ Substitute Subordinated Debt ”) incurred contemporaneously with such repayment, provided: (1) such Substitute Subordinated Debt is in a principal amount no less than the principal amount of the Subordinated Debt being repaid; (2) the Borrower provides the Administrative Agent with written notice of such repayment no less than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to such repayment; (3) such repayment is made no less than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the maturity date of the Subordinated Debt being repaid; and (4) prior to such repayment, the holder of such Substitute Subordinated Debt executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a subordination agreement satisfactory to the Required Lenders in their sole discretion.

6.28 Modifications of Organizational Documents .

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof to, amend, supplement, restate or otherwise modify its Organization Documents or other applicable document which modification is adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent, the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

6.29 ERISA Exemptions .

The Loan Parties shall not permit any of their respective assets to become or be deemed to be “plan assets” within the meaning of ERISA, the Code or the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.

6.30 Hedge Transactions .

The Loan Parties will not, and will not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Contract, other than Swap Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Loan Parties are exposed in the conduct of their business or the management of their

 

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liabilities. Solely for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower acknowledges that a Swap Contract entered into for speculative purposes or of a speculative nature (which shall be deemed to include any Swap Contract under which any Loan Party is or may become obliged to make any payment (i) in connection with the purchase by any third party of any common stock or any Debt or (ii) as a result of changes in the market value of any common stock or any Debt) is not a Swap Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks.

6.31 Performance of Loan Documents .

Each Loan Party will at its own expense duly fulfill and comply with all obligations on its part to be fulfilled or complied with under or in connection with the Collateral, and all documents related thereto and will do nothing to impair the rights of any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, or of the holders of the Obligations in, to and under the Collateral. Each Loan Party shall clearly and unambiguously identify each item of the Collateral in its computer or other records to reflect that the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, has the Lien therein granted by the Loan Parties pursuant to the Loan Documents.

6.32 Operating Leases .

No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall create, assume or suffer to exist any operating lease except operating leases which: (a) (i) are entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) the aggregate indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Loan Parties under all such operating leases during any period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters shall at no time exceed $15,000,000; and (b) are between the Borrower or any Guarantor, as landlord, and the Borrower or any Guarantor as tenant.

6.33 Deposit Accounts .

The Loan Parties shall maintain their primary demand deposit and cash management accounts with the Administrative Agent.

6.34 Anti-Corruption; OFAC .

(a) The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries conduct its businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(b) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

(c) The Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, 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 Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

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6.35 Further Assurances .

Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such further instruments, documents and certificates, and do and cause to be done such further acts, in each case as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to maintain in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, Liens on the Collateral that are duly perfected in accordance with the requirements of, or the obligations of the Loan Parties under, the Loan Documents and all applicable Laws.

6.36 Specific Covenants Regarding the Excluded Subsidiary .

Without limiting the generality of any of the forgoing covenant, the Borrower agrees that it will not (i) re-activate the Excluded Subsidiary or permit the Excluded Subsidiary to engage in any business activities, (ii) convey any assets to the Excluded Subsidiary, or (iii) make any loans or advances to the Excluded Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VII

RESERVED

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default .

If one or more of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower (i) shall fail to pay when due any principal of any Credit Extension, (ii) shall fail to pay when due any L/C Obligations with respect to any Letter of Credit, or (iii) shall fail to pay any interest on any Credit Extension within three (3) Business Days after such interest shall become due; or any Loan Party shall fail to pay any fee or other amount payable hereunder within three (3) Business Days after such fee or other amount becomes due; or

(b) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Sections 6.01 , 6.02 , 6.03 , 6.04 , 6.05 , 6.06 , 6.07 , 6.08 , 6.09 , 6.10 , 6.11 , 6.12 , 6.13 , 6.14 , 6.16(b) , 6.17 , 6.23 , 6.24 , 6.25 , 6.26 , 6.27 , 6.28 , 6.29 , 6.30 , or 6.32 ; or

(c) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained or incorporated by reference in this Agreement (other than those covered by clause (a) or (b) above or clauses (n) or (p) below); provided , that such failure continues for fifteen (15) calendar days after the earlier of (i) the first day on which any Loan Party has knowledge of such failure or (ii) written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent at the request of any Lender; or

 

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(d) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or deemed made by the Loan Parties in Article V of this Agreement or in any financial statement, material certificate or other material document or report delivered pursuant to this Agreement by any Loan Party shall prove to have been untrue or misleading in any material respect when made (or deemed made); or

(e) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall fail to make any payment in respect of Debt (other than the Notes) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $250,000 after expiration of any applicable cure or grace period; or

(f) any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of Debt outstanding of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $250,000 or the mandatory prepayment or purchase of such Debt by any Loan Party (or its designee) or such Subsidiary of a Loan Party (or its designee) prior to the scheduled maturity thereof, or enables the holders of such Debt or commitment to provide such Debt or any Person acting on such holders’ behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof, terminate any such commitment or require the mandatory prepayment or purchase thereof prior to the scheduled maturity thereof; or

(g) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, administrator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing; or

(h) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, administrator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) calendar days; or an order for relief shall be entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect; or

(i) any Loan Party or any member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay when due any material amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any Loan Party, any member of the Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan or Plans or a proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any such Plan or Plans to enforce Section 515 or 4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have been dismissed within thirty (30) calendar days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any such Plan or Plans must be terminated; or

 

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(j) (1) one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) calendar days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect, or (2) any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall have made payments in settlement of any litigation or threatened proceeding in excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate without the prior approval of the Required Lenders, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; or

(k) one or more federal tax Liens shall be filed against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under Section 6323 of the Code or one or more Liens of the PBGC shall be filed against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party under Section 4068 of ERISA, in either case which (i) are in an aggregate amount of less than $250,000 and are not paid or otherwise discharged within thirty (30) days, or (ii) are in an aggregate amount of $250,000 or more; or

(l) a Change in Control shall occur; or

(m) the Administrative Agent, as agent for the holders of the Obligations, shall fail for any reason to have a valid first priority security interest in any of the Collateral (other than as a direct result of any action or inaction on the part of the Administrative Agent); or

(n) a default or event of default shall occur and be continuing under any of the Collateral Documents, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document or any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any obligation to be observed or performed by it under any Collateral Document, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document, and such default, event of default or failure to perform or observe any obligation continues beyond any applicable cure or grace period provided in such Collateral Document, any Letter of Credit or any Issuer Document; or

(o) a material default or event of default shall occur and be continuing under any of the Material Contracts or any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any material obligation to be observed or performed by it under any Material Contract, and such material default, event of default or failure to perform or observe any obligation continues beyond any applicable cure or grace period provided in such Material Contract; or

(p) (i) any of the Guarantors shall fail to pay when due any Guaranteed Obligations or shall fail to pay any fee or other amount payable hereunder when due (in either case after giving effect to any applicable grace period); or (ii) any Guarantor shall disaffirm, contest or deny its obligations under Article X; or

(q) if the Borrower, except as permitted by Section 6.12 or 6.13 , at any time fails to own (directly or indirectly, through wholly-owned Subsidiaries) 100% of the outstanding shares of the voting stock, voting membership interests or equivalent equity interests of each Guarantor that was a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary at the time it became a Guarantor under this Agreement; or

(r) any Loan Party shall (or shall attempt to) disaffirm, contest or deny its obligations under any Loan Document; or

(s) the occurrence of any event, act or condition which the Required Lenders determine either does or has a reasonable probability of causing a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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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, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the 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, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or at equity;

provided , however , that upon 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, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the 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.

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 2.14 and 2.15 , 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 reasonable 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 Issuer (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III ), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

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Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth , to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings, (b) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Hedge Agreements, (c) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (d) Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them; 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 2.14 , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth 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. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or such Guarantor’s assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.

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 a Secured Party Designation Notice, 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 for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authority .

Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America 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 Issuer, and no 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 Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

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The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “ collateral agent ” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (in its capacities as a Lender, Swing Line Lender (if applicable), potential Hedge Banks and potential Cash Management Banks) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral, 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 XI (including Section 11.04(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 any Loan Party 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 or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.

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 or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party 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.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (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 11.01 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 final and nonappealable judgment. Any such action taken or failure to act pursuant to the foregoing shall be binding on all Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person 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 be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, communication, 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 be fully protected in relying 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 the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), 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 Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its

 

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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 non appealable 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 Issuer 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 thirty 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 Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. 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 thirty 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 Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed 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 the 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 (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

 

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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 11.04 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 (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (A) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (B) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

(d) Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) . If Bank of America 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 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 from and after the date of such resignation 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 Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders .

Each Lender and the 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 the 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 agents, documentation agents or co-agents 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 the 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 Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) , 2.03(i) , 2.09 and 11.04 ) 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 the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, 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 11.04 .

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 the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.

The holders of the Obligations 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 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 Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the

 

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Obligations owed to the holders thereof 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 Capital Securities 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 Capital Securities 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)(i) through (a)(vi) of Section 11.01 , and (ii) 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 Capital Securities 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 Lender or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters .

Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.09 , each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the 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 the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is 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 or any Recovery Event, or (iii) as approved in accordance with Section 11.01 ;

(b) 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 to be senior to the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.10 ; and

(c) 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.

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 .

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.

 

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9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements .

No Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of Section 8.03 , the Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof 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) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document) 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 except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Party Designation 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. 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 in the case of the Facility Termination Date.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTY

10.01 The Guaranty .

Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each other holder of Obligations as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Loan Documents or the other documents relating to the Obligations, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under applicable Debtor Relief Laws.

10.02 Obligations Unconditional .

The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 10.01 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment

 

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or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 10.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or any other Loan Party for amounts paid under this Article X until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be done or omitted;

(c) the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

(e) any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including for the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including any creditor of any Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Loan Documents or any other document relating to the Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.

10.03 Reinstatement .

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Article X shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each other holder of the Obligations on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such holder of the Obligations in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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10.04 Certain Additional Waivers .

Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 10.02 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 10.06 .

10.05 Remedies .

The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as specified in Section 10.02 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances specified in Section 10.02 ) for purposes of Section 10.01 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 10.01 . The Guarantors acknowledge and agree that their obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents and that the holders of the Obligations may exercise their remedies thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.

10.06 Rights of Contribution .

The Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any Guarantor shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such Guarantor shall have a right of contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The payment obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 10.06 shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Obligations until such time as the Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated, and none of the Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 10.06 against any other Guarantor until such Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated. For purposes of this Section 10.06 , (a) “ Excess Payment ” shall mean the amount paid by any Guarantor in excess of its Ratable Share of any Obligations; (b) “ Ratable Share ” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any payment of Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such payment of Obligations of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of all of the Loan Parties exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder) of the Loan Parties; provided , however , that, for purposes of calculating the Ratable Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any payment of Obligations, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such payment; and (c) “ Contribution Share ” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any Excess Payment made by any other Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii)

 

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the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties) of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment; provided , however , that, for purposes of calculating the Contribution Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such Excess Payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such Excess Payment. This Section 10.06 shall not be deemed to affect any right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that any Guarantor may have under Law against the Borrower in respect of any payment of Obligations.

10.07 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee .

The guarantee in this Article X is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to the Obligations whenever arising.

10.08 Keepwell .

Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty in this Article X by any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (a “ Specified Loan Party ”) or the grant of a security interest under the Loan Documents by any such Specified Loan Party, in either case, becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable Debtor Relief Laws, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.01 Amendments, Etc .

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any 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

(a) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

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(i) 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 (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Commitments of any Lender);

(ii) 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) or any scheduled reduction of the Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment or whose Commitments are to be reduced;

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (i) of the final proviso to this Section 11.01 ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such amount; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (A) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (B) 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;

(iv) change 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;

(v) change any provision of this Section 11.01(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(vi) release all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are secured by such Collateral;

(vii) release the Borrower without the consent of each Lender, or, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.11 , Section 6.12 and Section 6.13 , all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are guarantied thereby, except to the extent such release is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or

(b) unless also signed by the L/C Issuer, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it;

(c) unless also signed by the Swing Line Lender, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; and

 

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(d) unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

provided , further , that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein, (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Loan Party to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders, (iv) an Incremental Facility Amendment shall be effective if signed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Person that agrees to provide a portion of the applicable Incremental Facility and (v) any Collateral Document Amendments shall be effective if signed by the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent.

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 such 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 such Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any other Loan Document to cure or correct administrative errors or omissions, any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency or to effect administrative changes, and such amendment shall become effective without any further consent of any other party to such Loan Document so long as (i) such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender or other holder of Obligations in any material respect and (ii) the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment.

 

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11.02 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 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 any Loan Party, to the address, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02 ; and

(iii) if to any other Lender, 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 Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail, FpML messaging, 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 the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the 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 Issuer 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.

(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

 

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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, the 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 any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet.

(d) Change of Address, Etc . Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the 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 Issuer 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 Law, 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 Issuer and Lenders . The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party 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 Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the 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 a Loan Party. 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.

11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement .

No failure by any Lender, the 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 or under any other Loan Document (including the imposition of the Default

 

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Rate) 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 Issuer; 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) the 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 11.08 (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.

11.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) Costs and Expenses . The Loan Parties 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 the 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 the L/C Issuer (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the 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 connection with the 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 Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the 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 fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including any Loan Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the

 

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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, 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 the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party 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 any Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by any Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c) , this Section 11.04(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 Loan Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the 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), the 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 Exposures of all Lenders 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 sub-agent), the 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), the 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, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party 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

 

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hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(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 provisions of Section 11.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

11.05 Payments Set Aside .

To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the 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, the 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 the 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 Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

11.06 Successors and Assigns .

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto 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 or thereunder without the prior written consent of 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 subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (e) of this Section (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 Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(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 and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that 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 and the related Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in subsection (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 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 $5,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of a Revolving Commitment (and the related Revolving Loans thereunder) 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 Loans and Commitments, and rights and obligations with respect thereto, assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;

(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 or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; 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 any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and

 

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(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments.

(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 shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) 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) a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of 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 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, the 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 Law 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.

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 11.04 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 (including the Borrower), 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,

 

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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.

(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of 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 Issuer 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 11.04(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 Section 11.01(a) 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 11.13 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 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it

 

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were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary 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 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 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; 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 Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as 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 Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If Bank of America 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, (1) 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 (2) 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 Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

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11.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality .

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 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 become a Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 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 any Loan Party 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 or 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 (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Loan Party or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, 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 Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party 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 Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

The Loan Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless (and only to the extent that) the Loan Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Loan Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing such press release or other public disclosure.

 

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The Loan Parties consent to the use of the name, product, photographs, logo or trademark of the Loan Parties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in customary marketing material relating to the transaction contemplated hereby; provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will not issue any press release or make other public disclosures or advertisements to the public without the consent of the Borrower.

11.08 Rights of Setoff .

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, 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, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office 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, the L/C Issuer 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, the 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, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the 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.

11.09 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 Law (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 Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

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1.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .

This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents 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, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the 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 fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of any Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

11.11 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 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.

11.12 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 11.12 , 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, the 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.

11.13 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 11.06 ), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant

 

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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 11.06(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);

(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.

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.

11.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc .

(a) GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) 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 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION . EACH PARTY HERETO 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 ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO, 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 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SITTING IN ARLINGTON COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND

 

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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 VIRGINIA 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 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE COLLATERAL IS LOCATED.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE . EACH PARTY HERETO 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.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS . EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02 . NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

11.15 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.

 

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11.16 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), each of the Loan Parties 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 Arranger and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) each of the Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Loan Parties 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 Arranger 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 Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent , the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each of the Loan Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

11.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents .

The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement, any other document executed in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Loan Notices, Swing Line 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 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 the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

11.18 USA PATRIOT Act Notice .

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it

 

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is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the Act. The Loan Parties 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 Act.

