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): April 13, 2016

 

 

The Sherwin-Williams Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Ohio   1-04851   34-0526850

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

101 West Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio

  44115
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(216) 566-2000

(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:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement .

364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement

On April 13, 2016, The Sherwin-Williams Company (“Sherwin-Williams”) entered into a 364-day bridge credit agreement (the “Bridge Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Bridge Agent”), and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. Under the Bridge Credit Agreement, Sherwin-Williams may request bridge loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7.3 billion. The Bridge Credit Agreement will mature 364 days after the date upon which the Valspar Acquisition closes and the conditions precedent under the Bridge Credit Agreement are satisfied.

The proceeds of the Bridge Credit Agreement must be used to pay a portion of the cash consideration in connection with the recently announced merger agreement with The Valspar Corporation (the “Valspar Acquisition”) and other fees and expenses related thereto. Sherwin-Williams anticipates that some or all of the bridge loans will be replaced by permanent financing or issuances of securities. The loans under the Bridge Credit Agreement will be funded by the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the consummation of the Valspar Acquisition.

At Sherwin-Williams’ election, borrowings under the Bridge Credit Agreement will bear interest either at (i) the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin, or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The eurodollar rate for an interest period is the rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) for such interest period. The applicable interest rate margin over the eurodollar rate may range from a minimum of 1.00% to a maximum of 2.50% based on the ratings of Sherwin-Williams’ senior unsecured long-term debt securities (the “Senior Debt Ratings”) and based on the period for which the bridge loans are outstanding. The base rate is a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime lending rate of Citibank, N.A., and (iii) the eurodollar rate determined on a daily basis for a one-month interest period plus 100 basis points; provided that if the base rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Bridge Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate margin over the base rate may range from a minimum of 0.00% to a maximum of 1.50% based on the Senior Debt Ratings and the period for which the bridge loans are outstanding.

The Bridge Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default substantially the same as those contained in the Existing Credit Agreement (as defined below). The Bridge Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, noncompliance with covenants and bankruptcy-related events. If certain of these or other events of default occur, the Bridge Agent may decide to, or lenders with a majority of the outstanding loans or commitments may require the Bridge Agent to, accelerate amounts due under the Bridge Credit Agreement. The Bridge Credit Agreement also contains a financial covenant that provides that after the closing of the Valspar Acquisition, Sherwin-Williams’ consolidated leverage ratio (total indebtedness to EBITDA) may not exceed 5.25 to 1.00.

 

2


Term Loan Credit Agreement

On April 13, 2016, Sherwin-Williams entered into a term loan credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Term Loan Agent”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents. Under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, Sherwin-Williams may request term loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2.0 billion. The proceeds of the Term Loan Credit Agreement will be used to pay a portion of the cash consideration in connection with the Valspar Acquisition and other fees and expenses related thereto.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement requires Sherwin-Williams to repay each quarter (i) after the closing date of the Valspar Acquisition (the “Closing Date”) but before the first anniversary of the Closing Date, 0% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the Closing Date, (ii) after the first anniversary of the Closing Date but before the second anniversary of the Closing Date, 5% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the Closing Date, (iii) after the second anniversary of the Closing Date but before the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, 6.25% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the Closing Date, and (iv) after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date but before the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, 7.50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the Closing Date. The Term Loan Credit Agreement will mature five years after the date upon which the Valspar Acquisition closes and the conditions precedent under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are satisfied.

At Sherwin-Williams’ election, borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement will bear interest either at (i) the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin, or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The eurodollar rate for an interest period is the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR for such interest period. The applicable interest rate margin over the eurodollar rate may range from a minimum of 1.00% to a maximum of 1.75% based on the Senior Debt Ratings. The base rate is a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the prime lending rate of Citibank, N.A., and (iii) the eurodollar rate determined on a daily basis for a one-month interest period plus 100 basis points; provided that if the base rate is less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The applicable interest rate margin over the base rate may range from a minimum of 0.00% to a maximum of 0.75% based on the Senior Debt Ratings.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains representations, warranties, covenants and events of default substantially the same as those contained in the Existing Credit Agreement. The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including, but not limited to, payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, noncompliance with covenants and bankruptcy-related events. If certain of these or other events of default occur, the Term Loan Agent may decide to, or lenders with a majority of the outstanding loans or commitments may require the Term Loan Agent to, accelerate amounts due under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The Term Loan Credit Agreement also contains a financial covenant that provides that Sherwin-Williams’ consolidated leverage ratio (total indebtedness to EBITDA) may not exceed 5.25 to 1.00 after the Closing Date, and which level decreases over time (to a minimum of 3.50 to 1.00).

 

3


Amendment to Credit Agreement

On April 13, 2016, Sherwin-Williams, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc. (“SW Canada”), Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l. (“SW Luxembourg”) and Sherwin-Williams UK Holding Limited (“SW UK,” and together with Sherwin-Williams, SW Canada and SW Luxembourg, the “Borrowers”) entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its existing revolving credit agreement (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among the Borrowers, Bank of America, N.A., acting as domestic administrative agent and Bank of America, National Association, acting as Canadian administrative agent. The Amendment, among other things, provides for amendments that contemplate the Valspar Acquisition, including adjusting the permissible levels of the consolidated leverage ratio and requiring a guaranty from certain material subsidiaries in the event Sherwin-Williams guarantees material debt of such subsidiaries.

Certain of the lenders under the Bridge Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Existing Credit Agreement, as well as certain of their respective affiliates, have performed and may in the future perform for Sherwin-Williams and its subsidiaries various commercial banking, investment banking, lending, underwriting, trust services, financial advisory and other financial services, for which they have received and may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.

The foregoing descriptions of the Bridge Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Amendment do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full texts of the Bridge Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Amendment, copies of which are filed as Exhibit 4.1, Exhibit 4.2 and Exhibit 4.3 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

The information described in Item 1.01 above relating to the Bridge Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Amendment is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits .

 

  (d) Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

4.1    364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the lenders party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

 

4


4.2

   Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the lenders party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents.

4.3

   Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l. and Sherwin-Williams UK Holding Limited, as borrowers, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as domestic administrative agent, and Bank of America, National Association, as Canadian administrative agent.

 

5


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.

 

        THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
April 15, 2016     By:  

/s/ Catherine M. Kilbane

      Catherine M. Kilbane
      Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

6


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit Description

4.1    364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the lenders party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.
4.2    Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the lenders party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents.
4.3    Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, by and among The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l. and Sherwin-Williams UK Holding Limited, as borrowers, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as domestic administrative agent, and Bank of America, National Association, as Canadian administrative agent.

 

7

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

364-DAY BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

April 13, 2016

among

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY,

as the Company,

The Other Loan Parties Party Hereto,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

and

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          P AGE  

ARTICLE I

  

Definitions

  

Section 1.01.

   Defined Terms      1   

Section 1.02.

   Classification of Loans and Borrowings      23   

Section 1.03.

   Terms Generally      23   

Section 1.04.

   Accounting Terms; GAAP      23   

Section 1.05.

   Pro Forma Calculations      24   

ARTICLE II

  

The Credits

  

Section 2.01.

   Commitments      24   

Section 2.02.

   Loans and Borrowings      24   

Section 2.03.

   Requests for Borrowings      25   

Section 2.04.

   Funding of Borrowings      26   

Section 2.05.

   Interest Elections      26   

Section 2.06.

   Termination of Commitments; Reductions of Commitments      28   

Section 2.07.

   Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt      30   

Section 2.08.

   Prepayment of Loans      30   

Section 2.09.

   Fees      32   

Section 2.10.

   Interest      33   

Section 2.11.

   Alternate Rate of Interest      33   

Section 2.12.

   Increased Costs      34   

Section 2.13.

   Break Funding Payments      36   

Section 2.14.

   Taxes      37   

Section 2.15.

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs      42   

Section 2.16.

   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      43   

Section 2.17.

   Defaulting Lenders      44   

ARTICLE III

  

Representations and Warranties

  

Section 3.01.

   Organization; Powers      45   

Section 3.02.

   Authorization; Enforceability      45   

Section 3.03.

   Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts      45   

Section 3.04.

   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change      46   

Section 3.05.

   Properties      46   

Section 3.06.

   Litigation and Environmental Matters      46   

Section 3.07.

   Compliance with Laws and Agreements      47   

Section 3.08.

   Federal Reserve Regulations      47   

Section 3.09.

   Investment Company Status      47   

 

i


Section 3.10.

   Taxes      47   

Section 3.11.

  

ERISA

     48   

Section 3.12.

  

Disclosure

     48   

Section 3.13.

  

OFAC

     48   

Section 3.14.

  

Anti-Corruption Laws

     48   

Section 3.15.

  

Solvency

     48   

Section 3.16.

  

Use of Proceeds

     48   
ARTICLE IV   
Conditions   

Section 4.01.

  

Effective Date

     48   

Section 4.02.

  

Closing Date

     49   

Section 4.03.

  

Availability

     52   
ARTICLE V   
Affirmative Covenants   

Section 5.01.

  

Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information

     53   

Section 5.02.

  

Notices of Material Events

     55   

Section 5.03.

  

Existence; Conduct of Business

     55   

Section 5.04.

  

Payment of Obligations

     55   

Section 5.05.

  

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

     55   

Section 5.06.

  

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     56   

Section 5.07.

  

Compliance with Laws

     56   

Section 5.08.

  

Use of Proceeds

     56   

Section 5.09.

  

Anti-Corruption Laws

     56   

Section 5.10.

  

Additional Guarantors

     56   
ARTICLE VI   
Negative Covenants   

Section 6.01.

  

Liens

     57   

Section 6.02.

  

Fundamental Changes

     59   

Section 6.03.

  

Leverage Ratio

     59   

Section 6.04.

  

Sanctions

     59   

Section 6.05.

  

Anti-Corruption Laws

     59   

ARTICLE VII

  

Events of Default   
ARTICLE VIII   
The Administrative Agent   

 

ii


ARTICLE IX  
Miscellaneous   

Section 9.01.

   Notices      64   

Section 9.02.

   Waivers; Amendments      66   

Section 9.03.

   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      68   

Section 9.04.

   Successors and Assigns      69   

Section 9.05.

   Survival      74   

Section 9.06.

   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      75   

Section 9.07.

   Severability      75   

Section 9.08.

   Right of Setoff      75   

Section 9.09.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      76   

Section 9.10.

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      77   

Section 9.11.

   Headings      77   

Section 9.12.

   Confidentiality      77   

Section 9.13.

   Interest Rate Limitation      78   

Section 9.14.

   USA PATRIOT Act      78   

Section 9.15.

   Release of Guarantors      79   

Section 9.16.

   No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship      79   

Section 9.17.

   Entire Agreement      79   

Section 9.18.

   Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents      80   

Section 9.19.

   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      80   
ARTICLE X   
Guaranty of the Guarantors   

Section 10.01.

   Guaranty      81   

Section 10.02.

   Obligations Unconditional      81   

Section 10.03.

   Reinstatement      82   

Section 10.04.

   Certain Additional Waivers      82   

Section 10.05.

   Remedies      83   

Section 10.06.

   Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee      83   

Section 10.07.

   Limitation on Liability      83   
SCHEDULES:        

Schedule 2.01

     Commitments   

Schedule 9.01

     Notices   
EXHIBITS:        

Exhibit A

     Form of Assignment and Assumption   

Exhibit B

     Form of Joinder Agreement   

Exhibit C(1-4)

     Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates   

Exhibit D

     Form of Borrowing Request   

Exhibit E

     Form of Interest Election Request   

Exhibit F

     Form of Solvency Certificate   

Exhibit G

     Form of Promissory Note   

 

iii


364-DAY BRIDGE CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 13, 2016 among THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, the LENDERS party hereto, the other LOAN PARTIES party hereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Company (such term and each other capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein having the meaning assigned to it in Article I) intends to acquire the Acquired Business pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company has requested the Lenders extend credit to enable it to borrow on the Closing Date a principal amount not in excess of $7,300,000,000. The proceeds of borrowings hereunder are to be used to finance a portion of the cash consideration of the Acquisition and as otherwise permitted by Section 5.08 .

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth.

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

D EFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acquired Business ” means The Valspar Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Acquired Business Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect to the Acquired Business, (a) any change, fact, effect, event, occurrence or development that has a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, excluding, however, the impact of (i) any changes or developments in domestic or any foreign market or domestic, foreign or global economic conditions generally, including (A) any changes or developments in or affecting the domestic or any foreign securities, equity, credit or financial markets or (B) any changes or developments in or affecting domestic or any foreign interest or exchange rates, (ii) changes in GAAP or any official interpretation or enforcement thereof, (iii) changes in Law or any changes or developments in the official interpretation or enforcement thereof by Governmental Entities, (iv) changes in domestic, foreign or global political conditions (including the outbreak or escalation of war, military actions, or acts of terrorism), including any worsening of such conditions threatened or existing on March 19, 2016, (v) changes or developments in the business or regulatory conditions affecting the industries in which the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries operate, (vi) the announcement of the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby (including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries with


employees, labor unions, financing sources, customers, suppliers or partners), (vii) weather conditions or other acts of God (including storms, earthquakes, tornados, floods or other natural disasters), (viii) the loss of business with customers that are or become major customers of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ix) a decline in the trading price or trading volume of the Acquired Business’ common stock or any change in the ratings or ratings outlook for the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries but not, in any case, the underlying causes thereof, (x) the failure to meet any projections, guidance, budgets, forecasts or estimates, but not, in any case, including the underlying causes thereof, (xi) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries at the written request of the Company, and (xii) any actions or claims made or brought by any of the current or former stockholders of the Acquired Business (or on their behalf or on behalf of the Acquired Business) against the Acquired Business or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of the Acquisition Agreement or the Merger; except, with respect to clauses (i) , (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (v)  and (vii) , to the extent that such impact is disproportionately adverse to the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to others in the industry or industries in which the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries operate. Terms capitalized in this definition, other than “Acquired Business”, “Acquisition Agreement” and the “Company”, have the meanings assigned to them in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016.

Acquisition ” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Acquired Business pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.

Acquisition Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 19, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplement or waived solely in accordance with Section 4.02(a) ), among the Company, Merger Sub and the Acquired Business.

Acquisition Agreement Representations ” means such of the representations made by the Acquired Business in the Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Company (or the Company’s Affiliates) has the right to terminate (or not perform or decline to consummate) its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement as a result of an inaccuracy of such representations in the Acquisition Agreement.

Administrative Agent ” means Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in such capacity.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth in Schedule 9.01 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Company and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied 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.

 

2


Agreement ” means this 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement as the same may hereafter be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for an Interest Period of one month plus 1.00%; provided that, if the Alternate Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for such purposes under this Agreement. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate, respectively.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.14 .

Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have been terminated or have expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the amounts of the outstanding Loans or, if no Loans are outstanding, based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, in connection with the commitment fees payable hereunder, or in connection with the interest accruing on any Eurocurrency Loan or ABR Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate”, “Eurocurrency Spread” or “ABR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt.

 

Index Debt Ratings

   Commitment
Fee
Rate
    Applicable Rate  
     Closing Date through
89 days after Closing
Date
    90 days after Closing
Date through 179 days
after Closing Date
    180 days after Closing
Date through 269 days
after Closing Date
    270 days after Closing
Date and thereafter
 
     ABR
Spread
    Euro-
currency
Spread
    ABR
Spread
    Euro-
currency
Spread
    ABR
Spread
    Euro-
currency
Spread
    ABR
Spread
    Euro-
currency
Spread
 

Category 1 A- / A3 or higher

     0.20     0.00     1.00     0.25     1.25     0.50     1.50     0.75     1.75

Category 2 BBB+ / Baa1

     0.20     0.125     1.125     0.375     1.375     0.625     1.625     0.875     1.875

Category 3 BBB / Baa2

     0.20     0.25     1.25     0.50     1.50     0.75     1.75     1.00     2.00

Category 4 BBB- / Baa3

     0.20     0.50     1.50     0.75     1.75     1.00     2.00     1.25     2.25

Category 5 BB+ / Ba1 or lower or unrated

     0.20     0.75     1.75     1.00     2.00     1.25     2.25     1.50     2.50

 

3


For purposes of the foregoing, subject to the last two sentences of this definition, (i) if any of S&P or Moody’s shall not have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last two sentences of this definition), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating in Category 5; (ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by S&P and Moody’s for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, then (a) if the applicable ratings differ by one level, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the higher of the applicable ratings and (b) if the applicable ratings differ by more than one level, then the Applicable Rate shall be based on the level that is one level lower than the higher of the applicable ratings and (iii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by S&P and Moody’s for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of S&P and Moody’s), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of one of S&P or Moody’s shall change, or if one of such rating agencies shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Company and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

Approved Fund ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b) .

Asset Sale ” means any non-ordinary course asset sale or other dispositions of property by the Company and its Subsidiaries (including the issuance or sale of stock of any Subsidiary) to any Person other than the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that any such sales or other dispositions of assets or property generating Net Cash Proceeds not exceeding $100,000,000 for any single transaction or series of related transactions or $250,000,000 in the aggregate shall not constitute Asset Sales. In connection with Asset Sale Proceeds, Net Cash Proceeds shall not include any such Net Cash Proceeds that are reinvested within nine months following receipt (other than Asset Sale Proceeds received due to a divestiture required by a Governmental Authority in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition).

Asset Sale Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(d)(i) .

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

 

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Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrowing ” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by the Company for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 .

Bridge Commitment Letter ” means the commitment letter in respect of the unsecured bridge term loan facility described therein, dated as of March 19, 2016 between the Company and the Lead Arranger.

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, New York, New York or the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.

Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Change in Control ” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder), other than an employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company, of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company or (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated.

 

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Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any Law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case under this clause (y) pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Charges ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13 .

Closing Date ” means the date on which the Acquisition is consummated and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, (a) the commitment of such Lender to make Loans hereunder as set forth on Schedule 2.01 or (b) if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Assumption, the amount set forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(iv), as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06.

Company ” means The Sherwin-Williams Company, an Ohio corporation.

Company Disclosure Schedule ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(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 EBITDA ” means, for any period, for the Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to consolidated net income of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) to the extent deducted in calculating such consolidated net income, (i) consolidated interest expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period and (iv) any non-cash expenses or losses of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period that are classified as extraordinary under GAAP; and minus (b) to the extent included in calculating such consolidated net income, any extraordinary income or gains of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, all computed in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Net Revenue ” means, for any period, the net revenue of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, on any date, Consolidated Total Assets less (i) all intangible assets, including goodwill, organization costs, intellectual property and research and development costs and (ii) any other identifiable intangibles of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Total Assets ” means, on any date, the aggregate amount of assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

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.

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 and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.17(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Company 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 or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Company or the Administrative Agent 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 (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Company, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Company that it will comply with its

 

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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 Company) 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, (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 or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.17(b) ) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Company and each 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.

Disqualified Institution ” means any competitors of the Company and its Subsidiaries designated by the Company to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to a side letter (the “ Designated Institution Side Letter ”) dated as of March 19, 2016; provided that, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Company hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to post the Designated Institution Side Letter on the Platform and to provide the Designated Institution Side Letter to each Lender requesting the same, (ii) the Company may update the Designated Institution Side Letter from time to time after the Effective Date to designate any additional Person as a “Disqualified Institution” that is a competitor of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Company has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice pursuant to an updated Designated Institution Side Letter delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; provided , further , that nothing herein shall apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in Loans to the extent that any such party was not a Disqualified Institution at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be.

Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA

 

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Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02 ), which date is April 13, 2016.

Eligible Assignee ” means (i) a Lender, (ii) a commercial bank, insurance company or company primarily engaged in making commercial loans or a commercial finance company, (iii) any Affiliate of a Lender under common control with such Lender or (iv) an Approved Fund of a Lender.

Environmental Laws ” means all Laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances or binding orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

Equity Issuance ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(d)(iv) .

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

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ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (g) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to clause (a) of the definition of Eurocurrency Rate.

Eurocurrency Rate ” means:

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “ LIBOR Rate ”) at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Rate Determination Date, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest rate calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for deposits in Dollars with a term of one month commencing that day;

 

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 provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided , further , that, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for such purposes under this Agreement.

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

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 applicable 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 Company under Section 2.16 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its applicable lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.14(a)(ii) , 2.14(a)(iii) or 2.14(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 applicable lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.14(e) and (d)  any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Citicorp USA Facilities ” means, collectively, (x) that certain Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2012, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Citicorp USA, Inc. and (y) that certain Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2012, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Citicorp USA, Inc., in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

Existing Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2015, by and among the Company, Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l., Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams UK Holding Limited, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as domestic administrative agent and Canadian administrative for the lenders, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective 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 Code.

 

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Federal Funds Effective 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, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) charged to the Administrative Agent on such day for such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Fee Letter ” means the fee letter in respect of the unsecured bridge term loan facility described therein, dated as of March 19, 2016 between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Financial Officer ” means the board of managers, director, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller or any equivalent position of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II , any other officer or employee of the Company so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the Company designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

Foreign Lender ” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

GAAP ” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; provided that, if any changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles from those used in the preparation of the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 3.04 occur by reason of any change in the rules, regulations, pronouncements, opinions or other requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) (or any successor thereto or agency with similar function), or if the Company adopts the International Financial Reporting Standards, and such change in accounting principles and/or adoption of such standards results in a change in the method or results of calculation of financial covenants and/or defined terms contained in this Agreement, then at the option of the Required Lenders or the Company, the parties will enter into good faith negotiations to amend such financial covenants and/or defined terms in such manner as the parties shall agree, each acting reasonably, in order to reflect fairly such changes and/or adoption so that the criteria for evaluating the financial condition of the Company shall be the same in commercial effect after, as well as before, such changes and/or adoption are made (in which case the method and calculation of financial covenants and/or the defined terms related thereto hereunder shall be determined in the manner so agreed).

 

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Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or 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 ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. For purposes hereof, the amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligations, 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 guarantor in good faith.

Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01 .

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) that is required to and becomes a party to this Agreement by the execution of a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 5.10 .

Guaranty ” means the guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article X hereof.

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.

Hedging Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies or prices of commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of

 

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economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or any similar transaction or any combination of such transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement. The amount of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services, (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty and banker’s acceptances; provided that Indebtedness of any Person shall not include (i) trade payables, (ii) any obligations of such Person incurred in connection with letters of credit, letters of guaranty or similar instruments obtained or created in the ordinary course of business to support obligations of such Person that do not constitute Indebtedness or (iii) endorsements of checks, bills of exchange and other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03 .

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 the Company or any Guarantor under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Index Debt ” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Company to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.05 .

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

 

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Interest Period ” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as the Company may elect provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder to this Agreement executed by a Guarantor subsequent to the Effective Date substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

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.

Lead Arranger ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in its capacity as sole lead arranger and bookrunner for the bridge facility provided hereunder.

Lenders ” means (a) the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and (b) any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than, in the case of either of the foregoing, any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness at such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive quarters ended on or most recently prior to such date.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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Loan Documents ” means this Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits hereto), any Joinder Agreements and any promissory note issued hereunder.

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Loan Party ” means the Company and each Guarantor.

Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning given such term under Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect ” means an event or circumstance that constitutes a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company, individually, or the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform any of its, or their, as applicable, material obligations under this Agreement or (c) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or net obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to constitute Material Indebtedness.

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any time, (a) each Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and (b) each other Subsidiary designated as a “designated subsidiary” by the Company. The Company will designate one or more Subsidiaries as “designated subsidiaries” when and as necessary in order that there will at no time be two or more Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries under the preceding sentence but that, if considered together as a single Subsidiary, would cause the total for all such Subsidiaries to exceed 20% of either (i) Consolidated Total Assets at such time or (ii) Consolidated Net Revenue for the period of four calendar quarters ended at or most recently prior to such time.

Maturity Date ” means the date that is 364 days following the Closing Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13 .

Merger Sub ” means Viking Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

 

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Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Net Cash Proceeds ” means:

(a) with respect to a sale or other disposition of any assets or property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of cash actually received in connection therewith (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) payments made to retire any Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on such asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with the sale thereof, (B) the reasonable expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith, (C) taxes reasonably estimated to be payable or required to be accrued in connection with such transaction, and (D) the amount of reserves established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in good faith and pursuant to commercially reasonable practices for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles, provided that if the amount of such reserves exceeds the amounts charged against such reserve, then such excess, upon the determination thereof, shall then constitute Net Cash Proceeds; and

(b) with respect to the issuances of Equity Interests, equity-linked securities or incurrences of Indebtedness, the excess, if any, of (i) cash actually received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such issuance net of all taxes over (ii) the underwriting discounts, fees and commissions and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such issuance.

New Lender ” means any Lender that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.04(b) after the date of this Agreement.

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

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

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,

 

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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 2.16 ).

Overnight Rate ” means, for any day, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Qualifying Bank Financing ” means a bank facility with lenders reasonably acceptable to the Company and which is subject to conditions precedent to funding that are no less favorable or are more favorable to the Company than the conditions set forth herein to the funding of the Loans, as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(ii) .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens imposed by Law for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies that are not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04 ;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by Law and arising in the ordinary course of business that do not materially detract from the Company’s and the Subsidiary’s assets, taken as a whole, or materially impair the use thereof in the ordinary course of business or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04 ;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security Laws or regulations;

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) liens in favor of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or any department or agency thereof, or in favor of any state government or political subdivision thereof, or in favor of a prime contractor under a government contract of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or of a state government or political subdivision thereof, in each case resulting

 

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from the acceptance of partial, progress, advance or other payments in the ordinary course of business under government contracts of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or of a state government or political subdivision thereof, or subcontracts thereunder;

(f) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII ;

(g) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by Law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary; and

(h) other Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or the ownership of the property or assets of the Company or such Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such properties or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary;

 provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Person ” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors including the Administrative Agent’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 the “ prime rate ” announced by the Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Proceeding ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b) .

Public Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01 .

 

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Qualifying Bank Facility ” means a term loan credit facility with lenders reasonably acceptable to the Company and which is subject to conditions precedent to funding that are no less favorable or are more favorable to the Company than the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 of this Agreement, as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion.

Rate Determination Date ” means two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Administrative Agent; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).

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

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv) .

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

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

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders owed at least a majority in interest of the then-aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing to Lenders or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least a majority in interest of the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders, provided that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time the Loans or Commitments of such Lender at such time.

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

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

Securitization Transaction ” means any transfer by the Company or any Subsidiary of accounts receivable or interests therein (a) to a trust, partnership, corporation or other entity, which transfer is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of

 

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Indebtedness or securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such accounts receivable or interests, or (b) directly to one or more investors or other purchasers. The amount of any Securitization Transaction shall be deemed at any time to be the aggregate principal or stated amount of the Indebtedness or other securities referred to in the preceding sentence or, if there shall be no such principal or stated amount, the uncollected amount of the accounts receivable or interests therein transferred to the ultimate investors or other purchasers pursuant to such Securitization Transaction net of any such accounts receivable that have been written off as uncollectible.

Solvent ” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, on any date of determination, that on such date (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the such date.

Specified Debt Incurrence ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(d)(iii) .

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Sections 3.01 (but with respect to the representation pertaining to the Company’s due organization, valid existence and good standing in the state of its organization, without giving effect to the Material Adverse Effect qualifier therein), 3.02 , 3.03(b)(ii) , 3.03(c) (solely with respect to the Existing Credit Agreement (to the extent in effect) or any debt instruments governing Material Indebtedness), 3.08 , 3.09 , 3.15 and 3.16 .

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

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Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company.

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Loan Credit Agreement ” means the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent.

Total Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; it being understood that (i) if the Company or any Subsidiary delivers or causes to be delivered an irrevocable repayment or redemption notice that results in Indebtedness in the form of debt securities being due and payable in full not later than 30 days after such repayment or redemption notice has been delivered and deposits cash with or for the benefit of the trustee or holders of such Indebtedness to fund such repayment or redemption, then such Indebtedness shall be considered repaid or redeemed; provided that if any applicable deposit is returned and the corresponding Indebtedness is not repaid or redeemed, but remains outstanding, such Indebtedness shall no longer be considered repaid or redeemed and (ii) if the Company or any Subsidiary commences a tender offer to repurchase Indebtedness (the “ Repurchased Indebtedness ”) and will be obligated to repurchase such Indebtedness for payment in full, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, after the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions of such tender offer, and in connection therewith issues Indebtedness in the form of debt securities (the “ New Indebtedness ”) the proceeds of which are to be used to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness within 30 days of issuance of such New Indebtedness (the “ Period ”), then to the extent, and solely so long as, the Company or any Subsidiary either holds the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in escrow pursuant to customary arrangements, or otherwise sets aside the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in Dollars to fund such repurchase of Repurchased Indebtedness, then the amount of such New Indebtedness shall be deemed for the purpose of this definition to be reduced by the amount of the proceeds thereof that are so held in escrow or set aside (solely to the extent and for so long as so held or set aside, and not for the avoidance of doubt to the extent applied to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness or applied for any other purpose other than the repayment of the New Indebtedness); provided further that upon the end of the Period, the deemed reduction of the New Indebtedness described above shall no longer apply.

Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement, the borrowing of Loans hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof.

Type ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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USA PATRIOT Act ” means Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into Law October 26, 2001).

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 2.14(e)(ii)(B)(3) .

Withholding Agent ” means the Company or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) and Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”).

Section 1.03. Terms Generally . 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 (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

Section 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in

 

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accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

Section 1.05. Pro Forma Calculations . For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue for any period, if during such period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a material acquisition or material disposition (with materiality calculated in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), each of Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue shall be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) thereto as if such material acquisition or disposition occurred on the first day of such period.

ARTICLE II

T HE C REDITS

Section 2.01. Commitments . Subject to Section 2.06, and subject to and upon the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Lender severally agrees to make a Loan to the Company in Dollars on the Closing Date up to an aggregate principal amount not exceeding an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment. Subject to the foregoing, such Loan shall consist of Loans of the same Type with the same Interest Period from each Lender. Loans borrowed under this Section 2.01 and paid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. The Commitment of each Lender to lend to the Company shall automatically expire on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.01 on such date (but, with respect to each Lender, only to the extent that such Lender fulfills its obligation, if any, to make such Loans on such date).

Section 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section 2.11, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Company may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise

 

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of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Company to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and shall not be inconsistent with the duty of such Lender under Section 2.16(a) to minimize amounts payable by the Company under Section 2.12 or 2.14 .

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of fifteen (15) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

Section 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . To request a Borrowing, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by a written Borrowing Request (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such written Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and substantially in the form of Exhibit D or another form 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 and signed by a Financial Officer of the Company. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(iv) [Reserved],

(v) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

(vi) the location and number of the Company’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

 

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If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.04. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Company by crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account designated by the Company in the applicable Borrowing Request by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any 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 paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Company 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 Company severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Company, but excluding the date of payment, to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing or (ii) in the case of the Company, the interest rate applicable to such Loan. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

Section 2.05. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Company may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Company may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

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(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by written Interest Election Request by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Company were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and substantially in the form of Exhibit E , or another form 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 and signed by a Financial Officer of the Company.

(c) Each written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Company fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

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Section 2.06. Termination of Commitments; Reductions of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Closing Date (after giving effect to any Borrowing on such date). In addition, unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall automatically terminate in the event that the Closing Date does not occur on or before the earlier of (i) the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms and (ii) 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the End Date (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) which, for the avoidance of doubt, cannot be later than September 21, 2017.

(b) The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000.

(c) The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of any termination or reduction the Commitments under paragraph (a) and (b)  of this Section on the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

(d) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Commitments shall be permanently reduced by an amount equal to:

(i) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries from any Asset Sale (such Net Cash Proceeds, “ Asset Sale Proceeds ”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that to the extent that (x) Net Cash Proceeds and Asset Sale Proceeds shall not include any amounts that are reinvested within nine months following the receipt thereof (other than Net Cash Proceeds and Asset Sale Proceeds received by the Company and its Subsidiaries due to a divestiture required by a Governmental Authority in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition) and (y) any such Asset Sale Proceeds are received and held by a foreign Subsidiary and repatriation thereof is prohibited or limited by applicable foreign law or other valid legal restriction, or the repatriation thereof would result in material adverse tax consequence to the Company and its Subsidiaries, any reduction in the Commitment as a result of the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds shall not be required if and so long as such prohibition or limitation exists or such material adverse tax consequences would continue to result;

 

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(ii) 100% of the committed amount of any term loan credit facility entered into for the primary purpose of financing the Transactions (such reduction to occur automatically upon the effectiveness of definitive documentation for such term loan credit facility and receipt by the Administrative Agent of a written notice from the Company that such term loan credit facility constitutes a Qualifying Bank Financing); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Term Loan Credit Agreement shall not reduce the Commitments hereunder;

(iii) without duplication of clause (ii) above, 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from any incurrence of Indebtedness for borrowed money, other than any of the following: (i) any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement (including any renewals, extensions, refinancings or replacements thereof), in an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate committed amount thereof as of March 19, 2016, (iii) any Indebtedness of the Company incurred under the Existing Citicorp USA Facilities and any additional credit facility similar to the Existing Citicorp USA Facilities whether with the same or new lenders, (iv) any commercial paper issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (v) any other working capital, letter of credit, overdraft facility, factoring arrangements, hedging and cash management or Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (vi) foreign Subsidiary financings through local facilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and (vii) any Indebtedness in the form of debt securities issued by the Company or its Subsidiaries (a) in exchange for Indebtedness in the form of debt securities of the Acquired Business outstanding on March 19, 2016 or (b) the net proceeds of which are applied to refinance Indebtedness in the form of debt securities of the Acquired Business outstanding on March 19, 2016 that are repurchased as a result of the occurrence of a “Change of Control Repurchase Event” in connection with the Acquisition (any such incurrence Indebtedness, “ Specified Debt Incurrence ”); and

(iv) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by the Company from any issuance of Equity Interests or equity-linked securities (in a public offering or private placement) by the Company, other than Equity Interests or equity-linked securities issued in connection with employee stock option plans, employee stock ownership or purchase plans or similar equity-based compensation plans (any such issuance, an “ Equity Issuance ”).

The Company shall give the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any mandatory Commitment reduction under this Section 2.06(d) , which notice shall be accompanied by a reasonably detailed calculations of the applicable Net Cash Proceeds.

 

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Section 2.07. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Company to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the Commitments, the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Company to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein absent manifest error; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Company to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G . Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04 ) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.08. Prepayment of Loans .

(a) Optional . (i) The Company shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with clause (ii) of this paragraph (a) (for the avoidance of doubt, subject to Section 2.13 in the case of Eurocurrency Loans).

(ii) The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment and (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such

 

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notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of a specified event and such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02 . Subject to Sections 2.17 and 2.18 , each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.10.

(b) Mandatory . (i) Within three (3) Business Days of the Company’s receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds on or after the Closing Date, the Company shall prepay the Loans in an aggregate amount equal to:

(A) 100% of any Asset Sale Proceeds; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that to the extent that (x) Net Cash Proceeds and Asset Sale Proceeds shall not include any amounts that are reinvested within nine months following the receipt thereof (other than Net Cash Proceeds and Asset Sale Proceeds received by the Company and its Subsidiaries due to a divestiture required by a Governmental Authority in connection with the consummation of the Acquisition) and (y) any such Asset Sale Proceeds are received and held by a foreign Subsidiary and repatriation thereof is prohibited or limited by applicable foreign law or other valid legal restriction, or the repatriation thereof would result in material adverse tax consequence to the Company and its Subsidiaries, any prepayment of the Loans as a result of the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds shall not be required if and so long as such prohibition or limitation exists or such material adverse tax consequences would continue to result;

(B) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from any Specified Debt Incurrence, other than any Qualified Bank Financing or any Specified Debt Incurrence that reduced the Commitments hereunder pursuant to Section 2.06(d) ; and

(C) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds actually received by the Company from any Equity Issuance.

(ii) Each prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.08(b) shall be made together with any interest accrued to the date of such prepayment on the principal amounts prepaid and, in the case of any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Borrowing on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period or at its maturity, any additional amounts which the Company shall be obligated to reimburse to the Lenders in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.14 .

 

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(iii) The Company shall promptly (and no later than the date of receipt thereof) notify the Administrative Agent of the receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries’ receipt of Net Cash Proceeds subject to this Section 2.08(b) , and such notice shall be accompanied by a reasonably detailed calculations of the applicable Net Cash Proceeds.

Section 2.09. Fees .

(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the unused Commitment of such Lender, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.12 , during the period from and including the later of (x) the Effective Date and (y) May 18, 2016 to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on any date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(b) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent ratably for the account of each Lender a funding fee in an amount equal to 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans made on the Closing Date, which fee shall be due and payable on the Closing Date.

(c) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a duration fee in an amount equal to (i) 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, due and payable on such 90th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day); (ii) 0.75% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, due and payable on such 180th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), and (iii) 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding on the date which is two hundred seventy (270) days after the Closing Date, due and payable on such 270th day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

(d) Without duplication of the foregoing, the Company agrees to pay to the Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent for their own accounts (and, where applicable, the accounts of the Lenders) fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon in writing between the Company, the Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Fee Letter).

(e) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, in the case of commitment fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances absent error in the calculation or payment thereof.

 

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Section 2.10. Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate for the Interest Period in effect for the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Company hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days, except that interest computed by reference to clause (a) of the definition of the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days (three hundred sixty-six (366) days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate and the Eurocurrency Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.11. Alternate Rate of Interest . If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) (i) the Administrative Agent determines that deposits are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed ABR Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) above) (the “ Impacted Loans ”), or (b) the Administrative Agent or the affected Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of

 

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funding such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Alternate Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the affected Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in this section, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Company and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the affected Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Company 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 applicable 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 Company written notice thereof.

Section 2.12. Increased Costs . Subject to Section 2.16 ,

(a) if any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement contemplated by Section 2.12(f) );

(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, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense, affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender;

 

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and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender in an amount that such Lender deems to be material of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), other than any increase in costs resulting from (i) Excluded Taxes or (ii) Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes to which Section 2.14 is applicable, then the Company will pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments hereunder or the Loans made by or held by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Company will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and explaining in reasonable detail the method by which such amount or amounts shall have been determined, shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered unless the Lender gives notice to the Company to compensate such Lender pursuant to this Section within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date such Lender knows an event has occurred pursuant to which such Lender will seek such compensation.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a Lender shall not be entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section if it is not at the time the general policy or practice of the Lender to demand compensation in similar circumstances in similar credit agreements.

 

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(f) The Company shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency 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), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company 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 or costs shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.

Section 2.13. Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.08(b) or an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.08(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.16 , then, in any such event, the Company shall compensate each Lender for the actual loss, cost and expense attributable to such event (other than lost profits). In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurocurrency Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section and explaining in reasonable detail the method by which such amount or amounts shall have been determined shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

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Section 2.14. 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 a 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 an applicable Withholding Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then such Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (e) below.

(ii) Without limiting Section 2.14(a)(i) , if a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to paragraph (e)  below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by a 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 2.14 ) 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 Withholding Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Withholding 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 paragraph (e) below, (B) such Withholding 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 a 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 2.14 ) 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 Company . Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Company 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.

 

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(c) Tax Indemnifications .

(i) Each Loan Party shall 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 2.14 ) 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 a Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 2.14(c)(ii) below; provided that no Loan Party shall be required to indemnify the Administrative Agent for any amount attributable to the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(ii) Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Loan Parties have 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 9.04(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 that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Loan Parties 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 hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender 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 a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.14 , such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt

 

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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 Company and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Company 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 Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company 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 2.14(e)(ii)(A) , 2.14(e)(ii)(B) and 2.14(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,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company 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-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN,

 

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as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (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 Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 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 Company 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-8BEN-E (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-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or Exhibit C-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Company 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 Effective Date.

(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.14 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company 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 have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Company or with respect to which the Company has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14 , it shall pay to the Company an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Company under this Section 2.14 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 Company, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Company (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 Company 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

 

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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 the Company or any other Person.

(g) [ Reserved ].

(h) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.14 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Loans other obligations under any Loan Document.

Section 2.15. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Company 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 12:00 noon, New York City time on the date specified herein. The Company shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.12 , 2.13 or 2.14 , or otherwise) without set-off or counterclaim. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon, New York City time, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent’s Office except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12 , 2.13 , 2.14 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with

 

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the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Company 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) or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Company consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Company rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Company prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Company will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Company has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Company has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b) or 2.15(d) , then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.16. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12 , or requires the Company to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.14 , as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

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(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12 , (ii) the Company is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 , (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or (iv) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or consent, the consent of the Required Lenders has been obtained but the consent of a Lender whose consent is required shall not have been obtained, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04 ), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (y) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (z) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.14 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

Section 2.17. 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 Amendment . The Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02 .

(ii) [Reserved]

(iii) Certain Fees . The Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.09(a) for any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Company shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Company and the Administrative Agent, agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be 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

 

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conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase 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 to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages, whereupon that 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 Company while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided , further , that , except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date:

Section 3.01. Organization; Powers . Each Loan Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . The execution, delivery and performance (including the borrowing of the Loans hereunder) of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law.

Section 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance (including the borrowing of the Loans hereunder) of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not violate (i) any applicable Law or regulation or (ii) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Loan Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not result in a material violation of or default under any indenture or other material agreement or instrument binding upon such Loan Party or any of the Subsidiaries or their assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any material Liens on any material assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of consolidated income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, reported on by the independent registered public accounting firm. Such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed since December 31, 2015 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the Effective Date, since December 31, 2015, there has been no Material Adverse Effect and there has been no event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.05. Properties.

(a) Each Loan Party and each Material Subsidiary has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real and personal property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title or interests as would not, individually or in aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, except where the failure so to own, or so to be licensed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and to the knowledge of any Financial Officer of the Company, the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed prior to the date hereof under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Financial Officer of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) that would reasonably be expected to be adversely determined and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Loan Documents.

(b) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed prior to the date hereof under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and except with respect to any other

 

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matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither any Loan Party nor any of its Material Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any applicable Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any applicable Environmental Law, (ii) has incurred costs for any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

Section 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each Loan Party and each Material Subsidiary is in compliance with all Laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings or except where the failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Material Subsidiaries is in default with respect to any of its material obligations under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its property which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.08. Federal Reserve Regulations .

(a) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

(b) No part of the proceeds of the Loans has been or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including, without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation X thereof. Not more than 25% of the assets subject to the restrictions of Section 6.01 , valued in accordance with Regulation U, will at any time consist of Margin Stock.

Section 3.09. Investment Company Status . Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Section 3.10. Taxes . The Company and each Subsidiary have timely filed or caused to be filed or received an extension of the time to file all tax returns and reports required to have been filed and have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by them, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves to the extent required to do so in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.11. ERISA . No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.12. Disclosure . No written reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished or to be furnished by a Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered or to be delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) by a Loan Party contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to any projected financial information or forward looking statements, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time prepared.

Section 3.13. OFAC . Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company and its 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 and Blocked Persons, Her Majesty’s Treasury Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets or 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.

Section 3.14. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in material 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 applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries (such laws, collectively, “ Anti-Corruption Laws ”) and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures, in the Company’s reasonable business judgment, designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

Section 3.15. Solvency . On the Closing Date and immediately after giving effect to the Acquisition and the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

Section 3.16. Use of Proceeds . The Company will not, directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly, use any part of the proceeds of any Loan in violation of Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable Sanctions or the USA PATRIOT Act.

ARTICLE IV

C ONDITIONS

Section 4.01. Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party and a promissory note from the Company payable to each Lender requesting a promissory note at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case to the extent requested in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Company, confirming (i) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (other than those set forth in Sections 3.15 and 3.16 ) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date (except to the extent such representation and warranty relates to an earlier date) and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the Effective Date.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing (or equivalent) of each Loan Party party hereto on the Effective Date, the authorization of the Loan Documents and any other legal matters relating to each Loan Party and the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of counsel to the Loan Parties (which may include opinions of in-house counsel to the Loan Parties) relating to the Loan Documents and each Loan Party party to the Loan Documents on the Effective Date, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable hereunder and under the Fee Letter on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, and reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder and under the Fee Letter.

(g) The Lead Arranger shall have received a notice from the Company that the Term Loan Credit Agreement constitutes a “Qualifying Bank Facility” for the purposes of the Bridge Commitment Letter.

Section 4.02. Closing Date . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The Effective Date shall have occurred.

 

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(b) The Acquisition shall have been consummated simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously or concurrently) with the funding of the Loans in all material respects in accordance with the terms described in the Acquisition Agreement. The Acquisition Agreement shall not have been amended or modified, and no condition shall have been waived or consent granted by the Company, in any respect that is materially adverse to the Lead Arranger or the Lenders without the Lead Arranger’s prior written consent (it being understood and agreed that any amendment or modification that results in (x) any increase in the cash portion of the per share consideration for the Acquisition to an amount more than 10% above (1) if no Triggering Event (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) has occurred, the Baseline Per Share Price (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) or (2) if and only if a Triggering Event occurs, the Adjusted Per Share Price (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) (in each case, only to the extent such increase is not funded through the issuance of Equity Interests of the Company), (y) any decrease in per share consideration for the Acquisition to an amount more than 10% below (1) if no Triggering Event has occurred, the Baseline Per Share Price or (2) if and only if a Triggering Event occurs, the Adjusted Per Share Price or (z) any decrease in consideration for the Acquisition of less than 10% that is not applied to reduce the Commitments hereunder on a dollar-for-dollar basis, in each case other than any pricing adjustments expressly contemplated under the Acquisition Agreement, shall, in each case, require the Lead Arranger’s prior written consent).

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) U.S. GAAP audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and the Acquired Business for the three most recently completed fiscal years ended at least sixty (60) days prior to the Closing Date (the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger acknowledges receipt of such audited financial statements for the Company and the Acquired Business for the fiscals years ended 2013, 2014 and 2015), (ii) U.S. GAAP unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and the Acquired Business for each fiscal quarter (other than the fourth fiscal quarter in any fiscal year) ended after the close of its most recent fiscal year and at least forty (40) days prior to the Closing Date (with respect to which independent auditors shall have performed a SAS 100 review), and (iii) pro forma financial information, that as of the date furnished to the Lead Arranger, were (x) prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (y) in customary form for inclusion in a preliminary offering document suitable for use in a customary “road show” for debt securities. For each of clause (i) and (ii) above, the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have received such financial statements of the Company and the Acquired Business upon the filing of such financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company or the Acquired Business, as the case may be, of any applicable Forms 10-Q, Forms 10-K or Forms 8-K.

(d) Since January 29, 2016, there shall not have been any fact, change, effect, event, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an Acquired Business Material Adverse Effect, except (i)

 

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as disclosed in any SEC Document (as used in this paragraph (d), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) of the Acquired Business publicly filed with or publicly furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission from and after November 1, 2014 and prior to March 19, 2016 (excluding any disclosures set forth in any “risk factors,” “forward-looking statements” or “market risk” sections or other forward-looking disclosures that are not specific or are cautionary or predictive in nature) or (ii) as disclosed in the disclosure schedule (the “ Company Disclosure Schedule ”) delivered by the Acquired Business to the Company concurrently with the execution of the Acquisition Agreement (provided that disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any other section or subsection to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such section or subsection to such other section or subsection is reasonably apparent).

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable hereunder and under the Fee Letter on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, and reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder and under the Fee Letter.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received delivery of all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case to the extent requested in writing at least ten business days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F .

(h) Each of the Acquisition Agreement Representations shall be true and correct, and each of the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (except Specified Representations that are qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects), in each case on the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representations and warranties relates to an earlier date or period, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date or period).

(i) After giving effect to the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date, no Event of Default described in paragraph (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII shall have occurred and be continuing.

(j) All amounts due or outstanding in respect of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2013, among the Acquired Business, the borrowing subsidiaries party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and an issuing bank, and the

 

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other agents from time to time party thereto (as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) shall have been (or substantially simultaneously with the funding of the Loans shall be) paid in full, all commitments (if any) in respect thereof terminated and all guarantees (if any) thereof and security (if any) therefor discharged and released.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Company.

(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Company confirming the satisfaction of the conditions precedent in paragraphs (b), (d), (h) and (i) of this Section 4.02 .

Section 4.03. Availability . During the period from and including the Effective Date to and including the Closing Date, and notwithstanding (i) that any representation made on the Effective Date was incorrect, (ii) any failure by the Loan Parties to comply with the affirmative covenants, negative covenants and financial covenants or the existence of any Event of Default (subject to the second proviso below), (iii) any provision to the contrary herein, in any other Loan Document or otherwise or (iv) that any condition to the occurrence of the Effective Date may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be entitled to (1) cancel any of its commitments under this Agreement, (2) rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or any other Loan Document or exercise any right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under the Loan Documents, related promissory notes, the Fee Letter or otherwise it may have to the extent to do so would prevent, limit or delay the making of its Loans thereunder, (3) refuse to participate in making its Loan when required to do so under this Agreement or (4) exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim in respect of its Loans thereunder to the extent to do so would prevent, limit or delay the making of its such Loan; provided that, in each case, the applicable conditions precedent to the making of such Loans set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied; provided , further , that with respect to clauses (1) through (4) above, the foregoing shall not apply if an Event of Default under paragraphs (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) the rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall not be limited in the event that any such condition to the closing set forth in Section 4.02 is not satisfied on the Closing Date and (b) from the Closing Date after giving effect to the funding on such date, all of the rights, remedies and entitlements of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be available notwithstanding that such rights were not available prior to such time as a result of the foregoing.

ARTICLE V

A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Loan Parties covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

 

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Section 5.01. Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information . The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of consolidated income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by the independent registered public accounting firm (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP;

(b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnotes;

(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, and (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.03;

(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or any substitute or successor forms) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(e) promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change;

(f) promptly following a request therefor, all documentation and other information that any Lender reasonably requests as necessary in order for it to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act; and

(g) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of each Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

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Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section may also be delivered by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) , Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Company posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Company’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.01 ; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Company’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 Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Company hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, 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 Company 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 Company hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Company shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Company 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 9.12 ); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”

 

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and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated as “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

Section 5.02. Notices of Material Events . The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender written notice of the following promptly after any Financial Officer becomes aware thereof:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to be adversely determined and, if adversely determined, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger or consolidation of the Company permitted under Section 6.02 or any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary that is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

Section 5.04. Payment of Obligations . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including tax liabilities, that, if not paid, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Loan Parties or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto to the extent required to do so in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary

 

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wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance or maintain a self-insurance program in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size and financial strength engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (including without limitation by the maintenance of adequate self-insurance reserves to the extent customary among such companies).

Section 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s or Lender’s own expense if an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

Section 5.07. Compliance with Laws . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, comply with all Laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually and in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans will be used to finance, in part, cash consideration for the Acquisition, the repayment of certain Indebtedness of the Acquired Business and the payment of fees and expenses in connection therewith.

Section 5.09. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, conduct its businesses in material 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 applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries and maintain policies and procedures, in the Company’s reasonable business judgment, designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

Section 5.10. Additional Guarantors . If any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) is a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, the Company shall, within twenty (20) Business Days (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent) after the occurrence thereof, cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder by (i) executing and delivering a Joinder Agreement to the Administrative Agent and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, causing counsel to such Subsidiary (which may include certain opinions of in-house counsel to such Subsidiary) to deliver a customary legal opinion relating thereto addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (it being agreed that the form of opinions delivered on the Effective Date are customary).

 

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ARTICLE VI

N EGATIVE C OVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, the Loan Parties covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

Section 6.01. Liens . The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a) any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien as of the date hereof;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien as of such date;

(d) any Lien on real property or fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien; provided that (i) such Lien and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within one year after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby is incurred to pay, and does not exceed, the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(e) any Lien on property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

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(f) Securitization Transactions (and Liens deemed to exist in connection therewith) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $300,000,000;

(g) Liens arising from any synthetic lease transaction pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a lessee;

(h) Liens on or pledges of cash or cash equivalents securing the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary under or in connection with any Hedging Agreement, so long as the aggregate amount of all cash or cash equivalents subject to such Liens or pledges does not exceed $25,000,000 at any time;

(i) Liens created, assumed or existing in connection with financings the interest payable in respect of which is exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 103 of the Code or any successor provision;

(j) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing paragraphs, provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any additional assets unless such additional Liens are otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section, and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased (it being agreed that any such refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness incurred under a basket expressed as a dollar amount in any of the foregoing paragraphs of this Section will be applied against and reduce the amount available under such basket);

(k) the interests of lessors under operating leases and non-exclusive licensors under license agreements;

(l) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business;

(m) rights of setoff, bankers’ liens and other similar Liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of Law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(o) leases or subleases of properties, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business so long as such leases or subleases do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) materially impair the use or the value of the property subject thereto;

(p) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the past business practices of such Person, and any products or proceeds thereof to the extent covered by such Liens; and

(q) in addition to the Liens permitted pursuant to any of the foregoing subsections, other Liens securing obligations in an amount not greater than 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any time.

 

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Section 6.02. Fundamental Changes . The Company will not merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and including by means of any merger or sale of capital stock or otherwise) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Person may merge with or into or consolidate with the Company if (i) the Company is the surviving Person and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction no Default shall exist.

Section 6.03. Leverage Ratio . After the Closing Date, the Company will not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time to exceed 5.25 to 1.00.

Section 6.04. Sanctions . The Company shall not directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly, use the proceeds of any Borrowing, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

Section 6.05. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company shall not directly, or, to its knowledge, indirectly use the proceeds of any Borrowing for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE VII

E VENTS OF D EFAULT

If any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) the Company shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) the Company shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

 

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(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02 or 5.03 (but only with respect to such Loan Party’s existence) or in Article VI;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Company;

(f) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (subject to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs and, while continuing, results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (subject to any applicable grace period) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or to Capital Lease Obligations that terminate as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of or a casualty or condemnation affecting the property or assets subject thereto;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar Law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar Law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this

 

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Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75,000,000 and not covered by insurance shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded pending appeal, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon material assets of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75,000,000 and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded pending appeal;

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) a Change in Control shall have occurred; or

(n) except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.15 , the guarantee of any Guarantor under Article X shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Company;

then, and in each case subject to Section 4.03 , and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Company, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Company accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company; and in case of any event with respect to any Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all

 

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fees and other obligations of the Company accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company.

ARTICLE VIII

T HE A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT

Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to act on its behalf as its agent 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, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except with respect to the consent rights of the Company relating to a successor agent as set forth below, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Loan Parties shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

The bank 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 such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Company or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity,

 

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enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) 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.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent 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 be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the 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.

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers 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 its duties and exercise its rights and powers 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 may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Company. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), a successor agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly until such time as the Required Lenders appoint, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), a successor Administrative Agent hereunder. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor,

 

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such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Company to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

Each Lender acknowledges that 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 Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender 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 related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

It is agreed that the Lead Arranger shall, in its capacity as such, have no duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01. Notices .

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (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 telecopy or other electronic communication, 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 a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopy number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 9.01; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number, electronic address or telephone number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (a copy of each of which the Administrative Agent shall provide to the Company).

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

 

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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 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 pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Company may each, in their respective 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 Company, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Company’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 except those resulting from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Agent Party.

 

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(d) Change of Address, Etc . The Company and the Administrative Agent 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 Company and the Administrative Agent. 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 Company or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities Laws.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely in good faith and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company 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 Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, reasonable expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company, except to the extent arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, Lender or Related 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.

Section 9.02. Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Loan Parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Loan Parties and the Required Lenders or by the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon (other than with respect to default interest), or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.15(b) or (c), or any other provision of this Agreement, in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) release the Company from its obligations hereunder without the written consent of each Lender; (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender or (vii) except as permitted by Section 9.15 , release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranties made by the Guarantors, without the written consent of each Lender; provided, however, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, and provided, further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties 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 in any material respect and (ii) the Lenders shall have received at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) 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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Section 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (including without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (in addition to one separate firm of local attorneys in each relevant jurisdiction and reasonably necessary specialty counsel (such as tax and regulatory)) and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the affected party in each appropriate jurisdiction), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (in addition to one separate firm of local attorneys in each relevant jurisdiction and reasonably necessary specialty counsel (such as tax and regulatory)) and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the affected party in each appropriate jurisdiction), related to the enforcement or protection of its rights under this Agreement in connection with any actual or reasonably anticipated Default.

(b) The Loan Parties will indemnify and hold harmless the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each of their respective affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses and liabilities that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding or the preparation of a defense in connection therewith), in each case, arising out of or in connection with or by reason of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, except (a) to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, (b) to the extent resulting from any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (any of the foregoing, a “ Proceeding ”) that does not involve an act or omission of a Loan Party or any of its Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnified Party solely against another Indemnified Party, other than claims against the Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent, in each case in its capacity as such or (c) to the extent arising from a material breach by such Indemnified Party of its obligations hereunder as found by a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this paragraph applies, such indemnity will be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Company, the Acquired Business, any of their respective directors, security holders or creditors, an Indemnified Party or any other person or an Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the transactions (including the Transactions) contemplated hereby are consummated. No Loan Party shall be liable for any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided , however , that the

 

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foregoing indemnity will apply to any such settlement in the event that such Loan Party was offered the ability to assume the defense of the action that was the subject matter of such settlement and elected not to assume such defense; provided , further , that if a Proceeding is settled with a Loan Party’s prior written consent or if there is a final judgment in any such Proceeding, such Loan Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party to the extent and in the manner set forth above. No Loan Party shall, without the prior written consent of any Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such Indemnified Party is a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability or claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability, or a failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party.