11.19 Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness .

Each Loan Party (a “ Subordinating Loan Party ”) agrees that the payment of all obligations and indebtedness, whether principal, interest, fees and other amounts and whether now owing or hereafter arising, owing to such Subordinating Loan Party by any other Loan Party is expressly subordinated to the payment in full in cash of the Obligations. If the Administrative Agent so requests, any such obligation or indebtedness shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the holders of the Obligations and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the holders of the Obligations on account of the Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may make and receive payments with respect to any such obligations and indebtedness, provided , that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any such obligations and indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Administrative Agent.

[END]

 

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Schedule 1.01

Exclusions from Net Income

 

1. Non-cash items, including but not limited to warranty, lease and/or LIFO inventory reserves, the impact of convertible bonds, including non-cash interest expenses, and potential non-cash impairment charges relating to the Olive Branch Property, fixed assets or other investments, offset by any cash actually paid for any of the above.


Schedule 2.01

Commitments and Applicable Percentage

 

Lender

  

Revolving Commitment

January 1 – June 30

  

Revolving Commitment

July 1 – December 31

  

Applicable Percentage

(Revolving Commitment)

Bank of America, N.A.

   $110,000,000.00    $88,000,000.00    44.000000000%

Citibank, N.A.

   $75,000,000.00    $60,000,000.00    30.000000000%

Capital One, N.A.

   $35,000,000.00    $28,000,000.00    14.000000000%

SunTrust Bank

   $30,000,000.00    $24,000,000.00    12.000000000%

Total

   $250,000,000.00    $200,000,000.00    100.000000000%


Schedule 2.03

Existing Letters of Credit

None.


Schedule 5.05

Litigation

None.


Schedule 5.21

IP Claims

None.


Schedule 5.24

Ownership Structure

Part I

 

Subsidiary Name

  

Jurisdiction

  

Capital Securities

  

Ownership Percentage

Trex Wood Polymer Espana, S.L.    Spain    Capital Shares    The Company owns 100% of the Capital Shares

Part II

Trex Wood Polymer Espana, S.L. (“TWPE”) owns a 35% interest in Denplax, S.A., a joint venture, which is in the process of liquidation.

Part III

Equity (time-based restricted stock, time-based restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock, performance-based restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and options) issued under the terms of the Company’s 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and the Trex Company, Inc. 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as more particularly described in the Company’s most recent Proxy, and Forms 10-K and 10-Qs filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Schedule 5.33

Material Contracts

 

1. Deed of Lease, dated June 15, 2000, between Trex Company, LLC and Space, LLC, as amended by an Amendment, dated February 22, 2010, between Trex Company, Inc., as successor by merger to Trex Company, LLC, and TC.V.LLC, as successor to Space, LLC.

 

2. Deed of Lease, dated as of July 27, 2005, between the Company and 1 Dulles Town Center, L.L.C.

 

3. Loan Documents


Schedule 6.07

Loans or Advances

 

1. Loan to Denplax, S.A. in the amount of $1,621,855 as of January 12, 2016.


Schedule 6.09

Investments

 

1. Trex has made an investment in TWPE in the amount of $483,097 as of November 17, 2014. TWPE has a comparable investment in Denplax, S.A.


Schedule 6.10

Negative Pledge

1. Original Financing Statement, File No. 00344485, filed on February 1, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

2. Original Financing Statement, File No. 00344824, filed on February 1, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

3. Original Financing Statement, File No. 02745523, filed on August 6, 2010 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

4. Original Financing Statement, File No. 13018598, filed on August 4, 2011 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc., as Secured Party.

5. Original Financing Statement, File No. 24093326, filed on October 23, 2012 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC, as Secured Party.

6. Original Financing Statement, File No. 33015402, filed on July 31, 2013 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, Trinity Division, as Secured Party.

7. Original Financing Statement, File No. 41416551, filed on April 1, 2014 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, Trinity Division, as Secured Party.

8. Original Financing Statement, File No. 52885753, filed on July 3, 2015 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, as Secured Party.

9. Original Financing Statement, File No. 53641247, filed on August 20, 2015 with the Secretary of State of Delaware naming TREX COMPANY, INC., as Debtor, and Bank of the West, as Secured Party.

10. Letter of Credit issued by Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of $108,756.00.


Schedule 6.23

Affiliate Transactions

 

1. Loan to Denplax, S.A. in the amount of $1,621,855 as of January 12, 2016.


Schedule 6.27

Additional Debt

Letter of Credit issued by Branch Banking and Trust Company in the amount of $108,756.00.


Schedule 11.02

Certain Addresses for Notices

BORROWER:

Trex Company, Inc.

160 Exeter Drive

Winchester, Virginia 22603

Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer

Telecopier No. (540) 542-6887

Telephone Nos. (540) 542-6940 and (540) 542- 6356

with a copy to:

Woods Rogers PLC

10 South Jefferson Street, Suite 1400

Roanoke, VA 24011

Attention: Nicole F. Ingle, Esquire

Telecopier No. (540) 983-7711

Telephone No. (540) 983-7561

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

Administrative Agent’s Office

(for advances, payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

901 Main St.

TX1-492-14-11

Dallas, Texas 75202-3714

Attention: Mary Porter

Tel: 972-338-3808

Facsimile: 214-290-9674

Email: mary.h.porter@baml.com

Remittance Instructions – USD:

Bank of America, N.A.

New York, NY

ABA# 026009593

Account No.: 1292000883

Account Name: Corporate Credit Services

Ref: Trex Company

Other Notices as Administrative Agent:

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

900 W. Trade St., 6 th Floor

NC1-026-06-03

Charlotte, NC 28255

Attention: Melissa Mullis


Tel: 980-386-9372

Facsimile: 704-409-0617

Email: melissa.mullis@baml.com

L/C ISSUER:

Bank of America, N.A.

Trade Operations

1 Fleet Way

Mail Code: PA6-580-02-30

Scranton, Pa. 18507

Attention: Trade Operations

Tel: 570-496-9619

Facsimile: 800-755-8740

Email: tradeclientserviceteamus@baml.com

Remittance Instructions :

Bank of America, N.A.

New York, NY

ABA #: 026-009-593

Account #: 04535-883980

Attn: Scranton Standby

Ref: Scoular Company


Exhibit 1.01

FORM OF SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE

Date:              ,             

 

To: Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
Agency Management
901 Main St.
TX1-492-14-11
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attention: Mary Porter
Tel: 972-338-3808
Facsimile: 214-290-9674
Email: mary.h.porter@baml.com

Ladies and Gentlemen:

THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE is made by                      , a                      (the “ Designor ”), to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement referenced below (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”). All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) pursuant to which certain loans and financial accommodations have been made to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender is permitted to designate its [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] as a [“Secured Cash Management Agreement”/“Secured Hedge Agreement”] under the Credit Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires that the Designor deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent; and

WHEREAS, the Designor has agreed to execute and deliver this Secured Party Designation Notice:

1. Designation . [                      ] hereby designates the [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] described on Schedule 1 hereto to be a “ [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] ” and hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that such [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] satisfies all the requirements under the Loan Documents to be so designated. By executing and delivering this Secured Party Designation Notice, the Designor, as provided in the Credit Agreement, hereby agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Loan Documents which are applicable to it as a provider of a [Secured Cash Management Agreement/Secured Hedge Agreement] and hereby (a) confirms that it has received a


copy of the Loan Documents and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own decision to enter into this Secured Party Designation Notice, (b) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement), and (c) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Loan Documents and will perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a provider of a [Cash Management Agreement/Swap Contract] . Without limiting the foregoing, the Designor agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent as contemplated by Section 11.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

GOVERNING LAW . THIS SECURED PARTY DESIGNATION NOTICE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have caused this Secured Party Designation Notice to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

[signature page follows]

 

DESIGNOR:
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
By:    
Name:  
Title:  


Schedule 1

To Secured Party Designation Notice


Exhibit 2.02

FORM OF LOAN NOTICE

Date:              ,             

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

  ¨ A Borrowing of Revolving Loans

 

  ¨ A conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans

 

  1. On                      (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of $                      .

 

  3. Comprised of                      .
[Type of Loan requested]

 

  4. For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of          months.

[With respect to such Borrowing, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of Section 2.01 of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing.]

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.04

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

Date:                      , 20     

 

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender

 

Cc: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

Re: Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:

 

1. On                      , 20      (a Business Day).

 

2. In the amount of $                      .

With respect to such Borrowing of Swing Line Loans, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants that (i) such request complies with the requirements of the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied on and as of the date of such Borrowing of Swing Line Loans.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.05

FORM OF NOTICE OF LOAN PREPAYMENT

Date:                      ,     

 

TO: Bank of America, N.A., as [Administrative Agent][Swing Line Lender]

 

RE: Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented and extended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower hereby notifies the [Administrative Agent][Swing Line Lender] that on                      pursuant to the terms of Section 2.05 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower intends to prepay/repay the following Loans as more specifically set forth below:

 

¨ Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Loans in the following amount(s):

 

  ¨ Eurodollar Rate Loans: $                     

Applicable Interest Period:                     

 

  ¨ Base Rate Loans: $                     

 

¨ Voluntary prepayment of Swing Line Loans in the following amount: $                     

Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


Exhibit 2.11(a)

FORM OF NOTE

                     , 20     

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                      or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT 3.01-A

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Date:                      , 20     


EXHIBIT 3.01-B

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Date:                      , 20     


EXHIBIT 3.01-C

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Date:                      , 20     


EXHIBIT 3.01-D

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Date:                      , 20     


Exhibit 6.01

FORM OF

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Reference is hereby made to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 6.01(d) of the Credit Agreement,                      , the duly authorized                      of the Borrower hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (1) the calculations of the financial covenants contained in Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement attached hereto are true, accurate and complete as of                      , 20      (the “Compliance Date”), (2) no Default or Event of Default is in existence on and as of the date hereof, and (3) except as disclosed on a schedule attached hereto: (i) no new applications have been filed by or on behalf of the Borrower for the registration of any patent, trademark or copyright with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency, (ii) no new registrations have been issued to the Borrower for any patent, trademark or copyright by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency, and (iii) (A) the Borrower has not decided to abandon any existing application or registration relating to any United States patent, trademark or copyright, (B) no material adverse determination or development (including the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any court) has occurred regarding the Borrower’s ownership of any United States patent, trademark or copyright, its right to register the same, or to keep and maintain the same, and (C) there is no known infringement, misappropriation or dilution by a third party of any United States patent, trademark or copyright of the Borrower.

The company-prepared financial statements which accompany this certificate are true and correct in all material respects and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments.

Delivered herewith are detailed calculations demonstrating compliance by the Borrower with the financial covenants contained in Section 6.05 of the Credit Agreement as of the Compliance Date referred to above.

Dated as of                      , 20      .

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:       (SEAL)
Name:      
Title:      


Financial Covenant Calculations

[To Be Provided By Trex Company, Inc. In Form and

Content Satisfactory to Administrative Agent]


Exhibit 6.24

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of                      , 20      , is by and between                      , a                      (the “ Subsidiary ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as it may be amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors, the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All of the defined terms in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

The Loan Parties are required by Section 6.24 of the Credit Agreement to cause the Subsidiary to become a “Guarantor”.

Accordingly, the Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations:

1. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a “Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Guarantors contained in the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the Subsidiary hereby jointly and severally together with the other Guarantors, guarantees to each Lender, the L/C Issuer, each other holder of the Obligations and the Administrative Agent, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof.

2. The Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Security Agreement, and shall have all the obligations of an “Obligor” (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) thereunder as if it had executed the Security Agreement. The Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Security Agreement. Without limiting generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 2, the Subsidiary hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a right of set off against any and all right, title and interest of the Subsidiary in and to the Collateral (as such term is defined in Section 2 of the Security Agreement) of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, that:

(i) The Subsidiary’s chief executive office, tax payer identification number, organizational identification number, and chief place of business are (and for the prior four months have been) located at the locations set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto and the Subsidiary keeps its books and records at such locations.

(ii) The location of all owned real property of the Subsidiary is as shown on Schedule 2 attached hereto.

(iii) The Subsidiary’s legal name and jurisdiction of organization is as shown in this Agreement and the Subsidiary has not in the past four months changed its name, been party to a merger, consolidation or other change in structure or used any tradename except as set forth in Schedule 3 attached hereto.


(iv) The patents, copyrights, and trademarks listed on Schedule 4 attached hereto constitute all of the registrations and applications for the patents, copyrights and trademarks owned by the Subsidiary registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

3. The address of the Subsidiary for purposes of all notices and other communications is the address set forth for the Borrower on Schedule 11.02 of the Credit Agreement.

4. The Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the Subsidiary under Article X of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement by the Subsidiary.

5. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract.

6. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Subsidiary has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officers, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

 

[SUBSIDIARY]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

Acknowledged and accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


Schedule 1

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Chief Executive Office, Tax Identification Number, Organization Identification Number

and Chief Place of Business of Subsidiary]

Schedule 2

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Owned Real Property]

Schedule 3

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Tradenames]

Schedule 4

TO FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

[Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks]


Exhibit 11.06(b)

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (this “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [ Insert name of Assignor ] (the “ Assignor ”) and [ Insert name of Assignee ] (the “ Assignee ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount[s] and equal to the percentage interest[s] identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, Letters of Credit, Guarantees and Swing Line Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as, the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:       
     [Assignor [is][is not] a Defaulting Lender.]
2.    Assignee:       
     [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [ identify Lender ] 1 ]
3.    Borrower:   Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation
4.    Administrative Agent:   Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:   Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent
6.    Assigned Interest:  

Revolving Commitment

   Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans
for all Lenders *
     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned *
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment/Loans 2
 
   $                        $                                      
   $         $                   
   $         $                   

 

1 Select as applicable.

* Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

2 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.


[7.    Trade Date:  

                     ] 3

Effective Date:                               , 20      [TO BE INSERTED BY AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By:    
  Title:

 

ASSIGNEE

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:    
  Title:

[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By    
  Title:

[Consented to:] 5

 

[BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as L/C Issuer][ and Swing Line Lender]

By    
  Title:

 

[TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation]

By    
  Title:

 

3 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

4 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

5 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.


ANNEX 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties .

1.1. Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 11.06(b)(iii) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments . From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to the Assignee.


3. General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the Commonwealth of Virginia.


Exhibit 11.06(b)(iv)

FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

See attached.

Exhibit 4.2

NOTE

January 12, 2016

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to Bank of America, N.A. or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.3

NOTE

January 12, 2016

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to Citibank, N.A. or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.4

NOTE

January 12, 2016

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to Capital One, N.A. or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.5

NOTE

January 12, 2016

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to SunTrust Bank or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note except to the extent as may otherwise be expressly set forth in the Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.

 

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.6

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of January 12, 2016 among the parties identified as “Obligors” on the signature pages hereto and such other parties that may become Obligors hereunder after the date hereof (each individually an “ Obligor ” and collectively the “ Obligors ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations (defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased, extended, restated, renewed, refinanced and replaced from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of the date hereof among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors identified therein, the Lenders identified therein and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and the L/C Issuer has agreed to issue Letters of Credit upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Branch Banking and Trust Company (“ BB&T ”) are parties to a Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement dated as of November 20, 2014 (the “ Prior Security Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Borrower granted to BB&T a security interest in certain collateral described therein for the benefit of the secured parties described therein. Contemporaneously with, but immediately prior to, the effectiveness of this Agreement, BB&T has resigned as the administrative agent and collateral agent under the Prior Security Agreement and has assigned all of its right, title and interest as a administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder to the Administrative Agent; and

WHEREAS, this Agreement is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

  1. Definitions .

(a) Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect from time to time in the Commonwealth of Virginia except as such terms may be used in connection with the perfection of the Collateral and then the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such affected Collateral shall apply (the “ UCC ”): Accession, Account, Adverse Claim, As-Extracted Collateral, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claim, Deposit Account, Document, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Farm Products, Financial Asset, Fixtures, General Intangible, Goods, Instrument, Inventory, Investment Company Security, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Right, Manufactured Home, Money, Proceeds, Securities Account, Security Entitlement, Security, Software, Supporting Obligation and Tangible Chattel Paper.