(c) To the extent that the Loan Parties fail to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided 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, in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against any other party, 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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that nothing in this clause (d) shall relieve a Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnified Party against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnified Party by a third party.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor accompanied by the appropriate invoice or other detail supporting such amounts.

Section 9.04. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Loan Parties may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Loan Parties without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, Indemnified Persons, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby,

 

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Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A) the Company; provided that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment (i) to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below) or (ii) after the Closing Date, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to an Eligible Assignee; provided, further, that after the Closing Date, the consent of the Company shall be deemed to have been provided if the Company shall not have responded to a written request therefor within ten Business Days; and

(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below).

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 or, if smaller, the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment, unless the Company and the Administrative Agent shall otherwise consent, provided that in the event of concurrent assignments to two or more assignees that are Affiliates of one another, or to two (2) or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor or by affiliated investment advisors, all such concurrent assignments shall be aggregated in determining compliance with this subsection;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that in the event of

 

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concurrent assignments to two or more assignees that are Affiliates of one another, or to two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor or by affiliated investment advisors, only one such fee shall be payable; and provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such fee in the case of any assignment;

(D) no assignment shall be made (i) to the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (ii) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii), (iii) to a natural person or (iv) to a Disqualified Institution; and

(E) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire (a copy of which shall promptly be provided to the Company).

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:

Approved 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, bonds and similar extensions of credit, in the ordinary course of its activities 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.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto 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 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations to the extent made in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section or if not made in the compliance therewith, such assignment or transfer shall be null and void.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and

 

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addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) 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 Company 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 or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all 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.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without notice to or the consent of the Company or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (other than a natural person, a Disqualified Institution, a Defaulting Lender or the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its

 

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Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and 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, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to clause (c)(ii) of this Section, the Loan Parties agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.14(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.14(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.14(e) as though it were a Lender.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.14 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Company’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to comply with Section 2.14(e) 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 Company, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) 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 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 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 such) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(d) Any Lender, without notice to or the consent of the Loan Parties or the Administrative Agent, may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Assumption, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its Commitments and the outstanding balances of its Loans, in each case without giving effect to assignments thereof that have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Assumption; (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of any of the foregoing, or the financial condition of the Loan Parties or the performance or observance by the Loan Parties of any of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iii) each of the assignee and the assignor represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of any amendments or consents entered into prior to the date of such Assignment and Assumption and copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (v) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as an agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to it by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations that by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; (viii) such assignee is an Eligible Assignee; and (ix) such assignee has, or concurrently with the assignment, has delivered the tax forms required by Section 2.14(e).

Section 9.05. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery

 

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of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent 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 which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 9.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.07 , 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 then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

Section 9.08. Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Loan Parties against any of and all the obligations of the Loan Parties now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured; provided , that , in the event that any Defaulting Lender

 

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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 2.17 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have. Any Lender of Affiliate of such Lender exercising any of its rights pursuant to this Section shall provide notice of the same to the Company promptly after exercising the same; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff.

Section 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SHALL APPLY IN DETERMINING (I) THE INTERPRETATION OF AN “ACQUIRED BUSINESS MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT” AND WHETHER AN ACQUIRED BUSINESS MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT HAS OCCURRED, (II) THE ACCURACY OF ANY ACQUISITION AGREEMENT REPRESENTATION AND WHETHER AS A RESULT OF ANY INACCURACY THEREOF THE COMPANY OR ITS APPLICABLE AFFILIATE HAS THE RIGHT OR WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE ITS OBLIGATIONS (OR TO REFUSE TO CONSUMMATE THE ACQUISITION) UNDER THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT AND (III) WHETHER THE ACQUISITION HAS BEEN CONSUMMATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT.

(b) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by Law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Loan Parties or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

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(c) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement 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 Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

Section 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY 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 THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 9.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.12. Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential) on a “need to know” basis solely in connection with the Transactions, (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided, however, that, to the extent legally permitted, the Company is promptly notified in order that it may seek a protective order or take other appropriate action, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) to the extent reasonably required or reasonably deemed advisable in connection with

 

77


the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to the acknowledgment and acceptance that such information is being disseminated on a confidential basis (such 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 or obligations under this Agreement (in each case, other than a Disqualified Institution) or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to a Loan Party and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Loan Parties, (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company or (h) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company 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. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Loan Parties relating to the Loan Parties or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Loan Party; provided that, in the case of information received from the Loan Parties after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified as confidential at the time of delivery or delivered under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe such information to be 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.

Section 9.13. Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable Law (collectively the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable Law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT 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 to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. The

 

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Loan Parties shall, promptly following a reasonable and customary request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 9.15. Release of Guarantors . If at any time (a) all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any Guarantor are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a Person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries or (b) a Guarantor ceases to be (or substantially simultaneously with its release as a Guarantor hereunder will cease to be) a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, then in each case such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its Guaranty in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and thereafter such Person shall no longer constitute a Guarantor under the Loan Documents. At the request of the Company, the Administrative Agent shall, at the Company’s expense, execute such documents as are necessary to acknowledge any such release in accordance with this Section 9.15 .

Section 9.16. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship . 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 Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (a)(i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger, on the other hand, (ii) each Loan Party has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) each Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b)(i) the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arranger are and have been acting solely as principals and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, have not been, are not and will not be acting as advisors, agents or fiduciaries, for the Loan Parties and (ii) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lead Arranger has any obligation to the Loan Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent, and the Lead Arranger 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 neither the Administrative Agent nor the Lead Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Loan Parties. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Loan Parties hereby waive and release any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or the Lead Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 9.17. Entire Agreement . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG 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 AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

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Section 9.18. 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 and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Borrowing Requests, 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 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.

Section 9.19. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

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ARTICLE X

G UARANTY OF THE G UARANTORS

Section 10.01. Guaranty . Each Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of all Indebtedness of the Company hereunder to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in any form, including any and all credit extended and any other obligations owing by the Company to the Lenders in connection with the Loans at any time outstanding during the term of this Agreement, plus interest, fees, reimbursement obligations, indemnity obligations and other amounts owed by the Company to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder (collectively, the “ Guaranteed 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. Each Guarantor hereby further agrees that if any of the Guaranteed 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), such Guarantor will 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 Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations, the obligations of the Guarantors 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.

Section 10.02. Obligations Unconditional .

(a) The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 10.01 are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Guaranteed Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed 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 it shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Company for amounts paid under this Article X until such time as the Guaranteed 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 the Guarantors hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

 

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

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

(d) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; or

(e) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including for the benefit of any creditor of such Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including any creditor of such 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 Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 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 Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and the each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each other holder of the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed 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, except those arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or a holder of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 10.04. Certain Additional Waivers . Each Guarantor agrees that it shall have no right of recourse to security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except through the

 

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exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 10.02 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 10.06 . The Company hereby irrevocably waives the defense of any law or regulation of any jurisdiction, or any other event affecting any term of a Guaranteed Obligation.

Section 10.05. Remedies . Each Guarantor agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Guaranteed Obligations, on the other hand, the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for purposes of Section 10.01 .

Section 10.06. Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee . The guaranty in this Article X is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guaranty, and shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.

Section 10.07. Limitation on Liability . Each Guarantor shall be liable under this Article X only for amounts aggregating up to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provision of any other applicable law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey J. Miklich

  Name: Jeffrey J. Miklich
  Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Bridge Credit Agreement]


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:     CITIBANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Vondriska

      Name: Michael Vondriska
      Title:   Vice President
LENDERS:     CITIBANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Michael Vondriska

      Name: Michael Vondriska
      Title:   Vice President
    WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    By:  

/s/ Daniel R. Van Aken

      Name: Daniel R. Van Aken
      Title:   Director
    MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Subhalakshmi Ghosh-Kohli

      Name: Subhalakshmi Ghosh-Kohli
      Title:   Authorized Signatory
    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    By:  

/s/ Andrew M. Rutherford

      Name: Andrew M. Rutherford
      Title:   Vice President
    JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
    By:  

/s/ Peter S. Predun

      Name: Peter S. Predun
      Title:   Executive Director

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Bridge Credit Agreement]


HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ David A. Mandell

  Name:   David A. Mandell
  Title:   Managing Director
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Marianne T. Meil

  Name:   Marianne T. Meil
  Title:   Senior Vice President
SUNTRUST BANK
By:  

/s/ Garrett O’Malley

  Name:   Garrett O’Malley
  Title:   Director
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Mark D. Rodgers

  Name:   Mark D. Rodgers
  Title:   Vice President
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By:  

/s/ James F. Disher

  Name:   James F. Disher
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Bridge Credit Agreement]


Schedule 2.01

Commitments

 

Lenders

  

Commitments

    

Applicable
Percentages

 

Citibank, N.A.

   $ 2,190,000,000         30.000000000

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

   $ 1,095,000,000         15.000000000

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

   $ 730,000,000         10.000000000

PNC Bank, National Association

   $ 730,000,000         10.000000000

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 555,000,000         7.602739726

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

   $ 400,000,000         5.479452055

KeyBank National Association

   $ 400,000,000         5.479452055

SunTrust Bank

   $ 400,000,000         5.479452055

U.S. Bank National Association

   $ 400,000,000         5.479452055

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 400,000,000         5.479452055
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 7,300,000,000         100.000000000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Schedule 9.01

Notices

 

Addresses for the Company

  

Addresses for the Administrative Agent

The Sherwin-Williams Company

101 W. Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Attention: Vice President and Treasurer

Telephone: 216-566-2280

Facsimile: 216-566-2984

E-mail: jjmiklich@sherwin.com

Website: www.sherwin-williams.com

 

With copies to :

Attention: Senior Vice President – Finance and Chief

Financial Officer

Telephone: 216-566-2573

Facsimile: 216-566-2974

E-mail: sphennessy@sherwin.com

 

Attention: General Counsel

Telephone: 216-566-3777

Facsimile: 216-566-1708

E-mail: cathy.kilbane@sherwin.com

  

Citibank, N.A.

1615 Brett Road, Building #3, New Castle

Delaware 19720

Attention: Bank Loan Syndications

Telephone: 302-894-6088

Facsimile: 212-994- 0961

Email: GLAgentOfficeOps@citi.com

 

With a copy to :

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Attention: David Jaffe

Telephone: 212-816-4880

Facsimile: 212-723-8721

Email: david.jaffe@citi.com


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

Reference is made to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

1. 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 have the meanings provided in 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.

2. 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 to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, 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.

3. The [Assignee/Assignor] shall pay the fee payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

4. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.

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

Legal Name of Assignor:

[Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]

Legal Name of Assignee:

[Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [ identify Lender ]


Assignee’s Address for Notices:

Effective Date:

Assigned Interest:

 

Commitment

   Principal Amount
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment (set forth,
to at least 9 decimals, as
a percentage of the
facility and the
aggregate Commitments
of all Lenders
thereunder)
    CUSIP Number

$            

   $                            

 

The terms set forth above are hereby agreed to:
                    , as Assignor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
                    , as Assignee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

The undersigned hereby consent to the above assignment 1
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

 

1   To be completed to the extent consents are required under Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.


CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Annex 1 to Assignment and Assumption

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

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, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its 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 all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.04(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.04(b)(ii) 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 5.01 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, (vii) 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 (viii) it is an Eligible 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.

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.


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated [            ], 20[    ], is made by and among [            ] (the “ Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of the Company, and CITIBANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), under that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April [    ], 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

NOW THEREFORE, the Guarantor and the Agents hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Joinder as Guarantor . In accordance with Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement, the Guarantor by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Credit Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor, but in any event subject to the same terms, provisions and limitations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement. The Guarantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor and as a Loan Party. Each reference to a Guarantor or a Loan Party in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to include [    ].

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of the Guarantor . The Guarantor represents and warrants that the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement applicable to is as a Loan Party are true in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent any such representation and warranty (i) expressly relates to an earlier date in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date or (ii) is qualified by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects.

Section 3. Applicability of Credit Agreement Provisions . For the purposes of this Agreement, Section 9.05 (Survival), Section 9.06 (Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness), Section 9.07 (Severability), Section 9.09 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process); Section 9.10 (WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL), Section 9.17 (Entire Agreement) and Section 9.18 (Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents) of the Credit Agreement shall apply to this Agreement, assuming for these purposes that the Guarantor was a “Loan Party” under the Credit Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

[            ], a [            ] corporation, as a Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  


EXHIBIT C-1

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable. 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 C-2

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Date:                  , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT C-3

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, 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 PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Date:                  , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT C-4

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 promissory 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 promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, 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 D

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

Date:             ,         

 

To: [Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing:

 

  1. On                                               (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of                                         .

 

  3. Comprised of                                               .
  [Type of Loan requested]

 

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

 

5.      Account location and number:

 

 

    
 

 

    
 

 

    
 

 

    

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

Date:             ,         

 

To: [Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned Borrower hereby requests a conversion or continuation of the following Loan(s):

 

  1. On                                          (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of                                         .

 

  3. Type of Loan to be converted:                     into the following:                     .

 

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

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

April [●], 2016

This Solvency Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g) the 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Company ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned hereby certifies, solely in his capacity as an officer of the Company and not in his individual capacity, as follows:

1. I am the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. I am familiar with the Transactions, and have reviewed the Credit Agreement, financial statements referred to in Section 4.02(c) of the Credit Agreement and such documents and made such investigation as I have deemed relevant for the purposes of this Solvency Certificate.

2. As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, on and as of such date (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

3. As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, the Company does not intend to, and the Company does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debts or the debts of any such Subsidiary.

This Solvency Certificate is being delivered by the undersigned officer only in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and not individually and the undersigned shall have no personal liability to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solvency Certificate on the date first written above.

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT G

FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE

[Date]

For value received, The Sherwin-Williams Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay to [                    ] (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), Loans having a principal amount of up to [●], made by the Lender to the Company (or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all Loans made by the Lender to the Company) on the Closing Date under that certain 364-Day Bridge Credit Agreement, dated as of April [●], 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among, the Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the Closing Date until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest with respect to the Loans evidenced by this promissory note (this “ Note ”) shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars at the Administrative Agent’s Office in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in the Credit 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 Credit 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, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement. Loans made by the Lender may 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 Company, 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.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


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

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

Exhibit 4.2

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

April 13, 2016

among

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY,

as the Company,

The Other Loan Parties Party Hereto,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

and

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

and PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          P AGE  
ARTICLE I   
Definitions   
Section 1.01.   

Defined Terms

     1   
Section 1.02.   

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     22   
Section 1.03.   

Terms Generally

     22   
Section 1.04.   

Accounting Terms; GAAP

     23   
Section 1.05.   

Pro Forma Calculations

     23   
ARTICLE II   
The Credits   
Section 2.01.   

Commitments

     23   
Section 2.02.   

Loans and Borrowings

     23   
Section 2.03.   

Requests for Borrowings

     24   
Section 2.04.   

Funding of Borrowings

     25   
Section 2.05.   

Interest Elections

     25   
Section 2.06.   

Termination of Commitments; Reductions of Commitments

     27   
Section 2.07.   

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     27   
Section 2.08.   

Prepayment of Loans

     28   
Section 2.09.   

Fees

     29   
Section 2.10.   

Interest

     30   
Section 2.11.   

Alternate Rate of Interest

     30   
Section 2.12.   

Increased Costs

     31   
Section 2.13.   

Break Funding Payments

     33   
Section 2.14.   

Taxes

     34   
Section 2.15.   

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

     39   
Section 2.16.   

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     40   
Section 2.17.   

Defaulting Lenders

     41   
ARTICLE III   
Representations and Warranties   
Section 3.01.   

Organization; Powers

     42   
Section 3.02.   

Authorization; Enforceability

     42   
Section 3.03.   

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     42   
Section 3.04.   

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     42   
Section 3.05.   

Properties

     43   
Section 3.06.   

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     43   
Section 3.07.   

Compliance with Laws and Agreements

     44   
Section 3.08.   

Federal Reserve Regulations

     44   
Section 3.09.   

Investment Company Status

     44   

 

i


Section 3.10.   

Taxes

     44   
Section 3.11.   

ERISA

     44   
Section 3.12.   

Disclosure

     44   
Section 3.13.   

OFAC

     45   
Section 3.14.   

Anti-Corruption Laws

     45   
Section 3.15.   

Solvency

     45   
Section 3.16.   

Use of Proceeds

     45   
ARTICLE IV   
Conditions   
Section 4.01.   

Effective Date

     45   
Section 4.02.   

Closing Date

     46   
Section 4.03.   

Availability

     49   
ARTICLE V   
Affirmative Covenants   
Section 5.01.   

Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information

     49   
Section 5.02.   

Notices of Material Events

     52   
Section 5.03.   

Existence; Conduct of Business

     52   
Section 5.04.   

Payment of Obligations

     52   
Section 5.05.   

Maintenance of Properties; Insurance

     52   
Section 5.06.   

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     53   
Section 5.07.   

Compliance with Laws

     53   
Section 5.08.   

Use of Proceeds

     53   
Section 5.09.   

Anti-Corruption Laws

     53   
Section 5.10.   

Additional Guarantors

     53   
ARTICLE VI   
Negative Covenants   
Section 6.01.   

Liens

     54   
Section 6.02.   

Fundamental Changes

     55   
Section 6.03.   

Leverage Ratio

     56   
Section 6.04.   

Sanctions

     56   
Section 6.05.   

Anti-Corruption Laws

     56   
ARTICLE VII   
Events of Default   
ARTICLE VIII   
The Administrative Agent   

 

ii


ARTICLE IX  
Miscellaneous   
Section 9.01.   

Notices

     61   
Section 9.02.   

Waivers; Amendments

     63   
Section 9.03.   

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     65   
Section 9.04.   

Successors and Assigns

     66   
Section 9.05.   

Survival

     71   
Section 9.06.   

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     72   
Section 9.07.   

Severability

     72   
Section 9.08.   

Right of Setoff

     72   
Section 9.09.   

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     73   
Section 9.10.   

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     74   
Section 9.11.   

Headings

     74   
Section 9.12.   

Confidentiality

     74   
Section 9.13.   

Interest Rate Limitation

     75   
Section 9.14.   

USA PATRIOT Act

     75   
Section 9.15.   

Release of Guarantors

     76   
Section 9.16.   

No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship

     76   
Section 9.17.   

Entire Agreement

     77   
Section 9.18.   

Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents

     77   
Section 9.19.   

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     77   
ARTICLE X   
Guaranty of the Guarantors   
Section 10.01.   

Guaranty

     78   
Section 10.02.   

Obligations Unconditional

     78   
Section 10.03.   

Reinstatement

     79   
Section 10.04.   

Certain Additional Waivers

     80   
Section 10.05.   

Remedies

     80   
Section 10.06.   

Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee

     80   
Section 10.07.   

Limitation on Liability

     80   

SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 2.01    Commitments
Schedule 9.01    Notices

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A    Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B    Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit C(1-4)    Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
Exhibit D    Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit E    Form of Interest Election Request
Exhibit F    Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit G    Form of Promissory Note

 

iii


TERM LOAN CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of April 13, 2016 among THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, the LENDERS party hereto, the other LOAN PARTIES party hereto and CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Company (such term and each other capitalized term used and not otherwise defined herein having the meaning assigned to it in Article I) intends to acquire the Acquired Business pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement. In connection with the Acquisition, the Company has requested the Lenders extend credit to enable it to borrow on the Closing Date a principal amount not in excess of $2,000,000,000. The proceeds of borrowings hereunder are to be used to finance a portion of the cash consideration of the Acquisition and as otherwise permitted by Section 5.08 .

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth.

Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

D EFINITIONS

Section 1.01. Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

ABR ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Acquired Business ” means The Valspar Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Acquired Business Material Adverse Effect ” means, with respect to the Acquired Business, (a) any change, fact, effect, event, occurrence or development that has a material adverse effect on the business, operations or financial condition of the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, excluding, however, the impact of (i) any changes or developments in domestic or any foreign market or domestic, foreign or global economic conditions generally, including (A) any changes or developments in or affecting the domestic or any foreign securities, equity, credit or financial markets or (B) any changes or developments in or affecting domestic or any foreign interest or exchange rates, (ii) changes in GAAP or any official interpretation or enforcement thereof, (iii) changes in Law or any changes or developments in the official interpretation or enforcement thereof by Governmental Entities, (iv) changes in domestic, foreign or global political conditions (including the outbreak or escalation of war, military actions, or acts of terrorism), including any worsening of such conditions threatened or existing on March 19, 2016, (v) changes or developments in the business or regulatory conditions affecting the industries in which the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries operate, (vi) the announcement of the Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby (including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries with


employees, labor unions, financing sources, customers, suppliers or partners), (vii) weather conditions or other acts of God (including storms, earthquakes, tornados, floods or other natural disasters), (viii) the loss of business with customers that are or become major customers of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ix) a decline in the trading price or trading volume of the Acquired Business’ common stock or any change in the ratings or ratings outlook for the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries but not, in any case, the underlying causes thereof, (x) the failure to meet any projections, guidance, budgets, forecasts or estimates, but not, in any case, including the underlying causes thereof, (xi) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Acquired Business or any of its Subsidiaries at the written request of the Company, and (xii) any actions or claims made or brought by any of the current or former stockholders of the Acquired Business (or on their behalf or on behalf of the Acquired Business) against the Acquired Business or any of its directors, officers or employees arising out of the Acquisition Agreement or the Merger; except, with respect to clauses (i) , (ii) , (iii) , (iv) , (v)  and (vii) , to the extent that such impact is disproportionately adverse to the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to others in the industry or industries in which the Acquired Business and its Subsidiaries operate. Terms capitalized in this definition, other than “Acquired Business”, “Acquisition Agreement” and the “Company”, have the meanings assigned to them in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016.

Acquisition ” means the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Acquired Business pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.

Acquisition Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 19, 2016 (as amended, modified, supplement or waived solely in accordance with Section 4.02(a) ), among the Company, Merger Sub and the Acquired Business.

Acquisition Agreement Representations ” means such of the representations made by the Acquired Business in the Acquisition Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Company (or the Company’s Affiliates) has the right to terminate (or not perform or decline to consummate) its obligations under the Acquisition Agreement as a result of an inaccuracy of such representations in the Acquisition Agreement.

Administrative Agent ” means Citibank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder, and its successors in such capacity.

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth in Schedule 9.01 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Company and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied 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.

 

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Agreement ” means this Term Loan Credit Agreement as the same may hereafter be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time.

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for an Interest Period of one month plus 1.00%; provided that, if the Alternate Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for such purposes under this Agreement. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurocurrency Rate, respectively.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.14 .

Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have been terminated or have expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the amounts of the outstanding Loans or, if no Loans are outstanding, based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, in connection with the commitment fees payable hereunder, or in connection with the interest accruing on any Eurocurrency Loan or ABR Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate”, “Eurocurrency Spread” or “ABR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the ratings by S&P and Moody’s, respectively, applicable on such date to the Index Debt.

 

Index Debt Ratings

   Commitment
Fee Rate
    Applicable Rate  
     ABR Spread     Euro-currency
Spread
 

Category 1

A- / A3 or higher

     0.20     0.00     1.00

Category 2

BBB+ / Baa1

     0.20     0.125     1.125

Category 3

BBB / Baa2

     0.20     0.25     1.25

Category 4

BBB- / Baa3

     0.20     0.50     1.50

Category 5

BB+ / Ba1 or

lower or unrated

     0.20     0.75     1.75

For purposes of the foregoing, subject to the last two sentences of this definition, (i) if any of S&P or Moody’s shall not have in effect a rating for the Index Debt (other

 

3


than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last two sentences of this definition), then such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating in Category 5; (ii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by S&P and Moody’s for the Index Debt shall fall within different Categories, then (a) if the applicable ratings differ by one level, the Applicable Rate shall be based on the higher of the applicable ratings and (b) if the applicable ratings differ by more than one level, then the Applicable Rate shall be based on the level that is one level lower than the higher of the applicable ratings and (iii) if the ratings established or deemed to have been established by S&P and Moody’s for the Index Debt shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of S&P and Moody’s), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of one of S&P or Moody’s shall change, or if one of such rating agencies shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Company and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

Approved Fund ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b) .

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

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Borrowing ” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Borrowing Request ” means a request by the Company for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 .

 

4


Bridge Commitment Letter ” means the commitment letter in respect of the unsecured bridge term loan facility described therein, dated as of March 19, 2016 between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

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, New York, New York or the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in respect of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.

Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

Change in Control ” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder), other than an employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company, of Equity Interests representing more than 40% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company or (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any Law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case under this clause (y) pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Charges ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13 .

 

5


Closing Date ” means the date on which the Acquisition is consummated and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Co-Syndication Agents ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and PNC Bank, National Association, in their capacities as co-syndication agents hereunder.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, (a) the commitment of such Lender to make Loans hereunder as set forth on Schedule 2.01 or (b) if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Assumption, the amount set forth for such Lender in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b)(iv), as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06.

Company ” means The Sherwin-Williams Company, an Ohio corporation.

Company Disclosure Schedule ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.02(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 EBITDA ” means, for any period, for the Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to consolidated net income of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period plus (a) to the extent deducted in calculating such consolidated net income, (i) consolidated interest expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, (ii) consolidated income tax expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period and (iv) any non-cash expenses or losses of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period that are classified as extraordinary under GAAP; and minus (b) to the extent included in calculating such consolidated net income, any extraordinary income or gains of the Company and the Subsidiaries for such period, all computed in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Revenue ” means, for any period, the net revenue of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, on any date, Consolidated Total Assets less (i) all intangible assets, including goodwill, organization costs, intellectual property and research and development costs and (ii) any other identifiable intangibles of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

6


Consolidated Total Assets ” means, on any date, the aggregate amount of assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

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.

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 and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Default ” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.17(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Company 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 or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Company or the Administrative Agent 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 (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Company, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Company 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 Company) 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, (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 or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or

 

7


any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.17(b) ) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Company and each 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.

Disqualified Institution ” means any competitors of the Company and its Subsidiaries designated by the Company to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to a side letter (the “ Designated Institution Side Letter ”) dated as of March 19, 2016; provided that, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Company hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to post the Designated Institution Side Letter on the Platform and to provide the Designated Institution Side Letter to each Lender requesting the same, (ii) the Company may update the Designated Institution Side Letter from time to time after the Effective Date to designate any additional Person as a “Disqualified Institution” that is a competitor of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Company has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice pursuant to an updated Designated Institution Side Letter delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; provided , further , that nothing herein shall apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in Loans to the extent that any such party was not a Disqualified Institution at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be.

Dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

 

8


EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02 ), which date is April 13, 2016.

Eligible Assignee ” means (i) a Lender, (ii) a commercial bank, insurance company or company primarily engaged in making commercial loans or a commercial finance company, (iii) any Affiliate of a Lender under common control with such Lender or (iv) an Approved Fund of a Lender.

Environmental Laws ” means all Laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances or binding orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions or agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Equity Interests ” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

ERISA Affiliate ” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

ERISA Event ” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section

 

9


302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (g) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurocurrency ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to clause (a) of the definition of Eurocurrency Rate.

Eurocurrency Rate ” means:

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“ LIBOR ”), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “ LIBOR Rate ”) at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Rate Determination Date, for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest rate calculation with respect to an ABR Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for deposits in Dollars with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided , further , that, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for such purposes under this Agreement.

 

10


Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

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 applicable 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 Company under Section 2.16 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its applicable lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.14(a)(ii) , 2.14(a)(iii) or 2.14(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 applicable lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.14(e) and (d)  any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Citicorp USA Facilities ” means, collectively, (x) that certain Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2012, among the Company, the lenders party thereto and Citicorp USA, Inc. and (y) that certain Five Year Credit Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2012, among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Citicorp USA, Inc., in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

Existing Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2015, by and among the Company, Sherwin-Williams Luxembourg S.à r.l., Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams UK Holding Limited, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as domestic administrative agent and Canadian administrative for the lenders, as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective 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 Code.

Federal Funds Effective 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,

 

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and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) charged to the Administrative Agent on such day for such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

Fee Letter ” means the fee letter in respect of the unsecured term loan facility described therein, dated as of March 19, 2016 between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

Financial Officer ” means the board of managers, director, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller or any equivalent position of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II , any other officer or employee of the Company so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the Company designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

Foreign Lender ” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

GAAP ” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; provided that, if any changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles from those used in the preparation of the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 3.04 occur by reason of any change in the rules, regulations, pronouncements, opinions or other requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) (or any successor thereto or agency with similar function), or if the Company adopts the International Financial Reporting Standards, and such change in accounting principles and/or adoption of such standards results in a change in the method or results of calculation of financial covenants and/or defined terms contained in this Agreement, then at the option of the Required Lenders or the Company, the parties will enter into good faith negotiations to amend such financial covenants and/or defined terms in such manner as the parties shall agree, each acting reasonably, in order to reflect fairly such changes and/or adoption so that the criteria for evaluating the financial condition of the Company shall be the same in commercial effect after, as well as before, such changes and/or adoption are made (in which case the method and calculation of financial covenants and/or the defined terms related thereto hereunder shall be determined in the manner so agreed).

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or 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 ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “ primary

 

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obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. For purposes hereof, the amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligations, 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 guarantor in good faith.

Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.01 .

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) that is required to and becomes a party to this Agreement by the execution of a Joinder Agreement pursuant to Section 5.10 .

Guaranty ” means the guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article X hereof.

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.

Hedging Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies or prices of commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value, or any similar transaction or any combination of such transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Hedging Agreement. The amount of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

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Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services, (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit, letters of guaranty and banker’s acceptances; provided that Indebtedness of any Person shall not include (i) trade payables, (ii) any obligations of such Person incurred in connection with letters of credit, letters of guaranty or similar instruments obtained or created in the ordinary course of business to support obligations of such Person that do not constitute Indebtedness or (iii) endorsements of checks, bills of exchange and other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03 .

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 the Company or any Guarantor under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Index Debt ” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Company to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.05 .

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three (3) months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as the Company may elect provided, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on

 

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the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Joinder Agreement ” means a joinder to this Agreement executed by a Guarantor subsequent to the Effective Date substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

Joint Lead Arrangers ” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC in their capacities as joint lead arrangers hereunder.

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.

Lenders ” means (a) the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 and (b) any other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than, in the case of either of the foregoing, any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Leverage Ratio ” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Total Indebtedness at such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive quarters ended on or most recently prior to such date.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.

Loans ” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits hereto), any Joinder Agreements and any promissory note issued hereunder.

London Banking Day ” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Loan Party ” means the Company and each Guarantor.

 

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Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning given such term under Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect ” means an event or circumstance that constitutes a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company, individually, or the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform any of its, or their, as applicable, material obligations under this Agreement or (c) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Loan Parties of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or net obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to constitute Material Indebtedness.

Material Subsidiary ” means, at any time, (a) each Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and (b) each other Subsidiary designated as a “designated subsidiary” by the Company. The Company will designate one or more Subsidiaries as “designated subsidiaries” when and as necessary in order that there will at no time be two or more Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries under the preceding sentence but that, if considered together as a single Subsidiary, would cause the total for all such Subsidiaries to exceed 20% of either (i) Consolidated Total Assets at such time or (ii) Consolidated Net Revenue for the period of four calendar quarters ended at or most recently prior to such time.

Maturity Date ” means the date that is the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

Maximum Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13 .

Merger Sub ” means Viking Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan ” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

New Lender ” means any Lender that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 9.04(b) after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

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

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 2.16 ).

Overnight Rate ” means, for any day, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Participant ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c) .

Participant Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c)(ii) .

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a) Liens imposed by Law for taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies that are not yet delinquent by more than 30 days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04 ;

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s and other like Liens imposed by Law and arising in the ordinary course of business that do not materially detract from the Company’s and the Subsidiary’s assets, taken as a whole, or materially impair the use thereof in the ordinary course of business or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04 ;

(c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security Laws or regulations;

 

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(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e) liens in favor of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or any department or agency thereof, or in favor of any state government or political subdivision thereof, or in favor of a prime contractor under a government contract of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or of a state government or political subdivision thereof, in each case resulting from the acceptance of partial, progress, advance or other payments in the ordinary course of business under government contracts of the United States of America, Canada, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom or of a state government or political subdivision thereof, or subcontracts thereunder;

(f) judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII ;

(g) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by Law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary; and

(h) other Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or the ownership of the property or assets of the Company or such Subsidiary that do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of such properties or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Company or such Subsidiary;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness.

Person ” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Platform ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.01.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate. The “prime rate” is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon various factors including the Administrative

 

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Agent’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 the “ prime rate ” announced by the Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Proceeding ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b) .

Public Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01 .

Rate Determination Date ” means two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Administrative Agent; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).

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

Register ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b)(iv) .

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

Regulation X ” means Regulation X of the Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

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

Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders owed at least a majority in interest of the then-aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing to Lenders or, if no such principal amount is then outstanding, Lenders having at least a majority in interest of the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders, provided that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time the Loans or Commitments of such Lender at such time.

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

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

 

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Securitization Transaction ” means any transfer by the Company or any Subsidiary of accounts receivable or interests therein (a) to a trust, partnership, corporation or other entity, which transfer is funded in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by the incurrence or issuance by the transferee or any successor transferee of Indebtedness or securities that are to receive payments from, or that represent interests in, the cash flow derived from such accounts receivable or interests, or (b) directly to one or more investors or other purchasers. The amount of any Securitization Transaction shall be deemed at any time to be the aggregate principal or stated amount of the Indebtedness or other securities referred to in the preceding sentence or, if there shall be no such principal or stated amount, the uncollected amount of the accounts receivable or interests therein transferred to the ultimate investors or other purchasers pursuant to such Securitization Transaction net of any such accounts receivable that have been written off as uncollectible.

Solvent ” means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, on any date of determination, that on such date (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the such date.

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in Sections 3.01 (but with respect to the representation pertaining to the Company’s due organization, valid existence and good standing in the state of its organization, without giving effect to the Material Adverse Effect qualifier therein), 3.02 , 3.03(b)(ii) , 3.03(c) (solely with respect to the Existing Credit Agreement (to the extent in effect) or any debt instruments governing Material Indebtedness), 3.08 , 3.09 , 3.15 and 3.16 .

subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

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Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company.

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 Indebtedness ” means all Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; it being understood that (i) if the Company or any Subsidiary delivers or causes to be delivered an irrevocable repayment or redemption notice that results in Indebtedness in the form of debt securities being due and payable in full not later than 30 days after such repayment or redemption notice has been delivered and deposits cash with or for the benefit of the trustee or holders of such Indebtedness to fund such repayment or redemption, then such Indebtedness shall be considered repaid or redeemed; provided that if any applicable deposit is returned and the corresponding Indebtedness is not repaid or redeemed, but remains outstanding, such Indebtedness shall no longer be considered repaid or redeemed and (ii) if the Company or any Subsidiary commences a tender offer to repurchase Indebtedness (the “ Repurchased Indebtedness ”) and will be obligated to repurchase such Indebtedness for payment in full, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, after the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions of such tender offer, and in connection therewith issues Indebtedness in the form of debt securities (the “ New Indebtedness ”) the proceeds of which are to be used to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness within 30 days of issuance of such New Indebtedness (the “ Period ”), then to the extent, and solely so long as, the Company or any Subsidiary either holds the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in escrow pursuant to customary arrangements, or otherwise sets aside the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in Dollars to fund such repurchase of Repurchased Indebtedness, then the amount of such New Indebtedness shall be deemed for the purpose of this definition to be reduced by the amount of the proceeds thereof that are so held in escrow or set aside (solely to the extent and for so long as so held or set aside, and not for the avoidance of doubt to the extent applied to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness or applied for any other purpose other than the repayment of the New Indebtedness); provided further that upon the end of the Period, the deemed reduction of the New Indebtedness described above shall no longer apply.

Transactions ” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Agreement, the borrowing of Loans hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof.

Type ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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USA PATRIOT Act ” means Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into Law October 26, 2001).

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 2.14(e)(ii)(B)(3) .

Withholding Agent ” means the Company or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

Withdrawal Liability ” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings . For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) and Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”).

Section 1.03. Terms Generally . 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 (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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Section 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

Section 1.05. Pro Forma Calculations . For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue for any period, if during such period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a material acquisition or material disposition (with materiality calculated in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), each of Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue shall be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) thereto as if such material acquisition or disposition occurred on the first day of such period.

ARTICLE II

T HE C REDITS

Section 2.01. Commitments . Subject to Section 2.06, and subject to and upon the other terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Lender severally agrees to make a Loan to the Company in Dollars on the Closing Date up to an aggregate principal amount not exceeding an amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment. Subject to the foregoing, such Loan shall consist of Loans of the same Type with the same Interest Period from each Lender. Loans borrowed under this Section 2.01 and paid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. The Commitment of each Lender to lend to the Company shall automatically expire on the Closing Date after giving effect to the Loans made pursuant to this Section 2.01 on such date (but, with respect to each Lender, only to the extent that such Lender fulfills its obligation, if any, to make such Loans on such date).

Section 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .

(a) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

(b) Subject to Section 2.11, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Company may request in accordance herewith.

 

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Each Lender at its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Company to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and shall not be inconsistent with the duty of such Lender under Section 2.16(a) to minimize amounts payable by the Company under Section 2.12 or 2.14 .

(c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of fifteen (15) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

Section 2.03. Requests for Borrowings . To request a Borrowing, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by a written Borrowing Request (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such written Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and substantially in the form of Exhibit D or another form 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 and signed by a Financial Officer of the Company. Each such written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

(ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing;

(iv) [Reserved],

(v) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

(vi) the location and number of the Company’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

 

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If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month’s duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.04. Funding of Borrowings .

(a) Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Company by crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account designated by the Company in the applicable Borrowing Request by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any 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 paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Company 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 Company severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Company, but excluding the date of payment, to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the Overnight Rate plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing or (ii) in the case of the Company, the interest rate applicable to such Loan. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

Section 2.05. Interest Elections .

(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Company may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Company may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

 

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(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by written Interest Election Request by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Company were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and substantially in the form of Exhibit E , or another form 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 and signed by a Financial Officer of the Company.

(c) Each written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02 :

(i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

(ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

(iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Company shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

(d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e) If the Company fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

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Section 2.06. Termination of Commitments; Reductions of Commitments .