(b) In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Collateral ” has the meaning provided in Section 2 hereof.

Copyright License ” means any written agreement, naming any Obligor as licensor, granting any right under any Copyright.


Copyrights ” means (a) all registered United States copyrights in all Works, now existing or hereafter created or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (b) all renewals thereof.

Lowe’s ” means Lowe’s Companies, Inc., a North Carolina corporation.

Lowe’s Consignment Agreements ” means, collectively, (i) the Master Standard Buying Agreement dated January 5, 2007, between Lowe’s and the Borrower, and (ii) the Consignee Agreement dated March 2008, among Lowe’s, BB&T and the Borrower.

Patent License ” means any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to a Obligor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent.

Patents ” means (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country and all reissues and extensions thereof, and (b) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof.

Pledged Equity ” means, with respect to each Obligor, (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each Domestic Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Obligor and (ii) 65% (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after the date hereof, (A) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary’s United States parent and (B) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary other than the Excluded Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Obligor, including the Capital Securities of the Subsidiaries owned by such Obligor as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, in each case together with the certificates (or other agreements or instruments), if any, representing such Capital Securities, and all options and other rights, contractual or otherwise, with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) all Capital Securities representing a dividend thereon, or representing a distribution or return of capital upon or in respect thereof, or resulting from a stock split, revision, reclassification or other exchange therefor, and any subscriptions, warrants, rights or options issued to the holder thereof, or otherwise in respect thereof; and

(2) in the event of any consolidation or merger involving the issuer thereof and in which such issuer is not the surviving Person, all shares of each class of the Capital Securities of the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger, to the extent that such successor Person is a direct Subsidiary of an Obligor.

The Home Depot ” means Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., a Delaware corporation.

The Home Depot Consignment Agreements ” means, collectively, (i) the Product Handling Agreement dated March 13, 2006, between The Home Depot and the Borrower, and (ii) the letter agreement dated March 16, 2007, among The Home Depot, BB&T and the Borrower.

Trademark License ” means any agreement, written or oral, providing for the grant by or to an Obligor of any right to use any Trademark.

 

2


Trademarks ” means (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and the goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise and (b) all renewals thereof.

Work ” means any work that is subject to copyright protection pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code.

2. Grant of Security Interest in the Collateral . To secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Obligations, each Obligor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to all of the following, whether now owned or existing or owned, acquired, or arising hereafter (collectively, the “ Collateral ”): (a) all Accounts; (b) all Money; (c) all Chattel Paper; (d) those certain Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule 2 hereto; (e) all Copyrights; (f) all Copyright Licenses; (g) all Deposit Accounts; (h) all Documents; (i) all Equipment; (j) all Fixtures; (k) all General Intangibles; (l) all Instruments; (m) all Inventory; (n) all Investment Property; (o) all Letter-of-Credit Rights; (p) all Patents; (q) all Patent Licenses; (r) all Pledged Equity; (s) all Software; (t) all Supporting Obligations; (u) all Trademarks; (v) all Trademark Licenses; and (w) all Accessions and all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the security interests granted under this Agreement shall not extend to (a) any lease, license, contract or other agreement of an Obligor if the grant of a security interest in such lease, license, contract or other agreement in the manner contemplated by this Agreement is prohibited under the terms of such lease, license, contract or other agreement or under applicable Law or would result in default thereunder, the termination thereof or give the other parties thereto the right to terminate, accelerate or otherwise alter such Obligor’s rights, titles and interests thereunder (including upon the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both); provided that (i) any such limitation described in the foregoing clause (a) on the security interests granted hereunder shall only apply to the extent that any such prohibition could not be rendered ineffective pursuant to the UCC or any other applicable Law (including Debtor Relief Laws) or principles of equity and (ii) in the event of the termination or elimination of any such prohibition or the requirement for any consent contained in such lease, license, contract or other agreement or applicable Law to the extent sufficient to permit any such item to become Collateral hereunder, or upon the granting of any such consent, or waiving or terminating any requirement for such consent, a security interest in such lease, license, contract or other agreement shall be automatically and simultaneously granted hereunder and shall be included as Collateral hereunder, (b) the Olive Branch Property and (c) any Capital Securities of the Excluded Subsidiary.

The Obligors and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest created hereby in the Collateral (i) constitutes continuing collateral security for all of the Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks or Trademark Licenses.

 

3


3. Representations and Warranties . Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, that:

(a) Ownership . Each Obligor is the legal and beneficial owner of its Collateral and has the right to pledge, sell, assign or transfer the same. There exists no Adverse Claim with respect to the Pledged Equity of such Obligor.

(b) Security Interest/Priority . This Agreement creates a valid security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, in the Collateral of such Obligor and, when properly perfected by filing, shall constitute a valid and perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral (including all uncertificated Pledged Equity consisting of partnership or limited liability company interests that do not constitute Securities), to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. The taking possession by the Administrative Agent of the certificated securities (if any) evidencing the Pledged Equity and all other Instruments constituting Collateral will perfect and establish the first priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in all the Pledged Equity evidenced by such certificated securities and such Instruments. With respect to any Collateral consisting of a Deposit Account, Security Entitlement or held in a Securities Account, upon execution and delivery by the applicable Obligor, the applicable depository bank or Securities Intermediary and the Administrative Agent of an agreement granting control to the Administrative Agent over such Collateral, the Administrative Agent shall have a valid and perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral.

(c) Types of Collateral . None of the Collateral consists of, or is the Proceeds of, As-Extracted Collateral, Farm Products, Manufactured Homes or standing timber.

(d) Equipment and Inventory . As of the Closing Date, the Inventory and Equipment is maintained at the locations specified on Schedule 3(d) attached hereto and incorporated by reference and each location not owned by a Loan Party is subject to lien waivers, subordination agreements or other letter of acknowledgement by such warehouseman’s, bailee’s or consignee’s in favor of the Administrative Agent as of the Closing Date (or its predecessor Branch, Banking and Trust Company) (including the Lowe’s Consignment Agreements and The Home Depot Consignment Agreements). With respect to any Equipment of an Obligor, each such Obligor has exclusive possession and control of such Equipment of such Obligor except for (i) Equipment leased by such Obligor as a lessee or (ii) Equipment in transit with common carriers and (iii) Equipment on the premises of any of Obligor’s vendors, supplier or processors, provided that the value of all such Equipment shall not exceed $5,000,000.

(e) Authorization of Pledged Equity . All Pledged Equity is duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and, to the extent applicable, nonassessable and is not subject to the preemptive rights, warrants, options or other rights to purchase of any Person, or equityholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible, into, or that requires the issuance and sale of, any of the Pledged Equity, except to the extent expressly permitted under the Loan Documents.

(f) No Other Capital Securities, Instruments, Etc . As of the Closing Date, no Obligor owns any certificated Capital Securities in any Subsidiary that are required to be pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent hereunder other than as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto, and all such certificated Capital Securities have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

(g) Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests . Except as previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing, none of the Collateral consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an Investment Company Security, (iv) is held in a Securities Account or (v) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.

 

4


(h) Consents; Etc. There are no restrictions in any Organization Document governing any Pledged Equity or any other document related thereto which would limit or restrict (i) the grant of a Lien pursuant to this Agreement on such Pledged Equity, (ii) the perfection of such Lien or (iii) the exercise of remedies in respect of such perfected Lien in the Pledged Equity as contemplated by this Agreement. Except for (i) the filing or recording of UCC financing statements, (ii) the filing of appropriate notices with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, (iii) obtaining control to perfect the Liens created by this Agreement (to the extent required under Section 4(a) hereof), (iv) such actions as may be required by Laws affecting the offering and sale of securities, (v) such actions as may be required by applicable foreign Laws affecting the pledge of the Pledged Equity of Foreign Subsidiaries and (vi) consents, authorizations, filings or other actions which have been obtained or made, no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person (including, without limitation, any stockholder, member or creditor of such Obligor), is required for (A) the grant by such Obligor of the security interest in the Collateral granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Obligor, (B) the perfection of such security interest (to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, the granting of control (to the extent required under Section 4(a) hereof) or by filing an appropriate notice with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office) or (C) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations of the rights and remedies provided for in this Agreement.

(i) Commercial Tort Claims . As of the Closing Date, no Obligor has any Commercial Tort Claims seeking damages in excess of $1,000,000 other than as set forth on Schedule 2 hereto.

4. Covenants . Each Obligor covenants that until the Facility Termination Date has occurred, such Obligor shall:

(a) Instruments/Chattel Paper/Pledged Equity/Control .

(i) If any amount in excess of $100,000 payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper, or if any property constituting Collateral shall be stored or shipped subject to a Document, ensure that such Instrument, Tangible Chattel Paper or Document is either in the possession of such Obligor at all times or, if requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect its security interest in such Collateral, is delivered to the Administrative Agent duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such Obligor shall ensure that any Collateral consisting of Tangible Chattel Paper is marked with a legend acceptable to the Administrative Agent indicating the Administrative Agent’s security interest in such Tangible Chattel Paper.

(ii) Deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on behalf of an Obligor, all certificates and instruments constituting Pledged Equity. Prior to delivery to the Administrative Agent, all such certificates constituting Pledged Equity shall be held in trust by such Obligor for the benefit of the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto. All such certificates representing Pledged Equity shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by delivery or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, substantially in the form provided in Exhibit 4(a) hereto.

 

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(iii) Execute and deliver all agreements, assignments, instruments or other documents as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining control with respect to any Collateral consisting of (i) Deposit Accounts, (ii) Investment Property, (iii) Letter-of-Credit Rights and (iv) Electronic Chattel Paper.

(b) Filing of Financing Statements, Notices, etc . Set forth on Schedule 4(b) is a list of (i) all IP Rights registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office that, as of the date hereof, a Loan Party owns and (ii) all licenses of IP Rights registered with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office as of the date hereof. Each Obligor shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such agreements, assignments or instruments (including affidavits, notices, reaffirmations and amendments and restatements of existing documents, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request) and do all such other things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate (i) to assure to the Administrative Agent its security interests hereunder, including (A) such instruments as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC, (B) with regard to Copyrights, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights in the form of Exhibit 4(c)(i) , (C) with regard to Patents, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Patents for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the form of Exhibit 4(c)(ii) hereto and (D) with regard to Trademarks, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Trademarks for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the form of Exhibit 4(c)(iii) hereto, (ii) to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) to otherwise protect and assure the Administrative Agent of its rights and interests hereunder. Furthermore, each Obligor also hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent, its nominee or any other person whom the Administrative Agent may designate, as such Obligor’s attorney in fact with full power and for the limited purpose to sign in the name of such Obligor any financing statements, or amendments and supplements to financing statements, renewal financing statements, notices or any similar documents which in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion would be necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain perfection of the security interests granted hereunder, such power, being coupled with an interest, being and remaining irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date has occurred. Each Obligor hereby agrees that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any such financing statement is sufficient for filing as a financing statement by the Administrative Agent without notice thereof to such Obligor wherever the Administrative Agent may in its sole discretion desire to file the same.

(c) Collateral Held by Warehouseman, Bailee, etc. If any Collateral is at any time in the possession or control of a warehouseman, bailee or any agent or processor of such Obligor and the value of such Collateral at any location exceeds $600,000, then the Administrative Agent may request that the Obligor (i) notify such Person in writing of the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, (ii) instruct such Person to hold all such Collateral for the Administrative Agent’s account and subject to the Administrative Agent’s instructions and (iii) use reasonable best efforts to obtain a written acknowledgment from such Person that it is holding such Collateral for the benefit of the Administrative Agent.

(d) Commercial Tort Claims . (i) Promptly forward to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule 2 listing any and all Commercial Tort Claims by or in favor of such Obligor seeking damages in excess of $1,000,000 and (ii) execute and deliver such statements, documents and notices and do and cause to be done all such things as may be required by the Administrative Agent, or required by Law to create, preserve, perfect and maintain the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any Commercial Tort Claims initiated by or in favor of any Obligor.

 

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(e) Books and Records . Mark its books and records (and shall cause the issuer of the Pledged Equity of such Obligor to mark its books and records) to reflect the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement.

(f) Nature of Collateral . At all times maintain the Collateral as personal property and not affix any of the Collateral to any real property in a manner which would change its nature from personal property to real property or a Fixture to real property, unless the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected Lien on such Fixture or real property.

(g) Issuance or Acquisition of Capital Securities in Partnership or Limited Liability Company . Not without executing and delivering, or causing to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such agreements, documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require, issue or acquire any Pledged Equity consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company that (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an Investment Company Security, (iv) is held in a Securities Account or (v) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.

5. Authorization to File Financing Statements . Each Obligor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to prepare and file such financing statements (including continuation statements) or amendments thereof or supplements thereto or other instruments as the Administrative Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC (including authorization to describe the Collateral as “all personal property”, “all assets” or words of similar meaning).

6. Advances . On failure of any Obligor to perform any of the covenants and agreements contained herein, or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, perform the same and in so doing may expend such sums as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem advisable in the performance thereof, including, without limitation, the payment of any insurance premiums, the payment of any taxes, a payment to obtain a release of a Lien or potential Lien, expenditures made in defending against any adverse claim and all other expenditures which the Administrative Agent may make for the protection of the security hereof or which may be compelled to make by operation of Law. All such sums and amounts so expended shall be repayable by the Obligors on a joint and several basis promptly upon timely notice thereof and demand therefor, shall constitute additional Obligations and shall bear interest from the date said amounts are expended at the Default Rate. No such performance of any covenant or agreement by the Administrative Agent on behalf of any Obligor, and no such advance or expenditure therefor, shall relieve the Obligors of any Default or Event of Default. The Administrative Agent may make any payment hereby authorized in accordance with any bill, statement or estimate procured from the appropriate public office or holder of the claim to be discharged without inquiry into the accuracy of such bill, statement or estimate or into the validity of any tax assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien, title or claim except to the extent such payment is being contested in good faith by an Obligor in appropriate proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.

7. Remedies .

(a) General Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Administrative Agent shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies provided herein, in the Loan Documents, in any other documents relating to the Obligations, or by Law (including, but not limited to, levy of attachment, garnishment and the rights and remedies set forth in the UCC of the jurisdiction

 

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applicable to the affected Collateral), the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC (regardless of whether the UCC is the law of the jurisdiction where the rights and remedies are asserted and regardless of whether the UCC applies to the affected Collateral), and further, the Administrative Agent may, with or without judicial process or the aid and assistance of others, (i) enter on any premises on which any of the Collateral may be located and, without resistance or interference by the Obligors, take possession of the Collateral, (ii) dispose of any Collateral on any such premises, (iii) require the Obligors to assemble and make available to the Administrative Agent at the expense of the Obligors any Collateral at any place and time designated by the Administrative Agent which is reasonably convenient to both parties, (iv) remove any Collateral from any such premises for the purpose of effecting sale or other disposition thereof, and/or (v) without demand and without advertisement, notice, hearing or process of law, all of which each of the Obligors hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law, at any place and time or times, sell and deliver any or all Collateral held by or for it at public or private sale (which in the case of a private sale of Pledged Equity, shall be to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof), at any exchange or broker’s board or elsewhere, by one or more contracts, in one or more parcels, for Money, upon credit or otherwise, at such prices and upon such terms as the Administrative Agent deems advisable, in its sole discretion (subject to any and all mandatory legal requirements). Each Obligor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the seller than the prices and other terms which might have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees that such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and, in the case of a sale of Pledged Equity, that the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to delay sale of any such securities for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such securities to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933. Neither the Administrative Agent’s compliance with applicable Law nor its disclaimer of warranties relating to the Collateral shall be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale. To the extent the rights of notice cannot be legally waived hereunder, each Obligor agrees that any requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice, specifying the place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made, is personally served on or mailed, postage prepaid, to the Obligors in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement at least 10 days before the time of sale or other event giving rise to the requirement of such notice. The Administrative Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Obligor further acknowledges and agrees that any offer to sell any Pledged Equity which has been (i) publicly advertised on a bona fide basis in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation in the financial community of New York, New York (to the extent that such offer may be advertised without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933), or (ii) made privately in the manner described above shall be deemed to involve a “public sale” under the UCC, notwithstanding that such sale may not constitute a “public offering” under the Securities Act of 1933, and the Administrative Agent may, in such event, bid for the purchase of such securities. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale or other disposition of the Collateral regardless of notice having been given. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any holder of Obligations may be a purchaser at any such sale. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the Obligors hereby waives all of its rights of redemption with respect to any such sale. Subject to the provisions of applicable Law, the Administrative Agent may postpone or cause the postponement of the sale of all or any portion of the Collateral by announcement at the time and place of such sale, and such sale may, without further notice, to the extent permitted by Law, be made at the time and place to which the sale was postponed, or the Administrative Agent may further postpone such sale by announcement made at such time and place.

(b) Remedies relating to Accounts . During the continuation of an Event of Default, whether or not the Administrative Agent has exercised any or all of its rights and remedies hereunder, (i) each Obligor will promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent instruct all account debtors to remit all payments in

 

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respect of Accounts to a mailing location selected by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to enforce any Obligor’s rights against its customers and account debtors, and the Administrative Agent or its designee may notify any Obligor’s customers and account debtors that the Accounts of such Obligor have been assigned to the Administrative Agent or of the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, and may (either in its own name or in the name of an Obligor or both) demand, collect (including without limitation by way of a lockbox arrangement), receive, take receipt for, sell, sue for, compound, settle, compromise and give acquittance for any and all amounts due or to become due on any Account, and, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, file any claim or take any other action or proceeding to protect and realize upon the security interest of the holders of the Obligations in the Accounts. Each Obligor acknowledges and agrees that the Proceeds of its Accounts remitted to or on behalf of the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be solely for the Administrative Agent’s own convenience and that such Obligor shall not have any right, title or interest in such Accounts or in any such other amounts except as expressly provided herein. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the holders of the Obligations shall have any liability or responsibility to any Obligor for acceptance of a check, draft or other order for payment of money bearing the legend “payment in full” or words of similar import or any other restrictive legend or endorsement or be responsible for determining the correctness of any remittance. Furthermore, during the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make test verifications of the Accounts in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and the Obligors shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such test verifications, (ii) upon the Administrative Agent’s request and at the expense of the Obligors, the Obligors shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to furnish to the Administrative Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts and (iii) the Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may communicate with account debtors on the Accounts to verify with them to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts.

(c) Deposit Accounts . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Administrative Agent may prevent withdrawals or other dispositions of funds in Deposit Accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent.

(d) Access . In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to enter and remain upon the various premises of the Obligors without cost or charge to the Administrative Agent, and use the same, together with materials, supplies, books and records of the Obligors for the purpose of collecting and liquidating the Collateral, or for preparing for sale and conducting the sale of the Collateral, whether by foreclosure, auction or otherwise. In addition, the Administrative Agent may remove Collateral, or any part thereof, from such premises and/or any records with respect thereto, in order to effectively collect or liquidate such Collateral.

(e) Nonexclusive Nature of Remedies . Failure by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations to exercise any right, remedy or option under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any other document relating to the Obligations, or as provided by Law, or any delay by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations in exercising the same, shall not operate as a waiver of any such right, remedy or option. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless it is in writing, signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced and then only to the extent specifically stated, which in the case of the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations shall only be granted as provided herein. To the extent permitted by Law, neither the Administrative Agent, the holders of the Obligations, nor any party acting as attorney for the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations, shall be liable hereunder for any acts or omissions or for any error of judgment or mistake of fact or law other than their gross negligence or willful misconduct hereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Obligations under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations may have.

 

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(f) Retention of Collateral . In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in compliance with Sections 9-620 and 9-621 of the UCC or otherwise complying with the requirements of applicable Law of the relevant jurisdiction, accept or retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations. Unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have provided such notices, however, the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have retained any Collateral in satisfaction of any Obligations for any reason.

(g) Deficiency . In the event that the proceeds of any sale, collection or realization are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations are legally entitled, the Obligors shall be jointly and severally liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, together with the costs of collection and the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel. Any surplus remaining after the full payment and satisfaction of the Obligations shall be returned to the Obligors or to whomsoever a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine to be entitled thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, in any other of the Loan Documents or in any other documents relating to the Obligations, the obligations of each Obligor under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any other applicable Debtor Relief Law (including any comparable provisions of any applicable state Law).

8. Rights of the Administrative Agent .

(a) Power of Attorney . In addition to other powers of attorney contained herein, each Obligor hereby designates and appoints the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, and each of its designees or agents, as attorney-in-fact of such Obligor, irrevocably and with power of substitution, with authority to take any or all of the following actions upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) to demand, collect, settle, compromise, adjust, give discharges and releases, all as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine;

(ii) to commence and prosecute any actions at any court for the purposes of collecting any Collateral and enforcing any other right in respect thereof;

(iii) to defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith, give such discharge or release as the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably appropriate;

(iv) receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to an Obligor and endorse checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, money orders, bills of lading, warehouse receipts or other instruments or documents evidencing payment, shipment or storage of the goods giving rise to the Collateral of such Obligor on behalf of and in the name of such Obligor, or securing, or relating to such Collateral;

(v) sell, assign, transfer, make any agreement in respect of, or otherwise deal with or exercise rights in respect of, any Collateral or the goods or services which have given rise thereto, as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes;

(vi) adjust and settle claims under any insurance policy relating thereto;

 

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(vii) execute and deliver all assignments, conveyances, statements, financing statements, renewal financing statements, security agreements, affidavits, notices and other agreements, instruments and documents that the Administrative Agent may determine necessary in order to perfect and maintain the security interests and liens granted in this Agreement and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated therein;

(viii) institute any foreclosure proceedings that the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate;

(ix) to sign and endorse any drafts, assignments, proxies, stock powers, verifications, notices and other documents relating to the Collateral;

(x) to exchange any of the Pledged Equity or other property upon any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the issuer thereof and, in connection therewith, deposit any of the Pledged Equity with any committee, depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem appropriate;

(xi) to vote for a shareholder resolution, or to sign an instrument in writing, sanctioning the transfer of any or all of the Pledged Equity into the name of the Administrative Agent or one or more of the holders of the Obligations or into the name of any transferee to whom the Pledged Equity or any part thereof may be sold pursuant to Section 7 hereof;

(xii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral;

(xiii) to direct any parties liable for any payment in connection with any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all monies due and to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent shall direct;

(xiv) to receive payment of and receipt for any and all monies, claims, and other amounts due and to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; and

(xv) do and perform all such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem to be necessary, proper or convenient in connection with the Collateral.

This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date has occurred. The Administrative Agent shall be under no duty to exercise or withhold the exercise of any of the rights, powers, privileges and options expressly or implicitly granted to the Administrative Agent in this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any failure to do so or any delay in doing so. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any act or omission or for any error of judgment or any mistake of fact or law in its individual capacity or its capacity as attorney-in-fact except acts or omissions resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power of attorney is conferred on the Administrative Agent solely to protect, preserve and realize upon its security interest in the Collateral.

(b) Assignment by the Administrative Agent . The Administrative Agent may from time to time assign the Obligations to a successor Administrative Agent appointed in accordance with the Credit Agreement, and such successor shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement in relation thereto.

 

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(c) The Administrative Agent’s Duty of Care . Other than the exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of the Collateral while being held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or liability to preserve rights pertaining thereto, it being understood and agreed that the Obligors shall be responsible for preservation of all rights in the Collateral, and the Administrative Agent shall be relieved of all responsibility for the Collateral upon surrendering it or tendering the surrender of it to the Obligors. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, which shall be no less than the treatment employed by a reasonable and prudent agent in the industry, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any of the Collateral. In the event of a public or private sale of Collateral pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility for (i) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Collateral, whether or not the Administrative Agent has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or (ii) taking any steps to clean, repair or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale.

(d) Liability with Respect to Accounts . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the Obligors shall remain liable under each of the Accounts to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise to each such Account. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any holder of Obligations shall have any obligation or liability under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any holder of Obligations of any payment relating to such Account pursuant hereto, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any holder of Obligations be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of an Obligor under or pursuant to any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

(e) Voting and Payment Rights in Respect of the Pledged Equity .

(i) So long as no Event of Default shall exist, each Obligor may (A) exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Equity of such Obligor or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and (B) receive and retain any and all dividends (other than stock dividends and other dividends constituting Collateral which are addressed hereinabove), principal or interest paid in respect of the Pledged Equity to the extent they are allowed under the Credit Agreement; and

(ii) During the continuance of an Event of Default, (A) all rights of an Obligor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (i)(A) above shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent which shall then have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights, (B) all rights of an Obligor to receive the dividends, principal and interest payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to clause (i)(B) above shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon be vested in the Administrative Agent which shall then have the sole right to receive and hold as Collateral such dividends, principal and interest payments, and (C) all dividends, principal and interest payments which are received by an Obligor contrary to the provisions of clause (ii)(B) above shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Obligor, and shall be forthwith paid over to the Administrative Agent as Collateral in the exact form received, to be held by the Administrative Agent as Collateral and as further collateral security for the Obligations.

 

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(f) Releases of Collateral . (i) If any Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Obligor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Obligor, shall promptly execute and deliver to such Obligor all releases and other documents, and take such other action, reasonably necessary for the release of the Liens created hereby or by any other Collateral Document on such Collateral. (ii) The Administrative Agent may release any of the Pledged Equity from this Agreement or may substitute any of the Pledged Equity for other Pledged Equity without altering, varying or diminishing in any way the force, effect, lien, pledge or security interest of this Agreement as to any Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted, and this Agreement shall continue as a first priority lien on all Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted.

9. Application of Proceeds . Upon the acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, any payments in respect of the Obligations and any proceeds of the Collateral, when received by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Obligations in Money or its equivalent, will be applied in reduction of the Obligations in the order set forth in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.

10. Continuing Agreement . This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be automatically reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Obligations as a preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any Debtor Relief Law, all as though such payment had not been made; provided that in the event payment of all or any part of the Obligations is rescinded or must be restored or returned, all reasonable costs and expenses (including without limitation any reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Obligations in defending and enforcing such reinstatement shall be deemed to be included as a part of the Obligations.

11. Amendments; Waivers; Modifications, etc . This Agreement and the provisions hereof may not be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except as set forth in Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any update or revision to Schedule 2 hereof delivered by any Obligor shall not constitute an amendment for purposes of this Section 11 or Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement.

12. Successors in Interest . This Agreement shall be binding upon each Obligor, its successors and assigns and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Obligations hereunder, to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Obligations and their successors and permitted assigns.

13. Notices . All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in conformance with Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

15. Headings . The headings of the sections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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16. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . The terms of Sections 11.14 and 11.15 of the Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission to jurisdiction, venue and waiver of jury trial are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis , and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

17. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.

18. Entirety . This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other documents relating to the Obligations represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Loan Documents, any other documents relating to the Obligations, or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

19. Other Security . To the extent that any of the Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral (including, without limitation, real property and securities owned by an Obligor), or by a guarantee, endorsement or property of any other Person, then the Administrative Agent shall have the right to proceed against such other property, guarantee or endorsement upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, and the Administrative Agent shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which rights, security, liens, security interests or remedies the Administrative Agent shall at any time pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of them or the Obligations or any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Obligations under this Agreement, under any other of the Loan Documents or under any other document relating to the Obligations.

20. Joinder . At any time after the date of this Agreement, one or more additional Persons may become party hereto by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement. Immediately upon such execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement (and without any further action), each such additional Person will become a party to this Agreement as an “Obligor” and have all of the rights and obligations of an Obligor hereunder and this Agreement and the schedules hereto shall be deemed amended by such Joinder Agreement.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

OBLIGORS :    

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

    By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
    Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
    Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written.

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:   /s/ Kelly Weaver
Name:   Kelly Weaver
Title:   Vice President


SCHEDULE 1

PLEDGED EQUITY

None as of the Closing Date.


SCHEDULE 2

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

None.


SCHEDULE 3(d)

INVENTORY AND EQUIPMENT LOCATIONS

 

Location    Address

Winchester Plant

   3229 Shawnee Drive, Winchester, VA 22601

Lear

   181 Bataille Drive, Winchester, VA

Smithfield Warehouse

   774 Smithfield Avenue, Winchester, VA 22601

T. Martin

   415 River Road, Stanley, VA 22851

Atlas Precision Plastics

   170 Clayton Road, Arden, NC 28704

Blue Ridge Industries

   266 Arbor Court, Winchester, VA 22602

Fernley Plant

   1800 E. Newlands Drive, Fernley, NV 89408

Doss

  

29469 Runs Road, Hayward, CA 94587;

18277 S. W. Boones Ferry Rd., Building 4, Portland, OR 97224

Offsite Poly Warehouse – Panattoni

   2375 E. Newlands Drive, Fernley, NV 89408

Offsite Fernley Storage – Ogden Ranch

   7517 Reno Highway, Fallon, NV 89406

Wade Warehouse

   385 Stanley Drive, Fernley, NV 89408

T. Martin Litter Service

   173 Jimmy Drive, Stanley, VA 22851

Patwin

   2300 Linden Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036

Tucker Industries

   3170 Tucker Road, Bensalum, PA 19020

Aspen Manufacturing

   39811 Golden Avenue, North Branch, MN 55056

Dekor

   4275 S. Navajo Street, Englewood, CO 80110

Omega Plastics Corporation

   2123 Middlebury Street, Elkhart, IN 45628

Kearneysville Warehouse

   69 Clendening Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430

Winchester Railing Warehouse

   331 Apple Valley Road, Winchester, VA 22602

LMT Mercer

   322 Lake Ave NE, Hartville, OH 44632

Digger Spec.