(a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Closing Date (after giving effect to any Borrowing on such date). In addition, unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall automatically terminate in the event that the Closing Date does not occur on or before the earlier of (i) the date on which the Acquisition Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms and (ii) 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the End Date (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) which, for the avoidance of doubt, cannot be later than September 21, 2017.

(b) The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Commitments; provided that each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000.

(c) The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of any termination or reduction the Commitments under paragraph (a)  and (b)  of this Section on the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

Section 2.07. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a) The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date.

(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Company to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the Commitments, the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Company to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

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(d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein absent manifest error; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Company to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G . Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04 ) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.08. Amortization of Loans; Prepayment of Loans .

(a) Amortization of Loans . The Company shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders (which repayments shall be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08(b) ) (i) on each March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31 occurring during each period set forth below (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day), a principal amount in respect of the Loans equal to (x) the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on the Closing Date divided by (y) four and multiplied by (z) the percentage set forth below opposite each such period and (b) on the Maturity Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Loans then outstanding.

 

Period

   Percentage  

Closing Date through but excluding the 1st anniversary of the Closing Date

     0.00

1st anniversary of the Closing Date through but excluding the 2nd anniversary of the Closing Date

     20

2nd anniversary of the Closing Date through but excluding the 3rd anniversary of the Closing Date

     25

3rd anniversary of the Closing Date through but excluding the 4th anniversary of the Closing Date

     25

4th anniversary of the Closing Date through but excluding the Maturity Date

     30

(b) Optional Prepayment of Loans . (i) The Company shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with clause (ii)  of this paragraph (a)  (for the avoidance of doubt, subject to Section 2.13 in the case of Eurocurrency Loans).

 

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(ii) The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment and (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of a specified event and such condition is not satisfied. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02 . Subject to Sections 2.17 and 2.18 , each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing and shall be applied to the amortization payments required by Section 2.08(a) as directed by the Company or, in the absence of any such direction, in direct order of maturity. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.10.

Section 2.09. Fees .

(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the unused Commitment of such Lender, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.12 , during the period from and including the later of (x) the Effective Date and (y) May 18, 2016 to but excluding the date on which such Commitment terminates. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on any date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(b) Without duplication of the foregoing, the Company agrees to pay to the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own accounts (and, where applicable, the accounts of the Lenders) fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon in writing between the Company, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Fee Letter).

(c) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, in the case of commitment fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances absent error in the calculation or payment thereof.

 

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Section 2.10. Interest .

(a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Eurocurrency Rate for the Interest Period in effect for the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part plus the Applicable Rate.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Company hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

(d) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

(e) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days, except that interest computed by reference to clause (a) of the definition of the Alternate Base Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty-five (365) days (three hundred sixty-six (366) days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate and the Eurocurrency Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.11. Alternate Rate of Interest . If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (a) (i) the Administrative Agent determines that deposits are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Loan or (ii) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed ABR Loan (in each case with respect to clause (a) above) (the “ Impacted Loans ”), or (b) the Administrative Agent or the affected Lenders determine that for any reason the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Company and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or

 

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maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Alternate Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the affected Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Company may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in this section, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Company and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a) of the first sentence of this section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the affected Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Company 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 applicable 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 Company written notice thereof.

Section 2.12. Increased Costs . Subject to Section 2.16 ,

(a) if any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement contemplated by Section 2.12(f) );

(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, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense, affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such Lender;

 

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and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender in an amount that such Lender deems to be material of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), other than any increase in costs resulting from (i) Excluded Taxes or (ii) Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes to which Section 2.14 is applicable, then the Company will pay to such Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments hereunder or the Loans made by or held by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Company will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, and explaining in reasonable detail the method by which such amount or amounts shall have been determined, shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered unless the Lender gives notice to the Company to compensate such Lender pursuant to this Section within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date such Lender knows an event has occurred pursuant to which such Lender will seek such compensation.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a Lender shall not be entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section if it is not at the time the general policy or practice of the Lender to demand compensation in similar circumstances in similar credit agreements.

(f) The Company shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined

 

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by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Company 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 or costs shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.

Section 2.13. Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.08(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.16 , then, in any such event, the Company shall compensate each Lender for the actual loss, cost and expense attributable to such event (other than lost profits). In the case of a Eurocurrency Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurocurrency Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section and explaining in reasonable detail the method by which such amount or amounts shall have been determined shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

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Section 2.14. 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 a 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 an applicable Withholding Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then such Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to paragraph (e) below.

(ii) Without limiting Section 2.14(a)(i) , if a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to paragraph (e)  below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by a 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 2.14 ) 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 Withholding Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Withholding 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 paragraph (e)  below, (B) such Withholding 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 a 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 2.14 ) 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 Company . Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Company 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.

 

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(c) Tax Indemnifications .

(i) Each Loan Party shall 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 2.14 ) 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 a Loan Party by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Company shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 2.14(c)(ii) below; provided that no Loan Party shall be required to indemnify the Administrative Agent for any amount attributable to the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(ii) Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Loan Parties have 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 9.04(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 that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Loan Parties 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 hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender 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 a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 2.14 , 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.

 

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(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 Company and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Company 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 Company or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Company 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 2.14(e)(ii)(A) , 2.14(e)(ii)(B) and 2.14(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,

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company 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-8BEN-E (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-8BEN-E (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;

 

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(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 Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 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 Company 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-8BEN-E (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-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 or Exhibit C-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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

 

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1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Company or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Company 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 Effective Date.

(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.14 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company 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 have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Company or with respect to which the Company has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14 , it shall pay to the Company an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Company under this Section 2.14 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 Company, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Company (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 Company 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 the Company or any other Person.

(g) [ Reserved ].

 

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(h) Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.14 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Loans other obligations under any Loan Document.

Section 2.15. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Company 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 12:00 noon, New York City time on the date specified herein. The Company shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees, or of amounts payable under Section 2.12 , 2.13 or 2.14 , or otherwise) without set-off or counterclaim. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 12:00 noon, New York City time, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent’s Office except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12 , 2.13 , 2.14 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Company 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) or

 

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any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Company consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Company rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Company prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Company will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Company has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Company has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.

(e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(b) or 2.15(d) , then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.16. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12 , or requires the Company to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 , then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.14 , as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12 , (ii) the Company is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 , (iii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or (iv) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or consent, the consent of the Required Lenders has been obtained but the consent

 

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of a Lender whose consent is required shall not have been obtained, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04 ), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (y) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (z) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.14 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

Section 2.17. 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 Amendment. The Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 9.02 .

(ii) [Reserved]

(iii) Certain Fees . The Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.09(a) for any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Company shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Company and the Administrative Agent, agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be 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, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase 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 to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages, whereupon that 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 Company while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided , further , that , except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no

 

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change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III

R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date:

Section 3.01. Organization; Powers . Each Loan Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability . The execution, delivery and performance (including the borrowing of the Loans hereunder) of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party are within each Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law.

Section 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance (including the borrowing of the Loans hereunder) of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not violate (i) any applicable Law or regulation or (ii) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of such Loan Party or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not result in a material violation of or default under any indenture or other material agreement or instrument binding upon such Loan Party or any of the Subsidiaries or their assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any material Liens on any material assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

Section 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of consolidated income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, reported on by the independent registered public accounting firm. Such

 

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consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed since December 31, 2015 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the Effective Date, since December 31, 2015, there has been no Material Adverse Effect and there has been no event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.05. Properties .

(a) Each Loan Party and each Material Subsidiary has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real and personal property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title or interests as would not, individually or in aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, except where the failure so to own, or so to be licensed, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and to the knowledge of any Financial Officer of the Company, the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed prior to the date hereof under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Financial Officer of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) that would reasonably be expected to be adversely determined and that, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Loan Documents.

(b) Except as disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed prior to the date hereof under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither any Loan Party nor any of its Material Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any applicable Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any applicable Environmental Law, (ii) has incurred costs for any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received written notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

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Section 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements . Each Loan Party and each Material Subsidiary is in compliance with all Laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where such compliance is being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings or except where the failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Material Subsidiaries is in default with respect to any of its material obligations under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon it or its property which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.08. Federal Reserve Regulations .

(a) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

(b) No part of the proceeds of the Loans has been or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including, without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation X thereof. Not more than 25% of the assets subject to the restrictions of Section 6.01 , valued in accordance with Regulation U, will at any time consist of Margin Stock.

Section 3.09. Investment Company Status . Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Section 3.10. Taxes . The Company and each Subsidiary have timely filed or caused to be filed or received an extension of the time to file all tax returns and reports required to have been filed and have paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by them, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves to the extent required to do so in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.11. ERISA . No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.12. Disclosure . No written reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished or to be furnished by a Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered or to be delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) by a Loan Party contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the

 

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statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to any projected financial information or forward looking statements, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time prepared.

Section 3.13. OFAC . Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company and its 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 and Blocked Persons, Her Majesty’s Treasury Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets or 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.

Section 3.14. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in material 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 applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries (such laws, collectively, “ Anti-Corruption Laws ”) and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures, in the Company’s reasonable business judgment, designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

Section 3.15. Solvency . On the Closing Date and immediately after giving effect to the Acquisition and the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

Section 3.16. Use of Proceeds . The Company will not, directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly, use any part of the proceeds of any Loan in violation of Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable Sanctions or the USA PATRIOT Act.

ARTICLE IV

C ONDITIONS

Section 4.01. Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party and a promissory note from the Company payable to each Lender requesting a promissory note at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case to the extent requested in writing at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

 

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(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate dated the Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Company, confirming (i) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (other than those set forth in Sections 3.15 and 3.16 ) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date (except to the extent such representation and warranty relates to an earlier date) and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the Effective Date.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing (or equivalent) of each Loan Party party hereto on the Effective Date, the authorization of the Loan Documents and any other legal matters relating to each Loan Party and the Transactions, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of counsel to the Loan Parties (which may include opinions of in-house counsel to the Loan Parties) relating to the Loan Documents and each Loan Party party to the Loan Documents on the Effective Date, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable hereunder and under the Fee Letter on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, and reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder and under the Fee Letter.

(g) The lead arranger under the Bridge Commitment Letter shall have received a certificate of an officer of the Company confirming that this Agreement constitutes a “Qualifying Bank Facility” for the purposes of the Bridge Commitment Letter.

Section 4.02. Closing Date . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) The Effective Date shall have occurred.

(b) The Acquisition shall have been consummated simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously or concurrently) with the funding of the Loans in all material respects in accordance with the terms described in the Acquisition Agreement. The Acquisition Agreement shall not have been amended or modified, and no condition shall have been waived or consent granted by the Company, in any respect that is materially adverse to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or the Lenders without Citigroup Global Markets Inc.’s prior written consent (it being understood and agreed that any amendment or modification that results in (x) any increase in the cash portion of the per share consideration for the Acquisition to an amount more than 10% above (1) if no Triggering Event (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect

 

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on March 19, 2016) has occurred, the Baseline Per Share Price (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) or (2) if and only if a Triggering Event occurs, the Adjusted Per Share Price (as used in this paragraph (b), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) (in each case, only to the extent such increase is not funded through the issuance of Equity Interests of the Company), (y) any decrease in per share consideration for the Acquisition to an amount more than 10% below (1) if no Triggering Event has occurred, the Baseline Per Share Price or (2) if and only if a Triggering Event occurs, the Adjusted Per Share Price or (z) any decrease in consideration for the Acquisition of less than 10% that is not applied to reduce the Commitments under the Bridge Credit Agreement on a dollar-for-dollar basis, in each case other than any pricing adjustments expressly contemplated under the Acquisition Agreement, shall, in each case, require Citigroup Global Market Inc.’s prior written consent).

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) U.S. GAAP audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and the Acquired Business for the three most recently completed fiscal years ended at least sixty (60) days prior to the Closing Date (the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers acknowledge receipt of such audited financial statements for the Company and the Acquired Business for the fiscals years ended 2013, 2014 and 2015), (ii) U.S. GAAP unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and the Acquired Business for each fiscal quarter (other than the fourth fiscal quarter in any fiscal year) ended after the close of its most recent fiscal year and at least forty (40) days prior to the Closing Date (with respect to which independent auditors shall have performed a SAS 100 review), and (iii) pro forma financial information, that as of the date furnished to the Administrative Agent, were (x) prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (y) in customary form for inclusion in a preliminary offering document suitable for use in a customary “road show” for debt securities. For each of clause (i) and (ii) above, the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have received such financial statements of the Company and the Acquired Business upon the filing of such financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company or the Acquired Business, as the case may be, of any applicable Forms 10-Q, Forms 10-K or Forms 8-K.

(d) Since January 29, 2016, there shall not have been any fact, change, effect, event, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, an Acquired Business Material Adverse Effect, except (i) as disclosed in any SEC Document (as used in this paragraph (d), as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on March 19, 2016) of the Acquired Business publicly filed with or publicly furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission from and after November 1, 2014 and prior to March 19, 2016 (excluding any disclosures set forth in any “risk factors,” “forward-looking statements” or “market risk” sections or other forward-looking disclosures that are not specific or are cautionary or predictive in nature) or (ii) as disclosed in the disclosure schedule (the “ Company Disclosure Schedule ”) delivered by the Acquired Business to the Company concurrently with the execution of the Acquisition Agreement (provided that disclosure of any item in any

 

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section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any other section or subsection to the extent that the relevance of any disclosed event, item or occurrence in such section or subsection to such other section or subsection is reasonably apparent).

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable hereunder and under the Fee Letter on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, and reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder and under the Fee Letter.

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received delivery of all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including, without limitation, the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case to the extent requested in writing at least ten business days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F .

(h) Each of the Acquisition Agreement Representations shall be true and correct, and each of the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (except Specified Representations that are qualified by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects), in each case on the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representations and warranties relates to an earlier date or period, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date or period).

(i) After giving effect to the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date, no Event of Default described in paragraph (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII shall have occurred and be continuing.

(j) All amounts due or outstanding in respect of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2013, among the Acquired Business, the borrowing subsidiaries party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and an issuing bank, and the other agents from time to time party thereto (as such agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time) shall have been (or substantially simultaneously with the funding of the Loans shall be) paid in full, all commitments (if any) in respect thereof terminated and all guarantees (if any) thereof and security (if any) therefor discharged and released.

(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Company.

 

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(l) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Company confirming the satisfaction of the conditions precedent in paragraphs (b) , (d) , (h)  and (i)  of this Section 4.02 .

Section 4.03. Availability . During the period from and including the Effective Date to and including the Closing Date, and notwithstanding (i) that any representation made on the Effective Date was incorrect, (ii) any failure by the Loan Parties to comply with the affirmative covenants, negative covenants and financial covenants or the existence of any Event of Default (subject to the second proviso below), (iii) any provision to the contrary herein, in any other Loan Document or otherwise or (iv) that any condition to the occurrence of the Effective Date may subsequently be determined not to have been satisfied, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be entitled to (1) cancel any of its commitments under this Agreement, (2) rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or any other Loan Document or exercise any right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under the Loan Documents, related promissory notes, the Fee Letter or otherwise it may have to the extent to do so would prevent, limit or delay the making of its Loans thereunder, (3) refuse to participate in making its Loan when required to do so under this Agreement or (4) exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim in respect of its Loans thereunder to the extent to do so would prevent, limit or delay the making of its such Loan; provided that, in each case, the applicable conditions precedent to the making of such Loans set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied; provided , further , that with respect to clauses (1) through (4) above, the foregoing shall not apply if an Event of Default under paragraphs (a) , (b) , (h)  or (i)  of Article VII has occurred and is continuing. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) the rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall not be limited in the event that any such condition to the closing set forth in Section 4.02 is not satisfied on the Closing Date and (b) from the Closing Date after giving effect to the funding on such date, all of the rights, remedies and entitlements of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be available notwithstanding that such rights were not available prior to such time as a result of the foregoing.

ARTICLE V

A FFIRMATIVE C OVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full, the Loan Parties covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

Section 5.01. Financial Statements; Ratings Change and Other Information . The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and statements of consolidated income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by the independent registered public accounting firm (without a “going

 

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concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP;

(b) within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three (3) fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its unaudited consolidated balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, subject to the absence of footnotes;

(c) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and is continuing and, if a Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, and (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 6.03;

(d) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or any substitute or successor forms) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(e) promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change;

(f) promptly following a request therefor, all documentation and other information that any Lender reasonably requests as necessary in order for it to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act; and

(g) promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of each Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section may also be delivered by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent. Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) , Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.01(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise

 

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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 Company posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Company’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 9.01 ; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Company’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 Company shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Company 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 Company 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 Company 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 Company hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Company hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, DebtDomain, 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 Company 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 Company hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Company shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Company 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 9.12 ); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information” and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated as “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

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Section 5.02. Notices of Material Events . The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender written notice of the following promptly after any Financial Officer becomes aware thereof:

(a) the occurrence of any Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to be adversely determined and, if adversely determined, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

Section 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger or consolidation of the Company permitted under Section 6.02 or any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary that is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

Section 5.04. Payment of Obligations . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including tax liabilities, that, if not paid, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Loan Parties or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto to the extent required to do so in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance or maintain a self-insurance program in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of similar size and financial strength engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (including without limitation by the maintenance of adequate self-insurance reserves to the extent customary among such companies).

 

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Section 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s or Lender’s own expense if an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

Section 5.07. Compliance with Laws . The Loan Parties will, and will cause each of the Material Subsidiaries to, comply with all Laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually and in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.08. Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans will be used to finance, in part, cash consideration for the Acquisition, the repayment of certain Indebtedness of the Acquired Business and the payment of fees and expenses in connection therewith.

Section 5.09. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, conduct its businesses in material 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 applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries and maintain policies and procedures, in the Company’s reasonable business judgment, designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

Section 5.10. Additional Guarantors . If any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) is a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, the Company shall, within twenty (20) Business Days (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent) after the occurrence thereof, cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder by (i) executing and delivering a Joinder Agreement to the Administrative Agent and (ii) if requested by the Administrative Agent, causing counsel to such Subsidiary (which may include certain opinions of in-house counsel to such Subsidiary) to deliver a customary legal opinion relating thereto addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (it being agreed that the form of opinions delivered on the Effective Date are customary).

 

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ARTICLE VI

N EGATIVE C OVENANTS

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, the Loan Parties covenant and agree with the Lenders that:

Section 6.01. Liens . The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a) any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien as of the date hereof;

(b) Permitted Encumbrances;

(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien as of such date;

(d) any Lien on real property or fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any Subsidiary, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof that is secured by such Lien; provided that (i) such Lien and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within one year after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby is incurred to pay, and does not exceed, the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets and (iii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(e) any Lien on property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;

(f) Securitization Transactions (and Liens deemed to exist in connection therewith) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $300,000,000;

(g) Liens arising from any synthetic lease transaction pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a lessee;

(h) Liens on or pledges of cash or cash equivalents securing the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary under or in connection with any Hedging Agreement, so long as the aggregate amount of all cash or cash equivalents subject to such Liens or pledges does not exceed $25,000,000 at any time;

 

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(i) Liens created, assumed or existing in connection with financings the interest payable in respect of which is exempt from Federal income taxation under Section 103 of the Code or any successor provision;

(j) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing paragraphs, provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any additional assets unless such additional Liens are otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section, and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness secured by such Lien is not increased (it being agreed that any such refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness incurred under a basket expressed as a dollar amount in any of the foregoing paragraphs of this Section will be applied against and reduce the amount available under such basket);

(k) the interests of lessors under operating leases and non-exclusive licensors under license agreements;

(l) non-exclusive licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business;

(m) rights of setoff, bankers’ liens and other similar Liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of Law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(o) leases or subleases of properties, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business so long as such leases or subleases do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (ii) materially impair the use or the value of the property subject thereto;

(p) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business in accordance with the past business practices of such Person, and any products or proceeds thereof to the extent covered by such Liens; and

(q) in addition to the Liens permitted pursuant to any of the foregoing subsections, other Liens securing obligations in an amount not greater than 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any time.

Section 6.02. Fundamental Changes . The Company will not merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in

 

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a series of transactions and including by means of any merger or sale of capital stock or otherwise) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any Person may merge with or into or consolidate with the Company if (i) the Company is the surviving Person and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction no Default shall exist.

Section 6.03. Leverage Ratio . After the Closing Date, the Company will not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time to exceed 5.25 to 1.00, which level shall step down to (i) 4.75 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the third full fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the sixth full fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, (iii) 3.75 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the eighth full fiscal quarter after the Closing Date and (iv) 3.50 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the tenth full fiscal quarter after the Closing Date and thereafter.

Section 6.04. Sanctions . The Company shall not directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly, use the proceeds of any Borrowing, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Joint Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

Section 6.05. Anti-Corruption Laws . The Company shall not directly, or, to its knowledge, indirectly use the proceeds of any Borrowing for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE VII

E VENTS OF D EFAULT

If any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”) shall occur:

(a) the Company shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b) the Company shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in paragraph (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment

 

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or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or waiver hereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

(d) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.02 or 5.03 (but only with respect to such Loan Party’s existence) or in Article VI;

(e) any Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Company;

(f) any Loan Party or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (subject to any applicable grace period);

(g) any event or condition occurs and, while continuing, results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (subject to any applicable grace period) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or to Capital Lease Obligations that terminate as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of or a casualty or condemnation affecting the property or assets subject thereto;

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar Law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

(i) any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar Law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for

 

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any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(j) any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75,000,000 and not covered by insurance shall be rendered against the Company, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded pending appeal, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon material assets of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $75,000,000 and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded pending appeal;

(l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(m) a Change in Control shall have occurred; or

(n) except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.15 , the guarantee of any Guarantor under Article X shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Company;

then, and in each case subject to Section 4.03 , and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by written notice to the Company, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Company accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company; and in case of any event with respect to any Loan Party described in paragraph (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Company accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Company.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

T HE A DMINISTRATIVE A GENT

Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, to act on its behalf as its agent 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, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except with respect to the consent rights of the Company relating to a successor agent as set forth below, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Loan Parties shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

The bank 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 such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Company or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any other agreement,

 

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instrument or document or (v) 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.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent 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 be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the 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.

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers 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 its duties and exercise its rights and powers 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 may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Company. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), a successor agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly until such time as the Required Lenders appoint, with the consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), a successor Administrative Agent hereunder. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges

 

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and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Company to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Company and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

Each Lender acknowledges that 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 Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender 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 related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

It is agreed that the Co-Syndication Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall, in their capacities as such, have no duties or responsibilities under this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.01. Notices .

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (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 telecopy or other electronic communication, 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 a Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopy number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 9.01; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number, electronic address or telephone number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (a copy of each of which the Administrative Agent shall provide to the Company).

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

 

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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 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 pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Company may each, in their respective 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 Company, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Company’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 except those resulting from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of an Agent Party.

 

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(d) Change of Address, Etc. The Company and the Administrative Agent 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 Company and the Administrative Agent. 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 Company or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities Laws.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely in good faith and act upon any notices purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company 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 Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, reasonable expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Company, except to the extent arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, Lender or Related 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.

Section 9.02. Waivers; Amendments .

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by the Loan Parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Loan Parties and the Required Lenders or by the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon (other than with respect to default interest), or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.15(b) or (c), or any other provision of this Agreement, in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) release the Company from its obligations hereunder without the written consent of each Lender; (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender or (vii) except as permitted by Section 9.15 , release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranties made by the Guarantors, without the written consent of each Lender; provided, however, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, and provided, further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties 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 in any material respect and (ii) the Lenders shall have received at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) 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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Section 9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a) The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Co-Syndication Agents, Joint Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (including without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (in addition to one separate firm of local attorneys in each relevant jurisdiction and reasonably necessary specialty counsel (such as tax and regulatory)) and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the affected party in each appropriate jurisdiction), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (in addition to one separate firm of local attorneys in each relevant jurisdiction and reasonably necessary specialty counsel (such as tax and regulatory)) and in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, one additional counsel for the affected party in each appropriate jurisdiction), related to the enforcement or protection of its rights under this Agreement in connection with any actual or reasonably anticipated Default.

(b) The Loan Parties will indemnify and hold harmless the Co-Syndication Agents, Joint Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each of their respective affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses and liabilities that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding or the preparation of a defense in connection therewith), in each case, arising out of or in connection with or by reason of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, except (a) to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct, (b) to the extent resulting from any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (any of the foregoing, a “ Proceeding ”) that does not involve an act or omission of a Loan Party or any of its Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnified Party solely against another Indemnified Party, other than claims against the Co-Syndication Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers or the Administrative Agent, in each case in its capacity as such or (c) to the extent arising from a material breach by such Indemnified Party of its obligations hereunder as found by a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding to which the indemnity in this paragraph applies, such indemnity will be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Company, the Acquired Business, any of their respective directors, security holders or creditors, an Indemnified Party or any other person or an Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the transactions (including the Transactions) contemplated hereby are consummated. No Loan Party shall be liable for any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which

 

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consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); provided , however , that the foregoing indemnity will apply to any such settlement in the event that such Loan Party was offered the ability to assume the defense of the action that was the subject matter of such settlement and elected not to assume such defense; provided , further , that if a Proceeding is settled with a Loan Party’s prior written consent or if there is a final judgment in any such Proceeding, such Loan Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party to the extent and in the manner set forth above. No Loan Party shall, without the prior written consent of any Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which such Indemnified Party is a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability or claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability, or a failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party.

(c) To the extent that the Loan Parties fail to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided 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, in its capacity as such.

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable Law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against any other party, 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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that nothing in this clause (d) shall relieve a Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnified Party against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnified Party by a third party.

(e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor accompanied by the appropriate invoice or other detail supporting such amounts.

Section 9.04. Successors and Assigns .

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Loan Parties may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Loan Parties without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto,

 

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Indemnified Persons, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

(A) the Company; provided that no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment (i) to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below) or (ii) after the Closing Date, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to an Eligible Assignee; provided, further, that after the Closing Date, the consent of the Company shall be deemed to have been provided if the Company shall not have responded to a written request therefor within ten Business Days; and

(B) the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below).

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000 or, if smaller, the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment, unless the Company and the Administrative Agent shall otherwise consent, provided that in the event of concurrent assignments to two or more assignees that are Affiliates of one another, or to two (2) or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor or by affiliated investment advisors, all such concurrent assignments shall be aggregated in determining compliance with this subsection;

(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a

 

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processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that in the event of concurrent assignments to two or more assignees that are Affiliates of one another, or to two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor or by affiliated investment advisors, only one such fee shall be payable; and provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such fee in the case of any assignment;

(D) no assignment shall be made (i) to the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (ii) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii), (iii) to a natural person or (iv) to a Disqualified Institution; and

(E) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire (a copy of which shall promptly be provided to the Company).

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” has the following meaning:

Approved 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, bonds and similar extensions of credit, in the ordinary course of its activities 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.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to clause (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto 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 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations to the extent made in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section or if not made in the compliance therewith, such assignment or transfer shall be null and void.

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and

 

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Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Company, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(vi) 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 Company 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 or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all 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.

(c) (i) Any Lender may, without notice to or the consent of the Company or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more Eligible Assignees (other than a natural person, a Disqualified Institution, a Defaulting Lender or the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such

 

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Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and 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, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to clause (c)(ii) of this Section, the Loan Parties agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.14(e) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.14(e) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.14(e) as though it were a Lender.

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.12, 2.13 or 2.14 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Company’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.14 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to comply with Section 2.14(e) 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 Company, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) 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 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 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 such) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(d) Any Lender, without notice to or the consent of the Loan Parties or the Administrative Agent, may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(e) By executing and delivering an Assignment and Assumption, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows: (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that its Commitments and the outstanding balances of its Loans, in each case without giving effect to assignments thereof that have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Assumption; (ii) except as set forth in clause (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of any of the foregoing, or the financial condition of the Loan Parties or the performance or observance by the Loan Parties of any of its obligations under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (iii) each of the assignee and the assignor represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of any amendments or consents entered into prior to the date of such Assignment and Assumption and copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Assumption; (v) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as an agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to it by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations that by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender; (viii) such assignee is an Eligible Assignee; and (ix) such assignee has, or concurrently with the assignment, has delivered the tax forms required by Section 2.14(e).

Section 9.05. Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have

 

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been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

Section 9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent 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 which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

Section 9.07. Severability . Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.07 , 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 then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

Section 9.08. Right of Setoff . If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Loan Parties against any of and all the obligations of the Loan Parties now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such

 

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obligations may be unmatured; 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 2.17 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have. Any Lender of Affiliate of such Lender exercising any of its rights pursuant to this Section shall provide notice of the same to the Company promptly after exercising the same; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff.

Section 9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SHALL APPLY IN DETERMINING (I) THE INTERPRETATION OF AN “ACQUIRED BUSINESS MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT” AND WHETHER AN ACQUIRED BUSINESS MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT HAS OCCURRED, (II) THE ACCURACY OF ANY ACQUISITION AGREEMENT REPRESENTATION AND WHETHER AS A RESULT OF ANY INACCURACY THEREOF THE COMPANY OR ITS APPLICABLE AFFILIATE HAS THE RIGHT OR WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE ITS OBLIGATIONS (OR TO REFUSE TO CONSUMMATE THE ACQUISITION) UNDER THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT AND (III) WHETHER THE ACQUISITION HAS BEEN CONSUMMATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE ACQUISITION AGREEMENT.

(b) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by Law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law. Nothing in this Agreement shall

 

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affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against the Loan Parties or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement 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 Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

Section 9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY 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 THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 9.11. Headings . Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

Section 9.12. Confidentiality . Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential) on a “need to know” basis solely in connection with the Transactions, (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, provided, however, that, to the extent legally permitted, the Company is promptly notified in order that it may seek a protective order or take other appropriate action, (d) to any other party to this Agreement,

 

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(e) to the extent reasonably required or reasonably deemed advisable in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (f) subject to the acknowledgment and acceptance that such information is being disseminated on a confidential basis (such 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 or obligations under this Agreement (in each case, other than a Disqualified Institution) or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to a Loan Party and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Loan Parties, (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company or (h) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company 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. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Loan Parties relating to the Loan Parties or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Loan Party; provided that, in the case of information received from the Loan Parties after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified as confidential at the time of delivery or delivered under circumstances that would cause a reasonable person to believe such information to be 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.

Section 9.13. Interest Rate Limitation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable Law (collectively the “ Charges ”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable Law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.14. USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT 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

 

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Lender to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act. The Loan Parties shall, promptly following a reasonable and customary request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 9.15. Release of Guarantors . If at any time (a) all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any Guarantor are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a Person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries or (b) a Guarantor ceases to be (or substantially simultaneously with its release as a Guarantor hereunder will cease to be) a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, then in each case such Guarantor shall be automatically released from its Guaranty in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations and all of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and thereafter such Person shall no longer constitute a Guarantor under the Loan Documents. At the request of the Company, the Administrative Agent shall, at the Company’s expense, execute such documents as are necessary to acknowledge any such release in accordance with this Section 9.15 .

Section 9.16. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship . 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 Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (a)(i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, Co-Syndication Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers, on the other hand, (ii) each Loan Party has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) each Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b)(i) the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers are and have been acting solely as principals and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, have not been, are not and will not be acting as advisors, agents or fiduciaries, for the Loan Parties and (ii) none of the Administrative Agent, any Co-Syndication Agent nor any Joint Lead Arranger has any obligation to the Loan Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers 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 neither the Administrative Agent nor any Joint Lead Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Loan Parties. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Loan Parties hereby waive and release any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents or the Joint Lead Arrangers 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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Section 9.17. Entire Agreement . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG 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 AMONG THE PARTIES.

Section 9.18. 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 and the transactions contemplated hereby (including without limitation Assignment and Assumptions, amendments or other modifications, Borrowing Requests, 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 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.

Section 9.19. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

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ARTICLE X

G UARANTY OF THE G UARANTORS

Section 10.01. Guaranty . Each Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of all Indebtedness of the Company hereunder to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders in any form, including any and all credit extended and any other obligations owing by the Company to the Lenders in connection with the Loans at any time outstanding during the term of this Agreement, plus interest, fees, reimbursement obligations, indemnity obligations and other amounts owed by the Company to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder (collectively, the “ Guaranteed 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. Each Guarantor hereby further agrees that if any of the Guaranteed 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), such Guarantor will 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 Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations, the obligations of the Guarantors 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.

Section 10.02. Obligations Unconditional .

(a) The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 10.01 are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Guaranteed Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Guaranteed 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 it shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Company

 

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for amounts paid under this Article X until such time as the Guaranteed 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 the Guarantors hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

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

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

(d) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; or

(e) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including for the benefit of any creditor of such Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including any creditor of such 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 Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 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 Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and the each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each other holder of the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed 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, except those arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or a holder of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

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Section 10.04. Certain Additional Waivers . Each Guarantor agrees that it shall have no right of recourse to security for the Guaranteed 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 . The Company hereby irrevocably waives the defense of any law or regulation of any jurisdiction, or any other event affecting any term of a Guaranteed Obligation.

Section 10.05. Remedies . Each Guarantor agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Guaranteed Obligations, on the other hand, the Guaranteed 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 Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for purposes of Section 10.01 .

Section 10.06. Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee . The guaranty in this Article X is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guaranty, and shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.

Section 10.07. Limitation on Liability . Each Guarantor shall be liable under this Article X only for amounts aggregating up to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provision of any other applicable law.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey J. Miklich

  Name:   Jeffrey J. Miklich
  Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Term Loan Credit Agreement]


ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:   CITIBANK, N.A.
  By:  

/s/ Michael Vondriska

    Name:   Michael Vondriska
    Title:   Vice President
LENDERS:   CITIBANK, N.A.
  By:  

/s/ Michael Vondriska

    Name:   Michael Vondriska
    Title:   Vice President
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  By:  

/s/ Daniel R. Van Aken

    Name:   Daniel R. Van Aken
    Title:   Director
  MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
  By:  

/s/ Subhalakshmi Ghosh-Kohli

    Name:   Subhalakshmi Ghosh-Kohli
    Title:   Authorized Signatory
  PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  By:  

/s/ Andrew M. Rutherford

    Name:   Andrew M. Rutherford
    Title:   Vice President
  JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
  By:  

/s/ Peter S. Predun

    Name:   Peter S. Predun
    Title:   Executive Director

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Term Loan Credit Agreement]


HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ David A. Mandell

  Name:   David A. Mandell
  Title:   Managing Director
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Marianne T. Meil

  Name:   Marianne T. Meil
  Title:   Senior Vice President
SUNTRUST BANK
By:  

/s/ Garrett O’Malley

  Name:   Garrett O’Malley
  Title:   Director
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/s/ Mark D. Rodgers

  Name:   Mark D. Rodgers
  Title:   Vice President
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By:  

/s/ James F. Disher

  Name:   James F. Disher
  Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

/s/ Alexandre Charron

  Name:   Alexandre Charron
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Term Loan Credit Agreement]


CITY NATIONAL BANK
By:  

/s/ Diane Morgan

  Name:   Diane Morgan
  Title:   Vice President
AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH
By:  

/s/ Nelson Chou

  Name:   Nelson Chou
  Title:   VP of Corporate Banking
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Robert Grillo

  Name:   Robert Grillo
  Title:   Director
LLOYDS BANK PLC
By:  

/s/ Daven Popat

  Name:   Daven Popat
  Title:   Senior Vice President
By:  

/s/ Joel Slomko

  Name:   Joel Slomko
  Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Term Loan Credit Agreement]


CHINA MERCHANTS BANK CO., LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH
By:  

/s/ Xin Wang

  Name:   Xin Wang
  Title:   Head of Corporate Bank U.S. Team
By:  

/s/ Marissa Ma

  Name:   Marissa Ma
  Title:   Assistant General Manager

 

[Signature Page to Sherwin-Williams Term Loan Credit Agreement]


Schedule 2.01

Commitments

 

Lenders

   Commitments      Applicable
Percentages
 

Citibank, N.A.

   $ 240,000,000         12.000000000

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

   $ 240,000,000         12.000000000

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

   $ 240,000,000         12.000000000

PNC Bank, National Association

   $ 240,000,000         12.000000000

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $ 150,000,000         7.500000000

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

   $ 140,000,000         7.000000000

KeyBank National Association

   $ 140,000,000         7.000000000

SunTrust Bank

   $ 140,000,000         7.000000000

U.S. Bank National Association

   $ 140,000,000         7.000000000

Royal Bank of Canada

   $ 115,000,000         5.750000000

City National Bank

   $ 25,000,000         1.250000000

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., New York Branch

   $ 60,000,000         3.000000000

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

   $ 50,000,000         2.500000000

Lloyds Bank plc

   $ 50,000,000         2.500000000

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., New York Branch

   $ 30,000,000         1.500000000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 2,000,000,000         100.000000000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Schedule 9.01

Notices

 

Addresses for the Company

  

Addresses for the Administrative Agent

The Sherwin-Williams Company

101 W. Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Attention: Vice President and Treasurer

Telephone: 216-566-2280

Facsimile: 216-566-2984

E-mail: jjmiklich@sherwin.com

Website: www.sherwin-williams.com

 

With copies to :

Attention: Senior Vice President – Finance and Chief

Financial Officer

Telephone: 216-566-2573

Facsimile: 216-566-2974

E-mail: sphennessy@sherwin.com

 

Attention: General Counsel

Telephone: 216-566-3777

Facsimile: 216-566-1708

E-mail: cathy.kilbane@sherwin.com

  

Citibank, N.A.

1615 Brett Road, Building #3, New Castle

Delaware 19720

Attention: Bank Loan Syndications

Telephone: 302-894-6088

Facsimile: 212-994- 0961

Email: GLAgentOfficeOps@citi.com

 

With a copy to :

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

Attention: David Jaffe

Telephone: 212-816-4880

Facsimile: 212-723-8721

Email: david.jaffe@citi.com


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

Reference is made to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

1. 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 have the meanings provided in 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.

2. 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 to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, 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.

3. The [Assignee/Assignor] shall pay the fee payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

4. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.