   3639 Destiny Dr., Bremen, IN 46506

Green Planet

   719 109 th Street, Arlington, TX 76011

Birch Recycling

   2901 S. 22 nd Street, St. Joseph, MO 64503

Consignment Inventory Locations

Home Depot Distribution Center Locations:

 

  1. 101 Prosperity Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 98031

 

  2. 7700 Rolling Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21224


  3. 170 Highland Park Drive, Bloomfield, CT 06002

 

  4. 510 Center Square Road, Bridgeport, NJ 08085

 

  5. 1101 Industrial Parkway, Clearfield, UT 84015

 

  6. 501 Black Satchel Road, Charlotte , NC 28216

 

  7. 1701 North Clayton Road, Columbia, TN 38401

 

  8. 155 Alcovy Industrial Blvd., Dacula, GA 30019

 

  9. 40745 Encyclopedia Circle, Fremont, CA 94538

 

  10. 7100 Holladay Tyler Road, Glenn Dale, MD 20769

 

  11. 9410 Heinz Way; Henderson, CO 80603

 

  12. 1727 Warren St, North Kansas City, MO 64116

 

  13. 8800 South 190th Street, Kent , WA 98031

 

  14. 100 Riverside Drive, Keasbey, NJ 08832

 

  15. 14658 Alondra Blvd, La Mirada, CA 90638

 

  16. 722 Kasota Circle SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

 

  17. 1000 Knell Road, Montgomery, IL 60538

 

  18. 625 University Avenue, Norwood, MA 2062

 

  19. 300 South 55th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85043

 

  20. 8535 Oakwood Place, Rancho Cucamonda, CA 91729

 

  21. 38481 Huron River Drive, Ste100, Romulus, MI 48174

 

  22. 130 Docks Corner Road, South Brunswick, NJ 8810

 

  23. 30301 Carter Street, Solon, CA 44139

 

  24. 9215 Riverview Drive, St. Louis, MO 63137

 

  25. 8423 Sunstate Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614


Lowes Distribution Center Locations:

 

  1. 862 West 4th Street; Beaumont, CA 92223

 

  2. 550 Lowe’s Boulevard; Brownsville, TN 38012

 

  3. 212 Robert Thompson Road; Centralia, WA 98531

 

  4. 4501 Knighthurst Road; Ennis, TX 75119

 

  5. 525 T.S. Wilson Road PO Box 129; Frostproof, FL 33843

 

  6. 430 Winstanley Blvd; Grand Ledge, MI 48837

 

  7. 990 Wesel Boulevard; Hagerstown, MD 21740

 

  8. 7725 East 88th St.; Henderson, CO 80640

 

  9. 40 Deep South Lane; Purvis, MS 39475

 

  10. 2017 Lower Lake Road; St. Joseph, MO 64504

 

  11. Building 512 Luce Ave; Stockton, CA 95203

 

  12. 822 Clarksbury Church Road; Thomasville, NC 27360

 

  13. 121 Telico Port; Vonore, TN 37885

 

  14. 1895 Lowe’s Blvd; Washington CH, OH 43160

 

  15. 180 Servistar Road; Westfield, MA 1085

Lowe’s Treater Locations:

 

  1. 510 South Arant Street; Pageland, SC 29728

 

  2. 125 Spring Street, Mosheim; TN 37818

 

  3. 3870 State Route 191/390; Cresco, PA 18326

 

  4. 840 Sterling Road; South Lancaster, MA 01561

 

  5. 1723 Barnwell Road; Allendale, SC 29810

 

  6. 1220 Hendricks Store Road; Moneta, VA 24121

 

  7. 5604 City Line Road; Hampton, VA 23661

 

  8. 400 Rock Run Road; Fairless Hill, PA 19030

 

  9. 301 E. 16 th Street; Scotland Neck, NC 27874

 

  10. 725 S. 32 nd Street; Washougal, WA 98671


SCHEDULE 4(b)

IP RIGHTS

Trex Company, Inc.

(Delaware Corporation)

U.S. Patents

Issued Patents

 

Title

   Patent No.    Issue Date

VARIEGATED COMPOSITES AND RELATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE

   7410687    08/12/08

APPARATUS FOR MAKING A WOOD-PLASTIC PROFILE

   6527532    03/04/03

PROCESS FOR MAKING A WOOD-THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE

   5851469    12/22/98

Pending Application

 

Title

   Appl. No.    Filing Date

MULTIZONE WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITE ARTICLE

   12509176

20100021753

   07/24/09

Trex Company, Inc.

(Delaware Corporation)

U.S. Trademarks

Registered Marks

 

Mark

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

TREX

   4757460    06/16/15

TREX

   4671390    01/13/15

LIGHTHUB

   4557709    06/24/14

REVEAL

   4389534    08/20/13

TREX SELECT

   4269524    01/01/13

ENHANCE

   4172922    07/10/12

TREX ELEVATIONS

   4187705    08/07/12

TREX TRANSCEND

   4107731    03/06/12

DECKWORKS

   3982773    06/21/11

CUSTOMCURVE

   4050305    11/01/11

TREX

   4004005    07/26/11

TREX

   4077639    12/27/11

TREX

   3862086    10/12/10

IRON DECK

   3927184    03/08/11

TRANSCEND

   3773349    04/06/10


SMOOTHEDGE

   3656162    07/14/09

TREX PROFILES

   3687228    09/22/09

SURROUNDINGS

   3648615    06/30/09

TREX HIDEAWAY

   3528844    11/04/08

TREX ESCAPES

   3442097    06/03/08

SECLUSIONS

   3191743    01/02/07

DECKSCAPES

   3063223    02/28/06

BRASILIA

   3050069    01/24/06

TREX DESIGNER SERIES RAILING

   3218419    03/13/07

TREX

   2937507    04/05/05

TREX EXPRESS INSTALLATION SYSTEM and Design

   3052208    01/31/06

TREX ACCENTS

   2945585    05/03/05

TREXPRO

   2907741    12/07/04

EASY CARE DECKING

   2259151    07/06/99

TREX

   1938516    11/28/95

TREX

   1881449    02/28/95

Pending Applications

 

Mark

   Appl. No.    Filing Date

TREX SIGNATURE

   86790173    10/16/15

ENGINEERING WHAT’S NEXT IN OUTDOOR LIVING

   86511370    01/22/15

Trex Company, Inc.

(Delaware Corporation)

U.S. Copyright

Registered Copyright

 

Title

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

2003 Trex product & installation guide.

   TX0005873765    10/27/03


EXHIBIT 4(a)

IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to

the following Capital Securities of                          , a                          corporation:

 

No. of Shares   Certificate No.
 

and irrevocably appoints                                                                       its agent and attorney-in-fact to transfer all or any part of such Capital Securities and to take all necessary and appropriate action to effect any such transfer. The agent and attorney-in-fact may substitute and appoint one or more persons to act for him.

 

 

By:    
Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT 4(c)(i)

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

COPYRIGHTS

United States Copyright Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) by and among the Obligors party thereto (each an “ Obligor ” and collectively, the “ Obligors ”) and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations referenced therein, the undersigned Obligor has granted a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to the copyrights and copyright applications set forth on Schedule 1 hereto to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

The undersigned Obligor and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing copyrights and copyright applications (i) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any copyright or copyright application.

 

Very truly yours,

 

[Obligor]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Acknowledged and Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT 4(c)(ii)

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

PATENTS

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) by and among the Obligors party thereto (each an “ Obligor ” and collectively, the “ Obligors ”) and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations referenced therein, the undersigned Obligor has granted a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to the patents and patent applications set forth on Schedule 1 hereto to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

The undersigned Obligor and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing patents and patent applications (i) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any patent or patent application.

 

Very truly yours,

 

[Obligor]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Acknowledged and Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT 4(c)(iii)

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

TRADEMARKS

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) by and among the Obligors party thereto (each an “ Obligor ” and collectively, the “ Obligors ”) and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations referenced therein, the undersigned Obligor has granted a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to the trademarks and trademark applications set forth on Schedule 1 hereto to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

The undersigned Obligor and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing trademarks and trademark applications (i) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any trademark or trademark application.

 

Very truly yours,

 

[Obligor]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Acknowledged and Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

EXHIBIT 4.7

 

THIS INSTRUMENT PREPARED BY

AND WHEN RECORDED RETURN TO:

 

Timothy W. Corrigan, Esq.

Moore & Van Allen PLLC

100 North Tryon Street, Suite 4700

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-4003

 

  
     (SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE FOR RECORDER’S USE)

 

GPIN: Frederick County Tax Map Number 63-A-110

City of Winchester Tax Map Number 371-01-1

Note to Clerk : The purpose of this Assignment and Amendment is to assign and modify the terms and provisions of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust dated as of November 4, 2009, recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, as Instrument No. 090012178, and in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Winchester, Virginia, as Instrument No. 090002943, as modified by Modification to Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust dated as of January 6, 2012, recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, as Instrument No. 120000146, and in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Winchester, Virginia, as Instrument No. 120000040, and Second Modification to Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust dated as of November 20, 2014, recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia, as Instrument No. 140009871, and in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Winchester, Virginia, as Instrument No. 140002547, upon which the recordation tax has been paid in full on the maximum aggregate amount secured of $16,500,000.00 pursuant to Virginia Code § 58.1 803(D) and §58.1 810(5). The maximum principal amount secured hereby is not increasing.


ASSIGNMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT

LINE DEED OF TRUST, SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE AND AMENDMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT LINE DEED OF TRUST, SUBSTITUTION OF TRUSTEE AND AMENDMENT (this “ Assignment ”) is made and entered into as of the 12th day of January, 2016, among BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, a North Carolina banking corporation, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent, having an office at 200 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101, Attention: Matthew W. Rush (“ Assignor” ), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent, having an office at 900 W. Trade St., 6th Floor, NC1-026-06-03, Charlotte, NC 28255, Attention: Melissa Mullis (“ Assignee” ), TREX COMPANY, INC. (successor to Trex Company, LLC), a Delaware corporation, having an office at 160 Exeter Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22603, Attention: Chief Financial Officer (“ Grantor” ), and PRLAP, INC., a Virginia corporation, having an office at c/o 1400 Best Plaza Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23227 (“ Trustee ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, Assignor is the present legal and equitable owner and holder of the Security Instrument (as hereinafter defined) encumbering that certain real property situated in the City of Winchester, Commonwealth of Virginia and in the County of Frederick, Commonwealth of Virginia described on Exhibit A attached hereto (the “ Premises ”);

WHEREAS, Assignor is the lawful owner of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Security Instrument);

WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign to Assignee all of Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to the Security Instrument and the Secured Obligations;

WHEREAS, Grantor, the guarantors identified therein, the lenders identified therein and Assignor entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 20, 2014 (the “ Existing Credit Agreement” );

WHEREAS, the Existing Credit Agreement is being amended by that certain First Amendment dated as of January 12, 2016 among Grantor, the lenders identified therein, Assignor, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent, and Assignee, in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent (the “ Amendment ”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Amendment, the Existing Credit Agreement is being amended and restated by that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 among Grantor, the Guarantors (as defined therein), the Lenders (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Assignee, as Administrative Agent (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement); and

 

-2-


WHEREAS, Assignee desires to appoint Trustee as trustee in the place and stead of Original Trustee (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises above set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignor, Assignee and Grantor hereby covenant and agree as follows:

1. Assignment . Assignor does hereby transfer, assign, grant and convey to Assignee all of the right, title and interest of Assignor in and to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust, dated as of November 4, 2009, from Grantor to BB&T-VA Collateral Service Corporation, as trustee (“ Original Trustee ”), for the benefit of Assignor, encumbering the Premises, and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia (the “ County Clerk’s Office ”) as Instrument No. 090012178 and in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Winchester, Virginia (the “ City Clerk’s Office ”) as Instrument No. 090002943, as modified by (i) that certain Modification to Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust dated January 6, 2012 recorded in the County Clerk’s Office as Instrument No. 120000146 and in the City Clerk’s Office as Instrument No. 120000040 and (ii) that certain Second Modification to Amended and Restated Credit Line Deed of Trust dated November 20, 2014 recorded in the County Clerk’s Office as Instrument No. 140009871 and in the City Clerk’s Office as Instrument No. 140002547 (as amended, the “ Security Instrument ”), together with the Secured Obligations referred to in the Security Instrument, the money due and to become due thereon with interest, and all rights accrued or to accrue under said Security Instrument, and all other instruments, documents, certificates and letters executed in connection therewith. Furthermore, Assignor does hereby grant and delegate to Assignee any and all of the duties and obligations of Assignor under the Security Instrument from and after the date hereof.

2. Credit Agreement . All references to the “Credit Agreement” in the Security Instrument shall mean the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

3. Substitution of Trustee . Assignee hereby appoints Trustee as trustee under the Security Instrument in the place and stead of Original Trustee, with all powers, duties, and obligations conferred in the Security Instrument upon Original Trustee.

4. Representations and Warranties of Assignor . This Assignment is an absolute assignment. This Assignment is made without recourse, representation or warranty, express or implied.

5. Governing Law . This Assignment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Premises is located.

6. Successors and Assigns . This Assignment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Assignor, Assignee and Grantor and their respective successors and assigns.

7. Partial Invalidity . Each provision of this Assignment shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision of this Assignment or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, then the remainder of this Assignment, or the application of such provision to

 

-3-


persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

-4-


LOGO

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor, Assignee, Grantor and Trustee have executed this Assignment as of the date above first written.
ASSIGNOR: BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, a North Carolina banking corporation, as resigning Administrative Agent By: William B. Keene Name: William B. Keene Title: Vice President STATE OF North carolina COUNTY OF Forsyth The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 11 day of January, 2016, by William Brenton Keene, VP of BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, a North Carolina banking corporation, on behalf of the corporation. My Commission Expires: 6.9.2020 Darcee Dawne Neal Notary Public Notary Registration No. 200502400102 [SEAL] DARCEE DAWNE NEAL Notary Public Davidson Co., North Carolina My Commission Expires June 9, 2020 -5-

 

-5-


LOGO

ASSIGNEE: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, as successor Administrative Agent By: Darleen R Digrazia Name: Darleen R Digrazia Title: Vice President STATE OF North Carolina COUNTY OF Mecklenburg The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 12th day of January, 2016, by Darleen R Digrazia, Vice President of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, on behalf of the association. My Commission Expires: May 26, 2019 Notary Public Kyle D Harding Notary Registration No. 201414800042 [SEAL] KYLE D HARDING Notary Public Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina My Commission Expires May 26, 2019

 

-6-


LOGO

GRANTOR: TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation By: /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks Name: Bryan H. Fairbanks Title: VP& CFO STATE OF VA COUNTY OF Frederick The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 8 day of January, 2016, by Bryan H. Fairbanks VP& CFO of TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation, on behalf of the corporation. My Commission Expires: 05.31.2016 Gloria E. Breeden Notary Public Notary Registration No. [SEAL] GLORIA E. BREEDEN NOTARY PUBLIC Commonwealth of Virginia Reg #342749

 

-7-


LOGO

TRUSTEE: PRLAP, INC., a Virginia corporation By: mary k. giermek Name: mary k. giermek Title: senior vice president STATE OF Maryland CITY OF Baltimore The foregoing, instrument was acknowledged before me this 12th day of January, 2016, by Mary k. giermek, sr. vice president of PRLAP, INC., a Virginia corporation, on behalf of the corporation. My Commission Expires: DOROTHEA L.LOMAX Notary Public, Notary Registration No. [SEAL] DOROTHEA L. LOMAX Notary Public Prince George’s County Maryland My Commission Expires Oct 22, 2016 -8-

 

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EXHIBIT A

PREMISES

Frederick County Tax Map Number 63-A-110

City of Winchester Tax Map Number 371-0l-l

Situated partly in the County of Frederick and City of Winchester, State of Virginia

All that certain lot or parcel of land, together with the improvements thereon and appurtenances thereunto belonging, lying, situate and being in Back Creek Magisterial District, Frederick County, Virginia and the City of Winchester, Virginia, and being more particularly described as follows:

PARCEL ONE :

That certain parcel of land containing 65.7901 acres and shown on that certain plat dated September 8, 2000 and entitled “Final Plat for Lot Consolidation of the land of TREX Company, LLC, City of Winchester and Back Creek District, Frederick County, VA”, and recorded in the Land Records of Frederick County, Virginia in Deed Book 976 at page 405 and in the Land Records of the City of Winchester, Virginia as Instrument Number 000002334.

PARCEL TWO :

Being as shown on Sheet 5 of the plans for Route 652, State Highway Project 0652-034-224, M-501 and lying south of and adjacent to the south revised proposed right of way line (11-19-01) of Route 652, from a point approximately 60 feet opposite approximate station 28+18 (Route 652 survey centerline) to a point approximately 40 feet opposite approximate Station 29+94 (Route 652 survey centerline) containing 0.034 acre, more or less, land; and being a part of the same lands acquired from The Henkel-Harris Company, by deed dated September 12, 1997, recorded in Deed Book 887, page 1043, in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Virginia.

For a more particular description of said land, reference is made to the photocopy of said Sheet 5, showing outlined in RED the said land, which photocopy is recorded in the State Highway Plat Book 10, Page 227.

TOGETHER WITH that certain twenty (20) foot drainage easement granted TREX Company, LLC by Deed of Easement dated November 16, 2000 and recorded November 27, 2000 in the Land Records of Frederick County, Virginia as Instrument Number 000012444.

TOGETHER WITH that certain fifteen (15) foot drainage easement granted TREX Company, LLC by Deed of Easement dated October 20, 1998, recorded in the Land Records of Frederick County, Virginia as Instrument No. 919, page 1367.

 

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Exhibit 4.8

Assessor’s Parcel Number: 021-241-08

This Deed of Trust was prepared by

and when recorded should be returned to:

MOORE & VAN ALLEN, PLLC

100 North Tryon Street, Floor 47

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202-4003

Attention: Timothy W. Corrigan, Esq.

 

The undersigned hereby affirm(s) that this

document, including any exhibits, submitted for recording does not contain the social security number of any person or persons. (Per NRS 239B.030)

  

STATE OF NEVADA

COUNTY OF LYON

THIS DEED OF TRUST COVERS GOODS WHICH ARE OR ARE TO BECOME FIXTURES, IS EFFECTIVE AS A FINANCING STATEMENT FILED AS A FIXTURE FILING AND IS TO BE FILED IN THE REAL ESTATE RECORDS.

AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST (this “Deed of Trust”) is made and entered into as of the 12th day of January, 2016, from TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation, with an address of 160 Exeter Drive, Winchester, Virginia 22603, Attention: Chief Financial Officer (the “Grantor”), as trustor, to FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY (the “Trustee”), as trustee, whose mailing address is 2500 Paseo Verde Pkwy., Suite 120, Henderson, Nevada 89074, for the benefit of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders from time to time party to the Credit Agreement referenced below and any other holder of the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), with an address of 900 W. Trade St., 6th Floor, NC1-026-06-03, Charlotte, NC 28255, Attention: Melissa Mullis (in such capacity, together with any successors and permitted assigns, the “Agent”), as beneficiary.

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Grantor, as the borrower (the “Borrower”), and certain guarantors (collectively, the “Guarantors”), have entered into that certain Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016, among the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Agent (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS, the Grantor executed that certain Deed of Trust, dated as of January 6, 2012, for the benefit of Branch Banking and Trust Company, recorded in the Official Records of Lyon County, Nevada (the “ Official Records ”) as Document Number 486083, as modified by that certain Modification to Deed of Trust dated November 20, 2014 recorded in the Official Records as Document Number 528309 (the “Original Deed of Trust”);


WHEREAS, the Original Deed of Trust has been assigned by Branch Banking and Trust Company to the Agent pursuant to an Assignment of Deed of Trust recorded immediately prior to this Deed of Trust;

WHEREAS, the Grantor and the Agent now desire to amend and restate the terms of the Original Deed of Trust and have agreed to amend and restate the Original Deed of Trust, as hereby amended, in its entirety;

WHEREAS, the Grantor is the owner of the fee simple interest in the real property described on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, the Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Deed of Trust pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

W I T N E S S E T H :

The Grantor, in consideration of the indebtedness herein recited and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, has irrevocably granted, released, sold, remised, bargained, assigned, pledged, warranted, mortgaged, transferred and conveyed, and does hereby grant, release, sell, remise, bargain, assign, pledge, warrant, mortgage, transfer and convey to Trustee and Trustee’s successors and assigns, in trust, with power of sale, for the benefit of Agent, all of the Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the following described land, real property interests, buildings, improvements, fixtures and other collateral:

(a) All that tract or parcel of land and other real property interests in Lyon County, Nevada, as more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the “Land”), and all of the Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to rights appurtenant thereto, including easement rights; and

(b) All buildings and improvements of every kind and description now or hereafter erected or placed on the Land (the “Improvements”) and all materials intended for construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of such Improvements now or hereafter erected thereon, all of which materials shall be deemed to be included within the premises hereby conveyed immediately upon the delivery thereof to the aforesaid Land, and all fixtures or goods that are or are intended to be fixtures on the Land now or hereafter owned by the Grantor and located on or attached to and used in connection with the aforesaid Land and Improvements (collectively, the “Fixtures”), and all articles of personal property now or hereafter owned by the Grantor and attached to or contained in and used in connection with the aforesaid Land and Improvements (including, but not limited to, all furniture, furnishings, apparatus, machinery, equipment, motors, elevators, fittings, radiators, ranges, refrigerators, awnings, shades, screens, blinds, carpeting, office equipment and other furnishings, and all plumbing, heating, lighting, cooking, laundry, ventilating, refrigerating, incinerating, air conditioning and sprinkler equipment and fixtures and appurtenances thereto), and all renewals or replacements thereof or articles in substitution thereof, whether or not the same are or shall be attached to the Land and Improvements in any manner (the “Tangible Personalty”) and all proceeds of the Tangible Personalty, all appurtenances to the Land (the “Appurtenances”), all proceeds and products of the Land, including casualty and condemnation proceeds (collectively, the “Proceeds”) (hereinafter, the Land, the Improvements, the Fixtures, the Tangible Personalty, the Appurtenances and the Proceeds may be collectively referred to as the “Premises”).

 

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TO HAVE AND HOLD the same, together with all privileges, hereditaments, easements and appurtenances thereunto belonging, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances (hereinafter defined), to the Trustee and the Trustee’s successors and assigns to secure the Indebtedness (hereinafter defined) and other obligations herein recited; provided that, should (i) the Indebtedness secured hereby be paid in full, all Commitments have expired or terminated and should the Borrower and Guarantors fully discharge their obligations secured hereby and satisfy the obligations in full or (ii) the conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement for the release of this Deed of Trust be fully satisfied, the lien and security interest of this Deed of Trust shall cease, terminate and be void and Agent shall promptly cause a release of this Deed of Trust to be filed in the appropriate office; and until such obligations are fully satisfied, it shall remain in full force and effect.

And, as additional security for the Indebtedness, the Grantor hereby irrevocably assigns to the Agent all the security deposits, rents, issues, profits and revenues of the Premises from time to time accruing (the “Rents and Profits”), which assignment constitutes a present, absolute and unconditional assignment and not an assignment for additional security only. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default (as described in Article III) shall exist, Grantor shall have a license (which license shall terminate automatically and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default) to collect, but not prior to accrual, all Rents and Profits. In the event, however, that Grantor shall cure any such Event of Default, then the license granted under this paragraph shall be reinstated unless and until another Event of Default occurs, at which time the license shall again terminate.

As additional collateral and further security for the Indebtedness, the Grantor does hereby assign to Agent and grants to Agent a security interest in all of the right, title and the interest of the Grantor in and to any and all insurance policies and proceeds thereof and any and all leases (excluding equipment leases which are operating leases), rental agreements, management contracts, construction contracts, architects’ contracts, technical services agreements, or other contracts, licenses and permits to the extent now or hereafter relating solely to the Premises (the “Intangible Personalty”) or any part thereof, and the Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent such additional instruments, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, as may hereafter be reasonably requested by the Agent to evidence and confirm said assignment; provided, however, that acceptance of any such assignment shall not be construed as a consent by the Agent to any lease, rental agreement, management contract, franchise agreement, construction contract, technical services agreement or other contract, license or permit, or to impose upon the Agent any obligation with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, such assignment and grant of security interest contained herein shall not extend to, and the Intangible Personalty shall not include, any personalty which is now or hereafter held by the Grantor as licensee, lessee or otherwise, to the extent that such personalty is not assignable or capable of being encumbered as a matter of law or under the terms of the license, lease or other agreement applicable thereto (but solely to the extent that any such restriction shall be enforceable under applicable law); provided , however , that the foregoing assignment and grant of security interest shall extend to, and the Intangible Personalty shall include, any and all proceeds of such personalty to the extent that the assignment or encumbering of such proceeds is not so restricted under the terms of the license, lease or other agreement applicable thereto.

All the Tangible Personalty which comprises a part of the Premises shall, as far as permitted by law, be deemed to be affixed to the aforesaid Land and conveyed therewith. Grantor hereby grants a security interest as to the balance of the Tangible Personalty and the Intangible Personalty, and this Deed of Trust shall be considered to be a security agreement which creates a security interest in such items for the benefit of the Agent. In that regard, the Grantor grants to the Agent all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the laws of the state in which the Premises are located.

 

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The Grantor, the Trustee and the Agent covenant, represent and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Indebtedness Secured

1.1 Indebtedness . The Agent and the Lenders have established Two Hundred Fifty Million and No/100 Dollars ($250,000,000.00) in senior secured credit facilities in favor of the Grantor pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. The amount of such senior secured credit facilities may be increased to an aggregate amount of up to Two Hundred Seventy-Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($275,000,000.00) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. This Deed of Trust is given to secure the payment and performance by the Grantor and the other Loan Parties of (a) all obligations under each Note, the Credit Agreement, this Deed of Trust and the other Loan Documents from any of the Loan Parties to any Lender or Agent, (b) all obligations and liabilities incurred in connection with the collection and enforcement of the foregoing and (c) all other Obligations (all of which whether now existing or hereafter arising, collectively, the “Indebtedness”).

1.2 Future Advances . This Deed of Trust is given to secure the Indebtedness and the repayment of the aforesaid credit facilities together with each advance of any Loan, any renewals or extensions or modifications thereof upon the same or different terms or at the same or different rate of interest and also to secure all future advances and readvances that may subsequently be made to the Borrower or any other Loan Party by the Lenders evidenced by any Note given in connection with the aforesaid Credit Agreement, and all renewals, modifications, replacements and extensions thereof.

ARTICLE II

Grantor’s Covenants, Representations and Agreements

2.1 Title to Property . The Grantor represents and warrants to the Agent (i) that it is seized of the Land and the Improvements and has indefeasible fee simple title to the Land and the Improvements and has the right to encumber and convey the same, and title to such Land and Improvements is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except for (a) Permitted Liens, (b) the liens securing taxes and assessments by any taxing authority which are not yet due and payable and (c) all restrictions, covenants, conditions, and easements or other matters of record affecting the Land and the Improvements (the “Permitted Encumbrances”), (ii) that it is the owner of the Tangible Personalty free and clear of all liens and encumbrances except for the Permitted Liens and (iii) that it will warrant and defend the title to such property except for the Permitted Encumbrances and Permitted Liens against the claims of all Persons. As to the balance of the Premises, the Rents and Profits and the Intangible Personalty, the Grantor represents and warrants that it will defend such property against the claims of all Persons subject to the Permitted Encumbrances and the Permitted Liens.

2.2 Taxes and Fees . The Grantor will pay prior to delinquency all taxes, general and special assessments, permit fees, inspection fees, user fees, license fees, water and sewer charges, and franchise fees lawfully levied, imposed or asserted by the United States of America or any state, county, municipality or other taxing authority upon the Grantor in respect of the Premises or any charge which, if unpaid, would become a lien or charge upon the Premises prior to or equal to the lien of this Deed of Trust for any amounts secured hereby or which would have priority or equality with this Deed of Trust in the distribution of the proceeds of any foreclosure sale of the Premises (collectively, “Governmental Assessments”) and all insurance premiums due and payable in connection with maintaining the insurance required under Section 2.9(a) as required by the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement (and the Grantor, upon request of the Agent, will submit to the Agent receipts evidencing said payments). The Grantor shall also pay all mortgage taxes, recording fees and all other costs and expenses, if any, due or payable in connection with the execution, delivery and/or recording of this Deed of Trust and in connection with any advance secured by this Deed of Trust.

 

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2.3 Reimbursement . Subject to the right of the Grantor set forth in Section 6.15 of the Credit Agreement to contest any tax assessment or charge, the Grantor agrees that if it shall fail to pay on or before the date that the same becomes delinquent any Governmental Assessment or any utility charge, whether public or private, or any insurance premium, on or prior to the cancellation date of such insurance, or if it shall fail to procure the insurance coverage and deliver the insurance certificates required hereunder, or if it shall fail to pay any other charge or fee described in Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.6 or 5.6 hereof, then the Agent, at its option, may pay or procure the same and will give the Grantor prompt notice of any such expenditures. The Grantor will reimburse the Agent within thirty (30) days of demand for any sums of money paid by the Agent pursuant to this Section, together with interest on each such payment at the Default Rate, and all such sums and interest thereon shall be secured hereby.

2.4 Additional Documents . The Grantor agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent, concurrently with the execution of this Deed of Trust and upon the reasonable request of the Agent from time to time hereafter, all financing statements and other documents reasonably required to perfect and maintain the security interest created hereby. The Grantor hereby authorizes the Agent to prepare and file such financing statements, fixture filings, renewals thereof, amendments thereof, supplements thereto and other instruments as the Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereby in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and as in effect in the state in which the Land is located (the “UCC”).

2.5 Sale or Encumbrance . Except as otherwise permitted in the Credit Agreement, the Grantor will not sell, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Tangible Personalty except to incorporate such into the Improvements or replace such with goods of quality and value at least equal to that replaced. In the event the Grantor sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Tangible Personalty other than as permitted above, the Agent’s security interest in the proceeds of the Tangible Personalty shall continue pursuant to this Deed of Trust.

2.6 Fees and Expenses . The Grantor will promptly pay upon demand any and all reasonable costs and expenses of the Agent and the Trustee, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees actually incurred by Agent, (a) as required under the Credit Agreement and (b) as necessary to protect the Premises, the Rents and Profits or the Intangible Personalty in accordance with Section 5.6 hereof, or to exercise any rights or remedies under this Deed of Trust or with respect to the Premises, Rents and Profits or the Intangible Personalty. All of the foregoing costs and expenses shall be secured hereby.

2.7 Leases and Other Agreements . The Grantor shall faithfully keep and perform, or cause to be kept and performed, in all material respects, all of the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained in each material lease now or hereafter affecting the Premises on the part of the Grantor to be kept and performed (including performance of all covenants to be performed under any and all leases of the Premises or any part thereof) and shall at all times use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce, with respect to each other party to said agreements, all material obligations, covenants and agreements by such other party to be performed thereunder.

2.8 Maintenance of Premises . The Grantor will abstain from and will not permit the commission of any material waste in or about the Premises and will maintain, or cause to be maintained, the Premises in reasonable condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and obsolescence excepted.

 

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2.9 Insurance.

(a) Types Required . The Grantor shall maintain insurance for the Premises as set forth in Section 6.16 of the Credit Agreement.

(b) Use of Proceeds . The Grantor assigns to the Agent any proceeds which may become due by reason of any material loss, damage to or destruction of the Premises to which the Grantor is entitled. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Grantor shall have the right to collect any insurance proceeds and to apply such proceeds to the restoration of the Premises. To the extent such proceeds are applied to the repayment of the balance due under the Note and the other Loan Documents, if such proceeds exceed the balance due under the Note and other Loan Documents, any such excess shall be repaid to the Grantor.

2.10 Eminent Domain . Subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Grantor assigns to the Agent any proceeds or awards which may become due by reason of any condemnation or other taking for public use of the whole or any part of the Premises or any rights appurtenant thereto to which the Grantor is entitled, and such proceeds or awards shall be applied in the same manner the insurance proceeds are applied as set forth herein and in the Credit Agreement. If such proceeds exceed the balance due under the Note and other Loan Documents, any such excess shall be repaid to the Grantor. The Grantor agrees to execute such further assignments and agreements as may be reasonably required by the Agent to assure the effectiveness of this Section. In the event any Governmental Authority shall require or commence any proceedings for the demolition of any buildings or structures comprising a part of the Premises, or shall commence any proceedings to condemn or otherwise take pursuant to the power of eminent domain a material portion of the Premises, the Grantor shall promptly notify the Agent of such requirements or commencement of proceeding (for demolition, condemnation or other taking). Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Grantor shall have the right to collect and retain any such proceeds or awards.

2.11 Releases and Waivers . The Grantor agrees that no release by the Agent of any portion of the Premises, the Rents and Profits or the Intangible Personalty, no subordination of lien, no forbearance on the part of the Agent to collect on any Loan, or any part thereof, no waiver of any right granted or remedy available to the Agent and no action taken or not taken by the Agent shall, except to the extent expressly released, in any way have the effect of releasing the Grantor from full responsibility to the Agent for the complete discharge of each and every of the Grantor’s obligations hereunder.

2.12 Transfer of Premises . Except as otherwise permitted in the Credit Agreement, the Grantor covenants and agrees with the Agent that the Grantor shall not sell, transfer, convey, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of the Premises, the Rents and Profits or the Intangible Personalty or any part thereof or any interest therein or engage in subordinate financing with respect thereto during the term of this Deed of Trust without the prior written consent of the Agent.

2.13 Compliance with Law . The Grantor will comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental authorities in respect of the ownership of the Premises (including applicable statutes, regulations, orders and restrictions relating to environmental standards and controls) to the extent required by the Credit Agreement.

2.14 Inspection . Except as otherwise permitted in the Credit Agreement, the Grantor will permit the Agent, or its agents, at all reasonable times and with advance prior notice to enter and pass through or over the Premises for the purpose of inspecting same; provided, however, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing inspections shall be at reasonable times during the Grantor’s normal business hours.

 

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2.15 Security Agreement .

(a) This Deed of Trust is hereby made and declared to be a security agreement, encumbering each and every item of Fixtures and Tangible Personalty. In furtherance thereof, in order to secure the payment of the Indebtedness, Grantor hereby grants to Agent a security interest in all of Grantor’s right, title and interest in all Fixtures and Tangible Personalty in compliance with the provisions of the UCC. A financing statement or statements reciting this Deed of Trust to be a security agreement, affecting all of said Fixtures and Tangible Personalty, shall be appropriately filed by Agent. Grantor hereby authorizes the Agent to file financing statements in any jurisdiction and with any filing office that the Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary or advisable to perfect the security interests granted herein. Such financing statements may describe or indicate the collateral to the extent a security interest therein is granted hereby, including without limitation the description “All goods of the debtor that are or are to become fixtures located on the Land, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Debtor and whether now or hereafter located on the Land” or words of similar import, To the extent permitted by applicable law, the remedies for any violation of the covenants, terms and condition of the security agreement herein contained shall be (i) as prescribed herein or (ii) as prescribed by general law or (iii) as prescribed by the specific statutory consequences now or hereafter enacted and specified under the UCC, all at Agent’s sole election. The Grantor and the Agent agree that the filing of such financing statement(s) in the records normally having to do with personal property shall never be construed as in anywise derogating from or impairing this declaration and hereby stated intention of the Grantor and the Agent that everything used in connection with the production of income from the Premises or adapted for use therein or which is described or reflected in this Deed of Trust is, and at all times and for all purposes and in all proceedings both legal or equitable shall be, regarded as part of the real estate irrespective of whether (a) any such item is physically attached to the improvements, (b) serial numbers are used for the better identification of certain items capable of being thus identified in a recital contained herein, or (c) any such item is referred to or reflected in any such financing statement(s) so filed at any time. Similarly, the mention in any such financing statement(s) of the rights in and to (aa) the proceeds of any fire or hazard insurance policy or (bb) any award in eminent domain proceedings for a taking or for loss of value or (cc) the Grantor’s interest as lessor in any present or future lease or rights to income growing out of the use or occupancy of the Premises, whether pursuant to lease or otherwise, shall never be construed as in anywise altering any of the rights of the Grantor or the Agent as determined by this instrument or impugning the priority of the Agent’s lien granted hereby or by any other recorded document, but such mention in such financing statement(s) is declared to be for the protection of the Agent in the event any court shall at any time hold with respect to the foregoing (aa) or (bb) or (cc), that notice of the Agent’s priority of interest to be effective against a particular class of persons, must be filed in the UCC records, provided, if there is a conflict between the terms of this paragraph and the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.

(b) The Grantor warrants that the name and address of the “Debtor” (which is the Grantor), are as set forth in the preamble to this Deed of Trust; and a statement indicating the types, or describing the items, of collateral is set forth hereinabove. Grantor warrants that Grantor’s exact legal name is correctly set forth in the preamble of this Deed of Trust. The Grantor agrees to furnish the Agent with notice of any change in the name, identity, corporate structure, residence, principal place of business or mailing address of the Grantor within ten (10) days of the effective date of any such change and the Grantor will promptly take any action reasonably deemed necessary by the Agent to prevent any filed financing statement from becoming misleading or losing its perfected status.

 

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ARTICLE III

Events of Default

An Event of Default shall exist under the terms of this Deed of Trust upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

Foreclosure

4.1 Acceleration of Secured Indebtedness; Foreclosure . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the entire balance of the Indebtedness and any other obligations due under the Loan Documents, including all accrued interest, shall, at the option of the Agent, become immediately due and payable. Upon failure to pay the Indebtedness or reimburse any other amounts due under the Loan Documents in full at any stated or accelerated maturity and in addition to all other remedies available to the Agent at law or in equity, the Agent may do any of the following:

(a) Give such notice of default and of election to cause the Premises (together with the Rents and Profits, Intangible Property and all other property subject to this Deed of Trust) to be sold as may be required by law or as may be necessary to cause the Trustee to exercise the power of sale granted herein. The Trustee shall then record and give such notice of trustee’s sale as then required by law and, after the expiration of such time as may be required by law, may sell the property subject to this Deed of Trust at the time and place specified in the notice of sale, as a whole or in separate parcels as Trustee shall determine, at public auction to the highest bidder for cash in lawful money of the United States, payable at time of sale, all in accordance with applicable law. The Trustee, from time to time, may postpone or continue the sale of all or any portion of the property subject to this Deed of Trust by public declaration at the time and place last appointed for the sale. No other notice of the postponed sale shall be required except as required by applicable law. Upon any sale, the Trustee shall deliver its deed conveying the property sold, without any covenant or warranty, express or implied, to the purchaser or purchasers at the sale except as required by applicable law. The recitals in such deed of any matters or facts shall be conclusive as to the accuracy thereof. Any person except the Trustee, including the Grantor or the Agent, may purchase at the sale.

(b) Commence proceedings for foreclosure of this Deed of Trust in the manner provided by law for the foreclosure of a real property mortgage or deed of trust.

4.2 Proceeds of Sale . The proceeds of any foreclosure sale of the Premises, or any part thereof, will be distributed and applied in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement (subject to any applicable provisions of applicable law).

4.3 Trustee’s Fees . If a foreclosure proceeding is commenced by the Trustee but terminated prior to its completion, the Trustee shall be entitled to a reasonable fee in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE V

Additional Rights and Remedies of the Agent

5.1 Rights Upon an Event of Default . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent, immediately and without additional notice and without liability therefor to the Grantor, except for gross negligence, willful misconduct or unlawful conduct, may do or cause to be

 

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done any or all of the following to the extent permitted by applicable law: (a) exercise its right to collect the Rents and Profits; (b) enter into contracts for the completion, repair and maintenance of the Improvements thereon; (c) expend Loan funds and any rents, income and profits derived from the Premises for the payment of any taxes, insurance premiums, assessments and charges for completion, repair and maintenance of the Improvements, preservation of the lien of this Deed of Trust and satisfaction and fulfillment of any liabilities or obligations of the Grantor arising out of or in any way connected with the Premises whether or not such liabilities and obligations in any way affect, or may affect, the lien of this Deed of Trust; (d) take such steps to protect and enforce the specific performance of any covenant, condition or agreement in the Note, this Deed of Trust, the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or to aid the execution of any power herein granted; and (e) generally, supervise, manage, and contract with reference to the Premises as if the Agent were the equitable owner of the Premises. Notwithstanding the occurrence of an Event of Default or acceleration of any Loan, the Agent shall continue to have the right to pay money, whether or not Loan funds, for the purposes described in Sections 2.2, 2.6 and 2.8 hereof, and all such sums and interest thereon shall be secured hereby. The Grantor also agrees that any of the foregoing rights and remedies of the Agent may be exercised at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default independently of the exercise of any other such rights and remedies, and the Agent may continue to exercise any or all such rights and remedies until the Event(s) of Default are cured, until foreclosure and the conveyance of the Premises to the high bidder or until the Credit Agreement is no longer in effect or the Indebtedness is otherwise satisfied or paid in full, whichever occurs first.

5.2 Appointment of Receiver . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall be entitled, without additional notice and without regard to the adequacy of any security for the Indebtedness secured hereby, whether the same shall then be occupied as a homestead or not, or the solvency of any party bound for its payment, to make application for the appointment of a receiver to take possession of and to operate the Premises, and to collect the rents, issues, profits, and income thereof, all expenses of which shall be added to the Indebtedness and secured hereby. The receiver shall have all the rights and powers provided for under the laws of the state in which the Premises are located, including without limitation, the power to execute leases, and the power to collect the rents, sales proceeds, issues, profits and proceeds of the Premises during the pendency of such foreclosure suit, as well as during any further times when the Grantor, its successors or assigns, except for the intervention of such receiver, would be entitled to collect such rents, sales proceeds, issues, proceeds and profits, and all other powers which may be necessary or are usual in such cases for the protection, possession, control, management and operation of the Premises during the whole of said period. All costs and expenses (including receiver’s fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with the appointment of a receiver) shall be secured by this Deed of Trust. Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, trustee or other custodian, the Agent shall be entitled to retain possession and control of any cash or other instruments at the time held by or payable or deliverable under the terms of this Deed of Trust to the Agent to the fullest extent permitted by law.

5.3 Waivers . No waiver of any Event of Default shall at any time thereafter be held to be a waiver of any rights of the Agent stated anywhere in the Note, this Deed of Trust, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, nor shall any waiver of a prior Event of Default operate to waive any subsequent Event(s) of Default. All remedies provided in this Deed of Trust, the Note, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents are cumulative and may, at the election of the Agent, be exercised alternatively, successively, or in any manner and are in addition to any other rights provided by law.

5.4 Delivery of Possession After Foreclosure . In the event there is a foreclosure sale hereunder and at the time of such sale, the Grantor or the Grantor’s heirs, devises, representatives, successors or assigns are occupying or using the Premises, or any part thereof, each and all immediately

 

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shall become the tenant of the purchaser at such sale, which tenancy shall be a tenancy from day to day, terminable at the will of either landlord or tenant, at a reasonable rental per day based upon the value of the property occupied, such rental to be due daily to the purchaser; and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the purchaser at such sale, notwithstanding any language herein apparently to the contrary, shall have the sole option to demand possession immediately following the sale or to permit the occupants to remain as tenants at will. In the event the tenant fails to surrender possession of said property upon demand, the purchaser shall be entitled to institute and maintain a summary action for possession of the property (such as an action for forcible detainer) in any court having jurisdiction.

5.5 Marshalling . The Grantor hereby waives, in the event of foreclosure of this Deed of Trust or the enforcement by the Agent of any other rights and remedies hereunder, any right otherwise available in respect to marshalling of assets which secure any Loan and any other indebtedness secured hereby or to require the Agent to pursue its remedies against any other such assets.

5.6 Protection of Premises . If Grantor fails to perform the covenants and agreements contained in this Deed of Trust, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and such failure continues beyond any applicable grace, notice and cure periods, except in the case of an emergency in which event Agent may act immediately, then Agent may take such actions, including, but not limited to, disbursements of such sums, as Agent in its sole reasonable discretion deems necessary to protect Agent’s interest in the Premises.

ARTICLE VI

General Conditions

6.1 Substitution of Trustee . If, for any reason, the Agent shall elect to substitute for the Trustee herein named (or for any successor to said Trustee), the Agent shall have the right to appoint successor Trustee(s) by duly acknowledged written instruments, and each new Trustee immediately upon recordation of the instrument so appointing him in the appropriate jurisdiction shall become successor in title to the Premises for the uses and purposes of this Deed of Trust, with all the powers, duties and obligations conferred on the Trustee in the same manner and to the same effect as though he were named herein as the Trustee. If more than one Trustee has been appointed, each of such Trustees and each successor thereto shall be and hereby is empowered to act independently.

6.2 Terms . The singular used herein shall be deemed to include the plural; the masculine deemed to include the feminine and neuter; and the named parties deemed to include their heirs, successors and permitted assigns. The term “Agent” shall include any payee of the indebtedness hereby secured or any transferee thereof whether by operation of law or otherwise.

6.3 Notices . The method and effectiveness of delivery of all notices, requests and other communications which relate to this Deed of Trust shall be governed by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

6.4 Severability . If any provision of this Deed of Trust is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.

6.5 Headings . The captions and headings herein are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit, or describe the scope of this Deed of Trust nor the intent of any provision hereof.

 

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6.6 Conflicting Terms . In the event the terms and conditions of this Deed of Trust conflict with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall control and supersede the provisions of this Deed of Trust with respect to such conflicts, except as described in Section 6.8.

6.7 Governing Law . This Deed of Trust shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal law of the state in which the Premises are located.

6.8 Application of the Foreclosure Law . If any provision in this Deed of Trust shall be inconsistent with any provision of the foreclosure laws of the state in which the Premises are located, the provisions of such laws shall take precedence over the provisions of this Deed of Trust, but shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision of this Deed of Trust that can be construed in a manner consistent with such laws.

6.9 WRITTEN AGREEMENT .

(a) THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE GRANTOR AND THE AGENT SHALL BE DETERMINED SOLELY FROM THIS WRITTEN DEED OF TRUST AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AND ANY PRIOR ORAL OR WRITTEN AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE AGENT AND THE GRANTOR CONCERNING THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE SUPERSEDED BY AND MERGED INTO THIS DEED OF TRUST AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

(b) THIS DEED OF TRUST AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY NOT BE VARIED BY ANY ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS THAT OCCUR BEFORE, CONTEMPORANEOUSLY WITH, OR SUBSEQUENT TO THE EXECUTION OF THIS DEED OF TRUST OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

(c) THIS WRITTEN DEED OF TRUST AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

6.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . THE AGENT AND THE GRANTOR HEREBY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, OR RELATED TO, THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS DEED OF TRUST. THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, INTENTIONALLY, AND VOLUNTARILY MADE BY THE AGENT AND THE GRANTOR, AND THE AGENT AND THE GRANTOR ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HAS MADE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OF FACT TO INDUCE THIS WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OR IN ANY WAY TO MODIFY OR NULLIFY ITS EFFECT. THE AGENT AND THE GRANTOR FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED (OR HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED) IN THE SIGNING OF THIS DEED OF TRUST AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, SELECTED OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL.

 

11


6.11 Request for Notice . The Grantor requests a copy of any statutory notice of default and a copy of any statutory notice of sale hereunder be mailed to the Grantor at the address specified in the preamble of this Deed of Trust in accordance with Section 6.3 of this Deed of Trust.

6.12 State Specific Provisions . In the event of any inconsistencies between this Section 6.12 and any of the other terms and provisions of this Deed of Trust, the terms and provisions of this Section 6.12 shall control and be binding.

With respect to the Premises which is located in the State of Nevada, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary:

(a) Grantor acknowledges that, upon an Event of Default, the power of sale herein granted may be exercised by Agent without prior judicial hearing. Grantor has the right to bring an action to assert the non-existence of a breach or any other defense of Grantor to acceleration and sale.

(b) The following covenants, Nos. 6, 7 (a reasonable) and 8 of NRS 107.030 are hereby adopted and made a part of this Deed of Trust. If Agent invokes the power of sale, Agent shall execute or cause Trustee to execute a written notice of the occurrence of an Event of Default and of Agent’s election to cause the Premises to be sold and shall cause such notice to be recorded in each county in which the Premises or some part thereof is located. Agent shall give notice of default in the manner provided by the laws of the State of Nevada to Grantor and to such other persons as the laws of the State of Nevada prescribe. Trustee shall give notice of sale and Trustee shall sell the Premises according to the laws of the State of Nevada. Trustee may sell the Premises at the time and place and under the terms designated in the notice of sale in one or more parcels and in such order as Trustee may determine. Trustee may postpone sale of all or any parcel of the Premises by public announcement at the time and place of any previously scheduled sale. Agent or Agent’s designee may purchase the Premises at any sale.

(c) Trustee shall deliver to the purchaser a Trustee’s deed conveying the Premises so sold without any covenant or warranty, expressed or implied. The recitals in the Trustee’s deed shall be prima facie evidence of the truth of the statements made therein. Trustee shall apply the proceeds of the sale in the following order: (a) to all costs and expenses of the sale, including, but not limited to, the reasonable Trustee’s and attorney’s fees and costs of title evidence; (b) to all sums secured by this Deed of Trust in such order as Agent, in the Agent’s sole discretion, directs; and (c) the excess, if any, to the person or persons legally entitled thereto.

(d) Grantor waives all right of homestead exemption in the Premises.

(e) Upon payment of all sums secured by this Deed of Trust, Agent shall request Trustee to reconvey the Premises and shall surrender this Deed of Trust and all notes evidencing indebtedness secured by this Deed of Trust to Trustee. Trustee shall reconvey the Premises without warranty to the person or persons legally entitled thereto. Such person or persons shall pay Trustee’s reasonable costs incurred in so reconveying the Premises.

(f) Future Advances . This Deed of Trust is governed by Nevada Revised Statutes Sections (“NRS”) 106.300 to 106.400 and secures future advances as provided in such Sections. The maximum amount of principal (as defined in NRS Section 106.345) secured hereby (including disbursements that the Agent may, but shall not be obligated to (except as may be provided in the Credit Agreement), make under this Deed of Trust, the Loan Documents or any other document with respect thereto) shall not exceed Two Hundred Seventy-Five Million and No/100 Dollars ($275,000,000.00). This Deed of Trust shall be valid and have priority to the extent of the maximum amount secured hereby over all subsequent liens and encumbrances, including statutory liens, excepting solely taxes and assessments levied on the Premises given priority by law.

 

12


(g) Additional Event of Default . An Event of Default shall occur if Grantor or any other “Borrower” (as that term is defined in NRS 106.310, as amended or recodified from time to time) who may send a notice pursuant to NRS 106.380(1), as amended or recodified from time to time, with respect to this Deed of Trust, (i) delivers, sends by mail or otherwise gives, or purports to deliver, send by mail or otherwise give to Agent, and does not rescind the same within one (1) business day after written notice from the Agent: (A) any notice of an election to terminate the operation of this Deed of Trust as security for any secured obligation, including, without limitation, any obligation to repay any “future advance” (as defined in NRS 106.320, as amended or recodified from time to time) of ‘‘principal” (as defined in NRS 106.345, as amended or recodified from time to time), or (B) any other notice pursuant to NRS 106.380(3), as amended or recodified from time to time, (ii) records a statement against the Premises pursuant to NRS 106.380(3), as amended or recodified from time to time and does not rescind the same within one (1) business day after written notice from the Agent, or (iii) causes this Deed of Trust, any secured obligation, or Agent to be subject to NRS 106.380(2), 106.380(3) or 106.400, as amended or recodified from time to time and does not cure the same within two (2) business days after written notice from the Agent.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and the Agent have executed this Deed of Trust as of the above written date.

 

GRANTOR:

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

/s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks

Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:   VP & CFO

 

AGENT:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

a national banking association,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

STATE OF VA            )   
   )   
County of Frederick    )   

This instrument was acknowledged before me on January 8, 2016, by Bryan H. Fairbanks as VP & CFO of TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation.

 

GLORIA E. BREEDEN                                                             

/s/ Gloria E. Breeden

NOTARY PUBLIC      (Signature of Notarial Officer)
Commonwealth of Virginia      Commission Expires 05.31.2016
Reg. #342749     

 

STATE OF                  )   
   )   
County of                      )   
     

This instrument was acknowledged before me on January     , 2016, by             , as             of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association.

 

 

(Signature of Notarial Officer)


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor and the Agent have executed this Deed of Trust as of the above written date.

 

GRANTOR:

TREX COMPANY, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:  

     

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

AGENT:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

a national banking association,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

/s/ Kelly Weaver

Name:   Kelly Weaver
Title:   Vice President

 

STATE OF                 )   
   )   
County of                     )   

This instrument was acknowledged before me on December     , 2015, by             , as             of TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation.

 

 

(Signature of Notarial Officer)

 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA            )   
   )   
County of Mecklenburg    )   

This instrument was acknowledged before me on December 28 th , 2015, by Kelly Weaver, as Vice President of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association.

 

/s/ Kyle D Harding

(Signature of Notarial Officer)

 

KYLE D HARDING
Notary Public
Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina
My Commission Expires May 26, 2019

TREX COMPANY, INC.

NEVADA DEED OF TRUST


Exhibit A

Real property in the City of Fernley, County of Lyon, State of Nevada, described as follows:

PARCEL 1:

A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED WITHIN SECTION 7 AND 8, TOWNSHIP 20 NORTH, RANGE 25 EAST, M.D.&M, LYON COUNTY NEVADA AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BEGINNING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF PARCEL 2 AS SHOWN ON RECORD OF SURVEY MAP FILE NO. 193018, SAID POINT BEING LOCATED SOUTH 12°39’12” WEST A DISTANCE OF 1839.06 FEET FROM THE EAST 1/4 CORNER OF SAID SECTION 7; THENCE NORTH 10°21’10” WEST A DISTANCE OF 1026.73 FEET TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID PARCEL 2; THENCE NORTH 73°18’04” EAST A DISTANCE OF 1744.19 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 43°26’07” EAST A DISTANCE OF 71.78 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 46°33’53”. WEST A DISTANCE OF 300.74 FEET; THENCE ALONG A TANGENT CURVE TO THE LEFT WITH A RADIUS OF 500.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 66°09’53” AN ARC LENGTH OF 577.40 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 19°36’00” EAST A DISTANCE OF 567.96 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 70 o 24’00’’ WEST A DISTANCE OF 92.77 FEET; THENCE ALONG A TANGENT CIRCULAR CURVE TO THE RIGHT WITH A RADIUS OF 828.77 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 07 o 16’49” AN ARC LENGTH OF 105.31 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 77°40’50” WEST A DISTANCE OF 100.00 FEET; THENCE ALONG A TANGENT CIRCULAR CURVE TO THE RIGHT WITH A RADIUS OF 2160.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 11°43’10” AN ARC LENGTH OF 441.81 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 89°24’00” WEST A DISTANCE OF 132.36 FEET; THENCE ALONG A TANGENT CIRCULAR CURVE TO THE LEFT WITH A RADIUS OF 2830.00 FEET AND A CENTRAL ANGLE OF 09°45’00” AN ARC LENGTH OF 481.58 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 79°39’00” WEST A DISTANCE OF 45.45 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.

ALSO KNOWN AS NEW PARCEL 2 OF RECORD OF SURVEY MAP SHOWING A BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT RECORDED OCTOBER 27, 1998 AS DOCUMENT NO. 225479, LYON COUNTY, OFFICIAL RECORDS.

PARCEL 2:

NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENTS FOR THE PLACEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND USE OF A RAILROAD TRACK AS CREATED BY THOSE CERTAIN GRANT, BARGAIN, SALE DEEDS RECORDED AUGUST 1, 1997 AS DOCUMENT NO. 208404 AND DECEMBER 7, 1998 AS DOCUMENT NO. 226990, CORRECTED BY DOCUMENT NO. 483897 OFFICIAL RECORDS.

Exhibit 4.9

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of January 12, 2016 is by and among TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, in its capacity as resigning Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Resigning Administrative Agent ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as successor Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “ Successor Administrative Agent ”).

RECITALS:

1. Reference is made to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) dated as of November 20, 2014 among Trex Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders identified therein and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Administrative Agent.

2. In connection with the resignation of Branch Banking and Trust Company as Administrative Agent and the appointment of Bank of America, N.A. as successor Administrative Agent under the First Amendment dated as even date herewith, and pursuant to the Assignment Agreement dated as of even date herewith, the Resigning Administrative Agent assigned all of its right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Documents to the Successor Administrative Agent.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

2. Assignment . The Resigning Administrative Agent transfers, assigns, grants and conveys to the Successor Administrative Agent all of the Resigning Administrative Agent’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Documents, including, without limitation, all liens and security interests arising under the Collateral Documents and all financing statements and other filings and registrations relating to the Collateral Documents, including the Existing IP Security Agreements, including, but not limited to, the IP Security Agreement (Patents) recorded on January 12, 2012 at Reel 027637 Frame 0805, IP Security Agreement (Patents) recorded on January 12, 2012 at Reel 027630 Frame 0790, the IP Security Agreement (Patents) recorded on November 6, 2009 at Reel 023620 Frame 0786, the IP Security Agreement recorded on November 21, 2014 at Reel 5405 Frame 0628, the IP Security Agreement (Trademarks) recorded on January 12, 2012 at Reel 4708 Frame 0425, and the IP Security Agreement (Trademarks) recorded on November 6, 2009 at Reel 4094 Frame 0207, and the security interest in, lien on and right of set-off against the patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, and copyrights (collectively, the “ Intellectual Property ”) scheduled on the Existing IP Security Agreements, including the Intellectual Property identified on Schedule 1 hereto.

3. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

4. No Novation . The parties hereto agree that this Agreement shall constitute an amendment to the Collateral Documents and shall not constitute a novation in any manner whatsoever. Upon assignment, the Successor Administrative Agent shall replace the Resigning Administrative Agent as Administrative Agent under the Collateral Documents and thereafter the Successor Administrative Agent shall hold all liens identified in the Collateral Documents.


5. Expenses . The Borrower agree to reimburse the Resigning Administrative Agent and the Successor Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred in connection with this Agreement.

6. Counterparts; Facsimile Delivery . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail shall be effective as an original.

7. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the following have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY, as Resigning Administrative Agent

 

By:   /s/ William B. Keene
Name:   William B. Keene
Title:   Vice President
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Successor Administrative Agent
By:   /s/ Kelly Weaver
Name:   Kelly Weaver
Title:   Vice President
TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer


Schedule 1

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Security Interest Recorded January 12, 2012 at Reel 027637 Frame 0805

Pending Application

 

Title

   Appl. No.    Filing Date

MULTIZONE WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITE ARTICLE

   12509176

20100021753

   07/24/09

Security Interest Recorded January 12, 2012 at Reel 027630 Frame 0790

Pending Application

 

Title

   Appl. No.    Filing Date

MULTIZONE WOOD POLYMER COMPOSITE ARTICLE

   12509176

20100021753

   07/24/09

Security Interest Recorded November 6, 2009 at Reel 023620 Frame 0786

Issued Patents

 

Title

   Patent No.    Issue Date

VARIEGATED COMPOSITES AND RELATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE

   7410687    08/12/08

APPARATUS FOR MAKING A WOOD-PLASTIC PROFILE

   6527532    03/04/03

PROCESS FOR MAKING A WOOD-THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE

   5851469    12/22/98

Security Interest Recorded November 21, 2014 at Reel 5405 Frame 0628

Registered Marks

 

Mark

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

TREX

   4757460    06/16/15

TREX

   4671390    01/13/15

LIGHTHUB

   4557709    06/24/14

REVEAL

   4389534    08/20/13


Security Interest Recorded January 12, 2012 at Reel 4708 Frame 0425

Registered Marks

 

Mark

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

TREX SELECT

   4269524    01/01/13

ENHANCE

   4172922    07/10/12

TREX ELEVATIONS

   4187705    08/07/12

TREX TRANSCEND

   4107731    03/06/12

DECKWORKS

   3982773    06/21/11

CUSTOMCURVE

   4050305    11/01/11

TREX

   4004005    07/26/11

TREX

   4077639    12/27/11

TREX

   3862086    10/12/10

IRON DECK

   3927184    03/08/11

TRANSCEND

   3773349    04/06/10

Security Interest Recorded November 6, 2009 at Reel 4094 Frame 0207

Registered Marks

 

Mark

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

TRANSCEND

   3773349    04/06/10

SMOOTHEDGE

   3656162    07/14/09

TREX PROFILES

   3687228    09/22/09

SURROUNDINGS

   3648615    06/30/09

TREX HIDEAWAY

   3528844    11/04/08

TREX ESCAPES

   3442097    06/03/08

SECLUSIONS

   3191743    01/02/07

DECKSCAPES

   3063223    02/28/06

BRASILIA

   3050069    01/24/06

TREX DESIGNER SERIES RAILING

   3218419    03/13/07

TREX

   2937507    04/05/05

TREX EXPRESS INSTALLATION SYSTEM and Design

   3052208    01/31/06

TREX ACCENTS

   2945585    05/03/05

TREXPRO

   2907741    12/07/04

EASY CARE DECKING

   2259151    07/06/99

TREX

   1938516    11/28/95

TREX

   1881449    02/28/95


NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

COPYRIGHTS

United States Copyright Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) by and among the Obligors party thereto (each an “ Obligor ” and collectively, the “ Obligors ”) and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations referenced therein, the undersigned Obligor has granted a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to the copyrights and copyright applications set forth on Schedule 1 hereto to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

The undersigned Obligor and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing copyrights and copyright applications (i) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any copyright or copyright application.


Very truly yours,
TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:   /s/ Kelly Weaver
Name:   Kelly Weaver
Title:   Vice President


Schedule 1

Trex Company, Inc.

(Delaware Corporation)

U.S. Copyright

Registered Copyright

 

Title

   Reg. No.    Reg. Date

2003 Trex product & installation guide.

   TX0005873765    10/27/03


NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

TRADEMARKS

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of January 12, 2016 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Agreement ”) by and among the Obligors party thereto (each an “ Obligor ” and collectively, the “ Obligors ”) and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the holders of the Obligations referenced therein, the undersigned Obligor has granted a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to the trademarks and trademark applications set forth on Schedule 1 hereto to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Obligations.

The undersigned Obligor and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing trademarks and trademark applications (i) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any trademark or trademark application.


Very truly yours,
TREX COMPANY, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:   /s/ Bryan H. Fairbanks
Name:   Bryan H. Fairbanks
Title:  

Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:   /s/ Kelly Weaver
Name:   Kelly Weaver
Title:   Vice President


Schedule 1

Trex Company, Inc.

(Delaware Corporation)

U.S. Trademarks

Pending Applications

 

Mark

   Appl. No.    Filing Date

TREX SIGNATURE

   86790173    10/16/15

ENGINEERING WHAT’S NEXT IN OUTDOOR LIVING

   86511370    01/22/15