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

Legal Name of Assignor:

[Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]

Legal Name of Assignee:

[Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [ identify Lender ]


Assignee’s Address for Notices:

Effective Date:

Assigned Interest:

 

Commitment

   Principal Amount
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment (set forth,
to at least 9 decimals, as
a percentage of the
facility and the
aggregate Commitments
of all Lenders
thereunder)
    CUSIP Number

$            

   $                            

 

The terms set forth above are hereby agreed to:
                    , as Assignor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
                    , as Assignee
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

The undersigned hereby consent to the above assignment 1
THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

 

1   To be completed to the extent consents are required under Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.


CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  


Annex 1 to Assignment and Assumption

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

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, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its 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 all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.04(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.04(b)(ii) 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 5.01 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, (vii) 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 (viii) it is an Eligible 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.

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.


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated [            ], 20[    ], is made by and among [            ] (the “ Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of the Company, and CITIBANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), under that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of April [    ], 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

NOW THEREFORE, the Guarantor and the Agents hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Joinder as Guarantor . In accordance with Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement, the Guarantor by its signature below becomes a Guarantor under the Credit Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Guarantor, but in any event subject to the same terms, provisions and limitations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement. The Guarantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement applicable to it as a Guarantor and as a Loan Party. Each reference to a Guarantor or a Loan Party in the Credit Agreement shall be deemed to include [    ].

Section 2. Representations and Warranties of the Guarantor . The Guarantor represents and warrants that the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement applicable to is as a Loan Party are true in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent any such representation and warranty (i) expressly relates to an earlier date in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date or (ii) is qualified by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects.

Section 3. Applicability of Credit Agreement Provisions . For the purposes of this Agreement, Section 9.05 (Survival), Section 9.06 (Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness), Section 9.07 (Severability), Section 9.09 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process); Section 9.10 (WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL), Section 9.17 (Entire Agreement) and Section 9.18 (Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents) of the Credit Agreement shall apply to this Agreement, assuming for these purposes that the Guarantor was a “Loan Party” under the Credit Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

[            ], a [            ] corporation, as a Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT C-1

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable. 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 C-2

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Date:                  , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT C-3

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, 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 PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Date:                  , 20[    ]


EXHIBIT C-4

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14(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 promissory 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 promissory note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, 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 D

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

Date:             ,         

 

To: [Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing:

 

  1. On                                          (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of                                         .

 

  3. Comprised of                                               .
  [Type of Loan requested]

 

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

 

5.      Account location and number:

 

 

    
 

 

    
 

 

    
 

 

    

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

Date:             ,         

 

To: [Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Borrower ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned Borrower hereby requests a conversion or continuation of the following Loan(s):

 

  1. On                                          (a Business Day).

 

  2. In the amount of                                         .

 

  3. Type of Loan to be converted:                      into the following:                     .

 

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

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

April [●], 2016

This Solvency Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(g) the Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of April 13, 2016 (as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company (the “ Company ”), the Other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned hereby certifies, solely in his capacity as an officer of the Company and not in his individual capacity, as follows:

1. I am the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. I am familiar with the Transactions, and have reviewed the Credit Agreement, financial statements referred to in Section 4.02(c) of the Credit Agreement and such documents and made such investigation as I have deemed relevant for the purposes of this Solvency Certificate.

2. As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, on and as of such date (i) the fair value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

3. As of the date hereof, immediately after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, the Company does not intend to, and the Company does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debts or the debts of any such Subsidiary.

This Solvency Certificate is being delivered by the undersigned officer only in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and not individually and the undersigned shall have no personal liability to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Solvency Certificate on the date first written above.

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:   Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT G

FORM OF PROMISSORY NOTE

[Date]

For value received, The Sherwin-Williams Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the “ Company ”), promises to pay to [                    ] (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), Loans having a principal amount of up to [●], made by the Lender to the Company (or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all Loans made by the Lender to the Company) on the Closing Date under that certain Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among, the Company, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the Closing Date until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest with respect to the Loans evidenced by this promissory note (this “ Note ”) shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars at the Administrative Agent’s Office in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in the Credit 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 Credit 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, and subject to the terms and conditions of, the Credit Agreement. Loans made by the Lender may 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 Company, 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.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


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

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 13, 2016 (this “ Amendment ”), is entered into among THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS LUXEMBOURG S.À R.L., SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CANADA INC., SHERWIN-WILLIAMS UK HOLDING LIMITED (collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), certain Lenders signatory hereto, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as domestic administrative agent and Canadian administrative agent (acting through its Canada branch) (in such capacity, the “ Agents ”) under the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among the Borrowers, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and the Agents.

In consideration of the mutual execution hereof and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Capitalized terms which are defined in the Credit Agreement and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given in the Credit Agreement.

2. Amendment .

Effective on the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

(a) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended inserting the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order:

Amendment No. 1 ” means that certain Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2016, among the Borrowers, certain Lenders signatory thereto, and the Agents.

Amendment No. 1 Effective Date ” means April 13, 2016.

Bail-In Action ” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation ” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;

EEA Member Country ” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.


EEA Resolution Authority ” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule ” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Guaranty ” means the guaranty made by the Subsidiary Guarantors (if any) in favor of the Agents and the Lenders pursuant to their respective Guaranty Agreements.

Guaranty Agreement ” means a guaranty agreement executed by a Subsidiary Guarantor subsequent to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date substantially in the form of Exhibit A to Amendment No. 1.

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) that is required to execute a Guaranty Agreement pursuant to Section 5.10 .

Valspar ” means The Valspar Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Valspar Acquisition ” means the acquisition by the Company, directly or indirectly, of all of the outstanding Equity Interests of Valspar pursuant to the Valspar Acquisition Agreement.

Valspar Acquisition Agreement ” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 19, 2016, among the Company, Valspar and Viking Merger Sub, Inc., as amended and in effect from time to time.

Valspar Closing Date ” means the date on which the Valspar Acquisition is consummated pursuant to the Valspar Acquisition Agreement.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers ” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

(b) The definition of “ Applicable Rate ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the words “or lower or unrated” in the Index Debt Rating for Category 5 and (ii) adding a Category 6 and Category 7 to the grid of Index Debt Ratings, which shall read as follows:

 

Index Debt Ratings:

   Commitment Fee Rate     Eurocurrency Spread     ABR Spread  

Category 6 BBB-/Baa3

     0.20     1.50     0.50

Category 7 BB+/Ba1 or lower or unrated

     0.25     1.75     0.75

(c) The definition of “ Defaulting Lender ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting “or” at the end of clause (d)(i) and replacing it with “,”, and immediately after clause (d)(ii) adding “or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action”.

 

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(d) The definition of “ ERISA Event ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by (i) deleting the text of clause (b) of such definition and replacing it with the words “the failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived;” and (ii) deleting the words “or in reorganization,” in clause (g) of such definition.

(e) The definition of “ Federal Funds Effective Rate ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the words “arranged by federal funds brokers” immediately following the words “the Federal Reserve System”.

(f) The definition of “ Loan Documents ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the words “, Amendment No. 1, any Guaranty Agreements” immediately following the words “this Agreement”.

(g) The definition of “ Total Indebtedness ” in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the period at the end of such definition, and adding the following proviso at the end thereof:

; it being understood that (i) if the Company or any Subsidiary delivers or causes to be delivered an irrevocable repayment or redemption notice that results in Indebtedness in the form of debt securities being due and payable in full not later than 30 days after such repayment or redemption notice has been delivered and deposits cash with or for the benefit of the trustee or holders of such Indebtedness to fund such repayment or redemption, then such Indebtedness shall be considered repaid or redeemed; provided that if any applicable deposit is returned and the corresponding Indebtedness is not repaid or redeemed, but remains outstanding, such Indebtedness shall no longer be considered repaid or redeemed and (ii) if the Company or any Subsidiary commences a tender offer to repurchase Indebtedness (the “Repurchased Indebtedness”) and will be obligated to repurchase such Indebtedness for payment in full, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, after the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions of such tender offer, and in connection therewith issues Indebtedness in the form of debt securities (the “New Indebtedness”) the proceeds of which are to be used to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness within 30 days of issuance of such New Indebtedness (the “Period”), then to the extent, and solely so long as, the Company or any Subsidiary either holds the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in escrow pursuant to customary arrangements, or otherwise sets aside the proceeds of such New Indebtedness in Dollars to fund such repurchase of Repurchased Indebtedness, then the amount of such New Indebtedness shall be deemed for the purpose of this definition to be reduced by the amount of the proceeds thereof that are so held in escrow or set aside (solely to the extent and for so long as so held or set aside, and not for the avoidance of doubt to the extent applied to repurchase the Repurchased Indebtedness or applied for any other purpose other than the repayment of the New Indebtedness); provided further that upon the end of the Period, the deemed reduction of the New Indebtedness described above shall no longer apply.

(h) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by a new Section 1.09, which shall read as follows:

Section 1.09 Pro Forma Calculations . For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue for any period, if during such period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a material acquisition or material disposition (with materiality calculated in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the

 

3


Securities Act of 1933, as amended), each of Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Net Revenue shall be calculated giving pro forma effect (in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) thereto as if such material acquisition or disposition occurred on the first day of such period.

(i) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by a new Section 5.10, which shall read as follows:

Section 5.10 Additional Subsidiary Guarantors . If any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of the Code) is a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, the Company shall, within twenty (20) Business Days (or such later date as agreed to by the Domestic Administrative Agent) after the occurrence thereof, cause such Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder by (i) executing and delivering a Guaranty Agreement to the Domestic Administrative Agent and (ii) if requested by the Domestic Administrative Agent, causing counsel to such Subsidiary (which may include certain opinions of in-house counsel to such Subsidiary) to deliver a customary legal opinion relating thereto addressed to the Agents and the Lenders (it being agreed that the form of opinions delivered on the Closing Date are customary).

(j) Section 6.03 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

Section 6.03 Leverage Ratio . The Company will not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time to exceed 3.50 to 1.00; provided that on and after the Valspar Closing Date, the Company will not permit the Leverage Ratio at any time to exceed 5.25 to 1.00, which level shall step down to (i) 4.75 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the third full fiscal quarter after the Valspar Closing Date, (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the sixth full fiscal quarter after the Valspar Closing Date, (iii) 3.75 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the eighth full fiscal quarter after the Valspar Closing Date and (iv) 3.50 to 1.00 on the first day after the end of the tenth full fiscal quarter after the Valspar Closing Date and thereafter.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, until the earlier of (A) the Valspar Closing Date and (B) the date on which the Valspar Acquisition Agreement terminates or expires, any Indebtedness in the form of debt securities incurred by the Company to finance the Valspar Acquisition shall be disregarded for the purpose of determining compliance with this Section 6.03 to the extent that, and so long as, the cash proceeds of such Indebtedness are either held in escrow on customary terms or are held by the Company as unrestricted cash or cash equivalents.

(k) Article VII of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the word “or” in paragraph (l) thereof, adding the word “or” after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (m), and adding a new paragraph (n), which shall read as follows:

(n) except as permitted pursuant to the terms of the applicable Guaranty Agreements, the guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guaranty Agreement shall for whatever reason be terminated or cease to be in full force and effect, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by the Company;

 

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(l) The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by a new Section 9.20, which shall read as follows:

Section 9.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

3. Effectiveness . This Amendment will become effective upon the date on which the following conditions precedent are first satisfied (the “ Amendment Effective Date ”):

(a) The Agents shall have received from each Borrower and from the Required Lenders an executed counterpart of this Amendment (or photocopies thereof sent by fax, .pdf or other electronic means, each of which shall be enforceable with the same effect as a signed original).

(b) The Agents shall have received a certificate, dated the Amendment Effective Date and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer, confirming (i) the representations and warranties of such Borrower set forth in this Amendment shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment Effective Date and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the Amendment Effective Date.

(c) The Agents shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Amendment Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced one (1) Business Day prior to the Amendment Effective Date, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement.

 

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4. Representations and Warranties . Each Borrower severally, and not jointly with the other Borrowers, represents and warrants, as of the date hereof, that, after giving effect to the provisions of this Amendment, (a) each of the representations and warranties made by such Borrower in Article III of the Credit Agreement is true in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of the date hereof, except (i) to the extent that such representations and warranties refer to an earlier date, in which case they were true in all material respects as of such earlier date or (ii) to the extent that such representations and warranties are qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true in all respects, and (b) no Default has occurred and is continuing.

5. Continuing Effect of the Credit Agreement . This Amendment is limited solely to the matters expressly set forth herein. Subject to the express terms of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement remains in full force and effect, and each Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that all of their obligations hereunder and under the Credit Agreement shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be impaired or limited by the execution or effectiveness of this Amendment except to the extent specified herein. Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement and in any exhibits attached thereto to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of similar import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement after giving effect hereto.

6. Miscellaneous . The provisions of Sections 9.03 (Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver) (except clause (c) thereof); 9.05 (Survival); 9.06 (Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness); 9.09 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process); 9.10 (WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL); 9.12 (Confidentiality) and 9.18 (Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents) of the Credit Agreement shall apply with like effect to this Amendment.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY,

an Ohio corporation

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey J. Miklich

  Name:   Jeffrey J. Miklich
  Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

 

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS LUXEMBOURG S.À R.L.,

a Luxembourg société à responsabilité limitée

By:  

/s/ Lawrence J. Boron

  Name:   Lawrence J. Boron
  Title:   Authorized Attorney

 

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CANADA INC.,

a Canadian corporation

By:  

/s/ Jeffrey J. Miklich

  Name:   Jeffrey J. Miklich
  Title:   Vice President and Assistant Treasurer

 

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS UK HOLDING LIMITED,

an English and Welsh limited liability company

By:  

/s/ Sean P. Hennessy

  Name:   Sean P. Hennessy
  Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Sherwin-Williams Credit Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Domestic Administrative Agent
By:  

/s/ Ronaldo Naval

  Name:   Ronaldo Naval
  Title:   Vice President

 

BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, acting through its Canada branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent
By:  

/s/ Medina Sales De Andrade

  Name:   Medina Sales De Andrade
  Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Sherwin-Williams Credit Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Christopher DiBiase

  Name:   Christopher DiBiase
  Title:   Director

 

BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, acting through its Canada branch

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Medina Sales De Andrade

  Name:   Medina Sales De Andrade
  Title:   Vice President

 

WELLS FARGO, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Daniel R. Van Aken

  Name:   Daniel R. Van Aken
  Title:   Director

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Michael Vondriska

  Name:   Michael Vondriska
  Title:   Vice President

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Peter Predun

  Name:   Peter Predun
  Title:   Executive Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Sherwin-Williams Credit Agreement]


U.S. Bank National Association

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Mark D. Rodgers

  Name:   Mark D. Rodgers
  Title:   Vice President

 

KeyBank National Association

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Marianne T. Meil

  Name:   Marianne T. Meil
  Title:   Senior Vice President

 

PNC Bank, National Association

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Andrew Rutherford

  Name:   Andrew Rutherford
  Title:   Vice President

 

SUNTRUST BANK

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Garrett O’Malley

  Name:   Garrett O’Malley
  Title:   Director

 

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ David A. Mandell

  Name:   David A. Mandell
  Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Sherwin-Williams Credit Agreement]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Alexandre Charron

  Name:   Alexandre Charron
 

Title:

 

Vice President

National Client Group – Finance

RBC Royal Bank

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, acting through its UK (London) Branch
By:  

/s/ Robert Bell

  Name:   Robert Bell
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Sherwin-Williams Credit Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF GUARANTY AGREEMENT

GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated [            ], 2016, is made by and among [                    ] (the “ Subsidiary Guarantor ”), a subsidiary of the Company, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as domestic administrative agent and Canadian administrative agent (acting through its Canada branch) (in such capacity, the “ Agents ”) under that certain Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of July 16, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among The Sherwin-Williams Company, the other Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, and the Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

NOW THEREFORE, the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Agents hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Guaranty . The Subsidiary Guarantor hereby guarantees to the Agents and each Lender as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of all Indebtedness of the Company under the Credit Agreement to the Agents and each of the Lenders in any form, including any and all credit extended and any other obligations owing by the Company to the Lenders in connection with the Loans at any time outstanding during the term of this Agreement, plus interest, fees, reimbursement obligations, indemnity obligations and other amounts owed by the Company to the Agents and the Lenders hereunder (collectively, the “ Company Guaranteed 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 Subsidiary Guarantor hereby further agrees that if any of the Company Guaranteed 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 Subsidiary Guarantor will 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 Company Guaranteed 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 in this Agreement or in any other of the Loan Documents or the other documents relating to the Company Guaranteed Obligations, the obligations of the Subsidiary 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.

Section 2. Obligations Unconditional .

(a) The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 1 above are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Company Guaranteed Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Company Guaranteed 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 2 that the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. The Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Company for amounts paid under this Agreement until such time as the Company Guaranteed 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 the Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above;

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

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

(d) the maturity of any of the Company Guaranteed Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Company Guaranteed 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 Company Guaranteed Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Company Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with; or

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

With respect to its obligations hereunder, the Subsidiary Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Agents or any other holder of the Company Guaranteed 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 Company Guaranteed Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Company Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 3. Reinstatement . The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantor under this Agreement 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 Company Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Company Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and the Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Agents and each other holder of the Company Guaranteed Obligations on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Agents or such holder of the Company Guaranteed 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, except those arising from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agents or a holder of the Company Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 4. Certain Additional Waivers . The Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall have no right of recourse to security for the Company Guaranteed Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 2 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 6 . The Company hereby irrevocably waives the defense of any law or regulation of any jurisdiction, or any other event affecting any term of a Company Guaranteed Obligation.

Section 5. Remedies . The Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between the Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Agents and the other holders of the Company Guaranteed Obligations, on the other hand, the Company Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as specified in Section 2 (and shall be deemed to have become


automatically due and payable in the circumstances specified in Section 2 ) for purposes of Section 1 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Company Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Company Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Company Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Subsidiary Guarantor for purposes of Section 1 .

Section 6. Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee . The guaranty in this Agreement is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guaranty, and shall apply to the Company Guaranteed Obligations whenever arising.

Section 7. Limitation on Liability . The Subsidiary Guarantor shall be liable under this Agreement only for amounts aggregating up to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provision of any other applicable law.

Section 8. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor . If at any time (a) all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of the Subsidiary Guarantor are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of to a Person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries or (b) the Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be (or substantially simultaneously with its release as a Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder will cease to be) a guarantor of Material Indebtedness of the Company, then in each case the Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from its Guaranty in respect of the Company Guaranteed Obligations and all of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and thereafter such Person shall no longer constitute a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Loan Documents. At the request of the Company, the Agents shall, at the Company’s expense, execute such documents as are necessary to acknowledge any such release in accordance with this Section 8 .

Section 9. Representations and Warranties of the Subsidiary Guarantor . The Subsidiary Guarantor represents and warrants that the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.01, 3.02 and 3.03 (assuming, in each case, for purposes hereof that the Subsidiary Guarantor were a “Borrower” or “the Company” under the Credit Agreement) of the Credit Agreement are true in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent any such representation and warranty (i) expressly relates to an earlier date in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date or (ii) is qualified by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects.

Section 10. Applicability of Credit Agreement Provisions . For the purposes of this Agreement, Section 9.05 (Survival), Section 9.06 (Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness), Section 9.07 (Severability), Section 9.09 (Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process); Section 9.10 (WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL), Section 9.17 (Entire Agreement) and Section 9.18 (Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents) of the Credit Agreement shall apply to this Agreement, assuming for these purposes that the Subsidiary Guarantor was a “Borrower” under the Credit Agreement.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

[                    ], a [                    ] corporation, as a Subsidiary Guarantor
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Domestic Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, acting through its Canada branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement]