As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 24, 2017

Registration No. 333-217601

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 2

to

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware    1389    80-0759121
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
   (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
   (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 1600

Houston, TX 77060

(281) 730-5100

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Theodore R. Moore

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 1600

Houston, TX 77060

(281) 730-5100

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Sarah K. Morgan

Lanchi D. Huynh

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 758-2222

  

Matthew R. Pacey

Justin F. Hoffman

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 3300

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 835-3600

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public : As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:  

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer       Accelerated filer         Non-accelerated filer       Smaller reporting company  
    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Explanatory Note

This Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 217601) is being filed solely to amend Item 16 of Part II thereof and to transmit certain exhibits thereto. This Amendment No. 2 does not modify any provision of the preliminary prospectus contained in Part I or Items 13, 14, 15 or 17 of Part II of the Registration Statement. Accordingly, this Amendment No. 2 does not include a copy of the preliminary prospectus.


Part II

Information not required in prospectus

Item 13. Other expenses of issuance and distribution

The following table sets forth an itemized statement of the amounts of all expenses (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) payable by us and the selling stockholders in connection with the registration of the common stock offered hereby. With the exception of the SEC Registration Fee, FINRA Filing Fee and New York Stock Exchange listing fee), the amounts set forth below are estimates.

 

SEC Registration Fee

   $ 11,590  

FINRA Filing Fee

   $ 15,500  

New York Stock Exchange listing fee

   $ *  

Accountants’ fees and expenses

   $ *  

Legal fees and expenses

   $ *  

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ *  

Transfer agent and registrar fees

   $ *  

Miscellaneous

   $ *  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *  

 

 
*   To be provided by amendment

Item 14. Indemnification of directors and officers

Section 145 of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits and proceedings whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than a derivative action by or in the right of the corporation, if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification extends only to expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action and the statute requires court approval before there can be any indemnification where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to the corporation. The statute provides that it is not exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws, disinterested director vote, stockholder vote, agreement or otherwise.

Our charter provides that a director will not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Any amendment to, or repeal of, these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment or repeal. In addition, if the DGCL is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Company, will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Our charter and bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify, and advance expenses to, any officer or director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.

We have obtained directors’ and officers’ insurance to cover our directors, officers and some of our employees for certain liabilities. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our current and future directors and officers containing provisions that are in some respects broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. The indemnification agreements will require us, among other

 

II-1


things, to indemnify our directors and officers against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

The Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1.1 hereto) provides for indemnification by the underwriters of the registrant and its executive officers and directors, and by the registrant of the underwriters, for certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 15. Recent sales of unregistered securities.

During the past three years, we have issued unregistered securities to a limited number of persons, as described below. None of these transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions or any public offering, and we believe that each of these transactions was exempt from the registration requirements pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder or Rule 701 of the Securities Act. The recipients of these securities represented their intention to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were affixed to the share certificates and instruments issued in these transactions.

The following table sets forth information on the restricted stock awards issued by us and common stock issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options in the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement.

 

Person or class of person   Date of issuance/
option exercise
    Total shares of
restricted stock
    Common stock
issued pursuant
to options/
warrants
exercises
    Total consideration  

SCF-VII, L.P.

    June 30, 2014         59,884     $ 11,000,091.96  

Nine Executive Officer

    June 30, 2014         27,218     $ 4,999,674.42  

Former Nine Employee

    March 8, 2015         200     $ 25,236.00  

Former Nine Employee

    April 20, 2015         167     $ 31,982.17  

Former Nine Employee

    August 11, 2015         326     $ 59,882.94  

Former Nine Employee

    August 12, 2015         1,250     $ 59,837.50  

Nine Executive Officer

    July 15, 2015       1,505         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    July 15, 2015       2,500         *  

Nine Executive Officer/Employee

    July 15, 2015       7,500         *  

Nine Employee

    December 15, 2015       3,500         *  

Nine Employee

    December 16, 2016       3,100         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       599         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Director

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       600         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  
                                 

 

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Person or class of person   Date of issuance/option
exercise
    Total shares of
restricted stock
    Common stock
issued pursuant
to options/
warrants
exercises
    Total consideration  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       799         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       1,199         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    March 20, 2017       699         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    March 20, 2017       999         *  

Former Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       100         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       799         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       799         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Director

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    March 20, 2017       10,000         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       200         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Director

    March 20, 2017       1,199         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    March 20, 2017       2,797         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       300         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       320         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       600         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       320         *  

Nine Director

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Employee

    March 20, 2017       400         *  

Nine Executive Officer

    March 31, 2017       9,000         *  
                                 
*   No cash consideration was paid to us by any recipient of any restricted stock award.

The following table sets forth information on the stock options issued by us in the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement.

 

Date of issuance    Number of options granted      Grant date exercise price ($/sh)  

June 5, 2014

     1,362      $ 366.88  

June 13, 2014

     200      $ 396.95  

June 30, 2014

     5,277      $ 396.95  

August 11, 2014

     100      $ 396.95  

October 1, 2014

     91      $ 548.30  

July 15, 2015

     20,880      $ 332.20  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Date of issuance    Number of options granted      Grant date exercise price ($/sh)  

December 15, 2015

     20,087      $ 234.97  

April 1, 2016

     112      $ 223.13  

July 8, 2016

     2,752      $ 181.62  

October 7, 2016

     2,752      $ 181.62  

December 16, 2016

     3,375      $ 181.62  

January 17, 2017

     1,650      $ 181.62  

March 20, 2017

     32,469      $ 250.27  

March 21, 2017

     12,625      $ 250.27  

March 31, 2017

     12,000      $ 250.27  
   

 

No cash consideration was paid to us by any recipient of any of the foregoing options for the grant of such options. All of the stock options described above issued prior to the completion of the Combination were granted under the Stock Plan, to the officers, employees and consultants of the Company.

On April 30, 2014, we issued 7,500 shares of common stock to the former members of Dak-Tana Wireline, LLC as consideration for the Dak-Tana Wireline Acquisition.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated June 5, 2014, a former Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 545 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $199,949.60.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated June 6, 2014, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 272 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $99,791.36.

On June 30, 2014, we issued 105,000 shares of common stock to the former members of Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC as consideration for the Crest Pumping Technologies Acquisition.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated November 17, 2014, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 408 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $149,687.04.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2015, Ms. Fox subscribed to purchase 602 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $199,984.40.

On September 1, 2015, we issued 3,010 shares of common stock to the former members of Pat Greenlee Builders, LLC as consideration for the G8 Oil Tool Acquisition.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 6, 2016, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 1,376 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $249,909.12.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated October 7, 2016, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 1,376 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $249,909.12.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated January 17, 2017, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 550 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $99,891.00.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated January 17, 2017, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 550 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $99,891.00.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated January 17, 2017, a Nine Employee subscribed to purchase 550 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $99,891.00.

On January 31, 2017, we issued 3,010 shares of common stock to the former members of Pat Greenlee Builders, LLC as deferred consideration for the G8 Oil Tool Acquisition.

On February 28, 2017, we completed the Combination, through which Nine Energy Service, Inc. and Beckman Production Services, Inc. were combined. In the Combination, Nine Energy Service, Inc. was the surviving entity,

 

II-4


all of the outstanding shares held by each of the former Beckman Production Services, Inc. shareholders in Beckman Production Services, Inc. were acquired in exchange for 669,270 of our shares.

In connection with the Combination and pursuant to subscription agreements dated March 10, 2017, we offered each of our stockholders (our existing stockholders and the Beckman stockholders) who were accredited investors or non-U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) the opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock worth $20 million in the aggregate, up to their pro-rata ownership of the Company in the Combined Nine Subscription Offer). If each eligible purchaser did not purchase its respective pro rata portion of such approximately $20 million of shares of our common stock, the eligible purchasers that elected to participate in the Combined Nine Subscription Offer were entitled, but not obligated, to purchase the remaining number of shares of our common stock worth $20 million in the aggregate. In connection with Combined Nine Subscription Offer, 55 stockholders, including some of our executive officers and directors, subscribed to purchase 79,914 shares of our common stock in exchange for aggregate cash payments of approximately $20 million. In connection with the Combined Nine Subscription Offer, we issued to those stockholders who purchased shares of our common stock a warrant to purchase additional shares of our common stock on the basis of one warrant share for every two shares purchased in the Combined Nine Subscription Offer, resulting in warrants issued to purchase an aggregate of 39,945 shares of our common stock. The warrants were exercisable upon their issuance and will remain exercisable until the expiration date which is the earlier of the third anniversary of the effective date of the Combined Nine Subscription Offer or upon consummation of an initial public offering, among other things. The initial exercise price of the warrants was $250.27 per share. The proceeds from the Combined Nine Subscription Offer were used to (i) to finance the purchase of non-accredited investors’ shares in the Combination and pay fees and expenses related to the Combination and (ii) for general corporate purposes, including ensuring compliance with our financial covenants under the Existing Nine Credit Facility. For more information about these warrants, please see “Description of capital stock—Warrants” (in the prospectus included in this registration statement).

In addition to the Combined Nine Subscription Offer, though not in connection with the Combination, pursuant to subscription agreements dated March 10, 2017, we offered each of our existing stockholders pre-Combination who were accredited investors or non-U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) the opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock worth $5 million in the aggregate, up to their pro-rata ownership of the Company (the “Nine Subscription Offer”). If each eligible purchaser did not purchase its respective pro rata portion of such approximately $5 million of shares of our common stock, the eligible purchasers that elected to participate in the Nine Subscription Offer were entitled, but not obligated, to purchase the remaining number of shares of our common stock worth $5 million in the aggregate. In connection with Nine Subscription Offer, 41 stockholders, including some of our executive officers and directors, subscribed to purchase 19,978 shares of our common stock in exchange for aggregate cash payments of approximately $5 million. In connection with the Nine Subscription Offer, we issued to those stockholders who purchased shares of our common stock a warrant to purchase additional shares of our common stock on the basis of one warrant share for every two shares purchased in the Nine Subscription Offer, resulting in warrants issued to purchase an aggregate of 9,980 shares of our common stock. The warrants were exercisable upon their issuance and will remain exercisable until the expiration date which is the earlier of the third anniversary of the effective date of the Nine Subscription Offer or upon consummation of an initial public offering, among other things. The initial exercise price of the warrants was $250.27 per share. The proceeds from the Nine Subscription Offer were retained by us to ensure compliance with our financial covenants under the Existing Nine Credit Facility.

In addition to the Combined Nine Subscription Offer and the Nine Subscription Offer, though not in connection with the Combination, pursuant to subscription agreements dated February 10, 2017, Beckman offered each of its stockholders pre-Combination who were accredited investors or non-U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) the opportunity to purchase shares of its common stock worth $15 million

 

II-5


in the aggregate, up to their pro-rata ownership of Beckman (the “Beckman Subscription Offer” and with the Combined Nine Subscription Offer and the Nine Subscription Offer, the “Subscription Offers”). If each eligible purchaser did not purchase its respective pro rata portion of such approximately $15 million of shares of its common stock, the eligible purchasers that elected to participate in the Beckman Subscription Offer were entitled, but not obligated, to purchase the remaining number of shares of its common stock worth $15 million in the aggregate. In connection with Beckman Subscription Offer, 15 stockholders, including some of our executive officers and directors, subscribed to purchase 105,680 shares of Beckman common stock in exchange for aggregate cash payments of approximately $15 million (59,937 shares of our common stock after giving effect to the application of the exchange ratio used with respect to the Combination to convert the shares of Beckman common stock into shares of our common stock). In connection with the Beckman Subscription Offer, Beckman issued to those stockholders who purchased shares of its common stock a warrant to purchase additional shares of its common stock on the basis of one warrant share for every two shares purchased in the Beckman Subscription Offer, resulting in warrants issued to purchase an aggregate of 29,959 shares of our common stock based on the exchange ratio used with respect to the combination. Beckman shares of common stock issued in the Beckman Subscription Offer and warrants purchased in the Beckman Subscription Offer converted into shares and warrants of our common stock based on the exchange ratio used with respect to the Combination. The proceeds from the Beckman Subscription Offer were used to pay outstanding indebtedness under the Existing Beckman Credit Facility.

Pursuant to a Subscription Agreement dated March 31, 2017, Mr. Aron subscribed to purchase 4,000 shares of our common stock in exchange for a cash payment of $1,001,080.00.

Item 16. Exhibits and financial statement schedules

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
number
  Description
  1.1***     Form of Underwriting Agreement
  2.1**†   Combination Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2017, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Beckman Production Services, Inc. and Beckman Merger Sub, Inc.
  3.1***     Form of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Nine Energy Service, Inc.
  3.2***     Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nine Energy Service, Inc.
  4.1***     Form of Common Stock Certificate
  4.2***     Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2017, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc. and the parties thereto
  5.1**     Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
10.1***   Form of Credit Agreement among Nine Energy Service, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries listed therein, Nine Energy Canada Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and certain other financial institutions
10.2**     Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Nine Energy Canada Inc., HSBC Bank USA, N.A., HSBC Bank Canada and certain other financial institutions listed therein
10.3**     First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and US Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2016, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Nine Energy Canada Inc., HSBC Bank USA, N.A., HSBC Bank Canada and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein

 

 

II-6


Exhibit
number
  Description
10.4**     Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions listed therein
10.5**     Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.6**     Master Assignment, Agreement and Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.7**     Agreement and Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.8**     Agreement and Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.9**     Agreement and Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2017, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.10***     Form of Indemnification Agreement between Nine Energy Service, Inc. and its directors and certain officers
10.11**     Nine Energy Service, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective February 28, 2017
10.12**   Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement for Executives
10.13**   Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Executives
10.14**   Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement for Directors
10.15**     Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Directors
10.16**   Employment Agreement between Ann Fox and Nine Energy Service, LLC, dated as of July 6, 2015
10.17**   Employment Agreement between David Crombie and Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC, dated as of June 30, 2014
10.18**   Employment Agreement between Douglas S. Aron and Nine Energy Service, Inc., dated as of March 31, 2017
10.19**   Employment Agreement between Edward Bruce Morgan, Nine Energy Service, Inc. and Nine Energy Service, LLC, dated as of April 6, 2017
10.20**  

Employment Agreement between Theodore R. Moore, Nine Energy Service, Inc. and Nine Energy

Service, LLC, dated as of March 12, 2017

21.1***     List of Subsidiaries
23.1**     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2**     Consent of BDO USA, LLP
23.3*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1**     Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)

 

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
***   Filed herewith.
  The schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K and will be provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)   For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)   For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

II-8


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on May 24, 2017.

 

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

By:    

 

/s/ Ann G. Fox

 

Ann G. Fox

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title   Date

/s/ Ann G. Fox

Ann G. Fox

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  May 24, 2017

/s/ Douglas S. Aron

Douglas S. Aron

  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  May 24, 2017

/s/ Richard S. Woolston

Richard S. Woolston

  

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  May 24, 2017

*

Ernie L. Danner

   Chairman of the Board   May 24, 2017

*

David C. Baldwin

   Director   May 24, 2017

*

Mark E. Baldwin

   Director   May 24, 2017

*

Curtis F. Harrell

   Director   May 24, 2017

*

Gary L. Thomas

   Director   May 24, 2017

*

Andrew L. Waite

   Director   May 24, 2017

 

 

*

 

/s/ Theodore R. Moore

 

Theodore R. Moore

 

Attorney-in-fact

 

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Index to exhibits

 

Exhibit
number
   Description
  1.1***    Form of Underwriting Agreement
  2.1**†    Combination Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2017, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Beckman Production Services, Inc. and Beckman Merger Sub, Inc.
  3.1***    Form of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Nine Energy Service, Inc.
  3.2***    Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Nine Energy Service, Inc.
  4.1***    Form of Common Stock Certificate
  4.2***    Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2017, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc. and the parties thereto
  5.1**    Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
10.1***    Form of Credit Agreement among Nine Energy Service, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries listed therein, Nine Energy Canada Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and certain other financial institutions
10.2**    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Nine Energy Canada Inc., HSBC Bank USA, N.A., HSBC Bank Canada and certain other financial institutions listed therein
10.3**    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and US Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2016, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., Nine Energy Canada Inc., HSBC Bank USA, N.A., HSBC Bank Canada and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.4**    Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions listed therein
10.5**    Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.6**    Master Assignment, Agreement and Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.7**    Agreement and Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.8**    Agreement and Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 12, 2016, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.9**    Agreement and Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2017, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and certain other financial institutions and guarantors listed therein
10.10***    Form of Indemnification Agreement between Nine Energy Service, Inc. and its directors and certain officers
10.11**    Nine Energy Service, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective February 28, 2017

 

  

 


Exhibit
number
   Description
10.12**    Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement for Executives
10.13**    Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Executives
10.14**    Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement for Non-Employee Directors
10.15**    Form of Nine Energy Service, Inc. Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors
10.16**    Employment Agreement between Ann Fox and Nine Energy Service, LLC, dated as of July 6, 2015
10.17**    Employment Agreement between David Crombie and Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC, dated as of June 30, 2014
10.18**    Employment Agreement between Douglas S. Aron and Nine Energy Service, Inc., dated as of March 31, 2017
10.19**    Employment Agreement between Edward Bruce Morgan, Nine Energy Service, Inc. and Nine Energy Service, LLC, dated as of April 6, 2017
10.20**   

Employment Agreement between Theodore R. Moore, Nine Energy Service, Inc. and Nine Energy

Service, LLC, dated as of March 12, 2017

21.1***    List of Subsidiaries
23.1**    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2**    Consent of BDO USA, LLP
23.3*    Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1**    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement)

 

*   To be filed by amendment.
**   Previously filed.
***   Filed herewith.
  The schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K and will be provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Exhibit 1.1

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

[●] Shares of Common Stock

Underwriting Agreement

[•], 2017

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

As Representatives of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), an aggregate of [●] shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (collectively, the “Underwritten Shares”). In addition, the Company proposes to issue and sell, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional [●] shares of common stock of the Company (collectively, the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares”. The shares of common stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock”.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (the “Directed Share Underwriter”) has agreed to reserve up to [●] shares of the Underwritten Shares to be purchased by it under this underwriting agreement (this “Agreement”) for sale by the Directed Share Underwriter at the initial public offering price to the Company’s employees, directors and director nominees (collectively, “Participants”), as set forth in the Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) under the heading “Underwriting (conflicts of interest)” (the “Directed Share Program”). The Shares to be sold by the Directed Share Underwriter and its affiliates pursuant to the Directed Share Program are referred to hereinafter as the “Directed Shares.” It is understood that any Participant designated to participate in the Directed Share Program may decline to do so. Any Directed Shares not orally confirmed for purchase by any Participant by 8:00 A.M., New York City time on [•], 2017 will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set forth in the Prospectus.

The Company currently has two credit facilities in place: (a) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, among the Company, Nine Energy Canada Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Alberta, Canada, the Lenders (as defined therein), HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as US Administrative Agent and as US Issuing Lender, HSBC Bank Canada, as Canadian Issuing Lender and as Canadian Administrative Agent, and Wells


Fargo Bank, National Association, as Swingline Lender, as amended, and (b) the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2014, among Beckman Production Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the Lenders (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders, as Issuing Lender and as Swingline Lender, as amended (together, the “Existing Credit Facilities”). Concurrently with and conditioned upon the sale of the Shares to the Underwriters, the Company expects to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the Existing Credit Facilities with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Underwritten Shares and enter into a new revolving credit facility evidenced by a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other financial institutions (the “New Credit Facility”).

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:

1. Registration Statement . The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement (File No. 333-217601), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness that is furnished by the Company to the Underwriters for distribution in connection with the offering of Shares, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Shares. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth on Annex A hereto, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated [•], 2017 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto.

“Applicable Time” means the time of pricing, [•] [A/P].M., New York City time, on [•], 2017.

2. Purchase of the Shares . (a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at a price

 

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per share (the “Purchase Price”) of $[•] from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto. The public offering price of the Shares is not in excess of the price recommended by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, acting as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

In addition, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.

If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make.

The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.

(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.

(c) Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Company to the Representatives, in the case of the Underwritten Shares, at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002 at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on [•], 2017, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “Closing Date” and the time and date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “Additional Closing Date”.

 

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Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct. If the Shares are represented by certificates, the certificates for the Shares will be made available for inspection by the Representatives at the office of DTC or its designated custodian not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(d) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters, each shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and no Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(b) Pricing Disclosure Package . The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a

 

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material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package and no statement of material fact included in the Pricing Disclosure Package that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.

(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex A hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(d) Emerging Growth Company . From the time of initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

 

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(e) Testing-the-Waters Materials. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communications other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications by virtue of a writing substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Company has not distributed or approved for distribution any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Annex B hereto. “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. Any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(f) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(g) Financial Statements. The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated

 

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and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, except in the case of unaudited financial statements, which are subject to normal year-end adjustments and do not contain certain footnotes as permitted by the applicable rules of the Commission, and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein; the other historical financial information of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.

(h) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants described as outstanding in, and the grant of options and awards under existing equity incentive plans described in, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority.

(i) Organization and Good Standing. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly organized and are validly existing and (where such designation is applicable) in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing as a foreign corporation or other business entity in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Transaction Documents (as defined below) (a “Material Adverse Effect”). The subsidiaries listed in Schedule 2 to this Agreement are the only significant subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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(j) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization”; all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights; except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Registration Statement, Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as arising under the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated February 28, 2017, there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party, except for those securing indebtedness under the Existing Credit Facilities, those which will secure the indebtedness under the New Credit Facility.

(k) Stock Options. With respect to the stock options (the “Stock Options”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company Stock Plans”), (i) each Stock Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code so qualifies, (ii) each grant of such Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company.

(l) Due Authorization. The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the New Credit Facility (collectively, the “Transaction Documents”) and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all corporate action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby has been duly and validly taken.

(m) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

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(n) The Shares. The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(o) Other Transaction Documents. The Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

(p) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents. Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(q) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any applicable law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over it or its property or assets, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(r) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents or the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, constitute a default under, result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or, except as contemplated by the New Credit Facility, result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any applicable law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(s) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of the Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, except for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by FINRA and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, and except where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, no such Actions are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others. There are no current or pending Actions that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(u) Independent Accountants . PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, and BDO USA, LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of Beckman Productions Services, Inc., are each an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.

(v) Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) secure indebtedness under the Existing Credit Facilities or those that will secure indebtedness under the New Credit Facility, (ii) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (iii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(w) Intellectual Property. (i) The Company and its subsidiaries own or have the right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations and know-how (including trade secrets and rights in other unpatented or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures) (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) material to the conduct of their respective businesses; (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, the Company and its subsidiaries’ conduct of their respective businesses does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, in any material respect, any Intellectual Property of any third party; (iii) during the past three years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any written notice of any claim of infringement, misappropriation or violation of any Intellectual Property of any third party that has not been resolved and that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (iv) to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and their subsidiaries is not being infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any third party in a manner that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers, suppliers or other affiliates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

(y) Investment Company Act. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof received by the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be required to register as an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).

(z) Taxes. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all taxes due and payable by each of them through the date hereof, except for any such amounts currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or for which the Company or such subsidiary has established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any knowledge of any tax deficiency that has been, or would reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.

 

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(aa) Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, sub-licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where such revocation, modification or non-renewal, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(bb) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(cc) Certain Environmental Matters . (i) The Company and its subsidiaries (x) are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and other legally enforceable requirements relating to pollution or the protection of occupational health or workplace safety, the environment, natural resources, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (y) have received and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under any Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (z) have not received written notice of any actual or potential liability or obligation under or relating to, or any actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice, and (ii) there are no costs or liabilities to be incurred pursuant to Environmental Laws relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (x) there is no proceeding that is pending, or that is known to the Company to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity is also a party, other than such proceeding regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (y) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any facts or circumstances regarding their compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (z) none of the Company or its subsidiaries expects to incur material capital expenditures in order to comply with Environmental Laws.

 

 

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(dd) Compliance with ERISA . (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), for which the Company or any of its subsidiaries would have any liability (each, a “Plan”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no Plan has failed (whether or not waived), or is reasonably expected to fail, to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) applicable to such Plan; (iv) no Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk status” (within the meaning of Section 303(i) of ERISA) and no Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA is in “endangered status” or “critical status” (within the meaning of Sections 304 and 305 of ERISA) (v) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (vi) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (vii) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification; (viii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (ix) none of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (A) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company or its subsidiaries in the current fiscal year of the Company and its subsidiaries compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year; or (B) a material increase in the Company and its subsidiaries’ “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60) compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year, except in each case set forth in (i) through (ix) hereof, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) Disclosure Controls . The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

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(ff) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. There are no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The Company’s auditors and the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

(gg) Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are reasonably adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses, taken as a whole; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

(hh) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee, agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any applicable provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-

 

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corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(ii) Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(jj) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors or officers, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any employee, agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Crimea (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.

(kk) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries . Except for restrictions under the Existing Credit Facilities or as contemplated by the New Credit Facility, no subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

 

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(ll) No Broker s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(mm) No Registration Rights . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and for such rights arising under the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated February 28, 2017, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company, and any person to whom the Company has granted registration rights has agreed not to exercise such rights until 180 days after the date of the Prospectus.

(nn) No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(oo) Margin Rules . The application of the proceeds received by the Company from the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

(pp) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in any of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(qq) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(rr) Sarbanes-Oxley Act . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans.

(ss) Status under the Securities Act . At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The Company has paid the registration fee for this offering pursuant to Rule 456(b)(1) under the Securities Act or will pay such fee within the time period required by such rule (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(tt) No Ratings . There are (and prior to the Closing Date, will be) no debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.

(uu) Directed Share Program. The Company represents and warrants that (i) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses comply in all material respects, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all material respects, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program, and that (ii) no authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is necessary under the securities laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the United States. The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customer or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or its products.

4. Further Agreements of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, upon request and without charge, (i) to the Representatives, four signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith; and (ii) to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.

 

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(c) Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object in a timely manner.

(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing (which may be by electronic mail), (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed or distributed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information including, but not limited to, any request for information concerning any Testing-the-Waters Communication; (v) of the issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event or development within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

 

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(e) Ongoing Compliance. (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement; provided that (i) such requirements to the Company’s security holders shall be deemed met by the Company’s compliance with its reporting requirements pursuant to the Exchange Act if such compliance satisfies the conditions of Rule 158 and (ii) such requirements to the Representatives shall be deemed met by the Company if the related reports are available on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis, and Retrieval system.

(h) Clear Market. For a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Commission a

 

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registration statement under the Securities Act (other than a Registration Statement on Form S-8) relating to, any shares of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock (other than the grant or issuance of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock, other shares, options or other awards pursuant to Company Stock Plans, employee benefit plans, option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, other than (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder or (B) any shares of the Stock issued (1) upon the exercise of options granted under Company Stock Plans, (2) pursuant to the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date of the Prospectus or (3) directly to a seller of a business or assets as part of the purchase price or private placements in connection with acquisitions thereof by the Company; provided , that, any such recipient of such shares of common stock will agree to be bound by these restrictions for the remainder of such 180-day period and provided , further, that the aggregate number of shares of Stock that the Company may offer pursuant to clause (3) shall not exceed 10% of the total number of shares of Stock issued and outstanding immediately following the completion of the offering contemplated by the Prospectus.

If the Representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the lock-up letter described in Section 6(k) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds”.

(j) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.

(k) Exchange Listing. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”).

(l) Reports. For a period of two years following the date hereof, so long as the Shares are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange or automatic quotation system; provided the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system.

 

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(m) Record Retention . The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

(n) Filings. The Company will file with the Commission such reports as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

(o) Directed Share Program . The Company will comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program.

(p) Emerging Growth Company . The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of Shares within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) completion of the 180-day restricted period referred to in Section 4(h) hereof.

5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters . Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).

(b) It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission; provided that Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex C hereto without the consent of the Company; provided further that any Underwriter using such term sheet shall notify the Company, and provide a copy of such term sheet to the Company, prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the first use of such term sheet.

(c) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).

 

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6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information related to or otherwise affecting the offer and sale of the Shares shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.

(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(c) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(h) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in the Pricing Disclosure Package (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(d) Officer s Certificate. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, (x) a certificate, which shall be delivered on behalf of the Company and not the signatories in their individual capacities, of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Company and one additional senior executive officer of the Company who is reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives (i) confirming that such officers have carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officers, the representations of the Company set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(d) hereof are true and correct and (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Company has complied in all material respects with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

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(e) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and BDO USA, LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided, that the letter delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to such Closing Date or such Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(f) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth in Annex D-1 hereto.

(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and 10b-5 statement of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(h) No Legal Impediment to Issuance and/or Sale. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares by the Company; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares by the Company.

(i) Good Standing . The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing (where such designation is applicable) of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing (where such designation is applicable) as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

(j) Exchange Listing. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

(k) Lock-up Agreements . The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and directors of the Company relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

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(l) CFO Certificate. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto and signed by the chief financial officer of the Company.

(m) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a “road show”) or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

The Company also agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities incurred as a result of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC’s participation as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121 in connection with the offering of the Shares.

 

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(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting (conflicts of interest)” and the information contained in the twelfth and thirteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting (conflicts of interest)”.

(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded based on the advice of counsel that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and it can reasonably be concluded that representation of both parties by the

 

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same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to one firm of local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such reasonable fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred; provided , however , that if indemnity may be sought pursuant to the second paragraph of Section 7(a) above in respect of such proceeding, then in addition to such separate firm of the Underwriters, their affiliates and such control persons of the Underwriters the indemnifying party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of not more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, its affiliates, directors, officers and all persons, if any, who control Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (other than in the case of the Underwriter acting as the qualified independent underwriter, in which case, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC shall so designate), and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement, unless, in each case, the amount of such fees and expenses is being actively disputed in good faith. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, on the other, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in

 

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such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, or the fee to be received by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters or Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in its capacity as a “qualified independent underwriter”, as the case may be, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to paragraph (d) above were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other reasonable expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e), in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Shares exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to paragraphs (e) and (f) are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

 

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(g) Directed Share Program Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Directed Share Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Directed Share Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each a “Directed Share Underwriter Entity”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with defending or investigating any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred) (i) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ii) caused by the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares that the Participant agreed to purchase; or (iii) related to, arising out of, or in connection with the Directed Share Program, other than losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or expenses relating thereto) that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities .

(h) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any Directed Share Underwriter Entity in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to paragraph (g) above, the Directed Share Underwriter Entity seeking indemnity shall promptly notify the Company in writing and the Company, upon request of the Directed Share Underwriter Entity, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Directed Share Underwriter Entity to represent the Directed Share Underwriter Entity and any others the Company may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Directed Share Underwriter Entity unless (i) the Company and such Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel, (ii) the Company has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Directed Share Underwriter Entity, (iii) the Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company or (iv) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and the Directed Share Underwriter Entity and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. The Company shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Directed Share Underwriter Entities. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Company agrees to indemnify the Directed Share Underwriter Entities from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time any Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall have requested the Company to reimburse such Directed Share Underwriter Entity for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the Company agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by the Company of the aforesaid request and (ii) the Company shall not have reimbursed such Directed Share Underwriter Entity in accordance with such request prior to the

 

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date of such settlement. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Directed Share Underwriter, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Directed Share Underwriter Entity is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Directed Share Underwriter Entity, unless (x) such settlement includes an unconditional release of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the Directed Share Underwriter Entity.

(i) To the extent the indemnification provided for in paragraph (g) above is unavailable to a Directed Share Underwriter Entity or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then the Company in lieu of indemnifying the Directed Share Underwriter Entity thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter Entity as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (1) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand from the offering of the Directed Shares or (2) if the allocation provided by clause 7(i)(1) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 7(i)(1) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand in connection with any statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Directed Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Directed Shares (before deducting expenses) and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities for the Directed Shares, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Directed Shares. If the loss, claim, damage or liability is caused by an untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement or the omission or alleged omission relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(j) The Company and the Directed Share Underwriter Entities agree that it would be not just or equitable if contribution pursuant to paragraph (i) above were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Directed Share Underwriter Entities were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (i) above. The amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Directed Share Underwriter Entities in connection with investigating or defending such any action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (h) above, no Directed Share Underwriter Entity shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Directed Shares distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages

 

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that such Directed Share Underwriter Entity has otherwise been required to pay. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for in paragraphs (g) through (j) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.

(k) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in paragraphs (g) through (j) shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Directed Share Underwriter Entity or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Directed Shares.

8. Effectiveness of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above.

9. Termination . This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by any of the Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any national securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

10. Defaulting Underwriter .

(a) If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration

 

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Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

11. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Shares under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the

 

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preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including filing fees and the reasonably incurred fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters related to such registration and qualification); (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (viii) all reasonable expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, acting as “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of the aforementioned FINRA Rule 5121 and the reasonably incurred fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters related to such filings not to exceed $[20,000]); (ix) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors ( provided that all expenses related to chartered aircraft in connection with the “road show” shall be split 50% by the Company and 50% by the Underwriters); (x) all expenses and application fees related to the listing of the Shares on the Exchange and (xi) all of the fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program. It is understand, however, that, except as provided in this Section 11, the Underwriters shall pay all of their costs and expenses, including disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable on the resale of any of the Shares by them, any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make, and that the Underwriters shall be responsible for 50% of the cost of any chartered aircraft or other transportation chartered in connection with any “road show” presentation to investors undertaken in connection with the offering.

(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Shares required to be tendered by it pursuant to this Agreement for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby; provided that in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 10(c), the Company shall only reimburse the non-defaulting Underwriters.

12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein and the affiliates of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

13. Survival . The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters.

 

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14. Certain Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and (d) the term “significant subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

15. Compliance with USA Patriot Act . In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

16. Miscellaneous .

(a) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (fax: (212) 622-8358); Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at 16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77060, (fax: [•]); Attention: Theodore R. Moore.

(b) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.

(c) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(e) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(f) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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Accepted: As of the date first written above

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

 

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

 

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto.

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory


Schedule 1

 

Underwriter

   Number of Shares  
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC   
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                    Incorporated

  
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC   
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.   
Piper Jaffray & Co.   
Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Securities, Inc.   
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.   
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.   
UBS Securities LLC   
  

 

 

 

Total

  


Schedule 2

Significant Subsidiaries


Annex A

Pricing Disclosure Package

[•]

Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters

[•]


Annex B

Written Testing-the-Waters Communications


Annex C

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

Pricing Term Sheet

[TO COME]


Annex D-1

[Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Company]


Exhibit A

EGC – Testing the waters authorization (to be delivered by the issuer to the Representatives in email or letter form)

In reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), Nine Energy Service, Inc. (the “Issuer”) hereby authorizes the Representatives, and their respective affiliates and employees, to engage on behalf of the Issuer in oral and written communications with potential investors that are “qualified institutional buyers”, as defined in Rule 144A under the Act, or institutions that are “accredited investors”, as defined in Regulation D under the Act, to determine whether such investors might have an interest in the Issuer’s contemplated initial public offering (“Testing-the-Waters Communications”). A “Written Testing-the Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act.

The Issuer represents that it is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (“Emerging Growth Company”) and agrees to promptly notify the Representatives in writing if the Issuer hereafter ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company while this authorization is in effect. Except as disclosed to the Representatives, the Issuer has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication, and it has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Issuer will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

Nothing in this authorization is intended to limit or otherwise affect the ability of the Representatives or their affiliates and respective employees to engage in communications in which they could otherwise lawfully engage in the absence of this authorization, including, without limitation, any written communication containing only one or more of the statements specified under Rule 134(a) under the Act. This authorization shall remain in effect until the Issuer has provided the Representatives a written notice revoking this authorization. All notices as described herein shall be sent by email to the attention of [contact information for each Representative].


Exhibit B

[Form of Waiver of Lock-up]

Corporation

Public Offering of Common Stock

, 2017

[Name and Address of

Officer or Director

Requesting Waiver]

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]:

This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the offering by Nine Energy Service, Inc. (the “Company”) of [•] shares of common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company and the lock-up letter dated [•], 2017 (the “Lock-up Letter”), executed by you in connection with such offering, and your request for a [waiver] [release] dated                    , 20    , with respect to            shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”).

The Representatives hereby agree to [waive] [release] the transfer restrictions set forth in the Lock-up Letter, but only with respect to the Shares, effective                     , 2017; provided , however , that such [waiver] [release] is conditioned on the Company announcing the impending [waiver] [release] by press release through a major news service at least two business days before effectiveness of such [waiver] [release]. This letter will serve as notice to the Company of the impending [waiver] [release].

Except as expressly [waived] [released] hereby, the Lock-up Letter shall remain in full force and effect.

[ signature page follows ]


Yours very truly,
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Acting severally on behalf of themselves and the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 thereto.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
By:    
Authorized Signatory
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
By:    
Authorized Signatory
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
By:    
Authorized Signatory


Exhibit C

[Form of Press Release]

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

[Date]

Nine Energy Service, Inc. (“Company”) announced today that J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as the lead book-running managers in the Company’s recent public sale of                shares of common stock, are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to                shares of the Company’s common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on                , 2017, and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


Exhibit D

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

, 2017

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

As Representatives of

the several Underwriters listed in

Schedule 1 to the Underwriting

Agreement referred to below

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

 

  Re: Nine Energy Service, Inc. — Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that you, as Representatives of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of common stock of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, during the period beginning on the date of this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) and ending 180 days after the date of the prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) (such period, the “Restricted Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock, $0.01 per share par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and


securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, in each case other than (A) the Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (B) transfers of shares of Common Stock as a bona fide gift or gifts, and (C) distributions of shares of Common Stock to members or stockholders of the undersigned; provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B) or (C), each donee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph; and provided , further , that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B) or (C), no filing by any party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Restricted Period referred to above). If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters agree that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.


The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective by [•], 2017, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.

[ signature page follows ]


This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Very truly yours,
[NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Exhibit E

[FORM OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE]

Exhibit 3.1

FORM OF

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

The original Certificate of Incorporation of NSC-Tripoint, Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 26, 2011. Pursuant to a Certificate of Merger filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 3, 2011, IDTS, Inc., a Delaware corporation, merged with and into NSC-Tripoint, Inc. and the Certificate of Incorporation was amended and restated in its entirety by an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 28, 2013, the corporation’s name was changed to “Nine Energy Service, Inc.” and the Certificate of Incorporation was amended and restated in its entirety by a Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”) has been declared advisable by the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of Nine Energy Service, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”), duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation and duly executed and acknowledged by the officers of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 103, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) .

The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Corporation is Nine Energy Service, Inc.

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 270,000,000, consisting of (i) 250,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of one cent ($0.01) per share (the “Common Stock ”) and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock of the par value of one cent ($0.01) per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).The following is a statement of the designations and the powers, privileges and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation.

ARTICLE II. COMMON STOCK

1.  General. Each share of Common Stock of the Corporation shall have identical rights and privileges in every respect. The Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the Preferred Stock and any series thereof.

2.  Voting. (a) Except as otherwise provided by law or as stated or expressed in the resolution or resolutions of the Board with respect to any series of Preferred Stock (each, a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”), each registered holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such Common Stock held by such holder on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the


Corporation for their vote; provided , however , that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation). There shall be no cumulative voting. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the votes represented by all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, including any Preferred Stock Designation, no action that is permitted or required to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation may be effected by consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.

(b) Except as required by law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock,

(i) Holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to elect directors of the Corporation; and

(ii) Holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to vote on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

3.  Dividends . Subject to the prior rights and preferences, if any, applicable to shares of the Preferred Stock or any series thereof, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive ratably such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise), if any, as may be declared thereon by the Board at any time and from time to time out of any funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.

4.  Liquidation . In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock or any class or series thereof, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by them. A liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, as such terms are used in this Section 4 of Article II, shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or to include any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or other entity or a sale, lease, exchange or conveyance of all or a part of the assets of the Corporation.

5.  Forward Stock Split . Effective as of the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, as hereby amended, pursuant to Section 103(c) of the DGCL (the “ Effective Time ”), each share of Common Stock issued at such time (the “ Old Common Stock ”) shall be and hereby is automatically reclassified, changed and converted into 18.827 validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock without any action by the holder thereof. Such reclassification, change and conversion shall not change the par value of the Common Stock. Effective as of the Effective Time, the certificates outstanding and previously representing shares of Old Common Stock as of the Effective Time shall, until surrendered and exchanged for new certificates, be deemed, for all corporate purposes, to represent 18.827 shares of Common Stock for each share of Old Common Stock represented by such certificates prior to the Effective Time.

 

2


ARTICLE III. PREFERRED STOCK

1.  Issuance and Reissuance. Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more classes or series, the shares of each class or series to consist of such number of shares and to have such terms, rights, powers and preferences, and the qualifications and limitations with respect thereto, as stated or expressed herein and in one or more Preferred Stock Designations.

2.  Blank Check Preferred. Subject to any vote expressly required by this Certificate of Incorporation, authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board to, from time to time, issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof, to determine and fix such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) whether or not the class or series is to have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

(b) the number of shares to constitute the class or series and the designations thereof;

(c) the preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any class or series;

(d) whether or not the shares of any class or series shall be redeemable at the option of the Corporation or the holders thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, and, if redeemable, the redemption price or prices (which may be payable in the form of cash, notes, securities or other property), and the time or times at which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such shares shall be redeemable and the manner of redemption;

(e) whether or not the shares of a class or series shall be subject to the operation of retirement or sinking funds to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement, and, if such retirement or sinking fund or funds are to be established, the annual amount thereof, and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof;

(f) the dividend rate, whether dividends are payable in cash, stock of the Corporation or other property, the conditions upon which and the times when such dividends are payable, the preference to or the relation to the payment of dividends payable on any other class or classes or series of stock, whether or not such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative, the date or dates from which such dividends shall accumulate;

(g) the preferences, if any, and the amounts thereof which the holders of any class or series thereof shall be entitled to receive upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;

(h) whether or not the shares of any class or series, at the option of the Corporation or the holder thereof or upon the happening of any specified event, shall be convertible into or exchangeable for, the shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, securities or other property of the Corporation and the conversion price or prices or ratio or ratios or the rate or rates at which such exchange may be made, with such adjustments, if any, as shall be stated and expressed or provided for in such resolution or resolutions; and

(i) such other special rights and protective provisions with respect to any class or series as the Board may determine are advisable.

 

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3.  Number of Shares . The shares of each class or series of the Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other class or series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The Board may increase the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution adding to such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock not designated for any other class or series. The Board may decrease the number of shares of the Preferred Stock designated for any existing class or series by a resolution subtracting from such class or series authorized and unissued shares of the Preferred Stock designated for such existing class or series, and the shares so subtracted shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock.

ARTICLE IV: THE BOARD

1.  Authority and Number of Directors . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. To the extent not provided for in this Certificate of Incorporation, the nominations, qualifications, tenure and vacancies of the directors shall be as set forth in the bylaws of the Corporation (as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, the “ Bylaws ”). The number of directors which shall constitute the entire Board shall be fixed from time to time by a majority of the directors then in office. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

2.  Classification . The directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, and designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The initial division of the Board into classes shall be made by the Board. The initial Class I directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation as hereby amended (the “ Class  I Directors ”), the initial Class II directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation as hereby amended (the “ Class  II Directors ”), and the initial Class III directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation as hereby amended (the “ Class  III Directors ”). Each director in each class shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders following the filing of this Certificate of Incorporation as hereby amended, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in the third year following the year of their election, with each director in each such class to hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I, Class II or Class III.

3.  Vacancies . Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and unless otherwise required by law or resolution of the Board, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors and any vacancies in the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office and entitled to vote thereon, even though less than a quorum, or a sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office for the remaining term of his or her predecessor. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, however, in no case will a decrease in the authorized number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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4. Removal . Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, if any, to elect additional directors pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), any director, or the entire Board, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

5. Preferred Stock Directors . During any period when the holders of any series of Preferred Stock have the right to elect additional directors as provided for or fixed pursuant to the provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), then upon commencement and for the duration of the period during which such right continues: (a) the then otherwise total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by such specified number of directors, and the holders of such Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect the additional directors so provided for or fixed pursuant to such provisions, and (b) each such additional director shall serve until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s right to hold such office terminates pursuant to such provisions, whichever occurs earlier, subject to his earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal. Except as otherwise provided by the Board in the resolution or resolutions establishing such series, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such stock, the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be reduced accordingly.

ARTICLE V: BYLAW AMENDMENTS

In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. In addition to any separate vote of the Preferred Stock or any series thereof required pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the stockholders of the Corporation may alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws only by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

ARTICLE VI: BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Prior to the first date (the “ Section  203 Trigger Date ”) upon which the SCF Group (as defined in Article IX) is not the holder of record (directly or through its Affiliates) of at least 15% of the outstanding voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, as now in effect or hereafter amended, or any successor statute thereto, shall not be applicable to the Corporation. On or after the Section 203 Trigger Date, the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL shall be applicable to the Corporation.

ARTICLE VII: INDEMNIFICATION

1. No director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

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2. Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) Right to Indemnification. (i) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “ proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, in any capacity, with any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in which the Corporation has a partnership or other interest, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a director or officer of the Corporation, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such person to indemnity hereunder and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators, and (ii) the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless in such manner any person designated by the Board, or any committee thereof, as a person subject to this indemnification provision, and who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that he, she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was serving at the request of the Board as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise whether such request is made before or after the acts taken or allegedly taken or events occurring or allegedly occurring which give rise to such proceeding; provided, however, that except as provided in subsection (2)(B) of this Article VII, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification pursuant to this subsection in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board. The right to indemnification conferred herein shall be a contract right based upon an offer from the Corporation which shall be deemed to have been made to a person subject to subsection (2)(a)(i) on the date this Certificate of Incorporation is effective and to a person subject to subsection (2)(a)(ii) on the date designated by the Board, shall be deemed to be accepted, (1) in the case of a person subject to subsection (2)(a)(i) by such person’s service or continued service as a director or officer of the Corporation, or in such other capacity described in subsection (2)(a)(i) in which such person is serving at the request of the Corporation, for any period after the offer is made and (ii) in the case of a person subject to subsection (2)(a)(ii), by such person’s continued service in such capacity as such person was serving when designated as subject to subsection (2)(a)(ii) by the Board, or any committee thereof, or if such person is no longer serving in such capacity, by such person’s written acceptance and, in each case, shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding no later than 10 days after receipt by the Corporation of a written request for advancement from such person (together with such invoices or other supporting information as may be reasonably requested by the Corporation and reasonably available to such person) and without regard to whether such person will ultimately be entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise; provided further, however, that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a current, former or proposed director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer or proposed director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is or has been agreed to be rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) within 15 days of the receipt by the Corporation of such a written request, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnified person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnified person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise. The Corporation may, by action of the Board, provide indemnification or advancement to employees or agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.

 

6


(b) Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section (2)(a) of this Article VII is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is required, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard - of conduct.

(c) Nonexclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and the advancement and payment of expenses conferred in this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have acquired or hereafter acquires under any law (common or statutory), provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, bylaw, agreement (including any indemnification agreement or employment agreement with the Corporation), vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

(d) Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

(e) Nature of Rights. The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit, eliminate, or impair any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

(f) Savings Clause. If this Article VII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each current or former director and officer of the Corporation, as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

7


ARTICLE VIII: CERTIFICATE AMENDMENTS

The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in this Third Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, from time to time, to amend this Third Certificate of Incorporation or any provision hereof in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a director or stockholder of the Corporation by this Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or any amendment hereof are subject to such right of the Corporation; provided , however , that except as otherwise specifically provided in this Certificate of Incorporation (including any provision of a Preferred Stock Designation that provides for a greater or lesser vote) and in addition to any requirements of law, the affirmative vote of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, or adopt any provision inconsistent with this Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE IX: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

1. Renouncement of Business Opportunities . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in any business opportunity, transaction or other matter in which any member of the SCF Group participates or desires or seeks to participate in and that involves any aspect of the energy equipment or services business or industry (each, a “ Business Opportunity ) other than a Business Opportunity that (i) is presented to an SCF Nominee solely in such Person’s capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries and with respect to which no other member of the SCF Group (other than an SCF Nominee) independently receives notice or otherwise identifies such Business Opportunity, or (ii) is identified by any member of the SCF Group solely through the disclosure of information by or on behalf of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (each Business Opportunity other than those referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) are referred to as a ““ Renounced Business Opportunity ”). No member of the SCF Group, including any SCF Nominee, shall have any obligation to communicate or offer any Renounced Business Opportunity to the Corporation, and any member of the SCF Group may pursue a Renounced Business Opportunity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article IX, the Corporation shall not be prohibited from pursuing any Business Opportunity with respect to which it has renounced any interest or expectancy as a result of this Article IX.

2. Consent. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article IX.

3. Interpretation. As used in this Article IX, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “ Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(b) “ Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or other legal or business entity.

(c) “ SCF Group means SCF-V, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P., SCF-VII, L.P., SCF-VIII, L.P., any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries), any SCF Nominee and any portfolio company in which any of SCF-V, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P., SCF-VII, L.P. or SCF-VIII, L.P. has an equity investment of at least 5% of the voting securities (other than the Corporation and its Subsidiaries).

(d) SCF Nominee means any equity investor, officer, director, employee or agent of SCF-V, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P., SCF-VII, L.P. or SCF-VIII, L.P. or any of their respective Affiliates (other than the Corporation or its Subsidiaries) who serves as a director (including Chairman of the Board) or officer of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

(e) Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any other Person the majority of the voting securities of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by such first Person.

 

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4.  Amendment. Prior to the termination of this Article IX in accordance with subsection 5 below, any proposed amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article IX, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this Article IX, shall require the approval of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

5.  Term. The provisions of this Article IX shall terminate and be of no further force and effect at the first time following the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation as no member of the SCF Group owns any equity interest in the Corporation and no SCF Nominee serves as a director (including Chairman of the Board) or officer of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries for a continuous period of one year.

6.  Severability. If any provision of this Article IX or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Article IX and the application of such provision to other Persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby and such provision shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE X: FORUM SELECTION

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the stockholders; (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws; or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any stockholder of the Corporation or person or entity that otherwise acquires an interest in shares of stock in the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this Article X.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN . WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Certificate of Incorporation to be executed this [●] day of [●], 2017, effective for all purposes, as provided above.

 

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Ann G. Fox

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

10

Exhibit 3.2

FORM OF

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

A Delaware Corporation

Date of Adoption:

[ ] [ ], 2017


NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

Table of Contents

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I  
OFFICES  

Section 1.01

 

Registered Office

     1  

Section 1.02

 

Other Offices

     1  
ARTICLE II  
STOCKHOLDERS  

Section 2.01

 

Place of Meetings

     1  

Section 2.02

 

Quorum; Voting; Adjournment of Meetings

     1  

Section 2.03

 

Annual Meetings

     2  

Section 2.04

 

Special Meetings

     2  

Section 2.05

 

Record Date

     2  

Section 2.06

 

Notice of Meetings

     3  

Section 2.07

 

Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations

     3  

Section 2.08

 

Stock List

     7  

Section 2.09

 

Proxies

     8  

Section 2.10

 

Elections; Inspectors

     8  

Section 2.11

 

Order of Business

     9  

Section 2.12

 

Treasury Stock

     9  

Section 2.13

 

No Action Without Meeting

     9  

Section 2.14

 

Meeting by Remote Communications

     9  
ARTICLE III  
BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

Section 3.01

 

Power; Number; Term of Office

     10  

Section 3.02

 

Quorum

     10  

Section 3.03

 

Place of Meetings; Order of Business

     10  

Section 3.04

 

First Meeting

     10  

Section 3.05

 

Regular Meetings

     10  

Section 3.06

 

Special Meetings

     10  

Section 3.07

 

Emergency Bylaws

     11  

Section 3.08

 

Removal

     11  

Section 3.09

 

Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors

     11  

Section 3.10

 

Compensation

     11  

Section 3.11

 

Action Without a Meeting; Telephone Conference Meeting

     11  

Section 3.12

 

Approval or Ratification of Acts or Contracts by Stockholders

     12  

 

i


ARTICLE IV  
COMMITTEES  

Section 4.01

 

Designation; Powers

     12  

Section 4.02

 

Procedure; Meetings; Quorum

     12  

Section 4.03

 

Substitution of Members

     12  
ARTICLE V  
OFFICERS  

Section 5.01

 

Number, Titles and Term of Office

     13  

Section 5.02

 

Salaries

     13  

Section 5.03

 

Removal

     13  

Section 5.04

 

Vacancies

     13  

Section 5.05

 

Powers and Duties of the Chief Executive Officer

     13  

Section 5.06

 

Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the Board

     13  

Section 5.07

 

Powers and Duties of the President

     13  

Section 5.08

 

Powers and Duties of the Vice Presidents

     14  

Section 5.09

 

Powers and Duties of the Chief Financial Officer

     14  

Section 5.10

 

Powers and Duties of the Treasurer

     14  

Section 5.11

 

Powers and Duties of the Assistant Treasurers

     14  

Section 5.12

 

Powers and Duties of the Secretary

     14  

Section 5.13

 

Powers and Duties of the Assistant Secretaries

     15  

Section 5.14

 

Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations

     15  
ARTICLE VI  
CAPITAL STOCK  

Section 6.01

 

Certificates of Stock

     15  

Section 6.02

 

Transfer of Shares

     16  

Section 6.03

 

Ownership of Shares

     16  

Section 6.04

 

Regulations Regarding Certificates

     16  

Section 6.05

 

Lost or Destroyed Certificates

     16  
ARTICLE VII  
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS  

Section 7.01

 

Fiscal Year

     16  

Section 7.02

 

Notice and Waiver of Notice

     16  

Section 7.03

 

Resignations

     17  

Section 7.04

 

Facsimile or Electronic Signatures

     17  

Section 7.05

 

Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records

     17  

Section 7.06

 

Forum Selection

     17  
ARTICLE VIII  
AMENDMENTS  

 

ii


FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1.01 Registered Office . The registered office of Nine Energy Service, Inc. (formerly NSC-Tripoint, Inc.) (the “ Corporation ”) required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) to be maintained in the State of Delaware, shall be the registered office named in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, or such other office as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) in the manner provided by law. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time, as herein referenced shall include any certificate of designations (each, a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”) relating to any series or class of Preferred Stock (collectively, the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”). Should the Corporation maintain a principal office within the State of Delaware such registered office need not be identical to such principal office of the Corporation.

Section 1.02 Other Offices . The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.01 Place of Meetings . All meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware as shall be specified or fixed in the notices or waivers of notice thereof.

Section 2.02 Quorum; Voting; Adjournment of Meetings . Unless otherwise required by law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders for the transaction of business; provided, however, that where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series outstanding and entitled to vote on that matter, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to such matter. At any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), these bylaws or any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, at each meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present, all corporate actions (other than the election of directors) to be taken by vote of the stockholders shall be authorized by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter, and where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, if a quorum of such class or series or classes or series is present, such act shall be authorized by the affirmative vote

 

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of at least a majority of the voting power of the stock of such class or series or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot. The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock, present in person or represented by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders, whether or not a quorum is present, shall have the power to adjourn such meeting from time to time, without any notice other than announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the holding of the adjourned meeting. Except as otherwise permitted or required by law, if the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 2.03 Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix and set forth in the notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.04 Special Meetings . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may only be called by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.

Section 2.05 Record Date . For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a record date for any meeting of the stockholders, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If the Board of Directors does not fix a record date for any meeting of the stockholders, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if in accordance with Section 7.02 of these bylaws, notice is waived, at the close of

 

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business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose where no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided , however , that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05 at the adjourned meeting.

Section 2.06 Notice of Meetings . Written notice of the place, if any, date and hour of all meetings, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), the means of remote communications (if applicable), and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board (if any), the President or the Secretary to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. Such notice may be delivered personally by mail or by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

Section 2.07 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations .

(a) Annual Meeting .

(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of business other than nominations to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only: (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof); or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.07(a) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.07(a). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing clause (C) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or propose other business at an annual meeting of stockholders (other than a proposal included in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)).

(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of the foregoing paragraph, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and, in the case of business other than nominations, such business must be a proper subject for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation not later than the close of business (as defined in

 

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Section 2.07(c) below) on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or after such anniversary date, or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement (as defined in Section 2.07(c) below) of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall an adjournment or recess of an annual meeting, or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice of the meeting has already been given to stockholders or a public announcement of the meeting date has already been made, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:

(A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (1) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; and (2) such person’s written consent to serving as a director, if elected, for the full term for which such person is standing for election; provided , however , that, in addition to the information required in the stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.07(a)(ii)(A), such person shall also provide the Corporation such other information that the Corporation may reasonably request and that is necessary to permit the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such person to serve as a director of the Corporation, including information relevant to a determination whether such person can be considered an independent director;

(B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;

(C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed:

(1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and the name and address of such beneficial owner;

(2) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record by the stockholder and such beneficial owner as of the record date for the meeting; and

(3) a representation that the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) intends to appear at the meeting to make such nomination or propose such business;

 

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(D) as to the stockholder giving the notice or, if the notice is given on behalf of a beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made or the other business is proposed, as to such beneficial owner, and if such stockholder or beneficial owner is an entity, as to each director, executive, managing member or control person of such entity (any such individual or control person, a “ control person ”):

(1) the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned (as defined in Section 2.07(c) below) by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the date of the notice, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of the class or series and number of shares of stock of the Corporation beneficially owned by such stockholder or beneficial owner and by any control person as of the record date for the meeting;

(2) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or other business between or among such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person and any other person, including without limitation any agreements that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of Exchange Act Schedule 13D (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable) and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting;

(3) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, without limitation, any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, beneficial owner or control person, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit from changes in the share price of any class or series of the Corporation’s stock, or maintain, increase or decrease the voting power of the stockholder, beneficial owner or control person with respect to securities of the Corporation, and a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for such meeting of any such agreement, arrangement or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting;

(4) a representation whether the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, will engage in a solicitation with respect to the nomination or other business and, if so, the name of each participant in such solicitation (as defined in Item 4 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) and whether such person intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of shares representing at least 50% of the voting power of the stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors in the case of a nomination, or holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s stock required to approve or adopt the business to be proposed in the case of other business.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.07(a)(ii) above or Section 2.07(b) below to the contrary, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders is different from the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.07 shall set forth a representation that the stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing within five business days after the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, or by the opening of business on the date of the meeting (whichever is earlier), of the information required under clauses (ii)(C)(2) and (ii)(D)(1)-(3) of this Section 2.07(a), and such information when provided to the Corporation shall be current as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.

(iv) This Section 2.07(a) shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present the proposal at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.

(b) Special Meeting . Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any authorized committee thereof); or (ii)  provided that one or more directors are to be elected at such meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.07(b) is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who delivers notice thereof in writing setting forth the information required by Section 2.07(a) above. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the notice required by this Section 2.07(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal office of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall an adjournment, recess or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General . Except as otherwise required by law, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before

 

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the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07. Except as otherwise required by law, each of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 (including whether a stockholder or beneficial owner solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(D)(4) of this Section 2.07). If any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with this Section 2.07, then except as otherwise required by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, unless otherwise required by law, or otherwise determined by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder does not provide the information required under clauses (a)(ii)(C)(2) and (a)(ii)(D)(1)-(3) of this Section 2.07 to the Corporation within the time frames specified herein, or if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such other business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.07, to be considered a qualified representative of a stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder (or a reliable reproduction or electronic transmission of the writing) delivered to the Corporation prior to the making of such nomination or proposal at such meeting stating that such person is authorized to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders.

For purposes of this Section 2.07, the “ close of business ” shall mean 6:00 p.m. local time at the principal office of the Corporation on any calendar day, whether or not the day is a business day, and a “ public announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. For purposes of clause (a)(ii)(D)(1) of this Section 2.07, shares shall be treated as “ beneficially owned ” by a person if the person beneficially owns such shares, directly or indirectly, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Regulations 13D and 13G thereunder or has or shares pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing): (A) the right to acquire such shares (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time or the fulfillment of a condition or both); (B) the right to vote such shares, alone or in concert with others; and/or (C) investment power with respect to such shares, including the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such shares.

Nothing in this Section 2.07 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 2.08 Stock List . At least ten days before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order,

 

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with the address of and the number of voting shares registered in the name of each stockholder, will be prepared by the officer or agent having charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date in lieu of reflecting the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. Such list will be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, as required by applicable law. If the meeting is to be held at a place, a stock list will also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and will be subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.09 Proxies . Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him, her or it by proxy. Proxies for use at any meeting of stockholders shall be filed with the Secretary, or such other officer as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine by resolution, before or at the time of the meeting. All proxies shall be received and taken charge of and all ballots, if any, shall be received and canvassed by the secretary of the meeting who shall decide all questions touching upon the qualification of voters, the validity of the proxies, and the acceptance or rejection of votes, unless an inspector or inspectors shall have been appointed by the chairman of the meeting, in which event such inspector or inspectors shall decide all such questions.

No proxy shall be valid after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Each proxy shall be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.

Should a proxy designate two or more persons to act as proxies, unless such instrument shall provide the contrary, a majority of such persons present at any meeting at which their powers thereunder are to be exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers of voting or giving consents thereby conferred, or if only one be present, then such powers may be exercised by that one; or, if an even number attend and a majority do not agree on any particular issue, each proxy so attending shall be entitled to exercise such powers in respect of the same portion of the shares as he is of the proxies representing such shares.

Section 2.10 Elections; Inspectors . Unless otherwise required by law or provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote which is registered in his, her or its name on the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Shares registered in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent or proxy as the bylaw (or comparable instrument) of such corporation may prescribe, or in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors (or comparable body) of such corporation may determine. Shares registered in the name of a deceased person may be voted by his executor or administrator, either in person or by proxy.

At any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may appoint one or more inspectors, each of whom shall subscribe an oath or affirmation to execute faithfully the

 

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duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. Such inspector shall receive the ballots, if any, count the votes and make and sign a certificate of the result thereof. The chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to serve as inspector, except no candidate for the office of director shall be appointed as an inspector.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, cumulative voting for the election of directors shall be prohibited.

Section 2.11 Order of Business . At each meeting of the stockholders, one of the following persons, in the order in which they are listed, shall serve as chairman of the meeting: Chairman of the Board, President, Vice Presidents (if any, and in the order of their seniority if more than one) and Secretary. The order of business at each such meeting shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations, and procedures and to do all such acts and things as are necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, the establishment of procedures for the maintenance of order and safety, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments on the affairs of the Corporation, restrictions on entry to such meeting after the time prescribed for the commencement thereof, the opening and closing of the voting polls, and the adjournment of the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present.

Section 2.12 Treasury Stock . The Corporation shall not vote, directly or indirectly, shares of its own stock owned by it, and such shares shall not be counted for quorum purposes.

Section 2.13 No Action Without Meeting . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, no action that is permitted or required to be taken at a meeting of stockholders may be effected by consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders.

Section 2.14 Meeting by Remote Communications . The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication in accordance with Section 211(a)(2) of the DGCL. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication: (a) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and (b) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that: (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxyholder; (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxyholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings; and (iii) if any stockholder or proxyholder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.01 Power; Number; Term of Office . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, and subject to the restrictions imposed by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, they may exercise all the powers of the Corporation.

The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors (provided that no decrease in the number of directors which would have the effect of shortening the term of an incumbent director may be made by the Board of Directors). If the Board of Directors makes no such determination, the number of directors shall be the number of directors named in the Certificate of Incorporation. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he or she is elected and until his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, directors do not need to be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

Section 3.02 Quorum . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of the Board of Directors and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.03 Place of Meetings; Order of Business . The directors may hold their meetings and may have an office and keep the books of the Corporation, except as otherwise provided by law, in such place or places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine by resolution. At all meetings of the Board of Directors business shall be transacted in such order as shall from time to time be determined by the Chairman of the Board (if any), or in his or her absence by the President, or by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.04 First Meeting . The Board of Directors may hold a meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of business, if a quorum is present, immediately after and at the same place, if any, as the annual meeting of the stockholders. Notice of such meeting shall not be required. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors in each year at which a quorum shall be present, held next after the annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall proceed to the election of the officers of the Corporation.

Section 3.05 Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and places, if any, as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.

Section 3.06 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board (if any), the President or, on the written request of any two directors, by the Secretary, in each case on at least 24 hours’ notice to each director. Such notice, or any waiver thereof pursuant to Section 7.02 of these bylaws, need not state the purpose or purposes of such meeting, except as may otherwise be required by law or provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.

 

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Section 3.07 Emergency Bylaws . In the event of any emergency, disaster or catastrophe, as referred to in Section 110 of the DGCL, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board or a standing committee of the Board cannot readily be convened for action, then the director or directors in attendance at the meeting shall constitute a quorum. Such director or directors in attendance may further take action to appoint one or more of themselves or other directors to membership on any standing or temporary committees of the Board as they shall deem necessary and appropriate.

Section 3.08 Removal . Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, from office at any time, but only for cause, and only by the holders of 66  2 3 % of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

Section 3.09 Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors . Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled solely by a majority of the directors then in office and entitled to vote thereon, although less than a quorum, or a sole remaining director; and any director so chosen to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall hold office for the remaining term of his or her predecessor or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

Any directors elected to fill vacancies or newly created directorships shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such directors shall have been chosen, and until their successors shall be duly elected and shall qualify.

Section 3.10 Compensation . The Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

Section 3.11 Action Without a Meeting; Telephone Conference Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee, as the case may be, and may be stated as such in any document or instrument filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the requirement for notice of meetings, members of the Board of Directors, or members of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meetings can hear each other, and participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

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Section 3.12 Approval or Ratification of Acts or Contracts by Stockholders . The Board of Directors in its discretion may submit any act or contract for approval or ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders, or at any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any act or contract that shall be approved or be ratified by the vote of the stockholders holding a majority of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, present in person or by proxy at such meeting (provided that a quorum is present), shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 4.01 Designation; Powers . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, including, if the Board of Directors shall so determine, an executive committee, each such committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Any such designated committee shall have and may exercise such of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation as may be provided in such resolution, except that no such committee shall have the power or authority of the Board of Directors in reference to amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a revocation of a dissolution of the Corporation, or amending, altering or repealing the bylaws or adopting new bylaws for the Corporation. Any such designated committee may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. In addition to the above, such committee or committees shall have such other powers and limitations of authority as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.02 Procedure; Meetings; Quorum . Any committee designated pursuant to Section 4.01 shall choose its own chairman unless previously appointed by the Board of Directors, shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when requested, shall fix its own rules or procedures and shall meet at such times and at such place or places, if any, as may be provided by such rules, or by resolution of such committee or resolution of the Board of Directors. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the members thereof shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be necessary for the adoption by it of any resolution.

Section 4.03 Substitution of Members . The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

 

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ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 5.01 Number, Titles and Term of Office . The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and, if the Board of Directors so elects, a Chairman of the Board and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time to time elect or appoint. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Except for the Chairman of the Board, if any, no officer need be a director.

Section 5.02 Salaries . The salaries or other compensation of the officers and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, or, if such power is expressly delegated to any officers of the Corporation, by such officers.

Section 5.03 Removal . Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed, either with or without cause, by the vote of a majority of the Board of Directors at a special meeting called for the purpose, or at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors, provided the notice for such meeting shall specify that the matter of any such proposed removal will be considered at the meeting but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.

Section 5.04 Vacancies . Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.05 Powers and Duties of the Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall be an officer of the Corporation. Subject to the control of the Board of Directors and the executive committee (if any), the Chief Executive Officer shall have general executive charge, management and control of the properties, business and operations of the Corporation with all such powers as may be reasonably incidental to such responsibilities; he or she may agree upon and execute all leases, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other obligations in the name of the Corporation and may sign all certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation; and shall have such other powers and duties as designated in accordance with these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.06 Powers and Duties of the Chairman of the Board . If elected, the Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors.

Section 5.07 Powers and Duties of the President . Unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the President shall have the authority to agree upon and execute all leases, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other obligations in the name of the Corporation and may sign all certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation; and, unless the Board of

 

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Directors otherwise determines, he or she shall, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or if there be no Chairman of the Board, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (should he or she be a director) of the Board of Directors; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in accordance with these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

Section 5.08 Powers and Duties of the Vice Presidents . In the absence of the President, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, a Vice President appointed and designated by the Board of Directors shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. In the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of a Vice President to perform the duties of the President, or in the event of his or her absence or inability or refusal to act, the Vice President who is present and who is senior in terms of time as a Vice President of the Corporation shall so act. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.

Section 5.09 Powers and Duties of the Chief Financial Officer . Unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, the Chief Financial Officer, if any, shall have responsibility for the general executive charge, management and control of the financial affairs and business of the Corporation and, jointly with the Treasurer, shall have custody and control of all the funds and securities of the Corporation; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in accordance with these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors.

Section 5.10 Powers and Duties of the Treasurer . The Treasurer, jointly with the Chief Financial Officer (if any shall be appointed), shall have responsibility for the custody and control of all the funds and securities of the Corporation, and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors. He or she shall perform all acts incident to the position of Treasurer, subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors; and he or she shall, if required by the Board of Directors, give such bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such form as the Board of Directors may require.

Section 5.11 Powers and Duties of the Assistant Treasurers . Each Assistant Treasurer, if any, shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his or her office, together with such other powers and duties as designated in these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. The Assistant Treasurers shall exercise the powers of the Treasurer during that officer’s absence or inability or refusal to act.

Section 5.12 Powers and Duties of the Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, committees of directors and the stockholders, in books provided for that purpose; he or she shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices; he or she may in the name of the Corporation affix the seal of the Corporation to all contracts of the Corporation and attest the affixation of the seal of the Corporation thereto; he or she may sign with the other appointed officers all certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation; he or she shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers, and such other

 

14


books and papers as the Board of Directors may direct, all of which shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection of any director upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours; he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors; and he or she shall in general perform all acts incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors.

Section 5.13 Powers and Duties of the Assistant Secretaries . Each Assistant Secretary, if any, shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his or her office, together with such other powers and duties as designated in these bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors. The Assistant Secretaries shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that officer’s absence or inability or refusal to act.

Section 5.14 Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations . Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or an officer or agent delegated by the Chief Executive Officer shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of security holders of or with respect to any action of security holders of any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.

ARTICLE VI

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 6.01 Certificates of Stock . The certificates for shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form, not inconsistent with that required by law and the Certificate of Incorporation, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors; provided that the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock may be uncertificated or electronic shares. The Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President shall cause to be issued to each holder of certificated stock one or more certificates, under the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof if the Board of Directors shall have provided for such seal, and signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer certifying the number of shares (and, if the stock of the Corporation shall be divided into classes or series, the class and series of such shares) owned by such stockholder in the Corporation; provided , however , that any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile or by other means of electronic reproduction. The stock record books and the blank stock certificate books shall be kept by the Secretary, or at the office of such transfer agent or transfer agents as the Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution determine. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who shall have signed or whose facsimile or electronically reproduced signature or signatures shall have been placed upon any such certificate or certificates shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued by the Corporation, such certificate may nevertheless be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The stock certificates shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares represented by such certificate.

 

15


Section 6.02 Transfer of Shares . Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws and any other applicable agreements regarding the transfer of stock, the shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holders thereof in person or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws and any other applicable agreements regarding the transfer of stock, upon surrender to the Corporation or a transfer agent of the Corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the Corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

Section 6.03 Ownership of Shares . The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of capital stock of the Corporation as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 6.04 Regulations Regarding Certificates . The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

Section 6.05 Lost or Destroyed Certificates . The Board of Directors may determine the conditions upon which a new certificate of stock may be issued in place of a certificate which is alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed; and may, in its discretion, require the owner of such certificate or his, her or its legal representative to give bond, with sufficient surety, to indemnify the Corporation and each transfer agent and registrar against any and all losses or claims which may arise by reason of the issuance of a new certificate in the place of the one so lost, stolen or destroyed.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be such as established from time to time by the Board of Directors. Absent any determination to the contrary by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31.

Section 7.02 Notice and Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or under the provisions of these bylaws, said notice shall be deemed to be sufficient if given (i) by wireless or electronic transmission or (ii) by deposit of the same in a post office box in a sealed prepaid wrapper addressed to the person entitled thereto at his, her or its post office address, as it appears on the records of the Corporation, and such notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the time of such transmission or the fourth day following such mailing (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.06 of these bylaws), as the case may be.

 

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Whenever notice is required to be given by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or under any of the provisions of these bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.

Section 7.03 Resignations . Any director, member of a committee or officer may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect at the time, or upon the happening of an event, specified therein, or if no such time or event be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation.

Section 7.04 Facsimile or Electronic Signatures . In addition to the provisions for the use of facsimile or electronic signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these bylaws, facsimile or electronic signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.05 Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records . Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, or by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care by the Board of Directors or by any such committee, or in relying in good faith upon other records of the Corporation.

Section 7.06 Forum Selection . Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for: (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation; (b) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the stockholders; (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws; or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any stockholder of the Corporation or person or entity that otherwise acquires an interest in shares of stock in the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this Section 7.06.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted (a) at any annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2 3 % of the voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereon; or (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO

CERTIFICATE
No.
For Shares Issued to
Dated
FROM WHOM TRANSFERRED
Dated
NO. ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE
NO. ORIGINAL SHARES
NO. OF SHARES TRANSFERRED
Received
CERTIFICATE NO.
For Shares this day of
SEE REVERSE SIDE FOR RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF DELAWARE
NUMBER SHARES
Nine Energy Service, Inc.
Common Stock
PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
This Certifies that is the registered holder of Shares of Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share of Nine Energy Service, Inc.
transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder hereof in person or by Attorney upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said Corporation has caused this Certificate to be signed by its duly authorized officers and its Corporate Seal to be hereunto affixed this day of A.D.
Ann G. Fox, President, Chief Executive
Officer and Secretary
Theodore R. Moore, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
CGOES73.


LOGO

Nine Energy Service, Inc.
CERTIFICATE
FOR
SHARES
OF
Common Stock
Par Value $0.01
ISSUED TO DATED
For Value Received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto Shares represented by the within Certificate and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said Shares on the books of the within named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated
In presence of
NOTICE. THE SIGNATURE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE, IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER

Exhibit 4.2

Final

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

OF

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

A Delaware Corporation


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1  
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION  
1.1  

Definitions

     1  
1.2  

Construction

     8  
1.3  

Stockholders; Capital Stock Subject to Agreement

     8  
ARTICLE 2  
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS  
2.1  

General Rule

     9  
2.2  

Exceptions

     9  
2.3  

Rights of First Refusal

     10  
2.4  

Tag-Along Provisions

     13  
2.5  

Drag-Along Rights

     16  
2.6  

Certain Limitations on Rights of First Refusal and Tag-Along

     19  
2.7  

Conditions to Permitted Transfers; Continued Applicability of Agreement

     19  
2.8  

Preemptive Rights

     20  
ARTICLE 3  
REGISTRATION OF STOCK  
3.1  

Registration Rights

     22  
ARTICLE 4  
OTHER MATTERS  
4.1  

Corporate Opportunity Matters

     22  
4.2  

Composition of Board; VCOC Management Rights; Board Representation

     23  
4.3  

Financial Statements

     25  
4.4  

Confidentiality

     25  
ARTICLE 5  
MISCELLANEOUS  
5.1  

Notices

     26  
5.2  

Amendment or Restatement

     26  
5.3  

Binding Effect

     27  
5.4  

Governing Law

     27  
5.5  

Severability

     27  
5.6  

Legends

     27  
5.7  

Counterparts

     29  
5.8  

Termination

     29  
5.9  

Section Headings

     29  
5.10  

Entire Agreement

     29  
5.11  

Cumulative Rights

     29  

 

N INE E NERGY S ERVICE , I NC .

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i


5.12  

Assignment

     29  
5.13  

Further Assurances

     30  
5.14  

Spouses

     30  
5.15  

No SCF Agreement

     30  
5.16  

Matters Relating to Former Agreements and Original Agreement

     30  

 

Annex I    Stockholders; Warrantholders; Shares of Capital Stock; Addresses
Exhibit A    Form of Adoption Agreement
Exhibit B    Registration Rights Agreement

 

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ii


SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

OF

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

A Delaware Corporation

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 28, 2017, is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by and among Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the persons listed as “Stockholders” and “Warrantholders” on the signature pages hereto.

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Combination Agreement dated as of February 3, 2017, the Company and Beckman Production Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Beckman ”), effected a combination of the businesses conducted by such Persons and, in connection with such business combination, the stockholders of Beckman became stockholders of the Company (the “ Combination ”).

B. In connection with the Combination, the stockholders of Beckman (the “ Beckman Stockholders ”) agreed to terminate their stockholders agreement and enter into this Agreement (such former stockholders agreement being referred to herein as the “ Former Agreement ”) so that each such Beckman Stockholder that is receiving Capital Stock under the terms of the Combination became subject to this Agreement in lieu of the Former Agreement.

C. The Company and the Stockholders desire to restrict the sale, assignment, transfer, encumbrance or other disposition of the shares of Capital Stock (including as may be issued hereafter), and to provide for certain rights and obligations with respect thereto as hereinafter provided.

D. Stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the Combination wish to, upon the effectiveness of the Combination, amend and restate that certain Stockholders Agreement of the Company, dated February 28, 2013, by and among such Stockholders and the Company (the “ Original Agreement ”) in the form of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.2 of the Original Agreement.

AGREEMENTS

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1.1 Definitions . In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, when used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

Acceptable Securities ” means (a) freely tradable common stock traded on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act of a Person with a market value of its outstanding common stock owned by non-affiliates in excess of $100,000,000 or (b) debt securities rated by Standard and Poor’s of BB or better or, if not rated, which the Board believes would be so rated if a rating were requested.

 

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Accredited Investor ” has the meaning set forth for such term in Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act as such rule may be amended, modified or superseded from time to time.

Acquisition Proposal ” is defined in Section 2.3(a) .

Adoption Agreement ” is defined in Section 2.7(a) .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a particular Person, any Person Controlling, Controlled by, or Under Common Control with such Person.

Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, as it may be amended or restated from time to time.

Beckman ” is defined in the recitals hereto.

Beckman Stockholders ” is defined in the recitals hereto.

Big Lake ” means Big Lake Services Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Board Observers ” is defined in Section 4.2(b) .

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday on which banks are authorized or required by Law to close in the city of Houston, Texas.

Bylaws ” means the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as may be further amended or restated from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Capital Stock ” means Common Stock, preferred stock and any other capital stock of the Company, and any Common Stock Equivalents.

Certificate of Incorporation ” means the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State, as may be amended or stated from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Combination ” is defined in the recitals hereto.

Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

 

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Common Stock Equivalents ” means (without duplication with any other Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents) rights, warrants (including the Warrants), options, convertible securities, or exchangeable securities or indebtedness, or other rights, exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Stock, whether at the time of issuance or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.

Company ” is defined in the preamble hereto.

Company Non-Exercise Event ” is defined in Section 2.3(b)(ii) .

Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline ” is defined in Section 2.3(b)(i) .

Company ROFR Acceptance Notice ” is defined in Section 2.3(b)(i) .

Confidential Information ” means any data or information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries (including trade secrets), without regard to form, including: (a) business process models; (b) proprietary software; (c) research, development, products, services, marketing, selling, business plans, budgets, unpublished financial statements, licenses, prices, costs, contracts, suppliers, customers, and customer lists; (d) the identity, skills and compensation of employees, contractors, and consultants; (e) specialized training; and (f) discoveries, developments, trade secrets, processes, formulas, data, lists, and all other works of authorship, mask works, ideas, concepts, know-how, designs, and techniques, whether or not any of the foregoing is or are patentable, copyrightable, or registrable under any intellectual property Laws or industrial property Laws in the United States or elsewhere.

Contractual Management Rights ” is defined in Section 4.2(a) .

Control ” (including the correlative terms “ Controlling ,” “ Controlled by ” and “ Under Common Control with ”) means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any partnership or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise) of a Person.

DGCL ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and any successor statute, as amended from time to time.

Drag-Along Notice ” is defined in Section 2.5(b) .

Dragging Stockholders ” is defined in Section 2.5(a) .

Election Period ” is defined in Section 2.8(b) .

Eligible Purchaser ” means any Stockholder holding Common Stock that certifies to the Company’s reasonable satisfaction that such Stockholder is an Accredited Investor.

 

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3


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

Excluded Issuance ” is defined in Section 2.8(a) .

Fair Market Value ” means, (a) with respect to any debt security, the principal amount of such debt security after giving effect to any discount or premium to par (to the extent such debt securities are traded on a public market and such discount or premium is readily ascertainable) on the day in question as determined by the Board in good faith, (b) with respect to any equity security that is not listed or admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, the fair value of such security on the day in question as determined by the Board in good faith, and (c) with respect to any equity security that is listed and admitted to trading on a National Securities Exchange, the Closing Price on the day in question if such day is a Trading Day, and if not, on the immediately previous Trading Day. The “ Closing Price ” for each Trading Day shall be the last reported sale price in regular way trading or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the last closing bid and asked prices in regular way trading, in either case on the principal National Securities Exchange on which the equity security in question is listed or admitted to trading, or if such equity security is traded over-the-counter and quoted in the National Market System, or if the equity security is so traded, but not so quoted, the average of the closing reported bid and asked prices of the equity security as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board or any comparable system .

Family Member ” means, with respect to any (a) holder of Capital Stock that is an individual: (i) such individual’s spouse; (ii) any lineal descendant, parent, grandparent, great grandparent or sibling or any lineal descendant of such sibling (in each case whether by blood or legal adoption); and (iii) the spouse of an individual described in clause (a)(ii) of this definition, and (b) holder of Capital Stock that is not an individual, any individual described in clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of this definition who bears such a relation to any individual that is a beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Act) of a majority of either: (i) the outstanding shares of common stock (or similar securities or interests in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of such holder; or (ii) the combined voting power of the outstanding securities entitled to vote under ordinary circumstances in the election of directors (or in the selection of any other similar governing body in the case of an entity other than a corporation) of such holder.

Former Agreement ” is defined in the recitals hereto.

“First Notice” is defined in Section 2.8(b) .

Fully-Diluted Common Stock ” means, at any time, the then outstanding Common Stock plus (without duplication) all shares of Common Stock issuable, whether at such time or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of future events, upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of all then outstanding Common Stock Equivalents.

 

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4


HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

Incentive Plan ” means (a) the Amended and Restated Nine Energy Service, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (including the amendment and restatement of such plan effective on the date hereof), (b) the Beckman Production Services, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan assumed by the Company in connection with the Combination, as amended, and (c) any other equity incentive plan entered into by the Company after the date hereof.

Independent Director ” means a director who would qualify as an “independent director” pursuant to Rule 303A.02 of The New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, as such rule may be amended, modified or superseded from time to time, and who is not otherwise an Affiliate of SCF.

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial underwritten public offering and sale of Common Stock after which the Common Stock is listed for trading on a National Securities Exchange.

Involuntary Transfer ” means a Transfer resulting from the death of a Person, the bankruptcy or insolvency of a Person or the termination of the marital relationship of a Person by divorce or another involuntary Transfer occurring by operation of Law which the applicable Stockholder, Warrantholder or other holder of Capital Stock was unable to prevent; provided , however , that any Transfer that would otherwise be permitted pursuant to Section 2.2(a) or Section 2.2(d) shall not be deemed an Involuntary Transfer.

Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code, law, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration, or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a governmental authority.

National Securities Exchange ” means a national securities exchange registered under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act.

New Securities ” is defined in Section 2.8(a) .

Non-Dragging Stockholders ” is defined in Section 2.5(a) .

Non-SCF Holder ” means any Stockholder, Warrantholder or other holder of Capital Stock other than SCF.

Over-Allotment Amount ” is defined in Section 2.8(b) .

Participation Offer ” is defined in Section 2.4(b) .

Person ” means any natural person, firm, limited partnership, general partnership, joint stock company, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, company, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization whether or not a legal entity, and any government or an agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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Post-Reorganization Company ” means any company formed from the merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company, Beckman or any combination of Beckman with and into the Company or any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, or any combination of such entities.

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Eligible Purchaser, a fraction (expressed as a percentage of 100%), the numerator of which equals the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding any shares of Restricted Stock that have not vested as of the date such calculation is made) held by such Eligible Purchaser and the denominator of which equals the total number of shares of Common Stock held by all Eligible Purchasers.

Proposed Purchaser ” is defined in Section 2.8(a) .

Original Agreement ” is defined in the recitals hereto.

Qualified Public Company ” means a Person whose common stock (or depositary receipts or depositary shares related to common stock or similar ordinary shares) is authorized and approved for listing on a National Securities Exchange.

Registration Rights Agreement ” is defined in Section 3.1 .

“Requesting Purchaser” is defined in Section 2.8(b) .

Restricted Stock ” means any Common Stock, granted to employees, directors or other service providers of the Company or its Affiliates (including Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options) that, at the time of determination required under this Agreement, is subject to forfeiture restrictions (which, for purposes of this Agreement, shall include any contingent obligation of such employee, director or other service provider to forfeit shares or to Transfer shares at a price below the then Fair Market Value).

“Restriction” is defined in Section 5.6(b) .

Rock Hill ” means Rock Hill Capital II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

Rock Hill Designee ” is defined in Section 4.2(a) .

Rock Hill Observer ” is defined in Section 4.2(b) .

“ROFR Notice” is defined in Section 2.3(a) .

“ROFR Shares” is defined in Section 2.3(a) .

ROFR Transferor ” is defined in Section 2.3(a) .

 

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SCF ” means SCF-VII, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and if SCF-VII, L.P. has Transferred Common Stock or other Capital Stock to one or more of its Affiliates or if any Affiliate of SCF-VII, L.P. has acquired Common Stock or other Capital Stock from the Company or any other Person, then in any such case such Affiliates.

SCF Designee ” is defined in Section 4.2 .

SCF Entity Affiliate ” means any entity that is an Affiliate of SCF (other than the Company, Beckman, any Post-Reorganization Company or any of their respective subsidiaries).

SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline ” is defined in Section 2.3(b)(ii) .

SCF ROFR Acceptance Notice ” is defined in Section 2.3(b)(ii) .

“SCF Person” is defined in Section 4.1 .

SCP ” means SCP CT, LLC, an Arkansas limited liability company.

SCP Board Observers ” is defined in Section 4.2(b) .

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Special Committee ” means a committee of the Board whose members consist solely of Independent Directors who have no other conflict of interest with respect to the matters being considered by such committee.

“Spouse” is defined in Section 5.14 .

Stockholder ” means each person listed as a “Stockholder” on the signature pages to this Agreement, any Person that acquires Common Stock upon exercise of a Warrant or any other Common Stock Equivalent and any Person deemed to be a Stockholder pursuant to Section 2.7 .

Tag-Along Notice ” is defined in Section 2.4(b) .

Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is then traded is open for trading.

Transfer ” (including the correlative terms “ Transfers ,” “ Transferring ” and “ Transferred ”) means any direct or indirect transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance, or any other disposition (whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of Law or by merger, consolidation or otherwise), of shares of Capital Stock (or any interest (pecuniary or otherwise) therein or right thereto), including derivative or similar transactions or arrangements whereby a portion or all of the economic interest in, or risk of loss or opportunity for gain with respect to, Capital Stock is transferred or shifted to another Person; provided , however , that (i) an exchange, merger, recapitalization, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company in which securities of the Company or any other Person and/or cash are

 

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issued in respect of all shares of Capital Stock shall not be deemed a Transfer if all shares of Capital Stock are treated identically in any such transaction (other than (A) differences resulting from the treatment of fractional shares that would otherwise result from such transaction, (B) differences resulting from any election made by the Stockholders so long as all Stockholders have an equal opportunity to make such an election, (C) differences in the type (but not approximate value) of consideration received by the Stockholders based upon securities Law considerations and/or (D) differences resulting from treating one class or series of Capital Stock different than any other class or series of Capital Stock), (ii) the exercise of options in accordance with the terms of the Incentive Plan shall not be deemed a Transfer and (iii) the exercise of the Warrants in accordance with their respective terms shall not be deemed a Transfer.

Warrantholder ” means a holder of any of the Warrants.

Warrants ” means warrants for the acquisition of Capital Stock issued by the Company from time to time, as such warrants may be amended, transferred, exchanged, replaced or superseded from time to time.

1.2 Construction . In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears: (a) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (b) reference to a Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, in the case of a Stockholder, Warrantholder or other holder of Capital Stock who is a party to this Agreement, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes such Person in any other capacity; (c) reference to any gender includes each other gender; (d) references to any Exhibit, Schedule, Section, Article, Annex, subsection and other subdivision refer to the corresponding Exhibits, Schedules, Sections, Articles, Annexes, subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise; (e) references in any Section or Article or definition to any clause means such clause of such Section, Article or definition; (f) “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (g) the word “or” is not exclusive, and the word “including” (in its various forms) means “including without limitation”; and (h) all references to money refer to the lawful currency of the United States. The Article and Section titles and headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

1.3 Stockholders; Capital Stock Subject to Agreement .

(a) The Stockholders and Warrantholders and the number of shares of Capital Stock held by each Stockholder or Warrantholder (as applicable) are set forth in Annex I as such annex may be amended and updated from time to time.

(b) Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement, this Agreement shall extend and apply to all shares of Capital Stock now owned by each of the Stockholders and Warrantholders and to all shares of Capital Stock as may hereafter be acquired by any of the Stockholders or Warrantholders (as applicable) (including by merger, consolidation

 

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or otherwise), whether such shares constitute the separate property or community property of any of the individual Stockholders or Warrantholders, and regardless of the capacity in which title to such shares is held or taken. This Agreement shall also apply to all shares of Capital Stock to which the Spouse of any Stockholder or Warrantholder is entitled by virtue of any community property Laws or any other Laws.

ARTICLE 2

TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

2.1 General Rule . No Stockholder or Warrantholder may Transfer all or any of its Capital Stock unless expressly permitted by Section 2.2 . Any attempted Transfer of all or any Capital Stock, other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be, and is hereby declared, null and void ab initio . The Stockholders and Warrantholders agree that breach of the provisions of this Agreement may cause irreparable injury to the Company and the Stockholders and Warrantholders for which monetary damages (or other remedy at Law) are inadequate in view of (a) the complexities and uncertainties in measuring the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the failure of a Person to comply with such provisions and (b) the uniqueness of the Company’s business and the relationship among the Stockholders and Warrantholders. Accordingly, the Stockholders and Warrantholders agree that the provisions of this Agreement may be enforced by specific performance or otherwise in a court of equity. Each party to this Agreement hereby waives any requirements for the securing or posting of a bond with respect to such injunctive relief or remedy of specific performance.

2.2 Exceptions . Notwithstanding Section 2.1 , and in each case subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 2.7 (subject to the applicability of Section 2.4 to SCF as provided in Section 2.6 ):

(a) a Non-SCF Holder may Transfer Capital Stock (including Warrants, but excluding Restricted Stock) to a Family Member or any partnership or trust established for the benefit of such Non-SCF Holder or one or more Family Members; provided , however that such transferee must be an Accredited Investor;

(b) Big Lake may Transfer Capital Stock (including Warrants) to its members in connection with a winding-up and dissolution of Big Lake so long as such members at the time of such Transfer are the same as the members of Big Lake as of the date of this Agreement;

(c) a Stockholder or Warrantholder may Transfer Capital Stock (other than Warrants or Restricted Stock) in accordance with provisions of Section 2.3 (subject to the applicability of Section 2.3 to SCF as provided in Section 2.6 );

(d) SCF may Transfer shares of Common Stock at any time to any Person in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.4 (if then applicable);

(e) SCF may Transfer Capital Stock (including Warrants, but excluding Restricted Stock) at any time to any Affiliate of SCF;

 

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(f) A Non-SCF Holder may Transfer shares of Common Stock (other than Restricted Stock) in accordance with Section 2.4 ;

(g) a Stockholder or Warrantholder may Transfer Capital Stock (including Warrants) in accordance with Section 2.5 ;

(h) subject to compliance with the provisions of Section 2.3(f) , if applicable, a Non-SCF Holder may make an Involuntary Transfer of Capital Stock (including Warrants); and

(i) a Stockholder or Warrantholder may Transfer Common Stock (other than Restricted Stock) in an underwritten public offering that constitutes an Initial Public Offering.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Stockholder or Warrantholder may Transfer Capital Stock to any Person if such Transfer has as a purpose of avoiding (or is otherwise undertaken in contemplation of avoiding) the restrictions on Transfer in this Agreement (it being understood that the purpose of this sentence is to prohibit the Transfer of Capital Stock to a transferee in a transaction otherwise permitted by this Agreement, followed by a change in the relationship between the transferor and such transferee after the Transfer, with the result and effect that the transferor has indirectly made a Transfer of Capital Stock which would not have been directly permitted under this Agreement had such change in such relationship occurred prior to such Transfer).

2.3 Rights of First Refusal .

(a) Subject to Section 2.6 , should any Stockholder desire to effect a Transfer of any shares of its Capital Stock (other than Warrants or Restricted Stock) (the “ ROFR Shares ”) pursuant to a bona fide written offer for cash or Acceptable Securities from another Person (an “ Acquisition Proposal ”), such Stockholder (the “ ROFR Transferor ”) shall promptly give written notice (the “ ROFR Notice ”) thereof to the Company and SCF. The ROFR Notice shall set forth the following information in respect of the proposed Transfer: (i) the name and address of the prospective acquiror; (ii) each Person that Controls the prospective acquiror; (iii) the number and type of ROFR Shares and (iv) the per share purchase price (including a description of any Acceptable Securities included in the Acquisition Proposal). The consideration for any Transfer under this Section 2.3 must be cash and/or Acceptable Securities only.

(b) (i) The Company shall have an optional preferential right, for a period of 30 days after the receipt by the Company of the ROFR Notice (the “ Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline ”), to acquire from the ROFR Transferor for cancellation, for the per share purchase price set forth in the ROFR Notice, all (but not less than all) of the ROFR Shares, on the terms set forth in this Section 2.3 . Any consideration consisting of Acceptable Securities provided in the Acquisition Proposal shall be valued at its Fair Market Value as of the date of the ROFR Notice, and the Company shall pay the Fair Market Value of such Acceptable Securities in cash as part of the purchase price for the ROFR Shares in the event it exercises its purchase right hereunder. The Company shall promptly determine the Company ROFR Acceptance

 

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Deadline upon its receipt of the ROFR Notice and shall promptly, and in no event later than two Business Days after its receipt of the ROFR Notice, give notice thereof and a copy of the ROFR Notice to SCF. The Company may exercise its right hereunder by giving written notice (the “ Company ROFR Acceptance Notice ”) to the ROFR Transferor and to SCF, on or before the Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline, of the Company’s election to acquire all (but not less than all) of the ROFR Shares.

(ii) If the Company provides written notice that it will not exercise its right to purchase the ROFR Shares pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i) , or if the 30 day period provided in Section 2.3(b)(i) for the Company’s election thereof expires without any such election (such decline or expiration, the “ Company Non-Exercise Event ”), then SCF shall have an optional preferential right, for a period of five days after the occurrence of the Company Non-Exercise Event (the “ SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline ”), to acquire from the ROFR Transferor, for the per share purchase price set forth in the ROFR Notice, all (but not less than all) of the ROFR Shares, on the terms set forth in this Section 2.3 . Any consideration consisting of Acceptable Securities provided in the Acquisition Proposal shall be valued at its Fair Market Value as of the date of the ROFR Notice, and SCF shall pay the Fair Market Value of such Acceptable Securities in cash as part of the purchase price for the ROFR Shares in the event it exercises its purchase right hereunder. SCF may exercise its right hereunder by giving written notice (the “ SCF ROFR Acceptance Notice ”) to the ROFR Transferor and to the Company, on or before the SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline, of SCF’s election to acquire all (but not less than all) of the ROFR Shares.

(c) The closing of the sale of the ROFR Shares to the Company pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i) or to SCF pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) shall be at 9:00 a.m. (Central Time) on the 15th Business Day following the Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline or the SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline, as applicable, at the Company’s principal office, subject to any delay in the closing provided for below, unless the ROFR Transferor and the Company or SCF, whichever is the purchaser, otherwise agree in writing. The Company, the ROFR Transferor and SCF shall cooperate in good faith in obtaining all necessary governmental and other third Person approvals, waivers and consents required for the closing. Any such closing shall be delayed, to the extent required, until the next succeeding Business Day following the expiration or early termination of any required waiting periods under the HSR Act, if applicable, and the obtaining of all necessary governmental approvals. At the closing of any purchase of the ROFR Shares by the Company or SCF, (i) the cash consideration to be paid in accordance with Section 2.3(b)(i) or Section 2.3(b)(ii) , as applicable, of this Agreement shall be delivered by the Company or SCF, as applicable, to the ROFR Transferor, (ii) if the Company purchases the ROFR Shares pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(i) , the ROFR Transferor shall deliver to the Company certificates representing the ROFR Shares so purchased, accompanied by duly executed stock transfer powers transferring such ROFR Shares to the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims with respect thereto except for any encumbrances established herein, and (iii) if SCF purchases the ROFR Shares pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) , the ROFR Transferor shall deliver to SCF certificates representing the ROFR Shares so purchased, accompanied by duly executed stock transfer powers transferring such ROFR Shares to SCF, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims with respect thereto except for any encumbrances established herein. The

 

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ROFR Transferor shall not be required to make any representations or warranties in connection with any Transfer of ROFR Shares to the Company or SCF, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.3 other than representations and warranties as to (and the ROFR Transferor shall execute an agreement for the benefit of the Company or SCF, as applicable, providing for representations and warranties as to) (A) such ROFR Transferor’s ownership of the ROFR Shares to be Transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and other encumbrances other than those arising under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (B) such ROFR Transferor’s power and authority to effect such Transfer and (C) such matters pertaining to compliance with applicable Law (including securities Laws) by the ROFR Transferor as the Company (and SCF, if SCF is the purchaser pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) ) may reasonably require. The ROFR Transferor will promptly perform, whether before or after any such closing, such additional acts (including executing and delivering additional documents) as are reasonably required by the Company or SCF, as applicable, to effect more fully the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.3 .

(d) If, in connection with any Transfer under this Section 2.3 , any record date for a distribution on the Capital Stock subject to the ROFR Notice occurs on or after the date the ROFR Transferor gives the ROFR Notice but prior to the closing of the purchase of any shares of Capital Stock by the Company, or SCF, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2.3 , then the Company, or SCF, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive, unless the ROFR Notice specifically indicated to the contrary and the Acquisition Proposal was made on such basis, any such distributions or securities, as the case may be, in respect of the Capital Stock that the Company, or SCF, as applicable, acquires pursuant to this Section 2.3 , and appropriate documentation shall be delivered at the closing by the ROFR Transferor to evidence the right of the Company or SCF, whichever is the purchaser of the ROFR Shares, to receive such distributions or securities.

(e) If, after completion of the foregoing procedures under this Section 2.3 , neither the Company nor SCF has subscribed to purchase all of the ROFR Shares, then the ROFR Transferor may, at any time within 60 days after the later to occur of the Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline and, if applicable, the SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline, Transfer all (but not less than all) of the ROFR Shares, on terms no more favorable to such transferee than those set forth in the ROFR Notice. After the expiration of such 60 day period, the ROFR Transferor may not Transfer any of the ROFR Shares described in the ROFR Notice without complying again with the provisions of this Agreement if and to the extent then applicable.

(f) If a Non-SCF Holder makes an Involuntary Transfer of Capital Stock, such Non-SCF Holder (or such Person’s legal representative, executor or transferee, as the case may be) shall promptly notify the Company and SCF in writing of such Involuntary Transfer. Such notice shall constitute a ROFR Notice and the Involuntary Transfer shall be treated as a Transfer for purposes of this Section 2.3 , and the provisions provided therein shall apply to such Involuntary Transfer as if it were a Transfer; provided that the price at which the Company or SCF, as applicable, shall be entitled to acquire such securities shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities at the time of such Involuntary Transfer. If such Non-SCF Holder (or such Person’s legal representative, executor or transferee, as the case may be) fails to promptly

 

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give the required notice of such Involuntary Transfer and if SCF or the Company nevertheless becomes aware of such Involuntary Transfer, the Company shall be entitled, and SCF shall be entitled to request the Company, to give notice to the applicable transferee of its election to acquire such securities at any time after it becomes aware of such Involuntary Transfer at a price equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities at the time of such Involuntary Transfer.

2.4 Tag-Along Provisions .

(a) Subject to Section 2.6 , any Transfer for value by SCF of Common Stock prior to an Initial Public Offering shall be subject to this Section 2.4 other than (i) any Transfer of shares of Common Stock that does not in the aggregate, when added to all other Transfers by SCF exempted from this Section 2.4 pursuant to this clause (i)  since the date of this Agreement, represent more than 2% of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock as of the date of this Agreement (appropriately adjusted to give effect to any stock splits, stock dividends, combinations or reclassifications of the Common Stock), (ii) any Transfer pursuant to clause (e)  of Section 2.2 , (iii) any Transfer governed by the provisions of Section 2.5 or (iv) any Transfer in an Initial Public Offering (where the Non-SCF Shareholders are also entitled to Transfer shares of Common Stock in such Initial Public Offering on a pro rata basis in accordance with Section 3(a) of the Registration Rights Agreement). For purposes of this Section 2.4 , the term “Common Stock” shall not include any Restricted Stock.

(b) In connection with any proposed Transfer that is subject to this Section 2.4 , SCF shall give written notice to the Company, and the Company shall promptly give written notice to each other Stockholder (the “ Tag-Along Notice ”) at least 15 Business Days prior to any proposed Transfer that is subject to this Section 2.4 . The Tag-Along Notice shall specify the proposed transferee, whether such proposed transferee is willing to purchase Common Stock then held by the Non-SCF Holders and, if so, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock such proposed transferee is willing to purchase from such Non-SCF Holders, the number of shares of Common Stock to be Transferred by SCF to such proposed transferee, the amount and type of consideration to be received therefor, the place and date on which the Transfer is expected to be consummated and the terms of the proposed Transfer. The Tag-Along Notice shall include an offer (the “ Participation Offer ”) by SCF to include in the proposed Transfer on the terms described in paragraph (d) below a number of shares of Common Stock (other than Restricted Stock) designated by any Non-SCF Holders, not to exceed, in respect of any such Non-SCF Holder, the product of (i) the sum of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to be sold by SCF to the proposed transferee plus the maximum number of shares of Common Stock such proposed transferee is willing to purchase from Non-SCF Holders and (ii) a fraction with a numerator equal to the number of shares of Common Stock held by such Non-SCF Holder and a denominator equal to the number of shares of Common Stock held by SCF and all Non-SCF Holders that elect to Transfer shares pursuant to this Section 2.4 .

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the consideration proposed to be received by SCF includes securities with respect to which no registration statement covering the issuance of such securities has been declared effective under the Securities Act, if required by the issuer of any such securities, only Non-SCF Holders that are

 

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then Accredited Investors may accept the Participation Offer and Transfer shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.4 , unless otherwise agreed to by such issuer; provided , however , that each Stockholder that is not then an Accredited Investor shall be entitled to Transfer to the Company such number of shares of Common Stock that such Stockholder would have been entitled to Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.4 had such Stockholder been an Accredited Investor, and such Stockholder shall be entitled to receive from the Company an equivalent value (as determined in good faith by the Board) in cash to what such Stockholder would have received pursuant to this Section 2.4 , subject to any restrictions imposed upon the Company or to which the Company is subject by any agreement to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by applicable Law (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.4(f) ).

(d) Except as set forth in Sections 2.4(c) and 2.4(e) , the per share consideration to be received for any shares of Common Stock included in a proposed Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be equivalent in all material respects to the per share consideration to be received by SCF as set forth in the Participation Offer. Each Non-SCF Holder who wishes to include shares of Common Stock in the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms set forth in the Participation Offer shall so elect and notify SCF not more than 10 Business Days after the date of the Tag-Along Notice of such election, failing which such Non-SCF Holder shall not be entitled to participate in the proposed Transfer and shall be deemed to have waived such Non-SCF Holder’s right to participate. The election of each Non-SCF Holder to so participate in the Participation Offer shall be irrevocable, and, to the extent such election is accepted, such Non-SCF Holder shall be bound and obligated to sell in the proposed sale on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.4 .

(e) The Participation Offer shall be conditioned upon SCF’s Transfer of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Tag-Along Notice with the transferee named therein. If any Non-SCF Holders have accepted the Participation Offer, SCF shall reduce to the extent necessary the number of shares of Common Stock it otherwise would have Transferred in the proposed Transfer so as to permit Non-SCF Holders who have accepted the Participation Offer to sell the number of shares that they are entitled to sell under this Section 2.4 , and SCF and such Non-SCF Holders shall sell the number of shares specified in the Participation Offer to the proposed transferee in accordance with the terms of such sale as set forth in the Tag-Along Notice; provided , however , that if the proposed transferee deals solely with SCF and refuses to purchase from the Non-SCF Holders who have accepted the Participation Offer with respect to the number of shares that they are entitled to sell under this Section 2.4 , then (i) SCF shall be entitled to sell up to the number of shares specified in the Participation Offer to the proposed transferee in accordance with the terms of such sale as set forth in the Tag-Along Notice and (ii) SCF shall then purchase from such Non-SCF Holders who have accepted the Participation Offer, on the terms set forth in the Tag-Along Notice, up to the number of shares that they would have been entitled to sell under this Section 2.4 had the proposed transferee purchased such shares directly from such Non-SCF Holders in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.4 . Any Non-SCF Holder who participates in a Transfer under this Section 2.4 shall not be liable for any transaction costs associated with such a Transfer other than the legal costs incurred by that Non-SCF Holder and, if SCF is obligated to pay selling commissions, then a pro-rata portion of such selling commissions.

 

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(f) Each Non-SCF Holder who Transfers shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be required to make any representations or warranties for which such Non-SCF Holder would have personal liability in connection with such Transfer other than representations and warranties as to (and SCF and each such Stockholder shall execute an agreement for the benefit of the proposed transferee providing for representations and warranties as to) (i) such Non-SCF Holder’s ownership of the shares of Common Stock to be Transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and other encumbrances other than those arising under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (ii) such Non-SCF Holder’s power and authority to effect such Transfer and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities Laws by the Non-SCF Holder as are relevant to determining whether an exemption from registration is available in connection with such Transfer; provided , however , for the avoidance of doubt the parties acknowledge that the consideration to be received by SCF and such Non-SCF Holders may consist of, among other things, an interest in an escrow account, a security or other consideration, the ultimate value of which may be dependent upon, among other things, the accuracy of representations and warranties relating to the Company and its business or the future performance of the Company, and which account, security or other consideration is determined or otherwise allocated or funded, as applicable, on a pro rata basis among SCF and each Non-SCF Holder who participates in a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.4 based upon the respective number of shares of Common Stock sold by each such Stockholder in such Transfer. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event will any Non-SCF Holder be required to enter into any non-competition or similar restrictive covenant in connection with any Transfer of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.4 without the prior written consent of such Non-SCF Holder.

(g) The closing of such purchase by the transferee of the Common Stock of the Non-SCF Holders shall be on the same date that the transferee acquires shares of Common Stock from SCF; provided that such Non-SCF Holders have been given 10 days’ advance notice of such closing; provided further , however , that any such closing shall be delayed, to the extent required, until the next succeeding Business Day following the expiration or early termination of any required waiting periods under the HSR Act, if applicable, and the obtaining of all other governmental approvals reasonably deemed necessary by a party to the Transfer.

(h) Each Non-SCF Holder who participates in a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall promptly perform, whether before or after any such closing, such additional acts (including executing and delivering additional documents, the terms and conditions of which shall be no more burdensome to such Non-SCF Holder than the terms and conditions of the documents executed by SCF in connection with such Transfer) as are reasonably required to effect more fully the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.4 .

(i) If no Non-SCF Holder accepts the Participation Offer, SCF may sell not more than the number of shares of Common Stock stated in the Participation Offer to the proposed transferee, at the price and upon terms no more favorable to SCF than the terms stated in the Participation Offer, but only if such Transfer shall be completed within 90 days after the delivery of the Participation Offer and if not so completed then the provisions of this Article 2 shall, to the extent applicable, apply to any future Transfer of such shares by SCF.

 

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(j) SCF shall have the right to require the Company to reasonably cooperate with a proposed transferee of Common Stock in a prospective transaction pursuant to this Section 2.4 by taking all customary and other actions reasonably requested by SCF or such proposed transferee, including making the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ properties, books and records, and other assets reasonably available for inspection by such proposed transferee and making employees of the Company and its subsidiaries reasonably available for interviews, in each case subject to such confidentiality restrictions or obligations as the Company may reasonably require.

(k) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, if a Transfer of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.4 is not consummated for whatever reason there shall be no liability on the part of SCF to any of the Non-SCF Holders or any other Person. The decision to effect a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.4 by SCF is in the sole and absolute discretion of SCF.

2.5 Drag-Along Rights .

(a) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, in connection with any Transfer for value (whether by sale, merger or otherwise) of all of the Capital Stock owned (beneficially or of record) by (i) SCF ( provided SCF owns 50% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock at the time of the Transfer) or (ii) any group of Stockholders (which group shall include SCF so long as it then owns 15% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock) that owns 50% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (SCF or such group of Stockholders, the “ Dragging Stockholders ”), to any Person other than an Affiliate of any of the Dragging Stockholders, the Dragging Stockholders shall have the right to require all of the other Stockholders and Warrantholders (the “ Non-Dragging Stockholders ”) to sell all, but not less than all, of their Capital Stock on the terms described in this Section 2.5 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Person who is the transferee is SCF or an SCF Entity Affiliate, SCF shall be entitled to exercise its rights pursuant to this Section 2.5 only if (A) either (1) a Special Committee created for the purpose of considering and evaluating such Transfer recommends such Transfer be approved by the Board and the Board approves such Transfer or (2) such Transfer is approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote generally for the election of Directors or specifically for such a transaction, in each case owned in the aggregate by the Non-SCF Holders and (B) the Company receives a written opinion from a nationally recognized financial advisor stating that the consideration offered to the Non-SCF Holders in the proposed Transfer is fair to such Non-SCF Holders from a financial point of view. For purposes of this Section 2.5 , any Special Committee formed for the purpose of considering and evaluating any such Transfer shall be created through resolutions of the Board, establishing that the Special Committee has all powers, authority and responsibilities of the Board to consider and evaluate whether or not the Company and the Stockholders should participate in such Transfer, to negotiate the terms of such Transfer, and the agreements, plans and other documents necessary to give effect to such Transfer and to consider, evaluate and negotiate any possible alternative transaction to such Transfer. Any such Special Committee shall have the power and authority to select its own professional legal and financial advisors and to have the professional fees of such advisors paid for by the Company.

 

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(b) In connection with any proposed Transfer subject to this Section 2.5 , the Dragging Stockholders shall give written notice to each Non-Dragging Stockholder at least 20 days prior to such Transfer, which notice shall specify the amount of consideration to be received by the Dragging Stockholders for their Capital Stock in connection with such Transfer and the place and date on which the Transfer is expected to be consummated (a “ Drag-Along Notice ”). The consideration per share or other unit of Capital Stock, as the case may be, to be received by each Non-Dragging Stockholder in a Transfer governed by this Section 2.5 shall be equivalent in all material respects to the consideration per share or unit of Capital Stock, as the case may be, to be received by the Dragging Stockholders as reflected in the Drag-Along Notice (after giving effect to any exercise price required to be paid in connection with any Common Stock Equivalents) (it being understood that the form of the consideration (but not the closing date value) may differ based upon securities Law considerations).

(c) All Non-Dragging Stockholders shall consent to and raise no objections against a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.5 , and if such Transfer is structured as (i) a merger, share exchange or consolidation of the Company, or a Transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, each Non-Dragging Stockholder shall vote in favor of such Transfer and shall waive any dissenters rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger, share exchange, consolidation or asset sale, or (ii) a Transfer of all of the Capital Stock, the Non-Dragging Stockholders shall agree to sell all of their Capital Stock on the terms and conditions of such Transfer. The Non-Dragging Stockholders shall promptly take all necessary and desirable actions in connection with the consummation of a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.5 , including using their respective reasonable efforts to obtain consents or approvals of the Board to such Transfer. In connection with a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.5 , the Non-Dragging Stockholders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties for which such Stockholder would have personal liability in connection with such Transfer other than representations and warranties as to (and each Non-Dragging Stockholder shall execute an agreement for the benefit of the proposed transferee providing for representations and warranties as to) (A) such Non-Dragging Stockholder’s ownership of the shares of Capital Stock to be Transferred free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances other than those arising under this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, (B) such Non-Dragging Stockholder’s power and authority to effect such Transfer and (C) such matters pertaining to compliance with applicable Law (including securities Laws) as are relevant to determining whether an exemption from registration is available in connection with such Transfer; provided , however , for the avoidance of doubt the parties acknowledge that the consideration to be received by the Dragging Stockholders and the Non-Dragging Stockholders may consist of, among other things, an interest in an escrow account, a security or other consideration, the ultimate value of which may be dependent upon, among other things, the accuracy of representations and warranties relating to the Company and its business or the future performance of the Company and which account, security or other consideration is determined or otherwise allocated or funded, as applicable, on a pro rata basis among the Dragging Stockholders and Non-Dragging Stockholders based upon their respective Capital Stock ownership. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in no event will any Non-Dragging Stockholder be required to enter into any non-competition or similar restrictive covenant in connection with any Transfer of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.5 without the prior written consent of such Non-Dragging Stockholder.

 

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(d) The closing of such purchase of the Capital Stock of the Non-Dragging Stockholders shall be on the same date that the transferee acquires securities from the Dragging Stockholders (it being acknowledged that (i) in no event shall the Dragging Stockholders be obligated to Transfer any securities and (ii) the Non-Dragging Stockholders shall not be obligated to Transfer any securities unless and until the Dragging Stockholders Transfer securities hereunder), provided that such Non-Dragging Stockholders have been given 20 days’ advance notice of such closing; provided further , however , that any such closing shall be delayed, to the extent required, until the next succeeding Business Day following the expiration or early termination of any required waiting periods under the HSR Act, if applicable, and the obtaining of all other governmental and third party approvals reasonably deemed necessary by a party to such Transfer.

(e) If the Dragging Stockholders enter into any negotiation or transaction for which Rule 506 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule then in effect) may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction (including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), each Stockholder who is not an Accredited Investor (after giving consideration to the purchase price per share of Capital Stock to be received by the Stockholders in the Transfer subject to this Section 2.5 ) will, at the request and election of the Dragging Stockholders, either (i) appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) reasonably acceptable to the Dragging Stockholders or (ii) agree to accept cash in lieu of any securities such Stockholder would otherwise receive in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such securities as determined in good faith by the Board.

(f) The Dragging Stockholders shall have the right to require the Company to reasonably cooperate with a proposed transferee in a prospective transaction pursuant to this Section 2.5 by taking all customary and other actions reasonably requested by such Persons or such proposed transferee, including making the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ properties, books and records, and other assets reasonably available for inspection by such proposed transferee and making the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries reasonably available for interviews, in each case subject to such confidentiality restrictions or obligations as the Company may reasonably require.

(g) In connection with a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.5 , each Non-Dragging Stockholder shall promptly perform, whether before or after any such closing, such additional acts (including executing and delivering additional documents, the terms and conditions of which shall be no more burdensome to such Non-Dragging Stockholder than the terms and conditions of the documents executed by the Dragging Stockholders in connection with such Transfer) as are reasonably required to effect more fully the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.5 .

(h) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Transfer of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 2.5 is not consummated for whatever reason there shall

 

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be no liability on the part of SCF or any other Dragging Stockholder to the holders of Capital Stock or any other Person. The decision to effect a Transfer pursuant to this Section 2.5 by SCF or any other Dragging Stockholder is in the sole and absolute discretion of SCF or such other Dragging Stockholder.

2.6 Certain Limitations on Rights of First Refusal and Tag-Along .

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 2 :

(a) if SCF owns 15% or more of the outstanding Common Stock at the time it proposes to Transfer any Common Stock to a third Person (other than a Transfer that is subject to Section 2.5 ), then such Transfer of Common Stock shall be subject to Section 2.4 and not the provisions of Section 2.3 ;

(b) if SCF owns less than 15% of the outstanding Common Stock at the time it proposes to Transfer any Capital Stock to a third Person (other than a Transfer that is subject to Section 2.5 ), then such Transfer of Capital Stock shall be subject to Section 2.3 and not the provisions of Section 2.4 ; and

(c) in the event that any Transfer of Common Stock by SCF is subject to Section 2.3 pursuant to Section 2.6(b) above, then the purchase right for the benefit of SCF pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) shall not apply to such Transfer. For purposes of the foregoing clauses (a)  and (b) , “third Person” refers to a Person other than an Affiliate of SCF.

2.7 Conditions to Permitted Transfers; Continued Applicability of Agreement .

(a) As a condition to any Transfer permitted under this Agreement (other than a Transfer pursuant to Section 2.5 ), any transferee (including any transferee pursuant to an Involuntary Transfer) of Capital Stock shall be required, as a condition to closing any Transfer transaction, to become a party to this Agreement, by executing (together with such Person’s Spouse, if applicable) an Adoption Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement (the “ Adoption Agreement ”) and shall be deemed to be a Stockholder, Warrantholder, or holder of other applicable type of Capital Stock, as the case may be, for all purposes under this Agreement. If any Person acquires Capital Stock from a Stockholder, Warrantholder or holder of other applicable type of Capital Stock in such a Transfer, notwithstanding such Person’s failure to execute an Adoption Agreement in accordance with the preceding sentence (whether such Transfer resulted by operation of Law or otherwise), such Person and such shares of Capital Stock shall nevertheless be subject to this Agreement.

(b) As a condition to any Transfer by a Non-SCF Holder permitted under this Agreement, any transferee of Capital Stock held by such Non-SCF Holder shall be required to acknowledge and agree in writing that such shares of Capital Stock will be subject to the Company’s right of offset, if any, under the agreement pursuant to which such Non-SCF Holder acquired such Capital Stock in the event that the Company becomes entitled to indemnification from such Non-SCF Holder in accordance with the terms of such agreement.

 

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(c) The Stockholders hereby acknowledge and agree that any Person that acquires shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of options under the Incentive Plan or acquires shares of Common Stock pursuant to a restricted stock grant under the Incentive Plan shall be required to become a party to, and that such shares shall be subject to, this Agreement by executing (together with such Person’s Spouse, if applicable) an Adoption Agreement, and shall be entitled and subject to all of the rights and obligations of a Stockholder hereunder. The Company shall only issue and transfer options to acquire Common Stock to Persons who agree to become a party to this Agreement by executing (together with such Person’s Spouse, if applicable) an Adoption Agreement.

(d) The Stockholders and Warrantholders hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) the Company may from time to time issue additional shares of Capital Stock to SCF, other Non-SCF Holders or Persons who are not then Stockholders, (ii) the Company shall require any such recipient of Capital Stock (if such recipient is not then a party to this Agreement) to become a party to, and that such shares shall be subject to, this Agreement by executing (together with such Person’s Spouse, if applicable) an Adoption Agreement and (iii) such recipient shall thereafter be entitled and subject to all of the rights and obligations of a Stockholder hereunder.

(e) No shares of Capital Stock may be Transferred by a Person (other than pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act) unless such Person first delivers to the Company an opinion of counsel, if requested by the Company, which opinion of counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such Transfer is not required to be registered under the Securities Act, unless the Company waives the right to receive such opinion.

2.8 Preemptive Rights .

(a) If the Company issues, other than in an Excluded Issuance, any Capital Stock (collectively, the “ New Securities ”) to a proposed purchaser (including SCF) (the “ Proposed Purchaser ”) on or before the completion of an Initial Public Offering, each Eligible Purchaser shall have the right to purchase the number of New Securities as provided in this Section 2.8 . “ Excluded Issuance ” means the issuance of Capital Stock: (i) to employees, directors, consultants or other service providers of the Company or its Affiliates pursuant to the Incentive Plan or any other incentive equity plan or compensation arrangement, in each case that has been approved by the Board or Capital Stock issued in settlement of any of the foregoing awards; (ii) to any Person as consideration in any acquisition or other strategic transaction (such as a joint venture, marketing or distribution arrangement, or technology transfer or development arrangement) approved by the Board; (iii) in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar recapitalization of the Company or the Company’s Capital Stock; (iv) in an Initial Public Offering or any subsequent underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act; (v) in connection with a marketed private capital raise pursuant to Rule 144A (or any similar provisions then in effect) that is not registered under the Securities Act; (vi) upon the exercise of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock that have been issued prior to the date of this Agreement or are issued after the date of this Agreement as part of an issuance of New Securities made in compliance with this Section 2.8 ; or (vii) to a Requesting Purchaser pursuant to this Section 2.8 .

 

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(b) Subject to Section 2.8(d) , the Company shall give each Eligible Purchaser at least 15 Business Days’ prior notice (the “ First Notice ”) of any proposed issuance of New Securities that is not an Excluded Issuance, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the proposed terms and conditions of such issuance and shall offer to each Eligible Purchaser the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Share (which Pro Rata Share shall be calculated as of the date of such notice) of the New Securities at the same price, on the same terms and conditions as the New Securities are proposed to be issued by the Company to the Proposed Purchaser; provided that if the New Securities include options, warrants or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, the terms of such New Securities that are issued to the Eligible Purchasers and Proposed Purchaser may differ so long as the differing terms do not relate to the economic rights of such New Securities, or the Capital Stock underlying such New Securities, and are not more burdensome to the Eligible Purchasers relative to the Proposed Purchaser. If any Eligible Purchaser wishes to exercise its preemptive rights, it must do so by delivering an irrevocable written notice to the Company within 15 Business Days after delivery by the Company of the First Notice (the “ Election Period ”), which notice shall state the dollar amount of New Securities such Eligible Purchaser (each a “ Requesting Purchaser ”) elects to purchase up to a maximum amount equal to such Eligible Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the total offering amount plus the additional dollar amount of New Securities such Requesting Purchaser elects to purchase in excess of its Pro Rata Share (the “ Over-Allotment Amount ”), if other Eligible Purchasers do not elect to purchase their full Pro Rata Share of the New Securities. The rights of each Requesting Purchaser to purchase a dollar amount of New Securities in excess of each such Requesting Purchaser’s Pro Rata Share of the New Securities shall be allocated based on the relative Pro Rata Shares of those Requesting Purchasers desiring Over-Allotment Amounts.

(c) If less than all of the New Securities are subscribed for by the Eligible Purchasers, the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to issue and sell the unsubscribed portion of the New Securities to the Proposed Purchaser or any other Person at any time during the 90 days following the termination of the Election Period pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the First Notice. The Board may impose such other reasonable and customary terms and procedures such as setting a closing date (subject to the required notice), rounding the number of securities of any class or type of Capital Stock covered by this Section 2.8 to the nearest whole security and requiring customary closing deliveries in connection with any preemptive rights offering subject to this Section 2.8 . In the event any Eligible Purchaser refuses to consummate the purchase of any New Securities for which such Eligible Purchaser has subscribed pursuant to the exercise of preemptive rights granted thereto under this Section 2.8 , in addition to any other rights the Company may have at law or in equity, such Eligible Purchaser and any transferees of such Eligible Purchaser shall not be considered an Eligible Purchaser for any future rights granted under this Section 2.8 unless the Board expressly designates such Person as an Eligible Purchaser (which the Board, in its sole discretion, may do on an offer-by-offer basis or not at all).

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may, in order to expedite the issuance of the New Securities under this Agreement, issue all or a portion of such New Securities to any Proposed Purchaser approved by the Board, including SCF, without complying with Sections 2.8(a) - (c) ; provided, however , that, prior to such issuance, either (i) such Proposed Purchaser agrees to offer to sell to each Eligible Purchaser such Eligible Purchaser’s respective Pro Rata Share of such New Securities (before giving effect to the issuance of New Securities pursuant to this Section 2.8(d) ) on the same terms and conditions as issued to such Proposed Purchaser (other than the date any such Eligible Purchaser may acquire such New Securities) in a manner which provides each such Eligible Purchaser with rights substantially similar to the rights set forth in Sections 2.8(a)-(c)  or (ii) the Company shall agree to offer to sell an amount of New Securities to each such Eligible Purchaser in an amount and manner which provides each such Eligible Purchaser with rights substantially similar to the rights set forth in Sections 2.8(a)-(c) . Any such Proposed Purchaser or the Company, as applicable, shall offer, in writing, to sell such New Securities to each Eligible Purchaser within 120 days of the issuance of such New Securities to such Proposed Purchaser and each Eligible Purchaser will have 15 Business Days after delivery of such a written offer to such Eligible Purchaser to deliver an irrevocable written notice to such Proposed Purchaser or the Company, as applicable, which notice shall state the amount of such New Securities that such Eligible Purchaser would like to purchase up to the maximum dollar amount equal to such Eligible Person’s Pro Rata Share of the total offering amount, plus any desired Over-Allotment Amount, if other Eligible Purchasers do not elect to purchase their full Pro Rata Share of the New Securities. The rights of each Requesting Purchaser to purchase Over-Allotment Amounts shall be allocated in the same manner as described in Section 2.8(b) .

ARTICLE 3

REGISTRATION OF STOCK

3.1 Registration Rights . The Company hereby grants to each Stockholder and Warrantholder registration rights with respect to Common Stock set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), and such Exhibit B is incorporated herein by reference.

ARTICLE 4

OTHER MATTERS

4.1 Corporate Opportunity Matters . In accordance with Section 122, paragraph (17) of the DGCL, for so long as SCF holds any Capital Stock, the Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or any interest or expectancy of the Company being offered an opportunity to participate in, any business opportunity of a type that is similar to or related to any business activity that is conducted or may be conducted by the Company and in which SCF or any of its officers, directors, partners or Affiliates, or any person acting on SCF’s behalf as a director or manager of any Person, including the Company (each, an “ SCF Person ”), or any other Person that may be deemed to be Controlled by any SCF Person or SCF Persons, participates or desires or seeks to participate, other than (a) any business opportunity that is brought to the attention of an SCF Person solely in such SCF Person’s capacity as a director or officer of the Company and with respect to which no other SCF Person independently receives

 

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notice or otherwise identifies such opportunity and (b) any business opportunity that is identified by an SCF Person solely through the disclosure of information by or on behalf of the Company. The Company shall not be prohibited from pursuing any business opportunity with respect to which it has renounced any interest or expectancy as a result of this Section 4.1 . In addition, the Company shall not amend, modify or revoke the provisions set forth in Article Tenth of the Certificate of Incorporation at any time while SCF holds Capital Stock. Each Stockholder hereby agrees to take all actions necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing sentence, including voting for or consenting to, or voting against or refusing to consent to, amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation (whether effected by merger, consolidation or otherwise) in order to give effect to this Section 4.1 .

4.2 Composition of Board; VCOC Management Rights; Board Representation .

(a) The Stockholders and the Company agree to take all action within their respective power, including, but not limited to, the voting of all Capital Stock entitled to vote, whether at a regular or special meeting of the stockholders of the Company or by the execution of written consents in lieu of such meetings, as shall be required to cause the Board to (i) include at least two members designated by SCF (collectively, the “ SCF Designees ”) to the extent SCF continues to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) at least 20% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and requests that such designee be elected to the Board, (ii) include at least one SCF Designee to the extent SCF continues to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) any outstanding shares of Common Stock and requests that such designee be elected to the Board and (iii) if an Initial Public Offering has not occurred following the one year anniversary of this Agreement, at all times prior to an Initial Public Offering, include one member designated by Rock Hill (the “ Rock Hill Designee ”) to the extent Rock Hill (A) continues to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) at least 25% of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Rock Hill as of the date of this Agreement (after giving effect to the Combination and as adjusted by any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization) and (B) requests that such designee be elected to the Board. The rights set forth in this Section 4.2(a) are, in part, intended to satisfy the requirement of contractual management rights for purposes of qualifying the ownership interests of SCF in the Company as venture capital investments for purposes of the Department of Labor’s “plan assets” regulations (the “ Contractual Management Rights ”), and in the event such rights are not satisfactory for such purpose or are lost by reason of the operation of this Agreement, the Company and SCF shall reasonably cooperate in good faith to agree upon mutually satisfactory Contractual Management Rights which satisfy such regulations. Such Contractual Management Rights are intended to be for the benefit of SCF, and SCF shall be entitled to directly exercise such Contractual Management Rights and shall be entitled to independently enforce the provisions of this Section 4.2 . None of the SCF Designees, Rock Hill Designee or any other director who is also an officer of the Company will receive any consideration for serving on the Board prior to an Initial Public Offering. All of the SCF Designees, Rock Hill Designee and any other directors who are also officers of the Company will be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in attending meetings of the Board. The Stockholders and the Company agree to take all reasonable action within their respective power, including the voting of all Capital Stock entitled to vote, whether at a regular or special meeting of the stockholders of the Company or by the execution of written

 

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consents in lieu of such meetings, as shall be required to cause the Board to at all times following 90 days after the date of this Agreement to include at least two members who are Independent Directors.

(b) Prior to an Initial Public Offering, as long as SCP continues to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) at least 25% of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by SCP as of the date of this Agreement (after giving effect to the Combination and as adjusted by any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization), SCP shall be entitled to appoint one natural Person to act in the role of an observer to the Board (the “ SCP Board Observer ”). Prior to the earlier to occur of (i) an Initial Public Offering and (ii) the one year anniversary of this Agreement, as long as Rock Hill continues to beneficially own (directly or indirectly) at least 25% of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Rock Hill as of the date of this Agreement (after giving effect to the Combination and as adjusted by any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization), Rock Hill shall be entitled to appoint one natural Person to act in the role of an observer to the Board (the “ Rock Hill Observer ”) (so long as the Rock Hill Observer acts in such observer role, collectively with the SCP Board Observer, the “ Board Observers ”). The Board Observers shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Board and to receive information provided to the members of the Board; provided , that: (i) the Board Observers shall not be entitled to vote on any matter submitted to the Board; (ii) the Company may withhold information or materials from the Board Observers and exclude such Board Observers from any meeting or portion thereof if access to such information or materials or attendance at such meeting would adversely affect the attorney-client or work product privilege between the Company and its counsel or result in a conflict of interest; (iii) SCP’s right to appoint a Board Observer shall terminate if SCP has, directly or indirectly through any of its Affiliates, made an investment in any Person that conducts any business of a type that is similar to or related to any business activity that is conducted by the Company and (iv) a Board Observer shall, as a condition to being entitled to attend meetings of the Board or receive information or materials, if requested by the Board, be required to enter into a confidentiality agreement with the Company in such form as may be reasonably required by the Board, requiring such Board Observer to maintain all materials and information in confidence and not divulge such materials or information (other than to the Stockholder appointing such Board Observer) to the same extent that Confidential Information is required to be maintained in confidence and not divulged by a Stockholder pursuant to Section 4.4 of this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board shall have the right to exclude the Rock Hill Designee as well as any Board Observer from any meeting of the Board or any portion thereof if a majority of the members of the Board (excluding the Rock Hill Designee, if applicable) determine that the presence of such Rock Hill Designee or Board Observer could give rise to a conflict of interest.

 

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4.3 Financial Statements . The Company covenants that, until the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, it will deliver the following to any Stockholder, upon receipt of a written request addressed to the Secretary of the Company, as soon as the following are completed and available:

(a) consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and changes in the financial position of the Company for the most recently completed fiscal year, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at the end of such most recently completed fiscal year, in each case audited for the Company by independent public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Company, whose report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the results of operations, cash flows and financial position of the Company in accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with prior periods except as noted therein and that the examination by such accountants has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; and

(b) consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and changes in the financial position of the Company for the most recently completed quarterly period and for the period from the beginning of the current fiscal year to the end of such quarterly period, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at the end of such quarterly period, all unaudited but prepared in accordance with GAAP on a basis consistent with past practice.

4.4 Confidentiality . Each Stockholder agrees that any information obtained by such Stockholder pursuant to Section 4.3 as well as any other Confidential Information obtained by such Stockholder from the Company shall be maintained in confidence and shall not be divulged by such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates to any party unless the Company agrees to such disclosure or unless required by Law, including applicable securities Laws and regulations; provided that, before such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates discloses any of the foregoing as may be required by Law, such Person shall give the Company reasonable advance notice and take such reasonable actions as the Company may propose to minimize the required disclosure. In addition, (a) “Confidential Information” shall not, with respect to any Stockholder, include information that: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure in violation of this Section 4.4 ; (ii) is or becomes available to such Stockholder from a source other than the Company, any of its Affiliates or subsidiaries or any of their respective representatives, provided that, such source is not known by such Stockholder, after reasonable inquiry, to be bound by a confidentiality agreement or obligation with the Company or any such Affiliate or subsidiary; or (iii) is information that a Stockholder can reasonably demonstrate was independently developed by such Stockholder (other than in such Stockholder’s capacity as a director, employee, consultant or other service provider to the Company or its Affiliates or subsidiaries) without the use of any such information received under this Agreement and (b) a Stockholder may disclose Confidential Information: (i) to Persons to which such Stockholder is contemplating a Transfer of such Stockholder’s Capital Stock; provided that such Transfer would not be in violation of this Agreement or the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws and such Person agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 4.4 or (ii) to such Stockholder’s Affiliates, representatives, accountants, lawyers and other advisors who have a need to know such information in the normal course of the performance of their duties for such Stockholder; provided that such Stockholder shall be responsible for any such Person’s breach of the provisions of this Section 4.4 .

 

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ARTICLE 5

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices . All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (a) when delivered if delivered in person or sent by nationally recognized overnight or second day courier service, (b) upon transmission by fax if transmission is confirmed, or (c) three Business Days after deposit with a United States post office, five Business Days after deposit with a United States post office in the case of notice to any party with an address outside of the United States, or five Business Days after deposit with a post office outside of the United States, if delivered by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties as follows:

if to the Company, addressed to:

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

16945 Northchase Drive

Suite 1600

Houston, Texas 77060

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile: (281) 605-1318

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

SCF Partners

600 Travis Street, Suite 6600

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Anthony F. Deluca

Facsimile: (713) 227-7850

if to a Stockholder or Warrantholder, addressed to such Person at the address for notice set forth opposite such Person’s name on Annex I ,

or to such other place and with such other copies as any party hereto may designate as to itself by written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 5.1 .

5.2 Amendment or Restatement . This Agreement may be amended or restated only by a written instrument adopted, executed and agreed to by the Company and SCF and, if the amendment adversely affects the rights of the Non-SCF Holders, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock entitled to vote generally for the election of directors or specifically for such amendment, owned in the aggregate by the Non-SCF Holders; provided , however , that any amendment that imposes additional obligations on a party hereto shall require the consent of such party; provided further that Annex I hereto may be amended from time to time by the Company to reflect the ownership of the Capital Stock, and Exhibit B hereto may be amended in accordance with the terms of Section 12 thereof. In the event the Company is a

 

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party to a merger, consolidation or combination with another Person in which the Company is not the surviving entity (or survives as a subsidiary of another Person) and the Common Stock is converted or exchanged for common stock (or equivalent interests) of such other Person and this Agreement is not terminated pursuant to Section 5.8 , all references in this Agreement to (a) “Common Stock” shall be deemed to mean common stock (or equivalent interests) of such other Person, (b) “Capital Stock” shall be deemed to mean the capital stock of such other Person and (c) “Company” shall mean such other Person. The terms of this Section 5.2 shall apply to all provisions of this Agreement other than the Registration Rights Agreement set forth on Exhibit B hereto.

5.3 Binding Effect . Subject to the restrictions on Transfers set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the Stockholders and Warrantholders and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

5.4 Governing Law . This agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.

5.5 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and that provision shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by Law. Furthermore, in lieu of each such invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable, including by reference to any applicable provision of the Former Agreement applicable to any Stockholder to the extent any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable as a result of any failure to obtain the approval of such Stockholder of any amendment and restatement of such Former Agreement with respect to such provision.

5.6 Legends . (a) Each certificate for Common Stock shall include legends in substantially the following form:

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IS AVAILABLE.

 

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THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND SET FORTH IN THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY, COPIES OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.

In addition to the foregoing, each certificate of Common Stock shall include such additional legends as may be required pursuant to the terms of any agreement that may be applicable to such shares of Common Stock.

(a) Each certificate for Warrants shall include legends in substantially the following form:

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND NEITHER THE SECURITIES NOR ANY INTEREST THEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER, WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, IS AVAILABLE.

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND SET FORTH IN THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF THE COMPANY, COPIES OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY AT ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.

(b) A restriction on transfer of shares set forth in such legends (a “ Restriction ”) shall cease and terminate as to any particular shares when, in the opinion of the Company and counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, such Restriction is no longer required. Whenever such Restriction shall cease and terminate as to any shares, the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the Company, without expense to such holder, new certificate(s) not bearing a legend stating such Restriction.

 

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5.7 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including facsimile counterparts, with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument.

5.8 Termination . This Agreement (other than Sections 1.1 and 1.2 , Article 3 , Sections 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.7 , 5.8 , 5.9 , 5.11 , 5.13 and 5.14 and Exhibit B ) shall terminate, and shall have no further force or effect, upon the consummation of (a) an Initial Public Offering, (b) the Company’s merger, combination or consolidation with a Qualified Public Company or a subsidiary of a Qualified Public Company, as long as the Stockholders receive solely cash and/or common stock (or an equivalent interest) of such Qualified Public Company in respect of their Common Stock, (c) the Company’s merger, combination or consolidation with another Person if holders of Common Stock receive solely cash in respect of their Common Stock in such merger, combination or consolidation or (d) the consummation of a transaction pursuant to Section 2.5 or the Company’s merger, combination or consolidation with another Person in which, in any such case, holders of Capital Stock receive solely cash in respect of their Capital Stock in such transaction, merger, combination or consolidation, this Agreement shall in any such circumstance terminate in its entirety. The Stockholders and Warrantholders acknowledge and agree that following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the previous sentence (other than pursuant to the proviso thereof), the Company may amend and restate this Agreement to be a stand-alone agreement of the Company, which shall include the substantive provisions of Sections 1.1 and 1.2 , Article 3 , Sections 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.7 , 5.8 , 5.9 , 5.11 , 5.13 and 5.14 and Exhibit B , without any further action or approval by the Stockholders or Warrantholders and such Registration Rights Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated or amended pursuant to its terms. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until terminated pursuant to the previous sentence or otherwise amended pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement.

5.9 Section Headings . Headings contained in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and in no way define, limit or extend the scope or intent of this Agreement or any provisions hereof.

5.10 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, including any Annexes, Exhibits, Schedules or other attachments hereto, and the agreements referred to herein, contain the entire understanding of the parties hereto respecting the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, discussions and understandings with respect thereto.

5.11 Cumulative Rights . The rights of the Stockholders, Warrantholders and the Company under this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to all similar and other rights of such parties under other agreements.

5.12 Assignment . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective

 

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successors and assigns of the Stockholders, the Warrantholders and the Company. No such assignment shall relieve the assignor from any liability hereunder. Any purported assignment made in violation of this Section 5.12 shall be void and of no force and effect.

5.13 Further Assurances . In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each Stockholder and Warrantholder shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions.

5.14 Spouses . Each reference herein to the shares of Capital Stock owned by a Stockholder, Warrants owned by a Warrantholder or any other Capital Stock owned by the holder thereof, includes any community property interest of such Stockholder’s, Warrantholder’s or other holder’s spouse (if any) (each, a “ Spouse ”) in such Capital Stock. Each Spouse is fully aware of, understands and fully consents and agrees to the provisions of this Agreement and its binding effect upon any community property interest such Spouse may now or hereafter own. Each Spouse agrees that the termination of his or her marital relationship with a Stockholder, Warrantholder or other holder for any reason shall not have the effect of removing any shares of Capital Stock otherwise subject to this Agreement from its coverage. Each Spouse’s awareness, understanding, consent and agreement are evidenced by the execution of this Agreement by such Spouse. In addition, each Spouse hereby acknowledges that the Company and the Stockholders and Warrantholders may desire to amend this Agreement from time to time, and such Spouse hereby appoints his or her Spouse as his or her true and lawful proxy and attorney, with full power of substitution to enter into any such amendment to this Agreement. Such proxy is irrevocable and will survive the death, incompetency, and disability of such Spouse, provided that upon termination of this Agreement, the above authorized proxy shall become null and void. Each such Spouse agrees, for such Spouse and such Spouse’s heirs, executors, administrators, guardians and other personal representatives, to offer for sale all shares of Capital Stock now owned or hereafter acquired by such Spouse upon the happening of the events and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

5.15 No SCF Agreement . After the date hereof, neither SCF nor any of its Affiliates shall enter into any management, financial advisory or other agreement with the Company or its subsidiaries without the consent or approval of at least a majority of the directors of the Board, excluding for this purpose the SCF Designees.

5.16 Matters Relating to Former Agreements and Original Agreement .

(a) The Original Agreement is hereby amended and restated by this Agreement. The Former Agreement of the Beckman Stockholders and the Investor Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2014, by and among Big Lake, Beckman and SCF-VII, L.P, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Investor Agreement ”), are each hereby terminated. Each Beckman Stockholder hereby waives any and all requirements contained in the Former Agreement and the Investor Agreement, and each Stockholder of the Company immediately prior to the Combination hereby waives any and all requirements contained in the Original Agreement, which may restrict or limit the rights of any Beckman Stockholder or Stockholder of the

 

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Company immediately prior to the Combination to amend and restate the Former Agreement or the Original Agreement, respectively, in accordance with this Section 5.16 , including any applicable notice rights.

(b) Each Beckman Stockholder and each Stockholder of the Company immediately prior to the Combination hereby waives (on behalf of themselves and their Affiliates) any right that would interfere with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Combination, including all such rights arising under the Former Agreement, the Investor Agreement or the Original Agreement.

[ Signature pages follow. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date and year first written above.

 

COMPANY:
NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Ann G. Fox

Name:   Ann G. Fox
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

STOCKHOLDERS:

By power of attorney on behalf of the Stockholders identified by an “*” on Annex I

 

By:  

/s/ Anthony F. DeLuca

Name:   Anthony F. DeLuca
Title:   Attorney in Fact

Signature Page to

Second Amended and Restated

Stockholders Agreement of Nine Energy Service, Inc.


ANNEX I

STOCKHOLDERS; WARRANTHOLDERS; SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK; ADDRESSES

[ Available upon request at the registered office of Nine Energy Service, Inc. ]

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF ADOPTION AGREEMENT

This Adoption Agreement (“ Adoption ”) is executed pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement of Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), dated as of [●], 2017 as amended from time to time (the “ Stockholders Agreement ”), a copy of which is attached hereto. By the execution of this Adoption Agreement,                      (“ Transferee ”) [and his or her spouse] agree[s] as follows:

1. Acknowledgment . Transferee acknowledges that Transferee is acquiring certain [shares of Common Stock] [Warrants] from the Company or a [Stockholder] [Warrantholder] of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Stockholders Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein without definition are defined in the Stockholders Agreement and are used herein with the same meanings set forth therein.

2. Agreement . Transferee [and his or her spouse] (a) agree[s] that the [shares of Common Stock] [Warrants] acquired by Transferee shall be bound by and subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement and (b) hereby join[s] in, and agree[s] to be bound by, the Stockholders Agreement with the same force and effect as if such Transferee [and his or her spouse] were originally parties thereto.

3. Notice . Any notice required or permitted by the Stockholders Agreement shall be given to Transferee at the address listed below Transferee’s signature below.

 

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EXECUTED AND DATED on this      day of             ,         .

 

TRANSFEREE:
By:  

 

  [Spouse:
 

 

  [Name]]
Address for Notice:  
 

 

 

 

 

 

  Attention:  

 

 

 

  Facsimile:   (    )     -        

 

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EXHIBIT B

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

1. Definitions .

In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Registration Rights Agreement, when used in this Registration Rights Agreement the following terms shall have the meanings indicated. All other capitalized terms used but not defined in this Registration Rights Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Agreement:

Demand Holder ” means SCF and each transferee of SCF Registrable Securities directly or indirectly (in a chain of title) from SCF if such transferee to whom the right to request a Demand Registration under Section 2(a) has been expressly assigned in writing directly or indirectly (in a chain of title) from SCF as permitted by Section 9 hereof.

Demand Registration ” is defined in Section 2(a)(i) below.

Demand Request ” is defined in Section 2(a)(i) below.

Disposing Holders ” is defined in Section 10 below.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holder ” means a Stockholder (as defined in the Agreement, but excluding any Person who executes this Registration Rights Agreement or a separate agreement to be bound by the terms hereof solely in his or her capacity as a Spouse of a Stockholder), including any Person to whom the Company issues Common Stock after the date hereof and prior to an Initial Public Offering and who executes and delivers an Adoption Agreement to the Company (unless the Company enters into an agreement denying such Person the registration rights described herein), who holds Registrable Securities; provided , however , that a Person shall cease to be a Holder after the IPO Lock-Up Date if and when such Person owns Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents representing less than four percent of the outstanding Common Stock (assuming such Common Stock Equivalents were exercised or converted on a cashless basis) and such Person may dispose of all Registrable Securities then owned by such Person and all Registrable Securities then acquirable upon exercise of Common Stock Equivalents (assuming such Common Stock Equivalents were exercised or converted on a cashless basis) then owned by such Person pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule) under the Securities Act without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c)(1) (or any successor rule), and in such case the Registrable Securities owned by such Person shall cease to be Registrable Securities; provided further , however , that a Person shall cease to be a Holder after the first anniversary of the consummation of an Initial Public Offering if the Company requests in writing that such Person confirm in writing that such Person remains a Holder and such Person fails to so confirm within 30 days of such notice.

 

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Indemnified Party ” is defined in Section 7(c) below.

Indemnifying Party ” is defined in Section 7(c) below.

Inspectors ” is defined in Section 5(j) below.

IPO Lock-Up Date ” means the date that the Lock-Up Period set forth in Section 4(a) of this Registration Rights Agreement lapses in accordance with its terms in connection with an Initial Public Offering.

Lock-Up Period ” is defined in Section 4(a) below.

Material Adverse Effect ” is defined in Section 2(d) below.

Non-SCF Registrable Securities ” means the Common Stock (other than Restricted Stock as defined in the Agreement) issued to or acquired by any Non-SCF Holder, and any Common Stock (other than Restricted Stock as defined in the Agreement) into which Common Stock Equivalents held by a Non-SCF Holder have been or may be converted, exchanged or acquired and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to such securities by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided , that after the IPO Lock-Up Date any Non-SCF Registrable Security will cease to be a Non-SCF Registrable Security when (a) a registration statement covering such Non-SCF Registrable Security has been declared effective by the SEC and it has been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (b) it is sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met, (c)(i) it has been otherwise transferred, (ii) the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for it not bearing any legend similar to that required pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Agreement and (iii) it may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act or (d) it is held by a Person that is not a Holder in accordance with the provisos to the definition of Holder provided for herein.

Piggyback Registration ” is defined in Section 3(a) below.

Piggyback Securities ” is defined in Section 3(b) below.

Records ” is defined in Section 5(j) below.

Registrable Securities ” means the SCF Registrable Securities and the Non-SCF Registrable Securities.

Registration Expenses ” is defined in Section 6 below.

Requesting Holders ” means a Holder who makes a Demand Request pursuant to Section 2 below.

Required Filing Date ” is defined in Section 2(a)(ii) below.

 

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SCF Registrable Securities ” means the Common Stock issued to or acquired by SCF, including any Common Stock acquired by SCF from any Non-SCF Holder in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, and any Common Stock into which Common Stock Equivalents held by SCF have been converted, exchanged or acquired and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to such securities by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided , that after the IPO Lock-Up Date any SCF Registrable Security will cease to be an SCF Registrable Security when (a) a registration statement covering such SCF Registrable Security has been declared effective by the SEC and it has been disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement, (b) it is sold under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met, (c)(i) it has been otherwise transferred, (ii) the Company has delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership for it not bearing any legend similar to that required pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Agreement and (iii) it may be resold without subsequent registration under the Securities Act, or (d) it is held by a Person that is not a Holder in accordance with the provisos to the definition of Holder provided for herein.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor governmental agency.

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act.

Underwriter ” means a securities dealer which purchases any Registrable Securities as principal and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

2. Demand Registration.

(a) Request for Registration .

(i) From and after the later to occur of (A) the IPO Lock-Up Date and (B) 180 days following an Initial Public Offering, any Demand Holder may make a written request of the Company (a “ Demand Request ”) to have the Company effect a registration under the Securities Act (a “ Demand Registration ”) for the sale of all or part of their Registrable Securities. Following receipt of such Demand Request, the Company shall be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Demand Registration subject to the terms hereof; provided that the Registrable Securities proposed to be offered by the Requesting Holders in any such Demand Request must have a reasonably anticipated aggregate offering price of at least $10,000,000 net of underwriting discounts and commissions (or at least $1,000,000 if the Company is then eligible to register such sale on a Form S-3 registration statement (or any comparable or successor form)); and provided further that the Demand Holders shall be entitled to make no more than five Demand Requests pursuant to the foregoing provisions; and provided further that, the Company shall not be obligated to effect more than one Demand Registration at the request of any of the Demand Holders in any six-month period. After such time as the

 

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Company shall become eligible to use Form S-3 (or any comparable or successor form) for the registration under the Securities Act of any of its securities, any Demand Request by one or more Demand Holders with a reasonably anticipated aggregate offering price of at least $100,000,000 may be for a “shelf” registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act; provided that if such Demand Holders request that any such “shelf” registration statement remain effective for a period in excess of two years, such “shelf” registration shall count as two Demand Requests for the purposes of this Section 2(a) .

(ii) Each Demand Request shall specify the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold. Subject to Section 4(c) , the Company shall use its best efforts to file under the Securities Act a registration statement on an appropriate form to effect the Demand Registration within 30 days if eligible to use Form S-3 (or any comparable or successor form), or otherwise within 60 days if not so eligible, after receiving a Demand Request (the “ Required Filing Date ”) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing.

(b) Effective Registration and Expenses . A registration will not count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective (unless the Requesting Holders withdraw their Demand Request, in which case such demand will count as a Demand Registration unless (i) the Requesting Holders pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such withdrawn registration, (ii) during the registration process material adverse information regarding the Company is disclosed that was not known by such Requesting Holders at the time the request for such Demand Registration was made or (iii) the Company has not complied in all material respects with its obligations hereunder required to have been taken prior to such withdrawal); provided that if, after it has become effective, an offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or other governmental agency or court, such registration will be deemed not to have been effected and will not count as a Demand Registration.

(c) Selection of Underwriters . The offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration requested at a time when the Company is not then eligible to use Form S-3 (or any comparable or successor form) to register the sale of Common Stock requested by such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten offering. If the Requesting Holder so indicates, the Requesting Holder shall select the book-running managing Underwriter and such additional Underwriters to be used in connection with the offering; provided that such selections shall be subject to the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(d) Priority on Demand Registrations . If securities to be sold for the account of any Person (including the Company) other than a Requesting Holder are desired to be included in a Demand Registration and if the managing Underwriter(s) shall advise the Requesting Holders that the inclusion of such other securities will materially and adversely affect the price or success of the offering (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), then all such securities to be included in such Demand Registration shall be limited to the securities which the managing Underwriter(s)

 

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believe can be sold without a Material Adverse Effect and shall be allocated first pro rata among the Requesting Holders and the holders of Piggyback Securities who properly requested to include Registrable Securities in such Demand Registration pursuant to Section 3 (based on the number of Registrable Securities held by such Persons) and second to the Company.

3. Piggyback Registration .

(a) Piggyback Registration Rights . If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of any shares of Common Stock by the Company for its own account or for the account of any holder of Common Stock (including any Holder) (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any substitute form that may be adopted by the SEC or any registration statement filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing security holders or under an employee benefit plan), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Holders of the Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in no event less than 15 days before the anticipated filing date of such registration statement), and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to register such number of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request (a “ Piggyback Registration ”); provided , however , that if SCF elects not to register any Registrable Securities in an offering intended to be an Initial Public Offering, then no Holder shall be entitled hereunder to register any Registrable Securities in such Initial Public Offering; provided further, however , that in the case of an offering intended to be an Initial Public Offering, the Company shall not be obligated to provide written notice of any proposed filing of a registration statement to the Holders of the Registrable Securities until no less than 15 days before the anticipated filing date of a registration statement (or a pre-effective amendment thereof) that first identifies SCF as a selling stockholder in such registration statement. Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that the fact that such a notice has been delivered shall constitute confidential information and such Holder agrees not to disclose that such notice has been delivered or effect any public sale or distribution or Common Stock until the earlier of (i) the registration statement prepared in connection with such Piggyback Registration has been filed with the SEC and (ii) 20 days after the date of such notice. Subject to Section 3(b) hereof, the Company shall include in each such Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration for such offering by written notice to the Company within 15 days of receipt (in accordance with Section 5.1 of the Agreement) of the Company’s notice referred to above; provided , however , that the Company may at any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such registration for its own account prior to effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder of Registrable Securities has elected to include any Registrable Securities in such registration. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such Holder’s Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effective date thereof. In connection with any filing of a “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 (or any comparable or successor form) by the Company for the offer and sale of securities by the Company from time to time pursuant to Rule 415, the Piggyback Registration rights contemplated by this Section 3 for all Holders of Registrable Securities shall apply only at the time that such “shelf” registration statement is filed by the Company and not in connection with each offering of securities from such “shelf”

 

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registration statement; provided , however , that any Holder of Registrable Securities that exercises its Piggyback Registration rights with respect to the filing of such “shelf” registration statement shall be permitted to be included in any such offering of securities by the Company from such “shelf” registration statement as though such offering were the filing of a new registration statement for purposes of this Section 3 .

(b) Priority on Piggyback Registration . The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter(s) of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested to be included in the registration statement for such offering under Section 3(a) (“ Piggyback Securities ”) to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities included therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to include any Holder’s Piggyback Securities in such offering unless such Holder accepts the terms of the underwriting agreement between the Company and the managing Underwriter(s) and otherwise complies with the provisions of Section 8 below. If the managing Underwriter(s) of a proposed underwritten offering advise(s) the Company that in their opinion the total amount of securities, including Piggyback Securities, to be included in such offering is sufficiently large to cause a Material Adverse Effect, then in such event the securities to be included in such offering shall be allocated (i) if such registration statement is not pursuant to a Demand Request then first to the Company, and then, to the extent that any additional securities can, in the opinion of such managing Underwriter(s), be sold without any such Material Adverse Effect, pro rata among the Holders of Piggyback Securities on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder or (ii) if such registration statement is pursuant to a Demand Request, then as provided in Section 2(d) .

4. Holdback Agreements .

(a) Restrictions on Public Sale by Holder of Registrable Securities . In connection with any underwritten public offering of equity securities by the Company or any Holder of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to this Registration Rights Agreement, each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of securities similar to those being registered or of any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities or hedging or other derivative transactions relating to the Registrable Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the period beginning 14 days prior to the expected date of “pricing” of such offering and continuing for a period not to exceed 180 days with respect to the Initial Public Offering or 90 days with respect to any offering subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, beginning on the date of such final prospectus (or prospectus supplement if the offering is made pursuant to a “shelf” registration statement) except as part of such registration (the “ Lock-Up Period ”); provided , however , that if (i) during the last 17 days of the initial Lock-Up Period, the Company releases earnings results or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (ii) prior to the expiration of the initial Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the initial Lock-Up Period, then in each case the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as

 

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applicable, unless the managing Underwriter(s) of such underwritten public offering waive, in writing, such extension. If and to the extent requested by the managing Underwriter(s), each such Holder of Registrable Securities agrees to execute an agreement to the foregoing effect with the Underwriters for such offering on such terms as the managing Underwriter(s) shall reasonably request (with such modification as reasonably requested by such managing Underwriter(s) to take into consideration then customary market terms or any other existing rules of an applicable securities exchange regarding research analyst publications). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Holder of Registrable Securities be restricted at any time after the IPO Lock-Up Date from effecting any public sale or distribution of securities pursuant to this Section 4(a) for more than 150 days during any 12-month period.

(b) Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company . In connection with any underwritten public offering of equity securities by any Holder of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to this Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of any securities similar to those being registered, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities or hedging or other derivative transactions relating to such securities, during the Lock-Up Period as shall be reasonably requested by the managing Underwriter(s) except as part of such registration as permitted hereby; provided , however , that if (i) during the last 17 days of the initial Lock-Up Period, the Company releases earnings results or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (ii) prior to the expiration of the initial Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the initial Lock-Up Period, then in each case the Lock-Up Period will be extended until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of release of the earnings results or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as applicable, unless the managing Underwriter(s) of such underwritten public offering waive, in writing, such extension.

(c) Deferral of Filing . The Company may defer the filing (but not the preparation) of a registration statement required by Section 2 if (i) at the time the Company receives the Demand Request, (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries are engaged in confidential negotiations or other confidential business activities, disclosure of which would be required in such registration statement (but would not be required if such registration statement were not filed) and the Board determines in good faith that such disclosure would be materially detrimental to the Company or (B) the Company has experienced some other material non-public event or is in possession of material non-public information concerning the Company, and the Board determines in good faith that such disclosure would be materially detrimental to the Company, until a date not later than 60 days after the Required Filing Date or (ii) prior to receiving such Demand Request, the Board had determined to effect a registered underwritten public offering of the Company’s equity securities for the Company’s account and the Company had taken substantial steps (including, but not limited to, selecting or entering into a letter of intent with the managing Underwriter(s) for such offering) and is proceeding with reasonable diligence to effect such offering, until a date not later than the end of the Lock-Up Period referred to in Section 4(a) above with respect to such offering. A deferral of the filing of a registration statement pursuant to this Section 4(c) shall be lifted, and the requested registration statement shall be filed as soon

 

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as reasonably practicable, if, in the case of a deferral pursuant to clause (i)  of the preceding sentence, the negotiations or other activities are disclosed or terminated, or in the case of a deferral pursuant to clause (ii)  of the preceding sentence, the proposed registration for the Company’s account is abandoned. In order to defer the filing of a registration statement pursuant to this Section 4(c) , the Company shall promptly, upon determining to seek such deferral, deliver to each Requesting Holder a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that the Company is deferring such filing pursuant to this Section 4(c) and the basis therefor in reasonable detail. Within 20 days after receiving such certificate, the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by the Requesting Holders and for which registration was previously requested may withdraw such request by giving notice to the Company, but following such withdrawal, each of the Requesting Holders shall be prohibited from making a Demand Request until the end of the deferral period as contemplated by the second sentence of this Section 4(c) . If withdrawn, the Demand Request shall be deemed not to have been made for all purposes of this Registration Rights Agreement. The Company may defer the filing of a Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 4(c) only two times during any 12 month period. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the rights of the Holders under Section 3 to participate in any such Demand Registration at such time as the filing deferral is lifted in accordance with this Section 4(c) .

(d) Use, and Suspension of Use, of Shelf Registration Statement . If the Company has filed a “shelf” registration statement and has included Registrable Securities therein, the Company shall be entitled to suspend for a reasonable period of time (but not more than an aggregate of 90 days in any 12-month period) the offer or sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement by any Holder of Registrable Securities if (i) a “road show” is not then in progress with respect to a proposed offering of Registrable Securities by such Holder pursuant to such registration statement and such Holder has not executed an underwriting agreement with respect to a pending sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement and (ii)(A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries are engaged in confidential negotiations or other confidential business activities, disclosure of which would be required if such registration statement were used (but would not be required if such registration statement were not used) and the Board determines in good faith that such disclosure would be materially detrimental to the Company or (B) the Company has experienced some other material non-public event or is in possession of material non-public information concerning the Company, and the Board determines in good faith that such disclosure would be materially detrimental to the Company. In order to suspend the use of the registration statement pursuant to this Section 4(d) , the Company shall promptly, upon determining to seek such suspension, deliver to the holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement, a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that the Company is suspending use of such registration statement pursuant to this Section 4(d) and the basis therefor in reasonable detail. IN ADDITION, A HOLDER OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES MAY NOT UTILIZE A SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO EFFECT THE SALE OF ANY SUCH REGISTRABLE SECURITIES UNLESS SUCH HOLDER HAS GIVEN THE COMPANY AT LEAST ONE BUSINESS DAY ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE DATE OR DATES OF A PROPOSED SALE OF SUCH REGISTRABLE SECURITIES BY SUCH HOLDER PURSUANT TO SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENT (WHICH NOTICE MAY BE GIVEN AS OFTEN AS SUCH HOLDER DESIRES).

 

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5. Registration Procedures .

Whenever the Holders have requested that any Registrable Securities be registered pursuant to Section 2 hereof, the Company will, at its expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act prior to the Required Filing Date, and in connection with any such request, the Company will as expeditiously as practicable:

(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities to be registered thereunder in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use commercially reasonable efforts and proceed diligently and in good faith to cause such filed registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act; provided that before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the Company will furnish to all Selling Holders and to one counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company selected by the Selling Holders, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review of such counsel; provided further that in connection with a Demand Registration, the Company shall not file any registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, if the Requesting Holders who hold a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or their counsel shall reasonably object on a timely basis;

(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective pursuant to Section 2 for a period (except as provided in the last paragraph of this Section 5 ) of not less than 270 consecutive days (or three years, or such shorter period as the Requesting Holders who hold a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration may elect, if a “shelf” registration is requested) or, if shorter, the period terminating when all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold (but not before the expiration of the applicable period referred to in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder, if applicable) and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in accordance with the intended method of disposition by the Selling Holders thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided however that any Selling Holder that has been included on a “shelf” registration statement may request that such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities be removed from such registration statement, in which event the Company shall promptly either withdraw such registration statement or file a post-effective amendment to such registration statement removing such Registrable Securities;

(c) furnish to each such Selling Holder such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents as such Selling Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder;

 

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(d) notify the Selling Holders promptly, and (if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective under the Securities Act and each applicable state Law, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if at any time the representations or warranties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5(i) below cease to be true and correct in any material respect, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (vi) of the happening of any event which makes any statement made in such registration statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such registration statement, prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the registration statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration statement would be appropriate;

(e) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment;

(f) cooperate with the Selling Holders and the managing Underwriter(s) to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for deposit with The Depositary Trust Company;

(g) use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities as promptly as practicable under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Selling Holder or managing Underwriter reasonably (in light of the intended plan of distribution) requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Selling Holder or managing Underwriter to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Holder; provided that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any

 

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jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (g), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(h) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities, if any, as may be required of the Company to enable the Selling Holder or Selling Holders thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(i) enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form with customary indemnification provisions) and take such other actions as are reasonably required or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including providing reasonable availability of appropriate members of senior management of the Company to provide customary due diligence assistance in connection with any offering and to participate in customary “road show” presentations in connection with any underwritten offerings in substantially the same manner as they would in an underwritten primary registered public offering by the Company of its Common Stock, after taking into account the reasonable business requirements of the Company in determining the scheduling and duration of any road show;

(j) make available for inspection by any Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities, any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained by any such Selling Holder or Underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspectors in connection with such registration statement. Each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities agrees that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company or its Affiliates unless and until such is made generally available to the public (other than by such Selling Holder). Each Selling Holder of such Registrable Securities further agrees that it will, as soon as practicable upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company at its expense to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

(k) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company’s independent public accountants in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the managing Underwriter(s) reasonably request(s);

(l) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve months, beginning within three months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

 

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(m) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or quoted on any inter-dealer quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then quoted;

(n) if any event contemplated by Section 5(d)(vi) above shall occur, as promptly as practicable prepare a supplement or amendment or post-effective amendment to such registration statement or the related prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or promptly file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Securities, the prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and

(o) cooperate and assist in any filing required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter, including any “qualified independent underwriter,” or any Selling Holder.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company hereby agrees that (i) any Demand Registration that is a “shelf” registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act shall contain all language (including on the prospectus cover page, the principal stockholders’ chart and the plan of distribution) as may be reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities. The Company may require each Selling Holder to promptly furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding the distribution of the Registrable Securities as it may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be legally required in connection with such registration. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall have the right to exclude from any offering the Registrable Securities of any Selling Holder who does not comply with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.

Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(d)(vi) hereof, such Selling Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 5(n) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give such notice, the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement shall be maintained effective (including the period referred to in Section 5(b) hereof) by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 5(d)(vi) hereof to the date when the Company shall make available to the Selling Holders of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement a prospectus supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section 5(n) hereof.

 

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6. Registration Expenses .

Subject to the provisions in Section 2(b) above with respect to a withdrawn Demand Registration, in connection with any registration statement required to be filed hereunder, the Company shall pay the following registration expenses (the “ Registration Expenses ”):

(a) all registration and filing fees (including with respect to filings to be made with FINRA);

(b) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities);

(c) printing expenses;

(d) internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties);

(e) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing on an exchange of the Registrable Securities if the Company shall choose, or be required pursuant to Section 5(m) , to list such Registrable Securities;

(f) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by the Company (including the expenses of any comfort letters requested pursuant to Section 5(k) hereof);

(g) the reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration;

(h) reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company selected by the Selling Holders incurred in connection with the registration of such Registrable Securities hereunder; and

(i) fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” or other independent appraiser participating in any offering pursuant to Rule 2720 of the FINRA Manual.

The Company shall not have any obligation to pay any underwriting fees, discounts, or commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities or, except as provided by clause (b) , (h)  or (i)  above, any out-of-pocket expenses of the Holders (or the agents who manage their accounts) or the fees and disbursements of any Underwriter.

7. Indemnification; Contribution .

(a) Indemnification by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, each Person, if any, who Controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the officers,

 

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directors, agents, general and limited partners, and employees of each Selling Holder and each such Controlling Person from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and attorneys’ fees) arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of, or are based upon and in conformity with, any such untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof based upon information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for use therein. The Company also agrees to indemnify any Underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who Controls such Underwriters on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Selling Holders provided in this Section 7(a) .

(b) Indemnification by Holder of Registrable Securities . Each Selling Holder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each other Selling Holder, the Company, and each Person, if any, who Controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and the officers, directors, agents and employees of each other Selling Holder, the Company and each such Controlling Person to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Selling Holder, but only with respect to information furnished in writing by such Selling Holder or on such Selling Holder’s behalf expressly for use in any registration statement or prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities. The liability of any Selling Holder under this Section 7(b) shall be limited to the aggregate cash and property received by such Selling Holder pursuant to the sale of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus.

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings . If any action or proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnification under Section 7(a) or 7(b) above (an “ Indemnified Party ”) in respect of which indemnity may be sought from any Person who has agreed to provide such indemnification under Section 7(a) or 7(b) above (an “ Indemnifying Party ”), the Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all reasonable expenses of such defense. Such Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action or proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails promptly to assume the defense of such action or proceeding or fails to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party or (iii) the named parties to any such action or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and Indemnifying Party (or an Affiliate of the Indemnifying Party), and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more

 

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legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or there is a conflict of interest on the part of counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party to represent such Indemnified Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of such Indemnified Party). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable at any time for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (together in each case with appropriate local counsel). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected without its written consent (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with its written consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Party from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. The Indemnifying Party shall not consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability in respect of such action or proceeding for which such Indemnified Party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable to the Indemnified Parties in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to herein, then each such Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Parties, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Parties as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments as between the Company on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Company and of each Selling Holder in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of each Selling Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Person, and such Persons’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company and the Selling Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were determined by any method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any

 

N INE E NERGY S ERVICE , I NC .

E XHIBIT B TO S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED S TOCKHOLDERS A GREEMENT

B-15


such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(d) , no Selling Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities of such Selling Holder were offered to the public (less any underwriting discounts or commissions) exceeds the amount of any damages which such Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

8. Participation in Underwritten Registrations .

No Holder may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Person entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody agreements, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and this Registration Rights Agreement.

9. Transfers of Registration Rights .

The provisions hereof will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, except as otherwise provided herein; provided , however , that the registration rights granted hereby may be transferred only (i) by operation of Law or (ii) to any Person to whom a Holder transfers Registrable Securities, provided that any such transferee shall not be entitled to rights pursuant to Section 2 , 3 or 4 hereof unless such transferee of registration rights hereunder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions hereof and executes and delivers to the Company an acknowledgment and agreement to such effect.

10. Information Rights in Private Sale .

If any Demand Holders who then hold in the aggregate a minimum of 15% of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock (such Demand Holders, for purposes of this Section 10 , being herein called the “ Disposing Holders ”) propose to Transfer in a private transaction Registrable Securities having a Fair Market Value in excess of $5,000,000, as determined in good faith by such Disposing Holders, then held by such Disposing Holders, then, the Company shall afford to such Disposing Holders, such prospective transferees and their respective counsel, accountants, lenders and other representatives, full access during normal business hours to the properties, books, contracts, records and management of the Company in order that such parties may have full opportunity to make such investigations as they shall desire to make of the Company and shall, upon request, promptly furnish to such parties all other information concerning the Company as such parties may reasonably request in connection with such prospective transfer, in each case subject to such confidentiality restrictions or obligations as the Company may reasonably require; provided , however , that any such investigation shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the Company’s business and operations; and provided further , however , that prior to the consummation of the Initial Public Offering, with

 

N INE E NERGY S ERVICE , I NC .

E XHIBIT B TO S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED S TOCKHOLDERS A GREEMENT

B-16


respect to any proposed Transfer of ROFR Shares, the Company shall not be required to comply with this Section 10 until the Business Day next succeeding the Company ROFR Acceptance Deadline or, in the event of a Company Non-Exercise Event with respect to such ROFR Shares, the SCF ROFR Acceptance Deadline, as provided in Section 2.3(b) of the Agreement, to the extent applicable.

11. Entire Agreement .

The foregoing provisions of this Exhibit B and the provisions of the Agreement contain the entire understanding of the parties hereto and thereto respecting the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, discussions and understandings with respect thereto.

12. Miscellaneous; Amendment; Termination .

The provisions of Sections 1.1 , 1.2 , 5.1 , 5.3 , 5.4 , 5.5 , 5.7 , 5.9 , 5.11 and 5.13 of the Agreement shall apply to this Registration Rights Agreement. The provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement may only be amended by the written consent of the Company and the Demand Holders (if the Demand Holders then own Registrable Securities); provided , however , that any amendment that has an adverse effect on the rights of, or imposes additional obligations on, the Holders other than the Demand Holders shall require the consent of such Holders other than the Demand Holders that hold in the aggregate at least 50% of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holders (if such Holders then own Registrable Securities). The Holders acknowledge and agree that any Person that becomes a Stockholder shall have the rights and obligations set forth in this Registration Rights Agreement and that such Person becoming a Stockholder shall be deemed not to be an amendment to this Registration Rights Agreement. The provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect as of and following the tenth anniversary of the date hereof; provided that the provisions of Section 7 of this Registration Rights Agreement shall survive for any sales of Registrable Securities prior to such date.

 

N INE E NERGY S ERVICE , I NC .

E XHIBIT B TO S ECOND A MENDED AND R ESTATED S TOCKHOLDERS A GREEMENT

B-17

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

 

LOGO

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

June [    ], 2017

among

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.

and certain of its subsidiaries,

as U.S. Borrowers

NINE ENERGY CANADA INC.

as Canadian Borrower

The Lenders Party Hereto

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger

 

 

 

ASSET BASED LENDING


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I      DEFINITIONS

     1  

SECTION 1.01

  

Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.02

  

Classification of Loans and Borrowings

     45  

SECTION 1.03

  

Terms Generally

     45  

SECTION 1.04

  

Accounting Terms; GAAP

     45  

SECTION 1.05

  

Limited Conditionality Acquisitions

     46  

SECTION 1.06

  

Status of Obligations

     47  

SECTION 1.07

  

Currency Matters

     47  

ARTICLE II     THE CREDITS

     47  

SECTION 2.01

  

Commitments

     47  

SECTION 2.02

  

Loans and Borrowings

     48  

SECTION 2.03

  

Requests for Borrowings

     48  

SECTION 2.04

  

Protective Advances

     49  

SECTION 2.05

  

Swingline Loans

     50  

SECTION 2.06

  

Letters of Credit

     52  

SECTION 2.07

  

Funding of Borrowings

     57  

SECTION 2.08

  

Interest Elections

     57  

SECTION 2.09

  

Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments

     58  

SECTION 2.10

  

Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt

     60  

SECTION 2.11

  

Prepayment of Loans

     61  

SECTION 2.12

  

Fees

     63  

SECTION 2.13

  

Interest

     64  

SECTION 2.14

  

Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality

     65  

SECTION 2.15

  

Increased Costs

     66  

SECTION 2.16

  

Break Funding Payments

     67  

SECTION 2.17

  

Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up

     67  

SECTION 2.18

  

Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs

     71  

SECTION 2.19

  

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     74  

SECTION 2.20

  

Defaulting Lenders

     75  

SECTION 2.21

  

Returned Payments

     76  

SECTION 2.22

  

Banking Services and Swap Agreements

     77  

SECTION 2.23

  

Excess Resulting From Exchange Rate Change

     77  

ARTICLE III     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     77  

SECTION 3.01

  

Organization; Powers

     77  

SECTION 3.02

  

Authorization; Enforceability

     77  

SECTION 3.03

  

Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts

     77  

SECTION 3.04

  

Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change

     78  

SECTION 3.05

  

Properties

     78  

SECTION 3.06

  

Litigation and Environmental Matters

     78  

SECTION 3.07

  

Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default

     79  

SECTION 3.08

  

Investment Company Status

     79  

SECTION 3.09

  

Taxes

     79  

SECTION 3.10

  

ERISA: Canadian Pension Plans

     79  

SECTION 3.11

  

Disclosure

     80  

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

SECTION 3.12

  

Material Agreements

     80  

SECTION 3.13

  

Solvency

     80  

SECTION 3.14

  

Insurance

     80  

SECTION 3.15

  

Capitalization and Subsidiaries

     81  

SECTION 3.16

  

Security Interest in Collateral

     81  

SECTION 3.17

  

Employment Matters

     81  

SECTION 3.18

  

Federal Reserve Regulations

     81  

SECTION 3.19

  

Use of Proceeds

     81  

SECTION 3.20

  

No Burdensome Restrictions

     81  

SECTION 3.21

  

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

     82  

SECTION 3.22

  

Affiliate Transactions

     82  

SECTION 3.23

  

Common Enterprise

     82  

SECTION 3.24

  

EEA Financial Institutions

     82  

ARTICLE IV     CONDITIONS

     82  

SECTION 4.01

  

Effective Date

     82  

SECTION 4.02

  

Each Credit Event

     85  

ARTICLE V     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     86  

SECTION 5.01

  

Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information

     86  

SECTION 5.02

  

Notices of Material Events

     89  

SECTION 5.03

  

Existence; Conduct of Business

     90  

SECTION 5.04

  

Payment of Obligations

     90  

SECTION 5.05

  

Maintenance of Properties

     91  

SECTION 5.06

  

Books and Records; Inspection Rights

     91  

SECTION 5.07

  

Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations

     91  

SECTION 5.08

  

Use of Proceeds

     91  

SECTION 5.09

  

Accuracy of Information

     92  

SECTION 5.10

  

Insurance

     92  

SECTION 5.11

  

Casualty and Condemnation

     92  

SECTION 5.12

  

Appraisals

     92  

SECTION 5.13

  

Depository Banks; Collection and Application of Collateral Proceeds

     93  

SECTION 5.14

  

Additional Collateral; Further Assurances

     94  

SECTION 5.15

  

Designation of Subsidiaries

     95  

SECTION 5.16

  

Post-Closing Conditions

     95  

ARTICLE VI     NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     96  

SECTION 6.01

  

Indebtedness

     96  

SECTION 6.02

  

Liens

     98  

SECTION 6.03

  

Fundamental Changes

     100  

SECTION 6.04

  

Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions

     101  

SECTION 6.05

  

Asset Sales

     103  

SECTION 6.06

  

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     104  

SECTION 6.07

  

Swap Agreements

     104  

SECTION 6.08

  

Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness

     104  

SECTION 6.09

  

Transactions with Affiliates

     105  

SECTION 6.10

  

Restrictive Agreements

     105  

SECTION 6.11

  

Amendment of Material Documents

     106  

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

SECTION 6.12

  

Financial Covenants

     106  

SECTION 6.13

  

Establishment of Canadian Defined Benefit Plan

     106  

ARTICLE VII     EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     106  

ARTICLE VIII   THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     109  

SECTION 8.01

  

Appointment

     109  

SECTION 8.02

  

Rights as a Lender

     110  

SECTION 8.03

  

Duties and Obligations

     110  

SECTION 8.04

  

Reliance

     110  

SECTION 8.05

  

Actions through Sub-Agents

     111  

SECTION 8.06

  

Resignation

     111  

SECTION 8.07

  

Non-Reliance

     112  

SECTION 8.08

  

Other Agency Titles

     112  

SECTION 8.09

  

Not Partners or Co-Venturers; Administrative Agent as Representative of the Secured Parties

     112  

SECTION 8.10

  

Flood Laws

     113  

ARTICLE IX     MISCELLANEOUS

     113  

SECTION 9.01

  

Notices

     113  

SECTION 9.02

  

Waivers; Amendments

     115  

SECTION 9.03

  

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     117  

SECTION 9.04

  

Successors and Assigns

     119  

SECTION 9.05

  

Survival

     124  

SECTION 9.06

  

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

     124  

SECTION 9.07

  

Severability

     125  

SECTION 9.08

  

Right of Setoff

     125  

SECTION 9.09

  

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

     125  

SECTION 9.10

  

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     126  

SECTION 9.11

  

Headings

     126  

SECTION 9.12

  

Confidentiality

     126  

SECTION 9.13

  

Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law

     127  

SECTION 9.14

  

USA PATRIOT Act

     127  

SECTION 9.15

  

Disclosure

     127  

SECTION 9.16

  

Appointment for Perfection

     127  

SECTION 9.17

  

Interest Rate Limitation

     128  

SECTION 9.18

  

Marketing Consent

     128  

SECTION 9.19

  

No Fiduciary Duty

     128  

SECTION 9.20

  

Judgment Currency Conversion

     129  

SECTION 9.21

  

Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation

     129  

SECTION 9.22

  

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     130  

SECTION 9.23

  

Limitation on Liability of Certain Subsidiaries

     130  

ARTICLE X     LOAN GUARANTY

     130  

SECTION 10.01

  

Guaranty

     130  

SECTION 10.02

  

Guaranty of Payment

     131  

SECTION 10.03

  

No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty

     131  

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

SECTION 10.04

  

Defenses Waived

     132  

SECTION 10.05

  

Rights of Subrogation

     132  

SECTION 10.06

  

Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration

     132  

SECTION 10.07

  

Information

     132  

SECTION 10.08

  

Termination

     132  

SECTION 10.09

  

Taxes

     133  

SECTION 10.10

  

Maximum Liability

     133  

SECTION 10.11

  

Contribution

     133  

SECTION 10.12

  

Liability Cumulative

     134  

SECTION 10.13

  

Keepwell

     134  

ARTICLE XI     THE BORROWER REPRESENTATIVE

     134  

SECTION 11.01

  

Appointment; Nature of Relationship

     134  

SECTION 11.02

  

Powers

     135  

SECTION 11.03

  

Employment of Agents

     135  

SECTION 11.04

  

Notices

     135  

SECTION 11.05

  

Successor Borrower Representative

     135  

SECTION 11.06

  

Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate

     135  

SCHEDULES :

Commitment Schedule

Schedule 3.05 — Properties

Schedule 3.06 — Disclosed Matters

Schedule 3.12 — Material Agreements

Schedule 3.14 — Insurance

Schedule 3.15 — Capitalization and Subsidiaries

Schedule 3.22 — Affiliate Transactions

Schedule 6.01 — Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02 — Existing Liens

Schedule 6.04 — Existing Investments

Schedule 6.10 — Existing Restrictions

EXHIBITS :

Exhibit A — Form of Assignment and Assumption

Exhibit B — Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit C — Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit D — Joinder Agreement

Exhibit E-1 — U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Lenders that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-2 — U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are not Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-3 — U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign Participants that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit E-4 — U.S. Tax Certificate (For Foreign that are Partnerships for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

-iv-


CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June [    ], 2017 (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) among NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC., a Delaware corporation, certain of its Subsidiaries party hereto from time to time, as U.S. Borrowers (collectively, the “ U.S. Borrowers ”, and each individually, a “ U.S. Borrower ”), and NINE ENERGY CANADA INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada, as “ Canadian Borrower ”, the Lenders party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

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, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

Account Debtor ” means any Person obligated on an Account.

Acquisition ” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which any Loan Party (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.

Adjusted LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any ABR Borrowing, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

Administrative Agent ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

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 specified Person.

Aggregate Availability ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the sum of U.S. Availability plus Canadian Availability.

 

1


Aggregate Borrowing Base ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the sum of the U.S. Borrowing Base plus the Canadian Borrowing Base.

Aggregate Canadian Exposure ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the aggregate Canadian Revolving Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

Aggregate Credit Exposure ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the aggregate Credit Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Aggregate Revolving Commitment ” means, at any time, the aggregate of the U.S Revolving Commitments and the Canadian Revolving Commitments, in each case, as increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof, it being understood that the Canadian Revolving Commitments are a sub-line of the overall U.S. Revolving Commitments. As of the Effective Date, the Aggregate Revolving Commitment is $200,000,000.00.

Aggregate Revolving Exposure ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all the Lenders at such time.

Aggregate U.S. Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate U.S. Revolving Exposure of all Lenders at such time.

Allocated U.S. Borrowing Base Amount ” means any portion of the U.S. Availability (which shall be calculated without reference to the U.S. Revolving Commitments in effect at such time) designated by the Borrower Representative to be allocated to the Canadian Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 5.01(f).

Alternate Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus  1 2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%, provided that, for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate (or if the LIBO Screen Rate is not available for such one month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof, then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clause (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

AML Legislation ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.21.

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Applicable Borrowers ” means U.S. Borrowers and/or Canadian Borrower, as the context requires.

Applicable Percentage ” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure, or Swingline Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Commitment ( provided that, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages

 

2


shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Aggregate Revolving Exposure at that time), (b) with respect to U.S. Revolving Loans, U.S. Swingline Loans or U.S. LC Exposure , a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate U.S. Revolving Commitments (provided that, if the U.S. Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the U.S. Revolving Exposure at that time), (c) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans, Canadian Swingline Loans or Canadian LC Exposure, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate Canadian Revolving Commitments (provided that, if the Canadian Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon such Lender’s share of the Canadian Revolving Exposure at that time), (d) with respect to U.S. Protective Advances, a percentage based upon its share of the unused U.S. Revolving Commitments, (e) with respect to Canadian Protective Advances, a percentage based upon its share of the unused Canadian Revolving Commitments and (f) with respect to the Aggregate Credit Exposure, a percentage based upon its share of the Aggregate Credit Exposure and the unused Commitments; provided that, in accordance with Section 2.20, so long as any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculations under clauses (a) through (f) above.

Applicable Rate ” means, for any day, with respect to any Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Revolver Eurodollar Spread and Revolver CDOR Rate Spread” or “Revolver ABR Spread, Revolver Canadian Base Rate Spread and Revolver Canadian Prime Rate Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Leverage Ratio as of the most recent determination date, provided that until the delivery to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to Section 5.01, of the Company’s consolidated financial information for the Company’s first fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be the applicable rates per annum set forth below in Category 1:

 

Leverage Ratio

   Revolver
Eurodollar
Spread and
Revolver CDOR
Rate Spread
    Revolver ABR
Spread,
Revolver
Canadian Base
Rate Spread and
Revolver
Canadian Prime
Rate Spread
 

Category 1

< 1.0 to 1.0

     2.00     1.00

Category 2

>1.0 to 1.0 but

< 2.0 to 1.0

     2.25     1.25

Category 3

> 2.0 to 1.0 but

< 3.0 to 1.0

     2.50     1.50

Category 4

> 3.0 to 1.0

     2.75     1.75

For purposes of the foregoing, (a) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Company based upon the Company’s annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 and (b) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a

 

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change in the Leverage Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that the Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 4 at the option of the Administrative Agent or at the request of the Required Lenders if the Borrowers fail to deliver the annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01, during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.

Applicable Revolving Lenders ” means (a) with respect to the U.S. Revolving Loans, U.S. Letters of Credit, U.S. Swingline Loans or U.S. Protective Advances, the U.S. Revolving Lenders and (b) with respect to the Canadian Revolving Loans, Canadian Letters of Credit, the Canadian Swingline Loans or Canadian Protective Advances, the Canadian Revolving Lenders.

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

Assignment and Assumption ” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit  A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

Available Canadian Revolving Commitment ” means, at any time, the aggregate Canadian Revolving Commitments minus the Aggregate Canadian Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings).

Available Revolving Commitment ” means, collectively, the Available U.S. Revolving Commitment plus the Available Canadian Revolving Commitment.

Available U.S. Revolving Commitment ” means, at any time, the aggregate U.S. Revolving Commitments minus the Aggregate U.S. Exposure and the Aggregate Canadian Exposure (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Borrowings).

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.

Banking Services ” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party by Chase U.S. or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

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Banking Services Obligations ” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

Banking Services Reserves ” means all Reserves which the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Banking Services then provided or outstanding.

Bankruptcy Event ” means, with respect to any Person, when such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or proposal proceeding under the Canadian Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act or has had a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, monitor, sequestrator, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business, appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, unless such ownership interest results in or provides such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or Canada or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permits such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality), to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

Base Rate Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of the Type calculated at ABR, CBR or CPR, as the context requires.

Base Rate Loan ” means (a) with respect to U.S. Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to U.S. LC Exposure and U.S. Protective Advances), ABR Loans, (b) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to Canadian LC Exposure and Canadian Protective Advances), to the extent denominated in Canadian Dollars, CPR Loans, and (c) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to Canadian LC Exposure and Canadian Protective Advances) to the extent denominated in U.S. Dollars, CBR Loans.

Beneficial Owner ” means, with respect to any U.S. Federal withholding Tax, the beneficial owner, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, to whom such Tax relates.

Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the U.S.

Borrower ” means, individually, any of the U.S. Borrowers or the Canadian Borrower, and “ Borrowers ” means, collectively, all of the U.S. Borrowers and the Canadian Borrowers.

Borrower Group Commitment ” means, with respect to the Commitment of (a) a Canadian Revolving Lender, its Canadian Revolving Commitment and (b) a U.S. Revolving Lender, its U.S. Revolving Commitment. The term “Borrower Group Commitments” means (i) the Borrower Group Commitment of all Canadian Revolving Lenders or (ii) the Borrower Group Commitment of all U.S. Revolving Lenders, as the context requires. To the extent any Lender has more than one Borrower Group Commitment, each such Commitment shall be considered as a separate Commitment for purposes of this definition

Borrower Representative ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.01.

 

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Borrowing ” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Non-Base Rate Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Swingline Loan, and (c) a Protective Advance.

Borrowing Base ” means, the U.S. Borrowing Base and/or the Canadian Borrowing Base as the context requires.

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or another form which is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

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

Burdensome Restrictions ” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Calgary, Alberta, Canada are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in London and when used in connection with a CPR Loan or a CDOR Loan, the term “ Business Day ” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Business Optimization Costs and Savings ” means (a) those certain costs and expenses paid or payable by the Loan Parties in connection with the transition, restructuring, integration and business optimization of the assets of the Loan Parties and other costs related to replacing services to be performed for the Loan Parties’ business, including in the case of each of the foregoing all one-time costs and charges in connection with the following: (i) restructuring, business optimization, set-up, recertification and integration, (ii) retention and severance, (iii) systems and information technology procurement, establishment and optimization, (iv) rebranding, (v) contract termination, (vi) the start-up, closure, relocation or reconfiguration, consolidation, or opening of facilities and future lease commitments, (vii) recruiting, retention, relocation, signing bonuses, severance and salary for interim employees, (viii) consulting fees and expenses not payable to any Affiliate of the Loan Parties, (ix) interim salary and bonus, and (x) and any other costs incurred in connection with any of the foregoing, (b) unrealized pro forma cost synergies and expenses comprised of headcount reductions, facility consolidations, and administrative expenses, such as insurance, audit & tax filings, IT investments and facility costs and (c) run rate costs and savings in connection with any Acquisition.

CAD ” or “Canadian Dollars” or “Cdn$” means the lawful currency of Canada.

Canadian Availability ” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the aggregate Canadian Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Canadian Borrowing Base, minus (b) the Aggregate Canadian Exposure relating to the Canadian Borrower (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding Canadian Revolving Borrowings).

Canadian Benefit Plans ” means any plan, fund, program, or policy, whether oral or written, formal or informal, funded or unfunded, insured or uninsured, providing employee benefits, including medical, hospital care, dental, sickness, accident, disability, life insurance, pension, supplemental pension, bonus, profit sharing, severance, deferred compensation, stock compensation, retirement or savings benefits, under which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party has any liability with respect to any Canadian employee or former Canadian employee, but excluding any Canadian Pension Plans.

 

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Canadian Base Rate ” means, for any period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the greater of (i) the rate of interest per annum most recently announced or established by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch as its reference rate in effect on such day for determining interest rates for U.S. Dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada and commonly known as “base rate” (or its equivalent or analogous such rate), such rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, (b) the federal funds effective rate from time to time plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein) for a one month interest period on such day plus 1%.

Canadian Borrower ” means Nine Energy Canada Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada.

Canadian Borrowing Base ” means the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the sum of (a) 85% of the Canadian Borrower’s Eligible Accounts at such time, plus (b) the product of 85% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentage identified for such product segment in the most recent inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the Canadian Borrower’s Eligible Inventory for such product segment (valued at the lower of cost (FIFO) or market), plus (c) the Eligible Equipment Amount attributable to the Canadian Borrower, in the event the Canadian Borrower elects to add Eligible Equipment to the Canadian Borrowing Base pursuant to the definition of Eligible Equipment Amount attributable to the Canadian Borrower; provided that, the Canadian Borrowing Base shall automatically exclude that portion of the Eligible Equipment Amount attributable to the Canadian Borrower from and after the date on which a Prepayment Event described in clause (c) of the definition thereof occurs as a result of the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l) which is secured in whole or in part by any Eligible Equipment of the Canadian Borrower, plus (d) 100% of Eligible Cash of Canadian Loan Parties, plus (e) at the Borrower Representative’s discretion, the Allocated U.S. Borrowing Base Amount, minus (f) Reserves applicable to the Canadian Borrower established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

Canadian Collateral Deposit Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(c).

Canadian Collection Account has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(d).

Canadian Defined Benefit Plan ” has the meaning assigned to such Section 3.10(c).

Canadian Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in Canada.

Canadian Issuing Bank ” means Chase Canada, in its capacity as the issuer of Canadian Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). The Canadian Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Canadian Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Canadian Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Canadian Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such Canadian Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such Canadian Letters of Credit).

Canadian LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amounts of all outstanding Canadian Letters of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to Canadian Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed by or on behalf of an Applicable Borrower. The Canadian LC Exposure of any Canadian Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Canadian LC Exposure.

 

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Canadian Letters of Credit ” means the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement for the account of the Canadian Borrower, and the term “Canadian Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

Canadian Loan Parties ” means (a) the Canadian Borrower and (b) each Subsidiary thereof that has guaranteed the Canadian Secured Obligations pursuant to Section 5.14, and their successors and assigns.

Canadian Loans ” means, individually and collectively as the context may require, the Canadian Revolving Loans, the Canadian Swingline Loans and the Canadian Protective Advances.

Canadian Lock Box Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(c).

Canadian Lock Boxes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(c).

Canadian Obligations ” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Canadian Loans, all Canadian LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Canadian Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, in each case, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in respect of any of the Canadian Loans or any of the Canadian Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

Canadian Pension Event ” means (a) the whole or partial withdrawal of a Loan Party from a Canadian Pension Plan during a plan year; or (b) the filing of a notice of interest to terminate in whole or in part a Canadian Pension Plan or the treatment of a Canadian Pension Plan amendment as a termination or partial termination; or (c) the institution of proceedings by any Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part or have a trustee appointed to administer a Canadian Pension Plan; or (d) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds for the termination of, winding up or partial termination of winding up or the appointment of trustee to administer, any Canadian Pension Plan.

Canadian Pension Plans ” means each pension plan required to be registered under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial law that is maintained or contributed to by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Loan Party for its Canadian employees or former Canadian employees, but does not include the Canada Pension Plan or the Quebec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or the Province of Quebec, respectively.

Canadian Prime Rate ” means, on any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the higher of (i) the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information services that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) and (ii) the average rate for 30 day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances that appears on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page (or, in the event such rate does not appear on such page or screen, on any successor or substitute page or screen that displays such rate, or on

 

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the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day, plus 1% per annum; provided, that if any the above rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN Index or the CDOR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the PRIMCAN Index or CDOR Rate, respectively.

Canadian Protective Advances ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(a).

Canadian Qualified Lender ” means Alberta Treasury Branches or a financial institution that is listed on Schedule I, II, or III of the Bank Act (Canada), has received an approval to have a financial establishment in Canada pursuant to Section 522.21 of the Bank Act (Canada) or is not a foreign bank for purposes of the Bank Act (Canada), and if such financial institution is not deemed to be resident of Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), that financial institution deals at arm’s length with the Canadian Borrower for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Canadian Revolving Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of Canadian Revolving Loans.

Canadian Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Canadian Revolving Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make Canadian Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Canadian Letters of Credit and Canadian Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Canadian Revolving Lender’s Canadian Revolving Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Canadian Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Canadian Lenders’ Canadian Revolving Commitments is $20,000,000.

Canadian Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Loans, Canadian LC Exposure and Canadian Swingline Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage, if any, of the aggregate principal amount of Canadian Protective Advances at such time.

Canadian Revolving Lender ” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with any Canadian Revolving Commitment or, if all the Canadian Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Canadian Revolving Exposure.

Canadian Revolving Loan ” means a Loan made to the Canadian Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

Canadian Secured Obligations ” means all Canadian Obligations, together with all (i) Banking Services Obligations owing by Canadian Loan Parties to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates and (ii) Swap Agreement Obligations owing by Canadian Loan Parties to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates (including a Person that is a party to a Swap Agreement with the Canadian Loan Parties that entered into such Swap Agreement before or while such Person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, whether or not such Person at any time ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, as the case may be); provided, however, that the definition of “Canadian Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.

 

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Canadian Security Agreement ” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements or joinders thereto), dated as of the date hereof, between the Canadian Borrower and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Canadian Security Documents ” means the Canadian Security Agreement and any other agreements, instruments and documents governed by the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof that creates a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure any of the Secured Obligations.

Canadian Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Canadian Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Canadian Swingline Exposure of any Canadian Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Canadian Swingline Exposure at such time.

Canadian Swingline Lender ” means Chase Canada, in its capacity as lender of Canadian Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the Canadian Swingline Lender and any consent given by Chase in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by Chase in its capacity as Canadian Swingline Lender.

Canadian Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made by the Canadian Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(b).

Capital Expenditures ” means, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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.

Cash Dominion Period ” means any period beginning on any date that either (a) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have elected to institute a “Cash Dominion Period” or (b) Aggregate Availability is less than the Cash Dominion Threshold Amount and continuing until the first day after such date that (i) with respect to a Cash Dominion Period under the foregoing clause (a), no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) with respect to a Cash Dominion Period under the foregoing clause (b) Aggregate Availability is greater than or equal to the Cash Dominion Threshold Amount for 30 consecutive days.

Cash Dominion Threshold Amount ” means, at any time, the greater of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) 10% of the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the then effective Aggregate Borrowing Base.

CBR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Canadian Base Rate.

 

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CDOR ” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the CDOR Rate.

CDOR Rate ” means, for the relevant Interest Period, the Canadian deposit offered rate which, in turn means on any day the sum of (a) the annual rate of interest determined with reference to the arithmetic average of the discount rate quotations of all institutions listed in respect of the relevant interest period for Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances displayed and identified as such on the “Reuters Screen CDOR Page” as defined in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. definitions, as modified and amended from time to time (the “CDOR Screen Rate”), as of 10:00 a.m. Toronto local time on the first day of the applicable interest period and, if such day is not a business day, then on the immediately preceding business day (as adjusted by the Administrative Agent after 10:00 a.m. Toronto local time to reflect any error in the posted rate of interest or in the posted average annual rate of interest) plus (b) 0.10% per annum; provided that (x) if the CDOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero and (y) if the CDOR Screen Rate is not available on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page on any particular day, then the Canadian deposit offered rate component of such rate on that day shall be calculated as the cost of funds quoted by the Administrative Agent to raise CAD Dollars for the applicable interest period at or about 10:00 a.m. Toronto local time on such day for commercial loans or other extensions of credit to businesses of comparable credit risk; or if such day is not a business day, then as quoted by the Administrative Agent on the immediately preceding business day.

Change in Control ” means (a) any Person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act ), other than the Permitted Holders, shall at any time have acquired direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Securities Exchange Act ) of voting power of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Company (i) having more than 33% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors of the Company and (ii) such ordinary voting power shall be more than that held by the Permitted Holders; (b) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were not (i) directors of the Company on the date of this Agreement, (ii) nominated or appointed for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of the Company or (iii) approved for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of the Company as director candidates prior to their election; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group other than Permitted Holders; or (d) the Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, other than as a result of any transaction permitted by this Agreement, 100% of the outstanding voting Equity Interests of the other Borrowers on a fully diluted basis.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement (or, with respect to any Lender, such later date on which such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement) of any of the following: (a) the adoption of 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 or application thereof by any Governmental Authority; or (c) compliance by any Lender or the Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

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Charges ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

Chase ” means collectively, Chase U.S. and/or Chase Canada, as the context requires , each in their individual capacity, and their successors.

Chase Canada ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch, an authorized foreign bank branch under Schedule III of the Bank Act (Canada).

Chase U.S. ” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association.

Class ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Canadian Revolving Loans, U.S. Revolving Loans, Canadian Swingline Loans, U.S. Swingline Loans, Canadian Protective Advances or U.S. Protective Advances.

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

Collateral ” means any and all personal and real property owned, leased or operated by a Person subject to a security interest or Lien under the Collateral Documents and any and all other personal and real property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be, become or be intended to be, subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Lenders and other Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations or the Canadian Secured Obligations, as applicable; provided that the Collateral shall not include any Excluded Collateral.

Collateral Access Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

Collateral Deposit Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(c).

Collateral Documents ” means, collectively, the U.S. Security Agreement, the Canadian Security Agreement, and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations or the Canadian Secured Obligations, as applicable, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, financing statements and all other agreements or instruments that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure Canadian Secured Obligations or the U.S. Secured Obligations, as applicable, whether theretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent.

Collection Account ” means the U.S. Collection Account and/or the Canadian Collection Account, as the context requires.

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the sum of such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment and Canadian Revolving Commitment, together with the commitment of such Lender to acquire participations in Protective Advances hereunder. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on the Commitment Schedule , or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.

 

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Commitment Fee Rate ” means (a) 0.50% per annum if the average daily unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment for the most recently ended fiscal quarter is greater than 33% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment or (ii) 0.375% per annum if the average daily unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment for the most recently ended fiscal quarter is equal to or less than 33% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment.

Commitment Schedule ” means the Schedule attached hereto identified as such.

Commodity Account Control Agreement ” means an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among any Loan Party, any financial institution, and the Administrative Agent with respect to control of any commodity or futures account maintained by such Loan Party with such financial institution.

Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Communications ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

Company ” means Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Company IPO ” means the issuance by the Company of its common Equity Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act on or about the Effective Date.

Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(c).

Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

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.

Controlled Disbursement Accounts ” means, collectively, any accounts of the Borrowers maintained with the Administrative Agent as a zero balance, cash management account pursuant to and under any agreement between a Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as modified and amended from time to time, and through which all disbursements of a Borrower, any other Loan Party and any designated Subsidiary of a Borrower are made and settled on a daily basis with no uninvested balance remaining overnight.

CPR ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Canadian Prime Rate.

Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Exposure at such time plus (b) such Lender’s Canadian Revolving Exposure.

Credit Party ” means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

 

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Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default ” means any event or condition 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 any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) has not been satisfied; (b) has notified any Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement, to the effect that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular Default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (i) a Bankruptcy Event or (ii) a Bail-In Action.

Deposit Account Control Agreement ” means an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among any Loan Party, a banking institution holding such Loan Party’s funds, and the Administrative Agent with respect to collection and control of all deposits and balances held in a deposit account maintained by such Loan Party with such banking institution.

Deposit Accounts ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

Disclosed Matters ” means the actions, suits, proceedings and environmental matters disclosed in Schedule  3.06 .

Disqualified Institution ” means, on any date, (a) any Person designated by the Borrower Representative as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date hereof and (b) any other Person that is a competitor of any Borrower, which Person has been designated by the Borrower Representative as a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including by posting such notice to the Platform) not less than 30 days prior to such date; provided that “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Borrower Representative has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time.

Document ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

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Dollar Equivalent Amount ” means the Equivalent Amount of any applicable calculation where dollars are the “first currency” in such calculation.

dollars ” or “ $ ” refers to lawful money of the U.S.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means (a) with respect to a U.S. Loan Party, any U.S. Domestic Subsidiary and (b) with respect to a Canadian Loan Party, any Canadian Domestic Subsidiary.

EBITDA ” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital (including state, franchise, excise and similar taxes) net of tax refunds associated with such taxes, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any extraordinary or non-recurring non-cash charges for such period, (v) any other non-cash charges or expenses for such period (but excluding any non-cash charge or expense in respect of an item that was included in Net Income in a prior period and any non-cash charge or expense that relates to the write-down or write-off of inventory), (vi) cash and non-cash charges associated with the Transactions, (vii) expenses reimbursed by a third party that is not a Loan Party, but only to the extent the Loan Parties actually receive payment in respect of such reimbursed expenses, (viii) to the extent reasonably documented and approved by the Administrative Agent, (A) fees, costs and expenses relating to any Permitted Acquisition (including cash-stay bonuses paid to employees, severance and reorganization costs and expenses in connection with any Permitted Acquisition), (B) fees, costs and expenses relating to any permitted issuance of Equity Interests, investment, debt incurrence (including a refinancing thereof, whether or not successful) or repayment, amortization or write-off (including discounts) of Indebtedness, recapitalization, or any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets, (C) fees, costs and expenses relating to other Acquisitions which would have (if consummated) satisfied the requirements of the defined term “Permitted Acquisitions” and fees, costs and expenses relating to investments which would have (if consummated) satisfied the requirements of Section 6.04, and (D) purchase accounting adjustments in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and investments permitted by Section 6.04, (ix) non-cash costs or expenses relating to any equity-based compensation or equity-based incentive plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, in each case of the Company or any Subsidiary for such period and funded with equity, (x) with the consent of the Administrative Agent, the amount of any fees, costs, expenses or charges incurred in connection with (A) Business Optimization Costs and Savings in an aggregate amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of EBITDA for such period and (B) the closure, transfer or consolidation of facilities or other operations, (xi) any proceeds from business interruption insurance received by the Loan Parties during such period, to the extent the associated losses arising out of the event that resulted in the payment of such business interruption insurance proceeds were included in computing Net Income, and (xii) one-time litigation costs and expenses; minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income, (i) any cash payments made during such period in respect of non-cash charges described in clause (a)(v) taken in a prior period and (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income for such period, all calculated for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. Further, EBITDA shall be subject to pro forma adjustments for Material Acquisitions (including annualization of EBITDA if the target of such Material Acquisition has less than four full quarters of operating results at the time of such acquisition) and Material Dispositions assuming that such transactions had occurred on the first day of the applicable determination period, which adjustments shall be made in accordance with the guidelines for pro forma presentations set forth by the SEC or in a manner otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any Permitted Acquisition with consideration of $5,000,000 or more and “Material Disposition” means any disposition with consideration of $5,000,000 or more.

 

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ECP ” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

EEA Financial Institution ” means (a) any institution 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 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).

Electronic Signature ” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Electronic System ” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, web portal access for such Borrower, Intralinks ® , ClearPar ® , Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

Eligible Accounts ” means, at any time, the Accounts of a Borrower which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account of a Borrower:

(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c)    (i) with respect to which the scheduled due date is more than 60 days after the date of the original invoice therefor, (ii) which is unpaid more than 90 days after the date of the original invoice therefor or more than 60 days after the original due date therefor or which have been written off the books of such Borrower as uncollectable;

(d)    which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible hereunder;

 

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(e)    (i) which is owing by an Account Debtor (other than an Account Debtor described in clause (ii) below) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to such Borrower exceeds 20% of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts of all Borrowers or (ii) which is owing by an Account Debtor whose securities (or such Account Debtor’s parent company’s securities) are rated BBB or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to such Borrower exceeds 30% of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts of all Borrowers, solely to the extent of such excess;

(f)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in any Collateral Document has been breached or is not true;

(g)    which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods or performance of services in the ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon such Borrower’s completion of any further performance, (v) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (vi) relates to payments of interest;

(h)    for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor or for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by such Borrower or if such Account was invoiced more than once (unless such additional invoices were provided for a purpose other than the failure of the account debtor to timely make payment, provided that in no event shall any such accounts be double-counted);

(i)    with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;

(j)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, interim receiver, custodian, trustee, monitor, administrator, sequestrator or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state, provincial, territorial or federal bankruptcy laws, (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

(k)    which is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or substantially all of its assets;

(l)    which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office or principal place of business in the U.S. or Canada or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S., any state of the U.S., or the District of Columbia, Canada, or any province or territory of Canada unless, in any such case, such Account is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent;

(m)    which is owed in any currency other than dollars or, with respect to Accounts of any Canadian Borrower, CAD or dollars;

(n)    which is owed by (i) any Governmental Authority of any country other than the U.S. or Canada unless such Account is backed by a letter of credit reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, or (ii) any

 

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Governmental Authority of the U.S., unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq . and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq .), has been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, or (iii) the federal government of Canada, unless the Financial Administration Act (Canada), as amended, has been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(o)    which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;

(p)    which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness, or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

(q)    which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of the amount of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

(r)    which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument;

(s)    which is owed by an Account Debtor (i) located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit such Borrower to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless such Borrower has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) which is a Sanctioned Person;

(t)    with respect to which such Borrower has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business but only to the extent of any such reduction, or any Account which was partially paid and such Borrower created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

(u)    which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether Federal, state, provincial, territorial or local, including without limitation the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act , the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Board;

(v)    which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than such Borrower has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than such Borrower as payee or remittance party;

(w)    which was created on cash on delivery terms; or

(x)    which the Administrative Agent determines may not be paid by reason of the Account Debtor’s inability to pay or which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines is unacceptable in its Permitted Discretion.

In the event that an Account of a Borrower which was previously an Eligible Account ceases to be an Eligible Account hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate. In determining the amount of an Eligible Account of a Borrower, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without

 

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duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that such Borrower may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by such Borrower to reduce the amount of such Account.

Eligible Cash ” means cash of a Borrower (a) held in a blocked account maintained with the Administrative Agent pursuant to a Deposit Account Control Agreement providing for, inter alia, the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent of such blocked account, (b) in which the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has a first priority perfected security interest or Lien and (c) is not subject to any other Liens.

Eligible Equipment ” means any list of Equipment, in reasonable detail, provided to the Administrative Agent in connection with clause (p) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisitions”, which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit and meeting each of the following requirements:

(a)    such Borrower has good title to such Equipment;

(b)    such Borrower has the right to subject such Equipment to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent; such Equipment is subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and is free and clear of all other Liens of any nature whatsoever (except for Permitted Encumbrances which do not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent);

(c)    the full purchase price for such Equipment has been paid by a Loan Party;

(d)    such Equipment is located at a Permitted Location;

(e)    such Equipment is in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and is used or held for use by a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business of a Loan Party;

(f)    such Equipment (i) is not subject to any agreement which restricts the ability of a Loan Party to use, sell, transport or dispose of such Equipment or which restricts the Administrative Agent’s ability to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of such Equipment and (ii) has not been purchased from a Sanctioned Person; and

(g)    such Equipment does not constitute “fixtures” under the applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such Equipment is located.

Eligible Equipment Amount ” means, at any date of determination, the lesser of (a)(i) the product of 70% multiplied by the forced liquidation value of Eligible Equipment, minus (ii) the accumulated depreciation of Eligible Equipment based on a three-year straight line depreciation schedule since such Eligible Equipment was acquired and (b) 25,000,000.00.

Eligible Inventory ” means, at any time, the Inventory of a Borrower which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Inventory of a Borrower shall not include any Inventory:

(a)    which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

 

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(b)    which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c)    which is, in such Borrower’s good faith judgment, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, unfit for sale or not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(d)    with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in any Collateral Document has been breached or is not true and which does not conform to all applicable standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e)    in which any Person other than such Borrower shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(f)    which is not finished goods or which constitutes spare or replacement parts, subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(g)    which is not located in the U.S. or Canada or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;

(h)    which is located in any location leased by such Borrower unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, provided that such Reserve shall be for a rental period of no more than 90 days;

(i)    which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and is not evidenced by a Document, unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) an appropriate Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, provided that such Reserve shall be for a rental period of no more than 90 days;

(j)    which is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from such third party location or outside processor, it being understood that Inventory being used by a customer in the ordinary course of business is not being “processed”;

(k)    which is a discontinued product or component thereof;

(l)    which is the subject of a consignment by such Borrower as consignor;

(m)    which is perishable;

 

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(n)    which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to such Borrower unless the Administrative Agent is satisfied that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(o)    for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

(p)    which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or

(q)    which the Administrative Agent otherwise determines is unacceptable in its Permitted Discretion.

In the event that Inventory of a Borrower which was previously Eligible Inventory ceases to be Eligible Inventory hereunder, such Borrower or the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.

Enhanced Reporting Period ” means the period (a) commencing on (i) the day that an Event of Default occurs or (ii) the third consecutive day that (A) Aggregate Availability falls below the greater of (x) $12,500,000 and (y) 15% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the then effective Borrowing Base, and (b) continuing until, (i) with respect to the foregoing clause (a)(i), no Default or Event of Default exists and (ii) with respect to the foregoing clause (a)(ii), Availability has been greater than or equal to the greater of (i) $12,500,000 and (ii) 15% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the then effective Aggregate Borrowing Base during each of the preceding 30 consecutive days.

Environmental Laws ” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding 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 or to health and safety matters.

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Borrower or Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any 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.

Equipment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

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 of the foregoing.

 

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Equity Issuance ” means any issuance of equity securities or any other Equity Interests (including any preferred equity securities) by the Company, including any such issuance upon the exercise of warrants to purchase equity by the holders thereof.

Equity Issuance Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Equity Issuance, all cash and cash equivalent proceeds or investments received by the Company from any such Equity Issuance (other than from any other Loan Party) after payment of, or provisions for, all underwriter fees and expenses, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such Equity Issuance.

Equivalent Amount ” means, on any date of determination, with respect to obligations or valuations denominated in one currency (the “first currency”), the amount of another currency (the “second currency”) which would result from the Administrative Agent converting the first currency into the second currency at the close of business on the day prior to such date of determination in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary practice for commercial loans being administered by it or at such other exchange rate as the Administrative Agent may determine in its reasonable discretion.

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 a Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

ERISA Event ” 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 to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), 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 any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by any Borrower 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 any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, in critical status or in reorganization, 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.

Eurodollar ”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

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

 

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Excluded Accounts ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

Excluded Collateral ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or and the Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means each of (a) First Call Well Service, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company and (b) a Domestic Subsidiary of any Loan Party (i) that is owned directly or indirectly by a Foreign Subsidiary or (ii) that is a FSHCO.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

[“ Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its 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, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f); and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.] 1

Existing Credit Agreements ” means (a) that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2014, by and among the Company, the Canadian Borrower, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, and (b) that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2014, by and among Beckman Production Services, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement.

 

1   Borrower NTD: Subject to review by Canadian counsel

 

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Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate, provided that, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of a Borrower.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of (a) EBITDA minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures to (b) Fixed Charges, all calculated for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to such date for which financial statements are available); provided that, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period ending on or prior to June 30, 2018, (i) (A) EBITDA for the calculation period ending June 30, 2017 shall be EBITDA for the two fiscal quarter period ending on such date, (B) EBITDA for the calculation period ending September 30, 2017 shall be EBITDA for the three fiscal quarter period ending on such date and (C) EBITDA for the calculation period ending December 31, 2017 and each calculation period ending thereafter shall be EBITDA for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such dates, (ii) (A) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the calculation period ending June 30, 2017 shall be Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for such fiscal quarter only, (B) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the calculation period ending September 30, 2017 shall be Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the two fiscal quarter period ending on such date, (C) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the calculation period ending December 31, 2017 shall be Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the three fiscal quarter period ending on such date and (D) Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the calculation period ending March 31, 2018 and each calculation period ending thereafter shall be Unfinanced Capital Expenditures for the four fiscal quarter period ending on such dates, and (iii) (A) Fixed Charges for the calculation period ending June 30, 2017 shall be Fixed Charges from the Effective Date to such date multiplied by 6, (B) Fixed Charges for the calculation period ending September 30, 2017 shall be Fixed Charges from the Effective Date to such date multiplied by 9/4, (C) Fixed Charges for the calculation period ending December 31, 2017 shall be Fixed Charges from the Effective Date to such date multiplied by 12/7, (D) Fixed Charges for the calculation period ending March 31, 2018 shall be Fixed Charges from the Effective Date to such date multiplied by 6/5 and (E) Fixed Charges for the calculation period ending June 30, 2018 and each calculation period ending thereafter shall be Fixed Charges for the four calculation period period ending on such dates; provided , further , that for purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.12(a), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated as provided in such Section.

Fixed Charges ” means, for any period, without duplication, cash Interest Expense, plus scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness actually made in cash, plus expenses for taxes paid in cash, plus Restricted Payments paid in cash (other than any such Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 6.08(a)(i), (ii), (iv) and (v)), plus Capital Lease Obligation payments, all calculated for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Fixtures ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Flood Laws ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.10.

 

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Foreign Lender ” means (a) if a Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if a Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means (a) with respect to a U.S. Loan Party, any Subsidiary which is not a U.S. Domestic Subsidiary and (b) with respect to a Canadian Loan Party, any Subsidiary which is not a Canadian Domestic Subsidiary.

FSHCO ” means a Domestic Subsidiary that owns (directly or through its Subsidiaries) no material assets other than the Equity Interests or Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries.

Funding Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(h).

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the U.S., Canada and any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state, provincial, territorial, 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.

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.

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

Guarantors ” means all Loan Guarantors.

Hazardous Materials ” means: (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic materials,” “toxic waste,” or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.    

Impacted Interest Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

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Indebtedness ” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) 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, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, and (k) obligations under any liquidated earn-out (other than earn-outs payable solely in Equity Interests), (l) any other Off-Balance Sheet Liability and (m) obligations, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Swap Agreements, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by, or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the foregoing clause (a) hereof, Other Taxes.

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

Ineligible Institution ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

Information ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.12.

Interest Election Request ” means a request by the Borrower Representative to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08.

Interest Expense ” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.

Interest Payment Date ” means (a) with respect to any Base Rate Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the first day of each calendar quarter and the Maturity Date, and (b) with respect to any Non-Base Rate 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 Non-Base Rate Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period) and the Maturity Date.

 

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Interest Period ” means, with respect to (a) any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, and (b) any CDOR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter thereafter, as the Borrower Representative may elect; provided , that (i) 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 (ii) any Interest Period 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, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

Interpolated Rate ” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time; provided , that if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Inventory ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the U.S. Security Agreement or Canadian Security Agreement, as applicable.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Issuing Bank ” the U.S. Issuing Bank and/or the Canadian Issuing Bank, as the context requires.

ITA ” means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder, as amended.

Joinder Agreement ” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit D .

Judgment Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.20(a).

Judgment Currency Conversion Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.20(a).

LC Collateral Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

LC Disbursement ” means any payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the U.S. LC Exposure and/or the Canadian LC Exposure, as the context requires.

Lenders ” means the Persons listed on the Commitment Schedule and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.09 or an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Lender hereunder pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank.

 

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Letters of Credit ” means U.S. Letters of Credit and/or Canadian Letters of Credit, as the context requires.

Leverage Ratio ” means, at any date, the ratio of (a)(i) Total Indebtedness on such date minus (ii) the amount of the cash and cash equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02), included in the cash and cash equivalents accounts listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company; provided that, notwithstanding the cash and cash equivalents accounts listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company, for purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio as of any date, the aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents under this clause (ii) shall not exceed $5,000,000 to (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to such date).

LIBO Rate ” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any ABR Borrowing, LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate, subject to Section 2.14 in the event that the Administrative Agent shall conclude that it shall not be possible to determine such Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error). Notwithstanding the above, to the extent that “LIBO Rate” or “Adjusted LIBO Rate” is used in connection with an ABR Borrowing, such rate shall be determined as modified by the definition of Alternate Base Rate.

LIBO Screen Rate ” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any ABR Borrowing, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

Limited Conditionality Acquisition ” means any acquisition (including a Permitted Acquisition), including by way of merger, amalgamation or consolidation, by one or more of the Loan Parties of any assets, business or Person permitted by this Agreement the consummation of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party acquisition financing.

Liquidity ” means Aggregate Availability plus , without duplication, unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the Borrowers.

Loan Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit applications, the Collateral Documents, the Loan Guaranty, and all

 

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other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender and including all other pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, letter of credit agreements, letter of credit applications and any agreements between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank or the respective rights and obligations between the Borrower and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit, whether now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

Loan Guarantor ” means each U.S. Loan Party or each Canadian Loan Party, as the context requires; provided that, for purposes of Article X of this Agreement, “Loan Guarantor” shall mean each U.S. Loan Party but not any Canadian Loan Party.

Loan Guaranty ” means Article X of this Agreement and each separate Guarantee, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, delivered by each Loan Guarantor that is a Foreign Subsidiary (which Guarantee shall be governed by the laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary is located), as it may be amended or modified and in effect from time to time.

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrowers, the Borrowers’ Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) that are Restricted Subsidiaries and any other Person who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement and their successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.

Loans ” means the loans and advances made by the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, including Swingline Loans and Protective Advances.

Lock Box Agreements ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(b).

Lock Boxes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13(b)

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) the Collateral, or the Administrative Agent’s Liens (on behalf of itself and other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens, or (d) the rights of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

Maturity Date ” means June [    ], 2022 or any earlier date on which the Commitments are reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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Maximum Rate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

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

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

Net Income ” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary) in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value ” means, with respect to Inventory of any Person, the orderly liquidation value thereof as determined in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent by an appraiser reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, net of all costs of liquidation thereof.

Net Proceeds ” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) and the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative).

Non-Base Rate Loan ” means (a) with respect to U.S. Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to U.S. LC Exposure), Eurodollar Loans, (b) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to Canadian LC Exposure), to the extent denominated in U.S. Dollars, Eurodollar Loans, and (c) with respect to Canadian Revolving Loans (and calculations of interest with respect to Canadian LC Exposure), to the extent denominated in Canadian Dollars, CDOR Loans.

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(d).

NYFRB ” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate ” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a

 

30


Banking Day, for the immediately preceding Banking Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received to the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided , further , that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Obligated Party ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.02.

Obligation Currency ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.20(a).

Obligations ” means the U.S Obligations plus the Canadian Obligations.

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

Off-Balance Sheet Liability ” of a Person means (a) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (b) any indebtedness, liability or obligation under any so-called “synthetic lease” transaction entered into by such Person, or (c) any indebtedness, liability or obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the balance sheet of such Person (other than operating leases).

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 Taxes (other than a connection 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, Letter of Credit or any 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 2.19).

Overnight Bank Funding Rate ” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

Paid in Full ” or “ Payment in Full ” means, (i) the payment in full in cash of all outstanding Loans and LC Disbursements, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, (ii) the termination, expiration, or cancellation of all outstanding Letters of Credit (or alternatively, with respect to each such Letter of Credit, the furnishing to the Administrative Agent of a cash deposit, or at the discretion of the Administrative Agent a back-up standby letter of credit satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, in an amount equal to 103% of the LC Exposure as of the date of such payment), (iii) the payment in full in cash of the accrued and unpaid fees, (iv) the payment in full in cash of all reimbursable expenses and other Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination of this Agreement), together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and (v) the termination of the Swap Agreement Obligations and the Banking Services Obligations or entering into other arrangements satisfactory to the Secured Parties counterparties thereto.

 

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Parent ” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

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).

Payment Conditions ” shall be deemed to be satisfied with respect to an action or proposed action if:

 

  (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately after giving effect to such action or proposed action;

 

  (B) immediately after giving effect to and at all times during the 30-day period (or if less, the number of days that have elapsed since the Effective Date) immediately prior to such action or proposed action, the Borrowers shall have (1) (x) Aggregate Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such action or proposed action of not less than the greater of (A) 20% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base or (B) $20,000,000, and (y) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such action or proposed action of not less than 1:10 to 1.00 or (2) Aggregate Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such action or proposed action of not less than the greater of (A) 25% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base or (B) $25,000,000; and

 

  (C) the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying as to the items described in (A) and (B) above and attaching calculations for item (B).

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

Permitted Acquisition ” means any Acquisition by any Loan Party in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a)    such Acquisition is not a hostile or contested acquisition;

(b)    the business acquired in connection with such Acquisition is(i) located in the U.S. or Canada, (ii) organized under applicable U.S. and state laws or Canadian laws, and (iii) not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any line of business other than the businesses in which the Loan Parties are engaged on the Effective Date and any business activities that are substantially similar, related, or incidental thereto;

(c)    both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and the Loans (if any) requested to be made in connection therewith, each of the representations and warranties in the Loan Documents is true and correct (except (i) any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date and (ii) to the extent the Lenders have been notified in writing by the Loan Parties that any representation or warranty is not correct and the Lenders have explicitly waived in writing compliance with such representation or warranty) and no Default exists, will exist, or would result therefrom;

 

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(d)    as soon as available, but not less than ten (10) days prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower Representative has provided the Administrative Agent (i) notice of such Acquisition and (ii) with respect to any Material Acquisition, a copy of all business and financial information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent;

(e)    if the Accounts and Inventory acquired in connection with such Acquisition are proposed to be included in the determination of the Aggregate Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent shall have conducted an audit and field examination of such Accounts and Inventory, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that, Accounts acquired in connection with one or more Acquisitions may be temporarily included in the determination of the U.S. Borrowing Base or the Canadian Borrowing Base prior to the conduct of such audit and field examination so long as (i) the Administrative Agent has received and is reasonably satisfied with due diligence materials and other information provided by the Applicable Borrowers in respect of such Accounts and (ii) the aggregate amount of all Accounts that are temporarily included for any such Acquisition does not exceed 10% of the Aggregate Borrowing Base then in effect;

(f)    [Reserved];

(g)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, such Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, if applicable, of a Borrower and a Loan Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;

(h)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets, such Acquisition is structured so that a Borrower or another Loan Party shall acquire such assets;

(i)    if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulation U;

(j)    if such Acquisition involves a merger or a consolidation involving a Borrower or any other Loan Party, such Borrower or such Loan Party, as applicable, shall be the surviving entity;

(k)    no Loan Party shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities not otherwise permitted by this Agreement (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that could have a Material Adverse Effect;

(l)    in connection with an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, all Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02(e)) on property of such Person shall be terminated unless the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion consent otherwise, and in connection with an Acquisition of the assets of any Person, all Liens (other than Liens permitted by Section 6.02(e)) on such assets shall be terminated;

(m)    the Borrower Representative shall certify to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (and provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with a pro forma calculation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) that, after giving effect to the completion of such Acquisition, on a pro forma basis and at all times during the 30-day period prior to the consummation of such Acquisition, the Borrowers shall have (i) (A) Aggregate Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition (including all consideration given in connection with such Acquisition, other than Equity Interests of the applicable Borrower delivered to the seller(s) in

 

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such Acquisition, having been paid in cash at the time of making such Acquisition) of not less than the greater of (x) 15% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base or (y) $15,000,000, and (B) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition or proposed Acquisition of not less than 1:00 to 1.00 or (ii) Aggregate Availability calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition (including all consideration given in connection with such Acquisition, other than Equity Interests of the applicable Borrower delivered to the seller(s) in such Acquisition, having been paid in cash at the time of making such Acquisition) of not less than the greater of (A) 20% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base or (B) $20,000,000;

(n)    all actions required to be taken with respect to any newly acquired or formed Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable, required under Section 5.14 shall have been taken;

(o)    the Borrower Representative shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent the final executed material documentation relating to such Acquisition within two (2) Business Days following the consummation thereof; and

(p)    with respect to any Acquisition for which the total consideration to be paid (including cash and non-cash consideration and assumption of liabilities) is equal to or greater than $50,000,000, the Borrower Representative may make a one-time election (on a per Acquisition basis) to include in the Borrowing Base Eligible Equipment acquired in such Acquisition or other Eligible Equipment so long as (i) the Administrative Agent has received from appraisers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent an appraisal reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prior to the inclusion of such Eligible Equipment in the Borrowing Base and (ii) at the time of the inclusion of the Eligible Equipment Amount in the Borrowing Base, the Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00 (calculated on a pro forma basis for the most recent four fiscal quarter period then ended).

Permitted Discretion ” means the Administrative Agent’s reasonable credit judgment (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) in establishing reserves or eligibility criteria, exercised in good faith in accordance with customary business practices for similar asset-based lending facilities, based upon its consideration of any factor that it reasonably believes (i) could adversely affect the quantity, quality, mix or value of Collateral (including any applicable laws that may inhibit collection of a receivable), the enforceability or priority of the Administrative Agent’s liens thereon, the ability of the Administrative Agent to collect or take possession of any Collateral, or the amount that the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Bank would be likely to receive in liquidation of any Collateral; (ii) suggests that any collateral report or financial information delivered by the Loan Parties is incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect; or (iii) creates an Event of Default. In exercising such judgment, the Administrative Agent may consider any factors that could materially increase the credit risk of lending to the Borrowers on the security of the Collateral. The Administrative Agent may at any time and from time to time in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion establish and increase or decrease reserves or establish eligibility criteria as set forth below; provided that, as a condition to the establishment of any new category of reserves or eligibility criteria, or any increase in reserves resulting from a change in the manner of determination thereof, prior written notice shall have been delivered to the Borrower at least three Business Days in advance thereof. The amount of any reserve established by the Administrative Agent shall have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for the reserve. No reserves or changes therein shall be duplicative of other reserves or matters already accounted for through eligibility criteria.

 

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Permitted Encumbrances ” means:

(a)    Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b)    carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, builders’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days 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)    judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and

(f)    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 any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause(d) and (e) above.

Permitted Holders ” means SCF VII, L.P. and its Affiliates and any successors thereof.

Permitted Investments ” means:

(a)    direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the U.S. or Canada (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of such government), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)    investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

(c)    investments in certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the U.S. or any State thereof or Canada or any province thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d)    fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and

(e)    money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

 

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Permitted Location ” means (a) premises owned by a Loan Party that is not subject to a Lien to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money (unless the holder of such Indebtedness has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement), (b) premises leased by a Loan Party where (i) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a Reserve for rent, charges, and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (provided that such Reserve shall be for a rental period of no more than 90 days) or (c) any other location within the United States of America or Canada at which a customer of a Loan Party is conducting operations.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

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 any Borrower 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 ” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

PPSA ” means the Personal Property Security Act (Alberta), including the regulations thereto and related Minister’s Orders, provided that if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any Lien created hereunder or under any other Loan Document on the Collateral is governed by the personal property security legislation or other applicable legislation with respect to personal property security in effect in any applicable jurisdiction in Canada. “PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act or such other applicable legislation (including, the Civil Code of Quebec) in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction in Canada for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

Prepayment Event ” means:

(a)    any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of any Loan Party, other than dispositions described in Section 6.05(a) and dispositions between or among Loan Parties, resulting in Net Proceeds in excess of $1,000,000; or

(b)    any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party resulting in Net Proceeds in excess of $1,000,000; or

(c)    the incurrence by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01; provided that, incurrence by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness (i) permitted under Section 6.01(l) at any time the Eligible Equipment Amount is included in the Borrowing Base shall be a Prepayment Event and (ii) permitted under Section 6.01(k) or Section 6.01(l) at any time the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are in a Cash Dominion Period shall be a Prepayment Event.

Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Chase U.S. as its prime rate in effect at its principal offices in New York City. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

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Priority Payable Reserve ” means reserves in respect of Collateral included in the Canadian Borrowing Base for amounts secured by any Liens, choate or inchoate, which rank or are capable of ranking in priority to the Administrative Agent’s or any other Lender Parties’ Liens and/or for amounts which may represent costs relating to the enforcement of the Administrative Agent’s Liens including, without limitation, in the Permitted Discretion of the Administrative Agent, any such amounts due and not paid for wages, vacation pay, severance pay, amounts due and not paid under any legislation relating to workers’ compensation or to employment insurance, all amounts deducted or withheld and not paid and remitted when due under the ITA, amounts currently or past due and not paid for realty, municipal or similar taxes (to the extent impacting personal or movable property) and all unfunded wind-up or solvency deficiency amounts under, and all amounts currently or past due and not contributed, remitted or paid to or under, any Canadian Pension Plan or under the Canada Pension Plan, the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) or any similar legislation other than amounts included in the Wage Earner Protection Act Reserve, or any similar statutory or other claims that would have or would reasonably be expected to have priority over or rank pari passu with any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent now or in the future.

Proceeds of Crime Act ” means the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), as amended from time to time, and including all regulations thereunder.

Projections ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(e).

Protective Advance ” means a U.S. Protective Advance and/or a Canadian Protective Advance.

Public-Sider ” means a Lender whose representatives may trade in securities of the Company or its controlling Person or any of its Subsidiaries while in possession of the financial statements provided by the Company under the terms of this Agreement.

Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act .

Recipient ” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

Refinance Indebtedness ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(f).

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

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

Release ” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping of any substance into the environment.

Report ” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers, after the Administrative Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Required Lenders ” means, at any time, Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the Aggregate Credit Exposure and unused Commitments at such time; provided that, as long as there are only two Lenders, Required Lenders shall mean both Lenders.

Requirement of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Reserves ” means any and all reserves which the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Secured Obligations, the Priority Payable Reserve, the Wage Earner Protection Act Reserve, Banking Services Reserves, volatility reserves, reserves for rent at locations leased by any Loan Party and for consignee’s, warehousemen’s and bailee’s charges, reserves for dilution of Accounts, reserves for Inventory shrinkage, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for Swap Agreement Obligations, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured, underinsured, un-indemnified or under-indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments, and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral or any Loan Party.

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Company.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, each Borrower is as of the date hereof and shall remain for all purposes of this Agreement a Restricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Borrowing ” means a U.S. Revolving Borrowing and/or a Canadian Revolving Borrowing, as the context requires.

Revolving Commitment ” means the U.S. Revolving Commitment and/or the Canadian Revolving Commitment, as the context requires. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $200,000,000.

Revolving Exposure ” means the Dollar Equivalent Amount of the U.S. Revolving Exposure and/or Canadian Revolving Exposure, as the context requires.

Revolving Lender ” means a U.S. Revolving Lender and/or a Canadian Revolving Lender, as the context requires.

 

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Revolving Loan ” means a U.S. Revolving Loan and/or a Canadian Revolving Loan, as the context requires.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.

Sanctioned Country ” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

Sanctioned Person ” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the U.S. Department of State, the Government of Canada, the Government of any province or territory of Canada or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions ” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or (c) the Government of Canada.

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

Secured Obligations ” means the U.S. Secured Obligations and the Canadian Secured Obligations.

Secured Parties ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) each Issuing Bank, (d) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (e) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (f) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (g) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

Securities Account Control Agreement ” means an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among any Loan Party, any financial institution or securities intermediary holding such Loan Party’s assets, including funds and securities, or an issuer of Securities, and the Administrative Agent with respect to collection and control of all deposits, securities and other balances held in a securities account maintained by such Loan Party with such financial institution or securities intermediary.

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

Security ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

Settlement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(f)

 

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Settlement Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(f).

Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations ” means, with respect to any Limited Conditionality Acquisition, the representations made by the parties to the agreements governing such Limited Conditionality Acquisition, in each case that are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Applicable Borrower has (and/or its applicable Affiliates have) the right to terminate its (and/or such Affiliate’s) obligations under such agreement or decline to consummate such acquisition (in each case pursuant to the terms thereof) as a result of the breach of one or more of such representations in such agreement.

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.01, Section 3.02, Section 3.08, Section 3.13, Section 3.16, Section 3.19 and Section 3.21.

Statements ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.18(g).

Statutory Reserve Rate ” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentage (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) established by the Board to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D of the Board. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D of the Board or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of and Liens securing which are subordinated to payment of, and Liens securing, the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

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 of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) 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, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company or any other Loan Party, as applicable.

Swap Agreement ” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrowers or the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

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Swap Agreement Obligations ” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (including a Person that is a party to a Swap Agreement with the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that entered into such Swap Agreement before or while such Person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, whether or not such Person at any time ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, as the case may be), and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any such Swap Agreement transaction.

Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.

Swingline Lender ” means, as the context requires, the U.S. Swingline Lender or the Canadian Swingline Lender.

Swingline Loans ” means, as the context requires, the U.S. Swingline Loans or the Canadian Swingline Loans.

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

Total Indebtedness ” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Transactions ” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) the Company IPO and (c) the repayment in full on or prior to the Effective Date of the Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreements.

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 Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Alternate Base Rate, the CDOR Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or in any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

Unfinanced Capital Expenditures ” means, for any period, Capital Expenditures made during such period which are not financed (a) from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Revolving Loans; it being understood and agreed that, to the extent any Capital Expenditures are financed with Revolving Loans, such Capital Expenditures shall be deemed Unfinanced Capital Expenditures) (b) with

 

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the proceeds of the sale of an asset, (c) with capital contributions to the Company or the proceeds from the issuance of Equity Interests by the Company, (d) with casualty insurance proceeds or condemnation awards, (e) through a trade-in of existing assets, (f) as a part of an investment permitted by Section 6.04 or a Permitted Acquisition, or (g) with any combination of the foregoing .

Unliquidated Obligations ” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary of the Company designated by the Borrower Representative as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.15 subsequent to the date hereof, until such Person ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company in accordance with Section 5.15 and (b) each Subsidiary of any Person set forth in clause (a) above.

U.S. ” means the United States of America.

U.S. Availability ” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the aggregate U.S Revolving Commitments (less the Canadian Revolving Exposure) and (ii) the U.S Borrowing Base, minus (b) the Aggregate U.S Exposure relating to the U.S Borrowers (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Applicable Percentage of all outstanding U.S. Revolving Borrowings).

U.S. Borrowers ” means the Company and any other parties that are U.S. Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) that become a party hereto as a “U.S. Borrower.”

U.S. Borrowing Base ” means the sum of (a) 85% of the U.S. Borrowers’ Eligible Accounts at such time, plus (b) the product of 85% multiplied by the net orderly liquidation value percentage identified for such product segment in the most recent inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the U.S. Borrowers’ Eligible Inventory for such product segment (valued at the lower of cost (FIFO) or market), plus (c) the Eligible Equipment Amount attributable to the U.S. Borrowers, in the event any U.S. Borrower elects to add Eligible Equipment to the U.S. Borrowing Base pursuant to the definition of Eligible Equipment Amount; provided that, the U.S. Borrowing Base shall automatically exclude that portion of the Eligible Equipment Amount attributable to the U.S. Borrowers from and after the date on which a Prepayment Event described in clause (c) of the definition thereof occurs as a result of the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l) which is secured in whole or in part by any Eligible Equipment of the U.S. Borrowers, plus (d) 100% of Eligible Cash of U.S. Borrowers, minus (e) at the Borrower Representative’s discretion, the Allocated U.S. Borrowing Base Amount, minus (f) Reserves established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

U.S. Collateral Deposit Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

U.S. Collection Account ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

U.S. Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the U.S.

U.S. Issuing Bank ” means Chase U.S., in its capacity as the issuer of U.S. Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). The U.S. Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more U.S. Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case

 

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the term “U.S. Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to U.S. Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate (it being agreed that such U.S. Issuing Bank shall, or shall cause such Affiliate to, comply with the requirements of Section 2.06 with respect to such U.S. Letters of Credit).

U.S. LC Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amounts of all outstanding U.S. Letters of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to U.S. Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed by or on behalf of an Applicable Borrower. The U.S. LC Exposure of any U.S. Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate U.S. LC Exposure.

U.S. Letters of Credit ” means the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement for the account of the U.S. Borrowers, and the term “ U.S. Letter of Credit ” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

U.S. Loan Parties ” means (a) the U.S. Borrowers and (b) each U.S. Domestic Subsidiary that has guaranteed the U.S. Secured Obligations pursuant to Section 5.14, and their successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, neither an Excluded Subsidiary nor a Foreign Subsidiary will be deemed a U.S. Loan Party.

U.S. Loans ” means the U.S. Revolving Loans, the U.S. Swingline Loans and the U.S. Protective Advances.

U.S. Lock Box Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

U.S. Lock Boxes ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.13.

U.S. Obligations ” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the U.S. Loans, all U.S. LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the U.S. Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the U.S. Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, in each case, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the U.S. Loans or any of the U.S. Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

U.S. Person ” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Protective Advances ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

U.S. Revolving Borrowing ” means a Borrowing of U.S. Revolving Loans.

U.S. Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each U.S. Revolving Lender, the commitment, if any, of such Lender to make U.S. Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in U.S. Letters of Credit and U.S. Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum possible aggregate amount of such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to (a) Section 2.09 and (b) assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The initial amount of each Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment

 

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is set forth on the Commitment Schedule, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its U.S. Revolving Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the U.S. Revolving Lenders’ U.S. Revolving Commitments is $200,000,000.

U.S. Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s U.S. Revolving Loans, U.S. LC Exposure and U.S. Swingline Exposure as such time plus (b) an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage, if any, of the aggregate principal amount of all U.S. Protective Advances at such time.

U.S. Revolving Lender ” means, as of any date of determination, a Lender with any U.S. Revolving Commitment or, if all the U.S. Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with U.S. Revolving Exposure.

U.S. Revolving Loan ” means a Loan made to U.S. Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

U.S. Secured Obligations ” means all U.S. Obligations, together with all (i) Banking Services Obligations owing by U.S. Loan Parties to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates and (ii) Swap Agreement Obligations owing by U.S. Loan Parties owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates (including a Person that is a party to a Swap Agreement with the U.S. Loan Parties that entered into such Swap Agreement before or while such Person was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, whether or not such Person at any time ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, as the case may be); provided, however, that the definition of “U.S. Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Guarantor.

U.S. Security Agreement ” means that certain Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements or joinders thereto), dated as of the date hereof, among the U.S. Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

U.S. Swingline Exposure ” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all U.S Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The U.S. Swingline Exposure of any U.S Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total U.S. Swingline Exposure at such time.

U.S. Swingline Lender ” means Chase U.S., in its capacity as lender of U.S. Swingline Loans hereunder. Any consent required of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to be required of the U.S. Swingline Lender and any consent given by Chase in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank shall be deemed given by Chase in its capacity as U.S. Swingline Lender.

U.S. Swingline Loan ” means a Loan made by the U.S. Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.05.

U.S.  Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

USA PATRIOT Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

Wage Earner Protection Act Reserve ” means, on any date of determination, a reserve in respect of Collateral included in the Canadian Borrowing Base established from time to time by the

 

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Administrative Agent in such amount as the Administrative Agent determines reflects the amounts that may become due under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act (Canada) with respect to the employees of any Loan Party employed in Canada which would give rise to a Lien with priority under applicable law over the Lien of Administrative Agent.

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.

Withholding Agent ” means a Borrower, any Loan Guarantor and the Administrative Agent.

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 Class ( e.g. , a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type ( e.g. , a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “Eurodollar Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class ( e.g. , a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type ( e.g. , a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type ( e.g. , a “Eurodollar Revolving 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 “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities. 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, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) 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, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” as used in this Agreement means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to and including”, (f) 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, (g) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (h) 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 accordance with GAAP, as in effect from

 

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time to time; provided that, if after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower Representative notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative 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 (a) 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 and (b) (i) no such change shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants contained herein is computed such that all such computations shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented consistently with prior periods and (ii) the accounting for operating leases and capital leases under GAAP as in effect on the Effective Date (including, without limitation, Accounting Standards Codification 840) shall apply for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this Agreement with respect to operating leases and Capital Lease (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that no operating leases, or obligations in respect of operating leases, shall be treated as Capital Leases hereunder). Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (i) without giving effect to any election under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

SECTION 1.05     Limited Conditionality Acquisitions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (including in connection with any calculation made on a pro forma basis), to the extent that the terms of this Agreement require (i) compliance with any financial ratio or test (including, without limitation, Section 6.12 hereof), (ii) the absence of a Default or Event of Default (or any type of Default or Event of Default), and/or (iii) the making of any representation or warranty, in each case, as a condition to (A) increasing the U.S. Revolving Commitments and/or the Canadian Revolving Commitments in order to use Revolving Loans to fund a Limited Conditionality Acquisition, (B) making a Borrowing in order to fund a Limited Conditionality Acquisition and/or (C) making a Permitted Acquisition that is a Limited Conditionality Acquisition, then (1) with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, the determination of whether the relevant condition is satisfied may be made, at the election of the Borrower Representative (the Borrower Representative’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Conditionality Acquisition, an “ LCA Election ”), at the time of (or on the basis of the financial statements for the most recently ended test period at the time of) either (x) the execution of the definitive agreement or irrevocable notice with respect to such Limited Conditionality Acquisition or (y) the consummation of such Limited Conditionality Acquisition, in each case, after giving effect to the relevant Limited Conditionality Acquisition (and any transaction relating thereto) on a pro forma basis and (2) with respect to clause (iii) above, the only representations and warranties that shall be required to be true and correct in order for such condition to be deemed satisfied are the Specified Representations and the applicable Specified Acquisition Agreement Representations; provided that (1) any Indebtedness to be incurred in connection with a Limited Conditionality Acquisition in reliance on a test determined pursuant to clause (i) above shall be deemed outstanding for all purposes hereunder at all times from the date of execution of the definitive agreement with respect to the applicable Limited Conditionality Acquisition through the consummation or abandonment of such Limited Conditionality Acquisition notwithstanding that such Indebtedness has not in fact been incurred, (2) in any such Limited

 

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Conditionality Acquisition, there shall be no Event of Default of the type described in Section VII(a), Section VII(b), Section VII(h), Section VII(i) or Section VII(j) at the consummation of such Limited Conditionality Acquisition , (3) the consummation of any such Limited Conditionality Acquisition shall occur not more than, in the case of any acquisition, 90 days after the execution of the definitive agreement with respect thereto and (4) to the extent the proceeds of any Loans will be used to fund (or any Letter of Credit will be issued in connection with) a Limited Conditionality Acquisition, then on the occasion of any Borrowing of such Loans or the issuance of such Letters of Credit with respect thereto, the conditions set forth in Section 4.02(b)(ii) and 4.02(c) shall have been satisfied.

SECTION 1.06     Status of Obligations . In the event that any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, such Borrower shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness. Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.

SECTION 1.07     Currency Matters . Principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be payable in the currency in which such Obligations are denominated. Unless stated otherwise, all calculations, valuations, comparisons, measurements or determinations under this Agreement shall be made in dollars. For the purpose of such calculations, valuations, comparisons, measurements or determinations, amounts or proceeds denominated in other currencies shall be converted to the Dollar Equivalent Amount on the date of calculation, comparison, measurement or determination. Unless expressly provided otherwise, where a reference is made to a dollar amount, the amount is to be considered as the amount in dollars and, therefore, each other currency shall be converted into the Dollar Equivalent Amount.

ARTICLE II

The Credits

SECTION 2.01     Commitments . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each U.S. Revolving Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make U.S. Revolving Loans in dollars to the U.S. Borrowers, and each Canadian Revolving Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Canadian Revolving Loans in either CAD or dollars to the Canadian Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (A) such Applicable Lender’s Revolving Exposure exceeding such Applicable Lender’s U.S. Revolving Commitment and/or Canadian Revolving Commitment, as applicable, (B) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Aggregate Borrowing Base, (C) the U.S. Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the U.S. Revolving Commitment and (y) the U.S. Borrowing Base, (D) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Canadian Revolving Commitment and (y) the Canadian Borrowing Base, or (E) the U.S. Availability, the Canadian Availability or the Aggregate Availability to be less than zero, in each case, subject to the Administrative Agent’s authority, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances and Swingline Loans pursuant to the terms of Sections 2.04

 

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and 2.05. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans. For the avoidance of doubt, no U.S. Revolving Lender (including the Administrative Agent) shall make any U.S. Loan to the Canadian Borrower.

SECTION 2.02     Loans and Borrowings .

(a)    Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class. 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. Any Protective Advance and any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 2.04 and 2.05.

(b)    Subject to Section 2.14, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Base Rate Loans or Non-Base Rate Loans as the Borrower Representative may request in accordance herewith, provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as Base Rate Borrowings but may be converted into Non-Base Rate Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.08. Each Swingline Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Applicable Borrowers to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Canadian Loan shall be made in Canadian Dollars (as CPR Loans or CDOR Rate Loans) or dollars (as CBR Loans or Eurodollar Loans) only. Each U.S. Loan shall be made in dollars (as ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans) only.

(c)    At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Non-Base Rate Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 (or Cdn $100,000 in the case of CDOR Rate Loans) and not less than $1,000,000 (or Cdn$1,000,000 in the case of CDOR Rate Loans). Base Rate Borrowings may be in any amount. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of ten (10) Non-Base Rate Borrowings outstanding.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower Representative 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 Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or facsimile) in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower Representative or by telephone or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, not later than (a) in the case of a Non-Base Rate Borrowing, 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing, (x) of a U.S. Loan, noon, Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing and (y) of a Canadian Loan, 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of a Base Rate Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of such proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, facsimile or a communication through Electronic System to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower Representative. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the name of the applicable Borrower(s);

 

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(ii)    the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;

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

(iv)    whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing, Eurodollar Borrowing, CBR Borrowing, CPR Borrowing or a CDOR Borrowing; and

(v)    in the case of a Non-Base Rate Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Non-Base Rate Borrowing, then the applicable Borrower(s) shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one 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     Protective Advances .

(a)    Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers and the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to the Applicable Borrower(s), on behalf of all Applicable Revolving Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by the Applicable Borrowers pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans with respect to U.S. Borrowers, are herein referred to as “ U.S. Protective Advances ”    and any such Loans with respect to Canadian Borrower, the “ Canadian Protective Advances ”); provided that, the aggregate amount of Protective Advances outstanding at any time shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000; and provided further that, upon making such Protective Advance (A) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Protective Advances being made shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitment, (B) the U.S. Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the U.S. Protective Advances shall not exceed the U.S. Revolving Commitments, and (C) the Canadian Revolving Exposure after giving effect to the Canadian Protective Advances shall not exceed the Canadian Revolving Commitments. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have not been satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Secured Obligations or Canadian Secured Obligations, as applicable. All Protective Advances shall be Base Rate Borrowings. The making of a Protective Advance on any one occasion shall not obligate the Administrative Agent to make any Protective Advance on any other occasion. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by 100% of the Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender). Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time that there is

 

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sufficient Aggregate Availability, U.S. Availability and/or Canadian Availability, as applicable, and the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Applicable Revolving Lenders to make an applicable Revolving Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Applicable Revolving Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.04(b).

(b)    Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default), each Applicable Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Applicable Percentage. From and after the date, if any, on which any Applicable Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance.

SECTION 2.05     Swingline Loans .

(a)    The Administrative Agent, the U.S. Swingline Lender and the U.S. Revolving Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower Representative requests an ABR Borrowing on behalf of any U.S. Borrower, the U.S. Swingline Lender may in its discretion (but shall not be obligated to) elect to have the terms of this Section 2.05(a) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the U.S. Revolving Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the U.S. Borrowers, on the applicable Borrowing date to the Funding Account(s) of U.S. Borrowers (each such Loan made solely by the U.S. Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) is referred to in this Agreement as a “U.S. Swingline Loan”), with settlement among them as to the U.S. Swingline Loans to take place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(f). Each U.S. Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other ABR Loans funded by the U.S. Revolving Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the U.S. Swingline Lender solely for its own account. The aggregate amount of U.S. Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed $25,000,000. The U.S. Swingline Lender shall not make any U.S. Swingline Loan if the requested U.S. Swingline Loan would cause (x) U.S. Availability to be less than zero or (y) Aggregate Availability to be less than zero. All U.S. Swingline Loans shall be ABR Borrowings.

(b)    The Administrative Agent, the Canadian Swingline Lender and the Canadian Revolving Lenders agree that in order to facilitate the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, promptly after the Borrower Representative requests a CBR Borrowing or a CPR Borrowing on behalf of the Canadian Borrower, the Canadian Swingline Lender may in its discretion (but shall not be obligated to) elect to have the terms of this Section 2.05(b) apply to such Borrowing Request by advancing, on behalf of the Canadian Revolving Lenders and in the amount requested, same day funds to the Canadian Borrower, on the applicable Borrowing date to the Funding Account(s) of Canadian Borrower (each such Loan made solely by the Canadian Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) is referred to in this Agreement as a “Canadian Swingline Loan”), with settlement among them as to the Canadian Swingline Loans to take place on a periodic basis as set forth in Section 2.05(f). Each Canadian Swingline Loan shall be subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to other CBR Loans or CPR Loans, as applicable, funded by the Canadian Revolving Lenders, except that all payments thereon shall be payable to the Canadian Swingline Lender solely for its own account. The aggregate amount of Canadian Swingline Loans which shall be part of the maximum amount of U.S. Swingline Loan and not in addition to outstanding at any time shall not exceed $5,000,000. The Canadian Swingline Lender shall not make any Canadian Swingline Loan if the requested Canadian Swingline Loan would cause (x) Canadian Availability to be less than zero or (y) Aggregate Availability to be less than zero. All Canadian Swingline Loans shall be CBR Borrowings or CPR Borrowings.

 

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(c)    Each Borrowing of Swingline Loans may be made upon the Borrower Representative’s irrevocable request to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such request must be received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic request must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request. Promptly after receipt by the Swingline Lender of any telephonic Borrowing Request, the Swingline Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Borrowing Request and, if not, the Swingline Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender will, not later than 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the borrowing date specified in such Borrowing Request, make the amount of its Swingline Loan available to the Borrowers.

(d)    Upon the making of a U.S. Swingline Loan (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such U.S. Swingline Loan), each U.S. Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the U.S. Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such U.S. Swingline Loan in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the U.S. Revolving Commitment. The U.S. Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent may, at any time, require the U.S. Revolving Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any U.S. Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any U.S. Swingline Loan purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such U.S. Revolving Lender, such U.S. Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such U.S. Swingline Loan.

(e)    Upon the making of a Canadian Swingline Loan (whether before or after the occurrence of a Default and regardless of whether a Settlement has been requested with respect to such Canadian Swingline Loan), each Canadian Revolving Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Canadian Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Canadian Swingline Loan in proportion to its Applicable Percentage of the Canadian Revolving Commitment. The Canadian Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent may, at any time, require the Canadian Revolving Lenders to fund their participations. From and after the date, if any, on which any Canadian Revolving Lender is required to fund its participation in any Canadian Swingline Loan purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Canadian Revolving Lender, such Canadian Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Canadian Swingline Loan.

(f)    The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the U.S. Swingline Lender or the Canadian Swingline Lender, as applicable, shall request settlement (a “Settlement”) with the U.S. Revolving Lenders or Canadian Revolving Lenders, as applicable, on at least a weekly basis or on any more frequent date that the Administrative Agent, elects, by notifying the applicable Revolving Lenders of such requested Settlement by facsimile, telephone, or e-mail no later than 12:00 Noon Chicago time on the date of such requested Settlement (the “Settlement Date”). With respect to Settlements involving U.S. Loans, each U.S. Lender (other than the U.S. Swingline Lender, in the case of the U.S. Swingline Loans) shall

 

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transfer in U.S. Dollars the amount of such U.S. Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to an account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on such Settlement Date. With respect to Settlements involving Canadian Loans, each Canadian Revolving Lender (other than the Canadian Swingline Lender, in the case of the Canadian Swingline Loans) shall transfer, in the currency in which the applicable Loan was denominated, the amount of such Canadian Revolving Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of the applicable Loan with respect to which Settlement is requested to the Administrative Agent, to an account of the Administrative Agent as the Administrative Agent may designate, not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on such Settlement Date. Settlements may occur during the existence of a Default and whether or not the applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.02 have then been satisfied. Such amounts transferred to the Administrative Agent shall be applied against the amounts of the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Loans and, together with Swingline Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan, shall constitute Revolving Loans of such Revolving Lenders, respectively. If any such amount is not transferred to the Administrative Agent by any Revolving Lender on such Settlement Date, the applicable Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon as specified in Section 2.07.

SECTION 2.06     Letters of Credit .

(a)     General . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower Representative may request the issuance of Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of an Applicable Borrower denominated in dollars (or with respect to Canadian Borrower, dollars or CAD) as the applicant thereof for the support of its or the other Loan Parties’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrowers to, or entered into by the Borrowers with, the Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Each Applicable Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any Loan Party’s obligations as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph, such Applicable Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (such Applicable Borrower hereby irrevocably waiving any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such Restricted Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of

 

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such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Bank applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed not to be in effect on the Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

(b)     Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions . To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower Representative shall deliver by hand or facsimile (or transmit through Electronic Systems, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent prior to 9:00 am, Chicago time, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, whether such Letter of Credit is to be issued for the account of the Canadian Borrower or a U.S. Borrower, the currency of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. If requested by the Issuing Bank, the applicable Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrowers shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the aggregate LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure shall exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base, (iii) the U.S. Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of the U.S. Revolving Commitments and the U.S. Borrowing Base, and (iv) Canadian Revolving Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of Canadian Revolving commitments and the Canadian Borrowing Base.

(c)     Expiration Date . Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination or non-renewal by notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, including, without limitation, any automatic renewal provision, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date; provided , that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above) and provided , further , that the Issuing Bank may consent to an expiration date of a Letter of Credit which is on or after the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date if such Letter of Credit has been cash collateralized on terms acceptable to such Issuing Bank at least five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date. If any such Letter of Credit has not been cash collateralized on terms acceptable to such Issuing Bank at least five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, then the Borrowers shall, on the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, notwithstanding any conditions to Borrowing set forth herein, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrowers do hereby request under such circumstances, an ABR Borrowing in an amount equal to the LC Exposure of such Letter of Credit and such ABR Loans shall be provided to replace such LC Exposure.

 

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(d)     Participations . By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Applicable Revolving Lender, and each Applicable Revolving Lender hereby acquires from the Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Applicable Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay in the currency of the LC Disbursement to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by the Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Applicable Borrowers on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Applicable Borrowers for any reason. Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

(e)     Reimbursement . If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Applicable Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying in the currency of such LC Disbursement to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement (i) not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower Representative shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on such date, or, (ii) if such notice has not been received by the Borrower Representative prior to such time on such date, then not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, on (A) the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 9:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the day of receipt, or (B) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower Representative receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that the Applicable Borrowers may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with a Base Rate Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Applicable Borrowers’ obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Base Rate Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If any Applicable Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Applicable Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Applicable Borrowers in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Applicable Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Applicable Borrowers, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Applicable Revolving Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Applicable Revolving Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Applicable Borrowers pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Applicable Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of Base Rate Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

(f)     Obligations Absolute . The Applicable Borrowers’ joint and several obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any

 

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and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) any payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Applicable Borrowers’ obligations hereunder. None of the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Applicable Borrowers to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by any Applicable Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

(g)     Disbursement Procedures . The Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Applicable Borrowers by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Applicable Borrowers of their obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

(h)     Interim Interest . If the Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Applicable Borrowers shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Applicable Borrowers reimburse such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Base Rate Loans and such interest shall be payable on the date when such reimbursement is due; provided that, if the Applicable Borrowers fail to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Applicable Revolving Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse the Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

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(i)     Replacement of the Issuing Bank . (i) The Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Applicable Borrowers shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

(ii)    Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, the Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i) above.

(j)     Cash Collateralization . If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower Representative receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Applicable Borrowers shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Applicable Revolving Lenders (the “ LC Collateral Account ”), an amount in cash equal to 103% of the amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII. Such deposit with respect to U.S. LC Exposure shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the U.S. Secured Obligations. Such deposit with respect to Canadian LC Exposure shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Canadian Secured Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the LC Collateral Account and the Applicable Borrowers hereby grant the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account and all money or other assets on deposit therein or credited thereto. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Applicable Borrowers’ risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the LC Collateral Account. Moneys in the LC Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Applicable Borrowers for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the aggregate LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations. If the Applicable Borrowers are required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of such an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Applicable Borrowers within three (3) Business Days after all such Events of Default have been cured or waived as confirmed in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

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(k)     LC Exposure Determination . For all purposes of this Agreement, the amount of a Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at the time of determination.

SECTION 2.07     Funding of Borrowings .

(a)    Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by such Lender hereunder on the proposed date thereof solely by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage. Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower Representative by promptly crediting the funds so received in the aforesaid account of the Administrative Agent to the Funding Account; provided that Base Rate Loans made to finance the reimbursement of (i) an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank and (ii) a Protective Advance shall be retained by the Administrative Agent.

(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 applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Applicable Borrowers 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 Applicable Borrowers to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate (in the case of dollar denominated amounts) or the Administrative Agent’s cost of funds (in the case of CAD denominated amounts) and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Applicable Borrowers, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

SECTION 2.08     Interest Elections . (a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Non-Base Rate Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower Representative may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Non-Base Rate Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. The Borrower Representative 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, provided that a Borrowing in one currency may only be converted to another type of Borrowing denominated in the same currency as the Borrowing to be so converted. This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, or Protective Advances, which may not be converted or continued.

(b)    To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Applicable Borrowers were requesting a Borrowing of the Type

 

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resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, Electronic System or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower Representative.

(c)    Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request (including requests submitted through Electronic System) shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

(i)    the name of the applicable Borrower and 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 a Base Rate Borrowing or a Non-Base Rate Borrowing; and

(iv)    if the resulting Borrowing is a Non-Base Rate 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 Non-Base Rate Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrowers 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 Applicable Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

(e)    If the Borrower Representative fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Non-Base Rate 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 a Base Rate Borrowing. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if a Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Borrower Representative, then, so long as a Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Non-Base Rate Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Non-Base Rate Borrowing shall be converted to a Base Rate Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

SECTION 2.09     Termination and Reduction of Commitments; Increase in Revolving Commitments .

(a)    Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

(b)    The Borrowers may at any time terminate the Revolving Commitments upon Payment in Full of the Secured Obligations.

 

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(c)    The Borrowers may from time to time reduce the U.S. Revolving Commitments and/or Canadian Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 in the case of the U.S. Revolving Commitments or $2,000,000 in the case of the Canadian Revolving Commitments and (ii) the Borrowers shall not terminate or reduce such Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Aggregate Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base, (B) the U.S. Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the aggregate U.S. Revolving Commitments and the U.S. Borrowing Base, (C) the Canadian Revolving Exposure would exceed the lesser of the aggregate Canadian Revolving Commitments and the Canadian Borrowing Base or (D) the U.S. Revolving Commitments are terminated in their entirety without the corresponding termination of the Canadian Revolving Commitments in their entirety.

(d)    The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower Representative pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower Representative may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower Representative (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.

(e)    The Borrowers shall have the right to increase the U.S. Revolving Commitments and/or the Canadian Revolving Commitments by obtaining additional U.S. Revolving Commitments and/or Canadian Revolving Commitments, either from one or more of the Lenders or another lending institution provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 in the case of the U.S. Revolving Commitments or $2,000,000 in the case of the Canadian Revolving Commitments, (ii) after giving effect thereto, the sum of the total of the additional Commitments does not exceed $100,000,000, (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank have approved the identity of any such new Lender, such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld, (v) any such new Lender assumes all of the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder, and (vi) the procedure described in Section 2.09(f) has been satisfied. Nothing contained in this Section 2.09 shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time.

(f)    Any amendment hereto for such an increase or addition shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall only require the written signatures of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative and each Lender being added or increasing its Commitment, subject only to the approval of all Lenders if any such increase or addition would cause the Revolving Commitments to exceed $300,000,000. As a condition precedent to such an increase or addition, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of each U.S. Loan Party or Canadian Loan Party, as applicable, signed by an authorized officer of such Loan Party (A) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (B) in the case of the Applicable Borrowers, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase or addition, (1) the representations and warranties contained in Article III and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such increase or addition (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty which is subject to any materiality qualifier

 

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shall be required to be true and correct in all respects), (2) no Default exists and (3) the Borrowers are in compliance (on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any additional Borrowings to be made on the effective date of such increase or addition) with any then operative covenant contained in Section 6.12 and (ii) legal opinions and documents consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

(g)    On the effective date of any such increase or addition, (i) any Lender increasing (or, in the case of any newly added Lender, extending) its U.S. Revolving Commitment or Canadian Revolving Commitment shall make available to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as the Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such increase or addition and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Lenders, each Lender’s portion of the outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans or Canadian Revolving Loans, as applicable, of all the Applicable Revolving Lenders to equal its revised Applicable Percentage of such outstanding U.S. Revolving Loans or Canadian Revolving Loans, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent shall make such other adjustments among the Lenders with respect to the U.S. Revolving Loans or Canadian Revolving Loans, as applicable, then outstanding and amounts of principal, interest, commitment fees and other amounts paid or payable with respect thereto as shall be necessary, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, in order to effect such reallocation and (ii) to the extent necessary to implement the matters set forth in clause (i) above, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have repaid and reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase (or addition) in the Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in a notice delivered by the Borrower Representative, in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.03). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Non- Base Rate Loan, shall be subject to indemnification by the Borrowers pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.16 if the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest Periods. Within a reasonable time after the effective date of any increase or addition, the Administrative Agent shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to, revise the Commitment Schedule to reflect such increase or addition and shall distribute such revised Commitment Schedule to each of the Lenders and the Borrower Representative, whereupon such revised Commitment Schedule shall replace the old Commitment Schedule and become part of this Agreement.

SECTION 2.10     Repayment  and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt .

(a)    The Applicable Borrowers hereby unconditionally promise to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Applicable Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Canadian Revolving Loan or U.S. Revolving Loan, as applicable, on the Maturity Date, and (ii) to the Administrative Agent the then unpaid amount of each Protective Advance on the earlier of the Maturity Date and demand by the Administrative Agent.

(b)    At all times during a Cash Dominion Period, on each Business Day, the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to the U.S. Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available) first to prepay any U.S. Protective Advances that may be outstanding and any other U.S. Obligations that are then due and payable, pro rata , second to prepay the U.S. Revolving Loans (including U.S. Swingline Loans), third if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, to cash collateralize outstanding U.S. LC Exposure, fourth to prepay any Canadian Protective Advances that may be outstanding and any other Canadian Obligations that are then due and payable, fifth to prepay the Canadian Revolving Loans and sixth , if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, to cash collateralize outstanding Canadian LC Exposure. At all times during a Cash Dominion Period, on each Business Day,

 

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the Administrative Agent shall apply all funds credited to the Canadian Collection Account on such Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day (at the discretion of the Administrative Agent, whether or not immediately available) first to prepay any Canadian Protective Advances that may be outstanding and any other Canadian Obligations that are then due and payable, pro rata , second to prepay the Canadian Revolving Loans (including Canadian Swingline Loans), and third to cash collateralize outstanding Canadian LC Exposure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any funds credited to the Collection Account constitute Net Proceeds, the application of such Net Proceeds shall be subject to Section 2.11(c).

(c)    Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers 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.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and 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 Borrowers 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.

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

(f)    Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note. In such event, the Applicable Borrowers 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 in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. 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.

SECTION 2.11     Prepayment of Loans .

(a)    The Borrowers 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 paragraph (e) of this Section and, if applicable, payment of any break funding expenses under Section 2.16.

(b)    In the event and on such occasion that (i) the Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (B) the Aggregate Borrowing Base, (ii) the U.S. Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the U.S. Revolving Commitments and (B) the U.S. Borrowing Base, or (iii) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the Canadian Revolving Commitments and (B) the Canadian Borrowing Base, the Applicable Borrowers shall prepay the applicable Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and/or Swingline Loans or cash collateralize LC Exposure in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

(c)    In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Applicable Borrowers shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received by any Loan Party or any Restricted

 

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Subsidiary, prepay the applicable Obligations and, if any Event of Default exists and is continuing, cash collateralize the LC Exposure as set forth in Section 2.11(d) below in an aggregate amount equal to (x) in the case of a Prepayment Event described in clause (d) of the definition of “Prepayment Event” at any time Eligible Equipment is included in the Borrowing Base and no Cash Dominion Period is in effect, the Eligible Equipment Amount and (y) in the case of all other Prepayment Events, 100% of such Net Proceeds; provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, and no Cash Dominion Period is in effect, if the Borrower Representative shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Loan Parties intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 270 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to acquire (or replace or rebuild) real property, equipment or other tangible assets (excluding inventory) to be used in the business of the applicable Loan Parties, and certifying that no Default has occurred and is continuing, then either (i) so long as full cash dominion is not in effect, no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate or (ii) if full cash dominion is in effect, then, if the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate are to be applied to acquire, replace or rebuild such assets by (A) any U.S. Borrower, such Net Proceeds of a U.S. Borrower shall be applied by the Administrative Agent (1) first to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the U.S. Revolving Loans until paid in full and second to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Canadian Revolving Loans if the applicable property or asset is owned by a U.S. Loan Party or (2) to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Canadian Revolving Loans (in each case without a permanent reduction of the applicable Revolving Commitment) and upon such application, the Administrative Agent may in its Permitted Discretion, establish a Reserve against the Aggregate Borrowing Base, the U.S. Borrowing Base, and/or the Canadian Borrowing Base, as applicable, in an amount not to exceed the amount of such proceeds so applied, (B) the Canadian Borrower, such Net Proceeds of the Canadian Borrower shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reduce the outstanding balance of the Canadian Revolving Loans, and (C) any Loan Party that is not a Borrower, such Net Proceeds shall be deposited in a cash collateral account for the U.S Loan Parties or the Canadian Loan Parties, and in the case of either (A) or (B), thereafter, such funds shall be made available to the applicable Loan Parties as follows:

(1)    the Borrower Representative shall request a Borrowing (specifying that the request is to use Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section) or the applicable Loan Party shall request a release from the cash collateral account be made in the amount needed;

(2)    so long as the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 have been met, the Applicable Revolving Lenders shall make such Borrowing or the Administrative Agent shall release funds from the cash collateral account; and

(3)    in the case of Net Proceeds applied against any Borrowing, the Reserve established with respect to such insurance proceeds shall be reduced by the amount of such Borrowing;

provided that to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such 270 day period, a prepayment shall be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will U.S. Obligations be repaid pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) if such Net Proceeds are received by any Restricted Subsidiary that is an Excluded Subsidiary or a Foreign Subsidiary.

(d)    All such amounts pursuant to Section 2.11(c) (as to any insurance or condemnation proceeds, to the extent they arise from casualties or losses to Equipment, Fixtures Inventory and real property) shall be applied, first to prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, pro rata, and second to prepay the Revolving Loans (including Swingline Loans) without a corresponding reduction in

 

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the Revolving Commitments and, if an Event of Default exists and is continuing to cash collateralize outstanding LC Exposure. If the precise amount of insurance or condemnation proceeds allocable to Inventory as compared to Equipment, Fixtures and real property is not otherwise determined, the allocation and application of those proceeds shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion.

(e)    The Borrower Representative shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent, of any prepayment hereunder not later than (i) 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, (A) in the case of prepayment of a Non-Base Rate Borrowing, three (3) Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (B) in the case of prepayment of a Base Rate Borrowing, one (1) Business Day before 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, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Revolving Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. 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. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied first to Base Rate Borrowings and second to Non-Base Rate Borrowings and otherwise ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13 and (ii) break funding payments, if any, pursuant to Section 2.16.

SECTION 2.12     Fees .

(a)    The Applicable Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter and on the date on which the Revolving 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 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed, (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(b)    The Applicable Borrowers agree to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Applicable Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Non-Base Rate Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s applicable LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any applicable LC Exposure, and (ii) to the Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to applicable Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any applicable LC Exposure, as well as the Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any applicable Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of

 

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each calendar quarter shall be payable on the first day of each calendar quarter following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

(c)    The Applicable Borrowers agree to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Applicable Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

(d)    All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

SECTION 2.13     Interest .

(a)    The Loans comprising (i) each ABR Borrowing (including each U.S. Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, (ii) each CBR Borrowing (including each Canadian Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Canadian Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, (iii) each CPR Borrowing (including each Canadian Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Canadian Prime Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b)    The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate and Loans comprising each CDOR Borrowing shall bear interest at the CDOR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

(c)    Each U.S. Protective Advance shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for U.S. Revolving Loans plus, at the option of the Required Lenders, 2% and each Canadian Protective Advance shall bear interest at the Canadian Prime Rate (if denominated in CAD) or at the Canadian Base Rate (if denominated in dollars) plus the Applicable Rate for Canadian Revolving Loans plus, at the option of the Required Lenders, 2% per annum.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, at their option, by notice to the Borrower Representative (which notice may be revoked at the option of the Required Lenders notwithstanding any provision of Section 9.02 requiring the consent of “each Lender affected thereby” for reductions in interest rates), declare that (i) all Loans (other than U.S. Protective Advances and Canadian Protective Advances) shall bear interest at 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loans as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount outstanding hereunder (other than U.S. Protective Advances and Canadian Protective Advances), such amount shall accrue at 2% plus the rate applicable to such fee or other obligation as provided hereunder.

(e)    Accrued interest on each Loan (for Base Rate Loans, accrued through the last day of the prior calendar quarter) shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and upon termination of the Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of a Base Rate Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the

 

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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 Non-Base Rate 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.

(f)    All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate, the Canadian Base Rate, the Canadian Prime Rate or CDOR Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 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, Canadian Base Rate, Canadian Prime Rate, CDOR Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(g)    For purposes of disclosure pursuant to the Interest Act (Canada), the annual rates of interest or fees to which the rates of interest or fees provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and stated herein or therein, as applicable, to be computed on the basis of 360 days or any other period of time less than a calendar year) are equivalent are the rates so determined multiplied by the actual number of days in the applicable calendar year and divided by 360 or such other period of time, respectively.

SECTION 2.14     Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality .

(a)     If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Non-Base Rate Borrowing:

(i)    the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining, (including, without limitation, by means of an Interpolated Rate) the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or

(ii)    the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate, as applicable, for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower Representative and the Lenders through Electronic System as provided in Section 9.01 as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower Representative and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing or CDOR Borrowing, as the case may be, shall be ineffective and any such Eurodollar Borrowing or CDOR Borrowing, as the case may be, shall be repaid or converted into a Base Rate Borrowing on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing or CDOR Borrowing, as the case may be, such Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.

(b)    If any Lender determines that any Requirement of Law has made it unlawful, or if any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, fund or continue any Type of Non-Base Rate Borrowing, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower Representative through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make, maintain, fund or continue such Type of Non-Base Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings will be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower

 

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Representative that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers will upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), either convert all of such Type of Non-Base Rate Borrowings of such Lender to Base Rate Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Type of Non-Base Rate Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrowers will also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

SECTION 2.15     Increased Costs .

(a)    If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank;

(ii)    impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (in each case, other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

(iii)    subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Applicable Borrowers will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    If any Lender or the Issuing Bank 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 or the Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of, or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Applicable Borrowers will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c)    A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Applicable Borrowers shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, 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 or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower Representative of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

SECTION 2.16     Break Funding Payments . In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Non-Base Rate Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Non-Base Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Non-Base Rate Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.09(d) and is revoked in accordance therewith), or (d) the assignment of any Non-Base Rate Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.19 or 9.02(d), then, in any such event, the Applicable Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Non-Base Rate 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 Non-Base Rate Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CDOR Rate that would have been applicable to such Non-Base Rate 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 Non-Base Rate 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 eurodollar market, or for the CAD deposits of a comparable amount and period to such CDOR Rate Loan from other banks in the Canadian bankers acceptance market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower Representative and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Applicable Borrowers shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

SECTION 2.17     Withholding of Taxes; Gross-Up .

(a)     Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant

 

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Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding of Indemnified Taxes has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b)     Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers . The applicable Loan Party shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

(c)     Evidence of Payment . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(d)     Indemnification by the Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally (but subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.23) indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any 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 any 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.

(e)     Indemnification by the Lenders . Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent 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 any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f)     Status of Lenders . (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to

 

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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 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A)    any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), an executed IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;

(B)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative 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, an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, an executed IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of a Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or

(4)    to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the Beneficial Owner, an executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-2 or Exhibit E-3, an executed

 

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IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each Beneficial Owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower Representative or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

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

(iii)    On or before the date on which JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (and any successor or replacement Administrative Agent) becomes the Administrative Agent hereunder, it shall deliver to the Borrower Representative executed originals of either (i) IRS Form W-9, or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (with respect to any payments to be received on its own behalf) and IRS Form W-8IMY (for all other payments), establishing that each Borrower can make payments to the Administrative Agent without deduction or withholding of any Taxes imposed by the United States, including Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Each Recipient agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g)     Treatment of Certain Refunds . If any party 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 pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket

 

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expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party 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 giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph (g) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(h)     Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 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 obligations under any Loan Document.

(i)     Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

SECTION 2.18     Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Sharing of Set-offs .

(a)    The Borrowers shall make each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 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. All payments hereunder shall be made in the currency in which the applicable Obligations are denominated, and, if not otherwise specified, in dollars.

(b)    Any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting either (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers), (B) a mandatory prepayment (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (C) amounts to be applied from the Collection Account when full cash dominion is in effect (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10(b)) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, shall:

(1) with respect to Collateral of U.S. Loan Parties, be applied ratably first , to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements owing by the U.S. Loan Parties including amounts then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from the

 

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Borrowers (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second , to pay any fees, indemnities or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the U.S. Loan Parties (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third , to pay interest due in respect of the U.S. Protective Advances, fourth , to pay the principal of the U.S. Protective Advances, fifth , to pay interest then due and payable on the U.S. Loans (other than the U.S. Protective Advances) ratably, sixth , to prepay principal on the U.S. Loans (other than the U.S. Protective Advances) and unreimbursed LC Disbursements owing by the U.S. Loan Parties, seventh , to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred three percent (103%) of the aggregate U.S. LC Exposure, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth , to pay any amounts owing from U.S. Loan Parties with respect to Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, ninth , to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party by the U.S. Loan Parties, and tenth, to make payments set forth in clause (2) below. Notwithstanding the foregoing amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Borrower Representative, or unless a Default is in existence, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Non-Base Rate Loan of a Class, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable thereto or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding Base Rate Loans of the same Class and, in any such event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

(2) with respect to Collateral of Canadian Loan Parties, be applied ratably: first , to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements owing by the Canadian Loan Parties including amounts then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from the Canadian Borrower (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), second , to pay any fees, indemnification or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from the Canadian Loan Parties (other than in connection with Banking Services Obligations or Swap Agreement Obligations), third , to pay interest due in respect of the Canadian Protective Advances, fourth , to pay the principal of the Canadian Protective Advances, fifth , to pay interest then due and payable on the Canadian Loans (other than the Canadian Protective Advances) ratably, sixth , to prepay principal on the Canadian Loans (other than the Canadian Protective Advances) and unreimbursed Canadian LC Disbursements owing by Canadian Loan Parties, seventh , to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred three percent (103%) of the aggregate Canadian LC Exposure, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations, eighth , to pay any amounts owing with respect to Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of the Canadian Loan Parties up to and including the amount most recently provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.22, and ninth , to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by the Canadian Loan Parties.

(c)    At the election of the Administrative Agent, all payments of principal, interest, LC Disbursements, fees, premiums, reimbursable expenses (including, without limitation, all reimbursement for fees, costs and expenses pursuant to Section 9.03), and other sums payable under the Loan

 

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Documents, may be paid from the proceeds of Borrowings made hereunder whether made following a request by the Borrower Representative pursuant to Section 2.03 or a deemed request as provided in this Section or may be deducted from any deposit account of any Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9.23. The Applicable Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorize (i) the Administrative Agent to make a Borrowing for the purpose of paying each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents and agrees that all such amounts charged shall constitute Loans (including Swingline Loans, but such a Borrowing may only constitute a Protective Advance if it is to reimburse costs, fees and expenses as described in Section 9.03) and that all such Borrowings shall be deemed to have been requested pursuant to Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05, as applicable, and (ii) the Administrative Agent to charge any deposit account of any Applicable Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent for each payment of principal, interest and fees as it becomes due from the Applicable Borrowers hereunder or any other amount due under the Loan Documents.

(d)    If, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, 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 or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the applicable Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline 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 Borrowers pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Lender may not exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim against, or otherwise apply, Collateral of a Canadian Loan Party to, or with respect to, any of the U.S. Obligations.

(e)    Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower Representative prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank hereunder that the Applicable Borrowers will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Applicable Borrowers have made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Applicable Borrowers have not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

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(f)    If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it hereunder, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations hereunder until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender hereunder. Application of amounts pursuant to (i) and (ii) above shall be made in any order determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

(g)    The Administrative Agent may from time to time provide the Borrowers with account statements or invoices with respect to any of the Secured Obligations (the “ Statements ”). The Administrative Agent is under no duty or obligation to provide Statements, which, if provided, will be solely for the Borrowers’ convenience. Statements may contain estimates of the amounts owed during the relevant billing period, whether of principal, interest, fees or other Secured Obligations. If the Applicable Borrowers pay the full amount indicated on a Statement on or before the due date indicated on such Statement, the Applicable Borrowers shall not be in default of payment with respect to the billing period indicated on such Statement; provided , that acceptance by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, of any payment that is less than the total amount actually due at that time (including but not limited to any past due amounts) shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent’s or the Lenders’ right to receive payment in full at another time.

SECTION 2.19     Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .

(a)    If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Applicable Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, 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 Applicable Borrowers hereby agree to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)    If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any of the Borrowers are required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under this Agreement and other Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrowers shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and in circumstances where its consent would be required under Section 9.04, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline 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 Borrowers (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. 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 Borrowers to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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SECTION 2.20     Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(a)    fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

(b)    such Defaulting Lender shall not have the right to vote on any issue on which voting is required (other than to the extent expressly provided in Section 9.02(b)) and the Commitment and Revolving Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02) or under any other Loan Document; provided , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

(c)    if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(i)    all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that (w) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower Representative shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments, (y) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ U.S. Revolving Exposure plus such Defaulting Lender’s U.S. LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ U.S. Revolving Commitment and (z) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Canadian Revolving Exposure plus such Defaulting Lender’s Canadian LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Canadian Revolving Commitment;

(ii)    if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Applicable Borrowers shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, the Applicable Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s applicable LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

(iii)    if the Applicable Borrowers cash collateralize any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s applicable LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s applicable LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

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(iv)    if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.12(a) and 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

(v)    if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

(d)    so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend, renew, extend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and such Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.20(c), and Swingline Exposure related to any such newly made Swingline Loan or LC Exposure related to any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.20(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to the Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrowers or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

In the event that each of the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on the date of such readjustment such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

SECTION 2.21     Returned Payments . If after receipt of any payment which is applied to the payment of all or any part of the Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff), the Administrative Agent or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender such payment or proceeds to any Person because such payment or application of proceeds is invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, impermissible setoff, or a diversion of trust funds, or for any other reason (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion), then the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued and this Agreement shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall be and remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may have been taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in reliance upon such payment or application of proceeds. The provisions of this Section 2.21 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.22     Banking Services and Swap Agreements . Each Lender or Affiliate thereof providing Banking Services for, or having Swap Agreements with, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of a Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after entering into such Banking Services or Swap Agreements, written notice setting forth the aggregate amount of all Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations of such Loan Party or Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof to such Lender or Affiliate (whether matured or unmatured, absolute or contingent). In addition, each such Lender or Affiliate thereof shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, from time to time after a significant change therein or upon a request therefor, a summary of the amounts due or to become due in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and Swap Agreement Obligations. The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations pursuant to Section 2.18(b) and which tier of the waterfall, contained in Section 2.18(b), such Banking Services Obligations and/or Swap Agreement Obligations will be placed.

SECTION 2.23     Excess Resulting From Exchange Rate Change . With respect to the Revolving Commitments, if at any time following one or more fluctuations in the exchange rate of the CAD against the dollar, (i) Aggregate Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base or (ii) the Canadian Revolving Exposure exceeds the lesser of Canadian Revolving Commitments and the Canadian Borrowing Base, the Borrowers shall, within two Business Days of notice from the Administrative Agent (x) make the necessary payments or repayments to reduce such Revolving Exposure to an amount necessary to eliminate such excess or (y) maintain or cause to be maintained with the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) deposits as continuing collateral security for the Obligations in an amount equal to or greater than the amount of such excess, such deposits to be maintained in such form and upon such terms as are acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the foregoing provisions, the Administrative Agent shall, weekly or more frequently in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, make the necessary exchange rate calculations to determine whether any such excess exists on such date and advise the Borrower Representative such excess exists.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

SECTION 3.01     Organization; Powers . Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business, and is in good standing, in every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

SECTION 3.02     Authorization; Enforceability . The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders. Each Loan Document to which each Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other 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 Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental

 

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Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents or which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any Requirement of Law applicable to any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture or other material agreement or instrument binding upon any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary or the assets of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, except Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents.

SECTION 3.04     Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change .

(a)    The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, reported on by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, certified by its Financial Officer. Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments (all of which, when taken as a whole, would not be materially adverse) and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b)    No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, since March 31, 2017.

SECTION 3.05     Properties .

(a)    As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 3.05 sets forth the address of each parcel of real property that is owned or leased by any Loan Party. Each of such leases and subleases is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms and is in full force and effect, and no material default by any party to any such lease or sublease exists. Each of the Loan Parties and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its real and personal property, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 6.02.

(b)    Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property necessary to its business as currently conducted, and the use thereof by each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary does not infringe in any material respect upon the rights of any other Person.

SECTION 3.06     Litigation and Environmental Matters .

(a)    There are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

(b)    Except for the Disclosed Matters (i) no Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or knows of any basis for any

 

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Environmental Liability that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (B) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (C) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (D) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

(c)    Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.07     Compliance with Laws and Agreements; No Default . Except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary is in compliance with (i) all Requirements of Law applicable to it or its property and (ii) all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property. No Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 3.08     Investment Company Status . No Loan Party is required to register as an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

SECTION 3.09     Taxes . Each Loan Party and each Restricted Subsidiary has timely filed or caused to be filed all material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which such Loan Party or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except to the extent constituting Permitted Encumbrances, no tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such material taxes.

SECTION 3.10     ERISA: Canadian Pension Plans .

(a)    No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Plan by an amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 or subsequent recodification thereof, as applicable) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans by an amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Each Canadian Loan Party and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the requirements of the Pension Benefits Act (Ontario) and other federal or provincial laws with respect to each Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan, except where the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No fact or situation that may reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect exists in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan. Neither any Canadian Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material withdrawal

 

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liability in connection with a Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Benefit Plan. No Pension Event has occurred. No Lien has arisen, choate or inchoate, in respect of any Canadian Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or their property in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan (save for contribution amounts not yet due) or Canadian Benefit Plan.

(c)    No Loan Party contributes to, sponsors or maintains a Canadian Pension Plan which contains a “defined benefit provision” as defined in subsection 147.1(i) of the ITA (“a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan”).

SECTION 3.11     Disclosure . The Loan Parties have disclosed to the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date.

SECTION 3.12     Material Agreements . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , no Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the material obligations, covenants or conditions contained in (i) any material agreement to which it is a party or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Material Indebtedness.

SECTION 3.13     Solvency .

(a)    Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed their consolidated debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their consolidated debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) each Loan Party will be able to pay its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; (iv) no Loan Party will have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted after the Effective Date; and (v) each Canadian Loan Party shall not be an “insolvent person” as such term is defined in the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada).

(b)    No Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Restricted Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Restricted Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Restricted Subsidiary.

SECTION 3.14     Insurance . Schedule  3.14 sets forth a description of all insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties as of the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid. Each Borrower maintains, and has caused each Restricted Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their

 

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real and personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

SECTION 3.15     Capitalization and Subsidiaries . As of the Effective Date, Schedule 3.15 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and relationship to the Company of each and all of the Company’s Subsidiaries, (b) a true and complete listing of each class of each Borrower’s authorized Equity Interests, all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record, as of the Effective Date, by the Persons identified on Schedule 3.15 , and (c) the type of entity of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. There are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of any Loan Party to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of any Loan Party other than the Company.

SECTION 3.16     Security Interest in Collateral . The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents create legal and valid Liens on all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and such Liens constitute perfected and continuing Liens on the Collateral, securing the Secured Obligations, enforceable against the applicable Loan Party and all third parties, and having priority over all other Liens on the Collateral except in the case of (a) Permitted Encumbrances, to the extent any such Permitted Encumbrances would have priority over the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to any applicable law or agreement and (b) Liens perfected only by possession (including possession of any certificate of title) to the extent the Administrative Agent has not obtained or does not maintain possession of such Collateral.

SECTION 3.17     Employment Matters . As of the Effective Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing. The hours worked by and payments made to employees of the Loan Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Standards Act (Ontario), An Act Respecting Labour Standards (Québec) or any other applicable Federal, state, provincial, territorial or local or foreign law dealing with such matters, except to the extent any such violation could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, on account of wages, vacation pay and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, including with respect to the Canadian Pension Plans or the Canadian Benefit Plans, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of such Loan Party or such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 3.18     Federal Reserve Regulations . No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit has been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

SECTION 3.19     Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans have been used and will be used, whether directly or indirectly as set forth in Section 5.08.

SECTION 3.20     No Burdensome Restrictions . No Loan Party is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.10.

 

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SECTION 3.21     Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions . Subject to Section 5.16(c) , each Loan Party has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors and, to the knowledge of such Loan Party, its employees and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Loan Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of (a) any Loan Party, any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any such Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary, any agent of such Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds, Transaction or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will violate Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 3.22     Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22 , as of the date of this Agreement, there are no existing or proposed agreements, arrangements, understandings or transactions between any Loan Party and any of the officers, members, managers, directors, key stockholders, parents, holders of other Equity Interests, employees or Affiliates (other than Restricted Subsidiaries) of any Loan Party or any members of their respective immediate families (but excluding compensation or option agreements with employees, officers, members, managers or directors), in each case, with a monetary value in excess of $5,000,000.

SECTION 3.23     Common Enterprise . The successful operation and condition of each of the Loan Parties is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group of the Loan Parties as a whole and the successful operation of each of the Loan Parties is dependent on the successful performance and operation of each other Loan Party. Each Loan Party expects to derive benefit (and its board of directors or other governing body has determined that it may reasonably be expected to derive benefit), directly and indirectly, from (i) successful operations of each of the other Loan Parties and (ii) the credit extended by the Lenders to the Borrowers hereunder, both in their separate capacities and as members of the group of companies. Each Loan Party has determined that execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and any other Loan Documents to be executed by such Loan Party is within its purpose, in furtherance of its direct and/or indirect business interests, will be of direct and/or indirect benefit to such Loan Party, and is in its best interest.

SECTION 3.24     EEA Financial Institutions . No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

ARTICLE IV

Conditions

SECTION 4.01     Effective Date . The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

(a)     Credit Agreement and Other Loan Documents . The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement, (ii) either (A) a counterpart of each other Loan Document signed on behalf of each party thereto or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include facsimile or other electronic transmission of a signed signature

 

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page thereof) that each such party has signed a counterpart of such Loan Document and (iii) such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including any promissory notes requested by a Lender pursuant to Section 2.10(f) payable to each such requesting Lender and a written opinion of the Loan Parties’ counsel, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

(b)     Financial Statements and Projections . The Lenders shall have received (i) audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the, 2015 and 2016 fiscal years, (ii) unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter ended after the date of the latest applicable financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph as to which such financial statements are available, and such financial statements shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, reflect any material adverse change in the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as reflected in the audited, consolidated financial statements described in clause (i) of this paragraph and (iii) satisfactory projections through 2021.

(c)     Closing Certificates; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date and executed by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary, which shall (A) certify the resolutions of its Board of Directors, members or other body authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) identify by name and title and bear the signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower Representative, its Financial Officers, and (C) contain appropriate attachments, including the certificate or articles of incorporation or organization of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and a true and correct copy of its by-laws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction.

(d)     No Default Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, signed by a Financial Officer of each Borrower and each other Loan Party, dated as of the Effective Date (i) stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) stating that the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true and correct as of such date, and (iii) certifying as to any other factual matters as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

(e)     Fees . The Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Effective Date.

(f)     Lien Searches . The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien search in each jurisdiction where the Loan Parties are organized and where the assets of the Loan Parties are located, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 or discharged on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to a pay-off letter or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g)     Pay-Off Letters; No Indebtedness . The Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory pay-off letters for all existing Indebtedness to be repaid from the proceeds of the initial Borrowing or otherwise to be repaid on or prior to the Effective Date, confirming that (i) all Liens upon

 

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any of the property of the Loan Parties constituting Collateral will be terminated concurrently with such payment and all letters of credit issued or guaranteed as part of such Indebtedness shall have been cash collateralized or supported by a Letter of Credit and (ii) except for cash collateralized letters of credit described in clause (i) above, after giving effect to the initial Borrowing hereunder on the Effective Date, the Loan Parties shall have no other Indebtedness for borrowed money outstanding.

(h)     Funding Accounts . The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice setting forth the deposit accounts of the U.S. Borrowers and the Canadian Borrower (the “ Funding Accounts ”) to which the Administrative Agent is authorized by the Borrowers to transfer the proceeds of any Borrowings requested or authorized pursuant to this Agreement.

(i)     Customer List . The Administrative Agent shall have received a true and complete customer list for the Company and its Subsidiaries, which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number and shall be certified as true and correct by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative.

(j)     Solvency . The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer dated the Effective Date.

(k)     Borrowing Base Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate which calculates the Canadian Borrowing Base and the U.S. Borrowing Base as of April 30, 2017.

(l)     Closing Liquidity . After giving effect to all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date, the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Effective Date and the payment of all fees and expenses due hereunder, and with all of the Loan Parties’ indebtedness, liabilities, and obligations current, the Company’s Liquidity shall not be less than $50,000,000.

(m)    [ Pledged Equity Interests; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes . The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) the certificates representing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (ii) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.] 2

(n)     Filings, Registrations and Recordings . Each document (including any UCC or PPSA financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.

(o)     Insurance . The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance coverage in form, scope, and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in compliance with the terms of Section 5.10 hereof and Section 4.12 of each of the U.S. Security Agreement and the Canadian Security Agreement.

 

 

2   Contingent upon cooperation of agents under existing credit facilities.

 

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(p)     Letter of Credit Application . If a Letter of Credit is requested to be issued on the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed letter of credit application (whether standalone or pursuant to a master agreement, as applicable).

(q)     Tax Withholding . The Administrative Agent shall have received a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable, for each Loan Party.

(r)     Corporate Structure . The corporate structure, capital structure and other material debt instruments, material accounts and governing documents of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(s)     Field Examination . The Administrative Agent or its designee shall have conducted a field examination of the Loan Parties’ Accounts, Inventory and related working capital matters and of the Borrowers’ related data processing and other systems, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(t)     Legal Due Diligence . The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have completed all legal due diligence, the results of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

(u)     Appraisal(s) . The Administrative Agent shall have received an appraisal of the Loan Parties’ Inventory from one or more firms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which appraisal shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(v)     USA PATRIOT Act, Etc . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, for each Loan Party.

(w)     Initial Public Offering . The Company IPO shall have occurred in accordance with its terms.

(x)     Other Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents as the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or their respective counsel may have reasonably requested.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., Chicago time, on [            ] [    ], 2017 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

SECTION 4.02     Each Credit Event . The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a)    The representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though made on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (it being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date, and that any representation or warranty which is subject to any materiality qualifier shall be required to be true and correct in all respects).

 

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(b)    At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) no Protective Advance shall be outstanding; provided that a Protective Advance may be outstanding at the time of such Borrowing to the extent that such Protective Advance is being repaid or refinanced simultaneously with such Borrowing.

(c)    After giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, (i) Aggregate Availability and (ii) as applicable, U.S. Availability or Canadian Availability shall not be less than zero.

(d)    Except as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date, no event shall have occurred and no condition shall exist which has or could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section.

Notwithstanding the failure to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section, unless otherwise directed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, continue to make Loans and an Issuing Bank may, but shall have no obligation to, issue, amend, renew or extend, or cause to be issued, amended, renewed or extended, any Letter of Credit for the ratable account and risk of Lenders from time to time if the Administrative Agent believes that making such Loans or issuing, amending, renewing or extending, or causing the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of, any such Letter of Credit is in the best interests of the Lenders.

ARTICLE V

Affirmative Covenants

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 5.01     Financial Statements; Borrowing Base and Other Information . The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent each Lender:

(a)    within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018, all reported on by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing without a “going concern” or like qualification, commentary or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit (other than a qualification with respect to refinancing of Indebtedness) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, accompanied by any management letter prepared by said accountants;

 

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(b)    within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, the consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of such 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, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018, all certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

(c)    concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b), a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative in substantially the form of Exhibit C (a “ Compliance Certificate ”) (i) certifying, in the case of the financial statements delivered under clause (b), as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, (ii) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (iii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating the calculation of the Leverage Ratio and, if applicable, compliance with Section 6.12(a) and Section 6.12(b) and (iv) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

(d)    concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above beginning with the fiscal year of the Company ending December 31, 2017, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

(e)    as soon as available but in any event no later than sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement) of the Company for each fiscal quarter of the upcoming fiscal year (the “ Projections ”) in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(f)    as soon as available but in any event within twenty (20) days of the end of each calendar month, and at such other times as may be necessary to re-determine Aggregate Availability or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, a Borrowing Base Certificate and supporting information in connection therewith including, without limitation, a designation by the Borrower Representative of the Allocated U.S. Borrowing Base Amount, if any, that shall be allocated to the Canadian Borrowing Base under clause (e) of the definition thereof until the next delivery of the Borrowing Base Certificate pursuant to this clause (f), together with any additional reports with respect to the U.S. Borrowing Base and the Canadian Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; provided that during an Enhanced Reporting Period, in addition to the foregoing, on the third (3) Business Day of each week, Borrower Representative shall deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate, with respect to the prior week;

 

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(g)    as soon as available but in any event within twenty (20) days of the end of each calendar month (and weekly during an Enhanced Reporting Period, on the third (3rd) Business Day of each week) and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the period then ended, all delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(i)    a detailed aging of the Borrowers’ Accounts, including all invoices aged by invoice date and due date (with an explanation of the terms offered), prepared in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with a summary specifying the name, address, and balance due for each Account Debtor;

(ii)    a schedule detailing the Borrowers’ Inventory, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, by location (showing Inventory in transit, any Inventory located with a third party under any consignment, bailee arrangement, or warehouse agreement), by product type, and by volume on hand, which Inventory shall be valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market and adjusted for Reserves as the Administrative Agent has previously indicated to the Borrower Representative are deemed by the Administrative Agent to be appropriate;

(iii)    a worksheet of calculations prepared by the Borrowers to determine Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory, such worksheets detailing the Accounts and Inventory excluded from Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory and the reason for such exclusion;

(h)    as soon as available but in any event within twenty (20) days of the end of each calendar month and at such other times as may be requested by the Administrative Agent, as of the month then ended, a schedule and aging of the Borrowers’ accounts payable, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(i)    concurrently with the annual field examination and at any time promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, an updated customer list for each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified as true and correct by a Financial Officer of the Borrower Representative;

(j)    promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request:

(i)    copies of invoices issued by the Borrowers in connection with any Accounts, credit memos, shipping and delivery documents, and other information related thereto;

(ii)    copies of purchase orders, invoices, and shipping and delivery documents in connection with any Inventory purchased by any Loan Party; and

(iii)    a schedule detailing the balance of all intercompany accounts of the Loan Parties;

(k)    promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, as of the period then ended, the Borrowers’ sales journal, cash receipts journal (identifying trade and non-trade cash receipts) and debit memo/credit memo journal;

(l)    concurrently with the annual field examination and at any time promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request, a certificate of good standing or the substantive equivalent available in the jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization for each Loan Party from the appropriate governmental officer in such jurisdiction;

 

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(m)    [reserved];

(n)    promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by any Borrower to its shareholders generally, as the case may be;

(o)    promptly after any request therefor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k)(1) of ERISA that any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan and (ii) any notices described in Section 101(l)(1) of ERISA that any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan; provided that if a Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, the applicable Borrower or the applicable ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents and notices from such administrator or sponsor and shall provide copies of such documents and notices promptly after receipt thereof; and

(p)    promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, material changes in ownership of Equity Interests, business affairs and financial condition of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b) (to the extent 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 earliest of such date (i) on which such documents are delivered by e-mail to the Administrative Agent, (ii) on which the Company posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Company’s website on the Internet or (iii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers’ 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: (A) the Borrower Representative shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent upon its reasonable request to the Borrower Representative to deliver such paper copies and (B) the Borrower Representative shall arrange for the notification of the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii) (unless posted by the Administrative Agent). The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower Representative with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

SECTION 5.02     Notices of Material Events . The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt (but in any event within any time period that may be specified below) written notice of the following:

(a)    the occurrence of any Default;

(b)    receipt of any notice of any investigation by a Governmental Authority or any litigation or proceeding commenced or threatened in writing against any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary that (i) seeks damages in excess of $5,000,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii) is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets and asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000, (iv) alleges criminal misconduct by any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary, (v) alleges the violation of, or seeks to impose remedies under, any Environmental Law or related Requirement of Law, or seeks to impose Environmental Liability in excess of $5,000,000,

 

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(vi) asserts liability on the part of any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000 in respect of any tax, fee, assessment, or other governmental charge, or (vii) involves any material product recall;

(c)    any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) or material claim made or asserted against any of the Collateral;

(d)    any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in the amount of $5,000,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance;

(e)    within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof, any and all default notices received under or with respect to any leased location or public warehouse where Collateral included in the U.S. Borrowing Base or Canadian Borrowing Base is located;

(f)    all material amendments to any material agreement evidencing or related to Material Indebtedness to which any Loan Party or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, together with a copy of each such amendment;

(g)    the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000,000; and

(h)    any other development that results, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower Representative 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 . Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, (a) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (A) its legal existence and (B) except to the extent the failure to do so could not be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, franchises, governmental authorizations, intellectual property rights, licenses and permits material to the conduct of its business, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted except to the extent the failure to do so could not be reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, amalgamation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03, and (b) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is presently conducted and fields of business reasonably incidental thereto.

SECTION 5.04     Payment of Obligations . Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.12, each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, pay or discharge all Material Indebtedness and all other material liabilities and obligations, including material Taxes, 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) such Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, remit withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to appropriate Governmental Authorities as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions.

 

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SECTION 5.05     Maintenance of Properties . Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, 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 could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 5.06     Books and Records; Inspection Rights . Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, (a) 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 and (b) permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any consultants, accountants, lawyers, agents and appraisers retained by the Administrative Agent), upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct at such Loan Party’s premises field examinations of such Loan Party’s assets, liabilities, books and records, including examining and making extracts from its books and records, environmental assessment reports and Phase I or Phase II studies, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested. Each Loan Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain Reports pertaining to such Loan Party’s assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. The Applicable Borrowers shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of one (1) field examination during any 12-month period; provided that and one (1) additional field examination (for the total of two (2) such field examinations during any 12-month period) conducted at any time when Aggregate Availability falls below the greater of (i) $15,000,000 and (ii) 15% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and Aggregate Borrowing Base. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of field examinations if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Applicable Borrowers shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any field examinations conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

SECTION 5.07     Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations . Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) comply with each Requirement of Law applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, except, in each case, where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

SECTION 5.08     Use of Proceeds .

(a)    The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit will be used only for working capital and for general corporate purposes of the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business. No part of the proceeds of any Loan and no Letter of Credit will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit will be issued only to support the Loan Parties.

(b)    No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and its and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent that such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or the European Union, or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

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SECTION 5.09     Accuracy of Information . The Loan Parties will ensure that any information, including financial statements or other documents, furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder contains no material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and the furnishing of such information shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in this Section 5.09; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time delivered and, if such projected financial information was delivered prior to the Effective Date, as of the Effective Date.

SECTION 5.10     Insurance . Each Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers having a financial strength rating of at least A- by A.M. Best Company (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks (including, without limitation: loss or damage by fire and loss in transit; theft, burglary, pilferage, larceny, embezzlement, and other criminal activities; business interruption; and general liability) and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent upon its request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.

SECTION 5.11     Casualty and Condemnation . The Borrowers will (a) furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prompt written notice of any casualty or other insured damage to any material portion of the Collateral or the commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking of any material portion of the Collateral or interest therein under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding and (b) ensure that the Net Proceeds of any such event (whether in the form of insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or otherwise) are collected and applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Collateral Documents.

SECTION 5.12     Appraisals . At any time that the Administrative Agent requests, each Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, provide the Administrative Agent with appraisals or updates thereof of its Inventory and, if the Eligible Equipment Amount is then in effect, Equipment, and prepared on a basis satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include, without limitation, information required by any applicable Requirement of Law. The Applicable Borrowers shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of (i) one Inventory appraisal during any period of twelve consecutive calendar months and (ii) one additional inventory appraisal in the event Aggregate Availability falls below the greater of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) 15% of the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Aggregate Borrowing Base. Additionally, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of appraisals if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Applicable Borrowers shall be responsible for the costs and expenses of any such appraisals conducted while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. In addition, a one-time appraisal of the Eligible Equipment will be conducted in the event that the Acquisition contemplated in accordance with clause (p) of Permitted Acquisitions is consummated.

 

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SECTION 5.13     Depository Banks; Collection and Application of Collateral Proceeds .

(a)    Within ninety (90) days following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent), each Loan Party will maintain Chase as its principal depository and disbursement bank, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business.

(b)    Within ninety (90) days following the Effective Date, or, with respect to any Subsidiary that becomes a U.S. Loan Party after the Effective Date, within thirty (30) days following the date on which such Person becomes a U.S. Loan Party (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) each U.S. Loan Party shall (a) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent Deposit Account Control Agreements for each Deposit Account (other than Excluded Accounts) maintained by such Loan Party, and (b) establish lock box service (the “ U.S. Lock Boxes ”) with the relevant bank(s) which Lock Boxes shall be subject to the relevant Deposit Account Control Agreement or otherwise subject to irrevocable lockbox agreements reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (each, a “ U.S. Lock Box Agreement ”).

(c)    Within ninety (90) days following the Effective Date, or, with respect to any Subsidiary that becomes a Canadian Loan Party after the Effective Date, within thirty (30) days following the date on which such Person becomes a Canadian Loan Party (in each case, or such later date as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) each Canadian Loan Party shall (a) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent Deposit Account Control Agreements for each Deposit Account (other than Excluded Accounts) maintained by such Loan Party (each, a “ Canadian Collateral Deposit Account ” and collectively with each U.S. Collateral Deposit Account, the “ Collateral Deposit Accounts ”), and (b) establish lock box service (the “ Canadian Lock Boxes ” and collectively with the U.S. Lock Boxes, the “ Lock Boxes ”) with the relevant bank(s) which Lock Boxes shall be subject to the relevant Deposit Account Control Agreement or otherwise subject to irrevocable lockbox agreements reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (each, a “ Canadian Lock Box Agreement ” and collectively with the U.S. Lock Box Agreements, the “ Lock Box Agreements ”).

(d)    Subject to the grace periods set forth above, each Loan Party shall direct all of its Account Debtors to forward payments directly to Collateral Deposit Accounts or Lock Boxes subject to Deposit Account Control Agreements or Lock Box Agreements, as applicable. During a Cash Dominion Period the Administrative Agent shall have sole access to the Collateral Deposit Accounts and Lock Boxes and each Loan Party shall take all actions necessary to grant the Administrative Agent such access. At no time during a Cash Dominion Period shall any Loan Party remove any item from a Lock Box or a Collateral Deposit Account without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent. If any Loan Party should refuse or neglect to notify any Account Debtor to forward payments directly to a Collateral Deposit Account or Lock Box subject to a Deposit Account Control Agreement or Lock Box Agreement, as applicable, after notice from the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to make such notification directly to such Account Debtor. If notwithstanding the foregoing instructions, any Loan Party receives any proceeds of any Collateral, such Loan Party shall receive such payments as the Administrative Agent’s trustee, and shall promptly deposit all cash, checks or other similar payments related to or constituting payments made in respect of Collateral received by it to a Collateral Deposit Account. During a Cash Dominion Period, all funds deposited into any Lock Box or Collateral Deposit Account subject to a Lock Box Agreement or a Collateral Deposit Account, as applicable, will be swept on a daily basis into a U.S. collection account maintained by such Loan Party with the Administrative Agent (the “ U.S. Collection Account ”) or a Canadian collection account maintained by such Loan Party with the Administrative Agent (the “ Canadian Collection Account ” and collectively with the U.S. Collection Account, the “ Collection Accounts ” and each a “ Collection Account ”). The Administrative Agent shall hold and apply funds received into the Collection Account as provided by the terms of Section 2.10(b).

 

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(e)    (i) Within ninety (90) days following the Effective Date with respect to any Deposit Account (other than an Excluded Account), Securities Account or Commodity Account maintained as of the Effective Date, each Loan Party shall cause each bank or financial institution to enter into a Deposit Account Control Agreement, Securities Account Control Agreement or Commodity Account Control Agreement, as applicable, with the Administrative Agent in order to give the Administrative Agent Control of such Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodity Account, as applicable, and (ii) after the Effective Date, before opening or replacing any Collateral Deposit Account or other Deposit Account (other than an Excluded Account), Securities Account, Commodity Account, or establishing a new Lock Box, each Loan Party shall cause each bank or financial institution in which it seeks to open (A) a Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodity Account to enter into a Deposit Account Control Agreement, Securities Account Control Agreement or Commodity Account Control Agreement, as applicable, with the Administrative Agent in order to give the Administrative Agent Control of such Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodity Account and, with respect to any such Deposit Account, provide for a daily sweep into the Collection Account during a Cash Dominion Period, or (B) a Lock Box, to enter into a Lock Box Agreement with the Administrative Agent in order to give the Administrative Agent Control of the Lock Box and provide for a daily sweep into the Collection Account during a Cash Dominion Period. In the case of Deposit Accounts or Lock Boxes maintained with Lenders, the terms of such letter shall be subject to the provisions hereof regarding setoffs.

SECTION 5.14     Additional Collateral; Further Assurances . (a) Subject to any applicable Requirement of Law, each U.S. Loan Party will cause each of its U.S. Domestic Subsidiaries that is a Restricted Subsidiary, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a U.S. Loan Party by executing a Joinder Agreement. Upon execution and delivery thereof, each such U.S. Domestic Subsidiary (i) shall automatically become a Loan Guarantor hereunder and thereupon shall have all of the rights, benefits, duties and obligations in such capacity under the Loan Documents and (ii) will grant Liens to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in any property of such Loan Party which constitutes Collateral. Subject to any applicable Requirement of Law, the Canadian Borrower will cause each of its Subsidiaries, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, formed or acquired after the date of this Agreement to become a Canadian Loan Party by executing a guaranty of the Canadian Obligations.

(b)    Each Loan Party will cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries, other than an Excluded Subsidiary, and (ii) 65% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2) in each Foreign Subsidiary or Excluded Subsidiary directly owned by such Borrower in each case, so long as the ability of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties to be paid in full will not be impaired, to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents or other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

(c)    Without limiting the foregoing, each (i) U.S. Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary of such U.S. Loan Party (other than Excluded Subsidiaries), and (ii) Canadian Loan Party will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary of such Canadian Loan Party (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by any Requirement of Law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure

 

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perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and all at the expense of the Applicable Borrowers (subject to the limitations of Section 9.23).

(d)    If any material assets (other than material assets of a type that would constitute Excluded Collateral) are acquired by any Loan Party after the Effective Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement that become subject to the Lien under the Security Agreement upon acquisition thereof), the Borrower Representative will (i) notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations or Canadian Secured Obligations, as the case may be, and (ii) take, and cause each applicable Loan Party to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Applicable Borrowers.

SECTION 5.15     Designation of Subsidiaries .

(a)    The Company may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Borrower) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary by written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided , that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) no Restricted Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if after such designation it would be a “restricted subsidiary” for the purpose of any other Material Indebtedness, and (iii) no Restricted Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it was previously designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and then redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary.

(b)    The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an investment by the Company therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Company’s investment therein as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative and the investment resulting from such designation must otherwise be in compliance with Section 6.04 (as determined at the time of such designation). The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and a return on any investment by the Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided , that (i) solely for the purpose of calculating the outstanding amounts of investments under Section 6.04 made in respect of any Unrestricted Subsidiary being redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, upon such redesignation the Company shall be deemed to continue to have an outstanding investment in such Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s investment in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation attributable to the Company’s ownership of such Subsidiary and (ii) solely for purposes of Section 5.14(a), any Unrestricted Subsidiary designated as a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been acquired on the date of such designation. Any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 5.16     Post-Closing Conditions .

(a)    For a period of sixty (60) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree), the Applicable Borrowers shall exert commercially reasonable efforts to obtain each Collateral Access Agreement to be provided pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Security Agreement.

 

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(b)    Within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree), the Borrowers shall have delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that First Call Well Service, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, has been dissolved or merged into a Loan Party.

(c)    Within ninety (90) days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree), the Borrowers shall have delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that each Loan Party has implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Loan Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

ARTICLE VI

Negative Covenants

Until all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, each Loan Party executing this Agreement covenants and agrees, jointly and severally with all of the other Loan Parties, with the Lenders that:

SECTION 6.01     Indebtedness . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a)    the Secured Obligations;

(b)    Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule  6.01 and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) hereof;

(c)    Indebtedness of any Borrower to any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and of any other Loan Party to any Borrower or any other Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof, provided that (i) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be subject to Section 6.04, (ii) Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) Indebtedness owing by any Loan Party to any other Loan Party shall be restricted to (A) Indebtedness between and among U.S. Loan Parties, (B) Indebtedness between and among Canadian Loan Parties, and (C) Indebtedness owing by the Canadian Borrower to the U.S. Borrowers (together with outstanding Guarantees permitted under Section 6.01(d)(iv)(C)) up to a maximum aggregate amount at any time outstanding of $25,000,000;

(d)    Guarantees by any Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Borrower or any other Subsidiary, provided that (i) the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is permitted by this Section 6.01, (ii) Guarantees by any Borrower or any other Loan Party of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be subject to Section 6.04 (iii) Guarantees permitted under this clause (d) shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on the same terms as the Indebtedness so Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations and (iv) Guarantees by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness of any other Loan Party shall be restricted to (A) Guarantees between and among U.S. Loan Parties, (B) Guarantees between and among Canadian Loan Parties, and (C) Guarantees by the U.S. Borrowers of Indebtedness of the Canadian Borrower (together with outstanding Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(c)(iii)(C)) up to a maximum aggregate amount at any time outstanding of $25,000,000 (exclusive of the Loan Guaranty);

 

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(e)    Indebtedness of any Loan Party incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets (whether or not constituting purchase money Indebtedness), including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness in accordance with clause (f) below; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) below, shall not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(f)    Indebtedness which represents extensions, renewals, refinancing or replacements (such Indebtedness being so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced being referred to herein as the “ Refinance Indebtedness ”) of any of the Indebtedness described in clauses (b), (e), (i), (j) and (k) hereof (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the “ Original Indebtedness ”); provided that (i) such Refinance Indebtedness does not increase the principal amount or interest rate of the Original Indebtedness, (ii) any Liens securing such Refinance Indebtedness are not extended to any additional property of any Loan Party, (iii) no Loan Party that is not originally obligated with respect to repayment of such Original Indebtedness is required to become obligated with respect to such Refinance Indebtedness, (iv) such Refinance Indebtedness does not result in a shortening of the average weighted maturity of such Original Indebtedness, (v) the terms of such Refinance Indebtedness are not less favorable in any material respect to the obligor thereunder than the original terms of such Original Indebtedness and (vi) if such Original Indebtedness was subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations, then the terms and conditions of such Refinance Indebtedness must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as those that were applicable to such Original Indebtedness;

(g)    Indebtedness owed to any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    Indebtedness of any Loan Party in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business;

(i)    Subordinated Indebtedness;

(j)    Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility) of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is incurred as part of a Permitted Acquisition (including seller paper) in connection with such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (j), together with any Refinance Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f) above, shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(k)    other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $200,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(l)    other secured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $50,000,000 or (ii) two (2) times EBITDA for the most recent consecutive four fiscal quarters then ended before the incurrence of such Indebtedness for which financial statements have been provided to the Lenders, and guarantee obligations of any Loan Party in respect thereof; provided that, such Indebtedness and any guarantees in respect thereof (x) that are secured by any Collateral shall be subject

 

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to an intercreditor agreement or in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders or (y) are secured by Liens that do not encumber any assets of any Loan Party except for fixed or capital assets (including Equipment and real property), it being understood that, upon the Borrower Representatives request, the Administrative Agent shall release its Lien in fixed or capital assets (including Equipment) to be secured by such Indebtedness;

(m)    Indebtedness in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(n)    Indebtedness arising from the endorsement of instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(o)    Indebtedness owed to any Person providing (or any Person who provides financing for) property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to any Loan Party, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance;

(p)    Indebtedness incurred under a Sale and Leaseback Transaction permitted by Section 6.06, to the extent such transaction does not constitute an operating lease;

(q)    contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, adjustment of purchase price, non-compete, earn-out, or similar obligation of any Loan Party incurred with respect to Permitted Acquisitions or any other investments permitted by this Agreement;

(r)    Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Company or any Loan Party incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(s)    Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or similar arrangements incurred in connection with the Transactions, Permitted Acquisitions or any other investments permitted by this Agreement;

(t)    Indebtedness in respect of (i) overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services, any automated clearing house transfers of funds or any corporate purchasing and travel and entertainment card services or (ii) netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case in connection with deposit accounts in the ordinary course of business; and

(u)    Indebtedness consisting of letters of credit in existence as of the Effective Date and set forth in Schedule 6.01 .

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in the clauses set forth above, the Borrowers shall, in their sole discretion, be permitted to classify and reclassify or later divide, classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in one or more of the applicable categories of Indebtedness as they deem appropriate.

SECTION 6.02     Liens . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted 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) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

(a)    Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document;

 

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(b)    Permitted Encumbrances;

(c)    any Lien on any property or asset of any Loan Party existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule  6.02 ; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of such Loan Party or any other Loan Party 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;

(d)    Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by any Loan Party; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 6.01, (ii) such Liens and the Indebtedness secured thereby are incurred prior to or within 90 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets plus reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and (iv) such Liens shall not apply to any other property or assets of such Loan Party or any other Loan Party;

(e)    any Lien existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) prior to the acquisition thereof by any Loan Party or existing on any property or asset (other than Accounts and Inventory) of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Loan Party; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Loan Party, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or assets of the Loan Party 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 Loan Party, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof;

(f)    Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-208 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction covering only the items being collected upon;

(g)    Liens arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(h)    Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements regarding leases entered into by the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business;

(i)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i); provided that, such Liens are subordinated to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Administrative Agent;

(j)    Liens to the extent constituting interests of a licensee, sub-licensee, lessee or sub-lessee in Property owned by a Loan Party and licensed, sub-licensed, leased or subleased to such Persons in the ordinary course of business;

(k)    Liens encumbering Equity Interests issued by a joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary and arising under rights of first offer, rights of first refusal, tag-along rights, drag-along rights, and other customary restrictions on the transfer of such Equity Interests contained in organizational documents governing the terms of such joint venture to which a Loan Party is a party or by which such Person is bound;

 

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(l)    Liens of landlords and mortgagees of landlords (i) arising by statute or under any lease or related contractual obligation entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ii) on fixtures and movable tangible property located on the real property leased or subleased from such landlord, and (iii) for amounts not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(m)    Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by any Loan Party in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition or any other investment permitted by this Agreement;

(n)    Liens on the applicable insurance policies, the premiums for which are financed by the Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(o) and Liens on any proceeds thereof or premiums with respect thereto, in each case, securing the Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1(o);

(o)    any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased;

(p)    Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

(q)    Liens on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other investment permitted by this Agreement or to be applied against the purchase price for such Permitted Acquisition or other investment, solely to the extent such investment or purchase, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(r)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l); provided that, such Liens (i) to the extent secured by any Collateral, are subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders or (ii) do not encumber any assets of any Loan Party except for fixed or capital assets (including Equipment and real property), in each case, that do not constitute Collateral; and

(s)    Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(u).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Liens permitted pursuant to this Section 6.02 may at any time attach to any Loan Party’s (1) Accounts, other than those permitted under clause (a) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above or (2) Inventory, other than those permitted under clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Permitted Encumbrances and clause (a) above.

SECTION 6.03     Fundamental Changes .

(a)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any U.S. Loan Party may merge into another U.S. Loan Party so long as if a U.S. Borrower is involved in such transaction, such U.S. Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) any Canadian Loan Party may merge or amalgamate into or with another Canadian Loan Party so long as if the Canadian Borrower is involved in such transaction, the resulting entity will be the Canadian Borrower and (iii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower which owns such Subsidiary determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of such Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; and (iv) any merger or

 

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consolidation in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or an investment permitted by Section 6.04 may occur, provided that following any such merger or consolidation (1) involving a Borrower, a Borrower is the surviving or resulting entity and (2) involving a Restricted Subsidiary, the surviving or resulting entity shall be a Loan Party.

(b)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto.

(c)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

(d)    No Loan Party will change the accounting basis upon which its financial statements are prepared.

SECTION 6.04     Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, form any subsidiary after the Effective Date, or purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with any Person that was not a Loan Party and a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any evidences of Indebtedness or Equity Interests or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise), except:

(a)    Permitted Investments, subject to control agreements in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or otherwise subject to a perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

(b)    investments in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule 6.04 ;

(c)    investments by the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their respective Subsidiaries, provided that (A) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as the case may be (subject to the limitations applicable to Equity Interests of an Excluded Subsidiary and a Foreign Subsidiary referred to in Section 5.14 and limitations set forth in Section 9.23) and (B) the aggregate amount of investments by Loan Parties in Unrestricted Subsidiaries (together with outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (B) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs but net of any return on capital);

(d)    loans or advances made by any Loan Party to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary to a Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, provided that (A) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party to a non Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged pursuant to the U.S. Security Agreement or the Canadian Security Agreement, as the case may be, (B) the amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Unrestricted Subsidiaries (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (B) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding Guarantees permitted under the proviso to Section 6.04(e)) shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs but net of any return on capital) and (C) loans and advances made or owing by any Loan Party to or from any other Loan Party shall be restricted to (1) loans and advances between and among U.S. Loan Parties, (2) loans and advances between and among Canadian Loan Parties and (3) loans and advances by the U.S. Borrowers to the Canadian Borrower subject to the terms of Section 6.01(c)(iii)(C);

 

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(e)    Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that is Guaranteed by any Loan Party (together with outstanding investments permitted under clause (B) to the proviso to Section 6.04(c) and outstanding intercompany loans permitted under clause (B) to the proviso to Section 6.04(d)) shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time outstanding (in each case determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs but net of any return on capital) and (ii) Guarantees by any Loan Party of any Indebtedness of any other Loan Party shall be restricted to (A) Guarantees between and among U.S. Loan Parties, (B) Guarantees between and among Canadian Loan Parties, and (C) Guarantees by the U.S. Borrowers of Indebtedness of the Canadian Borrower subject to the terms of Section 6.01(d)(iv)(C);

(f)    advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business and loans or advances made by a Loan Party to its officers, directors and employees on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes up to a maximum of $2,500,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

(g)    notes payable, or stock or other securities issued by Account Debtors to a Loan Party pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement of such Account Debtor’s Accounts in the ordinary course of business or received by a Loan Party upon foreclosure with respect to any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured investment, in each case, consistent with past practices;

(h)    investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;

(i)    investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or consolidates or merges with a Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long as such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or of such merger;

(j)    investments received in connection with the disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.05;

(k)    investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of the term “Permitted Encumbrances” and as expressly permitted in Section 6.02;

(l)    any Permitted Acquisitions;

(m)    any other investments, so long as such investments do not constitute Acquisitions, as to which the Borrower Representative shall certify to the Administrative Agent that at the time of such investment and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default or Event of Default exists and is continuing, (A) (1) pro forma Aggregate Availability of the Borrowers is not less than the greater of (x) $15,000,000 and (y) 15% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base and (B) (1) the pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is at least 1.00 to 1.00 after giving effect to such investment, or (ii) pro forma Aggregate Availability of the Borrowers is not less than the greater of (x) $20,000,000 and (y) 20% of the lesser of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and the Aggregate Borrowing Base;

(n)    investments to the extent funded exclusively with Equity Issuance Proceeds; and

 

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(o)    other investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time during the term of this Agreement.

SECTION 6.05     Asset Sales . No Loan Party will sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will any Loan Party permit any Subsidiary directly owned by such Loan Party to issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to another Loan Party in compliance with Section 6.04), except:

(a)    sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) Inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) used, obsolete or worn out Equipment, or (iii) Equipment and other property in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    sales, transfers and dispositions of assets to any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that any such sales, transfers or dispositions involving Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09 and transfers among Loan Parties are permitted only so long as the transferee Loan Party is in the same country as the transferor Loan Party or such transfers are to a Loan Party organized in the U.S.;

(c)    sales, transfers and dispositions of Accounts, and discounts granted with respect to Accounts, in each case in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof and in the ordinary course of business;

(d)    sales, transfers and dispositions of Permitted Investments and other investments permitted by clauses (i) and (k) of Section 6.04;

(e)    Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

(f)    dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party;

(g)    leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses (including the provision of software under an open source license), in each case in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Loan Parties;

(h)    investments permitted by Section 6.04, Restricted Payments permitted by Section 6.08, and Liens permitted by Section 6.02;

(i)    dispositions of Property not constituting Collateral;

(j)    dispositions of investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in the joint venture arrangements and similar binding agreements; and

(k)    sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold) that are not permitted by any other clause of this Section, provided that the aggregate fair market value of all assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (l) shall not exceed $10,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company;

provided that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby shall be made for fair value (other than those permitted by paragraphs (b), (f), (h), and (i) above) and, with respect to such sales,

 

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transfers, leases and other dispositions resulting in Net Proceeds of at least $1,000,000, for at least 75% cash consideration (other than those permitted by paragraphs (a)(ii) (solely with respect to Equipment and property not included in the Borrowing Base), (b), (c) (to the extent such disposition is permitted under Section 6.04(g)), (h), (i) and (k)).

SECTION 6.06     Sale and Leaseback Transactions . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property sold or transferred (a “ Sale and Leaseback Transaction ”), except for (a) any such sale of any fixed or capital assets by any Loan Party that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value of such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 90 days after such Loan Party acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or capital asset and (b) other Sale and Leaseback Transactions with respect to real property not constituting Collateral of the Loan Parties to the extent that (i) the aggregate amount of cash consideration received by the Loan Parties as a result of such transactions pursuant to this clause (b) does not exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) such transactions are for fair value of such real property.

SECTION 6.07     Swap Agreements . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which any Loan Party has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of any Loan Party), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of any Loan Party.

SECTION 6.08     Restricted Payments; Certain Payments of Indebtedness .

(a)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (i) each of the Borrowers may declare and pay dividends with respect to its common stock payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, and, with respect to its preferred stock, payable solely in additional shares of such preferred stock or in shares of its common stock, (ii) Restricted Subsidiaries (including Borrowers other than the Company) may declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (iii) the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments, not exceeding $5,000,000 (except as provided below) during any fiscal year of the Company, pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans or other benefit plans for management, directors or employees of the Borrowers; provided that if the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made by the Borrowers pursuant to this clause (iii) is less than $5,000,000 during any fiscal year of the Company, the amount of Restricted Payments that the Borrowers shall be permitted to make pursuant to this clause (iii) for the next succeeding fiscal year of the Company shall be increased by an amount equal to 50% of such difference, (iv) the Company may make Restricted Payments to purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire its Equity Interests, to the extent such Restricted Payments are made from the substantially concurrent receipt by the Company of capital contributions or the substantially concurrent issuance of new Equity Interests of the Company, (v) the Company may make repurchases, redemptions or exchanges of Equity Interests of the Company deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or exchange of exchangeable shares if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options and may make repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of Equity Interests of the Company made in lieu of withholding Taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants or other similar rights, (vi) the Company may make Restricted Payments so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied.

 

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(b)    No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness, or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Indebtedness, except:

(i)    payment of Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

(ii)    payment of regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of the Subordinated Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

(iii)    refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01;

(iv)    subject to the satisfaction of the Payment Conditions, other payments on Indebtedness; and

(v)    payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by the terms of Section 6.05.

SECTION 6.09     Transactions with Affiliates . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) transactions that (i) are in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to such Loan Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among any Loan Parties that are not otherwise prohibited or restricted by this Agreement, (c) any investment permitted by Sections 6.04(c), 6.04(d) or 6.04(e), (d) any Indebtedness permitted under Sections 6.01(d), 6.01(q), 6.01(r), or 6.01(s), (e) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.08, (f) loans or advances to employees permitted under Section 6.04, (g) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of any Loan Party who are not employees of such Loan Party, and compensation and employee benefit arrangements paid to, and indemnities provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees of the Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business and (h) any issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements, stock options and stock ownership plans approved by a Borrower’s board of directors (or equivalent governing body).

SECTION 6.10     Restrictive Agreements . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of such Loan Party to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets in favor of the Administrative Agent, or (b) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to any Loan Party or to Guarantee Indebtedness of any Loan Party; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by any Requirement of Law or by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.10 (but shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition), (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary or an asset pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary or such asset that is to be sold and such sale

 

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is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases, licenses and agreements restricting the assignment thereof, and (vi) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business.

SECTION 6.11     Amendment of Material Documents . No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under (a) any agreement relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness or (b) its charter, articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational or governing documents, to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be adverse to the Lenders.

SECTION 6.12     Financial Covenants .

(a)     Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrowers will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending immediately preceding the date on which Aggregate Availability is less than the greater of (i) $10,000,000, and (ii) 10% of the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the then effective Aggregate Borrowing Base, to be less than 1.00 to 1.00. Once such covenant is in effect, compliance with the covenant will be discontinued, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) on the day immediately succeeding the 30th consecutive day on which the Borrowers’ Availability remains in excess of the greater of (i) $10,000,000, and (ii) 10% of the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the then effective Aggregate Borrowing Base.

(b)     Leverage Ratio . At all times on or after the Eligible Equipment has been included in the Borrowing Base, the Borrowers will not permit the Leverage Ratio, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, to be greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

SECTION 6.13     Establishment of Canadian Defined Benefit Plan . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no Loan Party or Subsidiary will (i) establish or contribute to any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, or (ii) acquire an interest in any Person if such Person sponsors, administers, maintains or contributes to, or has any liability in respect of any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan.

ARTICLE VII

Events of Default

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

(a)    the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

(b)    the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

 

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(c)    any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in, or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, shall prove to have been materially incorrect 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(a), 5.03 (with respect to a Loan Party’s existence) or 5.08 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 which constitute a default under another Section of this Article), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of (i) five (5) Business Days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of Section 5.01 (clauses (a) through (h) and (k) only), 5.02 (other than Section 5.02(a)), 5.03 (other than with respect to a Loan Party’s existence) through 5.06, 5.07, 5.10, 5.11 or 5.13 of this Agreement or (ii) thirty (30) days after the earlier of any Loan Party’s knowledge of such breach or notice thereof from the Administrative Agent (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) if such breach relates to terms or provisions of any other Section of this Agreement and any other Loan Document;

(f)    any Loan Party 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 (and after giving effect to any applicable grace periods);

(g)    any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) 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 clause (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 to the extent such sale or transfer is permitted by Section 6.05;

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

(i)    any Loan Party or Restricted 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 clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for such Loan Party or Restricted 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;

 

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(j)    any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability, or publicly declare its intention not to, or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

(k)    (i) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance) shall be rendered against any Loan Party, any Restricted Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged or unsatisfied for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment; or (ii) any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary shall fail within thirty (30) days to discharge one or more non-monetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgments or orders, in any such case, are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith by proper proceedings diligently pursued;

(l)    an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) a Canadian Pension Event shall occur which, in the Administrative Agent’s determination, constitutes grounds for the termination under any applicable law, of any Canadian Pension Plan or for the appointment by the appropriate Governmental Authority of a trustee for any Canadian Pension Plan, or if any Canadian Pension Plan shall be terminated or any such trustee shall be requested or appointed, or if a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is in default with respect to payments to a Canadian Pension Plan resulting from their complete or partial withdrawal from such Canadian Pension Plan and any such event may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or any Canadian Loan Party is in default of or with respect to any required contributions to a Canadian Pension Plan or any Lien arises (except for contribution amounts not yet due) in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan;

(m)    a Change in Control shall occur;

(n)    the occurrence of any “default”, as defined in any Loan Document (other than this Agreement) or the breach of any of the terms or provisions of any Loan Document (other than this Agreement), which default or breach continues beyond any period of grace therein provided;

(o)    the Loan Guaranty shall fail to remain in full force or effect in accordance with its terms or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of the Loan Guaranty, or any Loan Guarantor shall fail to comply with any of the terms or provisions of the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party beyond any grace period therein provided, or any Loan Guarantor shall deny that it has any further liability under the Loan Guaranty to which it is a party beyond any grace period therein provided, or shall give notice to such effect, including, but not limited to notice of termination delivered pursuant to Section 10.08;

(p)    except as permitted by the terms of any Collateral Document or due to the action or inaction of the Administrative Agent, (i) any Collateral Document shall for any reason fail to create a valid security interest in any material portion of Collateral purported to be covered thereby, or (ii) any Lien securing any Secured Obligation shall cease to be a perfected, first priority Lien (subject only to Liens permitted by Section 6.02);

(q)    any Collateral Document shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to discontinue or to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of any Collateral Document; or

 

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(r)    any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction that evidences its assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms);

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (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 notice to the Borrower Representative, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments whereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, but ratably as among the Classes of Loans and the Loans of each Class at the time outstanding, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), whereupon 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 Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable immediately, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; and (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof; and in the case of any event with respect to the Borrowers described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon, cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j) hereof and all fees and other obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, increase the rate of interest applicable to the Loans and other Obligations as set forth in this Agreement and exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC and the PPSA.

ARTICLE VIII

The Administrative Agent

SECTION 8.01     Appointment . Each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the U.S., each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank), and the Loan Parties shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” as used herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

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All services rendered in Canada under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be performed by the Administrative Agent will be performed by a Canadian Qualified Lender.

SECTION 8.02     Rights as a Lender . 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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

SECTION 8.03     Duties and Obligations . The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. 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 by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and, (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as 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 as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. 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 Borrower Representative 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 any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or the existence of the Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Institution.

SECTION 8.04     Reliance . 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 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. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

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SECTION 8.05     Actions through Sub-Agents . The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of 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 of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 8.06     Resignation . Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower Representative. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrowers, 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 and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by its successor, 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 and under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor, unless otherwise agreed by the Borrowers and such successor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrowers, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this paragraph (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duly or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest), and (b) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, provided that (i) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (ii) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall also directly be given or made to each Lender and the Issuing Bank. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article VIII, Section 2.17(d) and Section 9.03, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, 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 and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (a) above.

 

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SECTION 8.07     Non-Reliance .

(a)    Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities. Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any arranger of this credit facility or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder. Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrowers and their Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a Lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.

(b)    Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent; (ii) the Administrative Agent (A) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to a Report and (B) shall not be liable for any information contained in any Report; (iii) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties’ books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties’ personnel and that the Administrative Agent undertakes no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (iv) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (v) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, (A) it will hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from any action the indemnifying Lender may take or conclusion the indemnifying Lender may reach or draw from any Report in connection with any extension of credit that the indemnifying Lender has made or may make to the Borrowers, or the indemnifying Lender’s participation in, or the indemnifying Lender’s purchase of, a Loan or Loans; and (B) it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Administrative Agent and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any such other Person as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.

SECTION 8.08     Other Agency Titles . Any arranger, any syndication agent and any documentation agent shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders in their respective capacities as an arranger, a syndication agent or a documentation agent, as applicable, as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.

SECTION 8.09     Not Partners or Co-Venturers; Administrative Agent as Representative of the Secured Parties . (a) The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Administrative Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender. The Administrative Agent shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Lenders to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Loan after the date such principal or interest has become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(b)    In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the New York Uniform Commercial Code. Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into each of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to take all action contemplated by such documents. Each Lender agrees that no Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) shall have the right individually to seek to realize upon the security granted by any Collateral Document, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of the Collateral Documents. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.

SECTION 8.10     Flood Laws . Chase U.S. has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and related legislation (the “ Flood Laws ”). Chase U.S., as administrative agent or collateral agent on a syndicated facility, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender in the syndicate) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Laws. However, Chase U.S. reminds each Lender and Participant in the facility that, pursuant to the Flood Laws, each federally regulated Lender (whether acting as a Lender or Participant in the facility) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the flood insurance requirements.

ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

SECTION 9.01     Notices .

(a)    Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone or Electronic Systems (and subject in each case 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 facsimile, as follows:

 

  (i) if to any Loan Party, to the Borrower Representative at:

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 1600

Houston, Texas 77060

Attention: Ann Fox, Chief Executive Officer

Facsimile No:                                                      

 

  (ii) if to the Administrative Agent, Chase U.S. in its capacity as an Issuing Bank or

the Swingline Lender, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. at:

2200 Ross Avenue, 9 th Floor

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Tim Whitefoot

Facsimile No: (214) 965 2594

 

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  (iii) if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address or facsimile number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

All such notices and other communications (i) sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received, (ii) sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent, provided that if not given during normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient, or (iii) delivered through Electronic Systems to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below shall be effective as provided in such paragraph.

(b)    Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II or to compliance and no Default certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative (on behalf of the Loan Parties) may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by Electronic Systems 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 proscribes, all such notices and other communications (i) 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), provided that if not given during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) 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) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day of the recipient.

(c)    Any party hereto may change its address, facsimile number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d)     Electronic Systems .

(i)    Each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

(ii)    Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. 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 Communications or any Electronic System. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission

 

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of communications through an Electronic System. “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

SECTION 9.02     Waivers; Amendments .

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

(b)    Except as provided in the first sentence of Section 2.09(f) (with respect to any commitment increase), neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (x) in the case of this Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or (y) in the case of any other Loan Document, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Administrative Agent and the Loan Party or Loan Parties that are parties thereto, 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 (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender), (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default, mandatory prepayment or mandatory reduction of the Commitments shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender), (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce or forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (A) to waive any obligation of the Applicable Borrowers to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate and (B) to change the manner of computation of any financial ratio (including any change in the applicable defined term used in determining the Applicable Rate that would result in a reduction of any interest rate on any Loan or any fee payable hereunder), (iii) postpone any scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any date for the payment of any interest, fees or other Obligations 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 (including any such Lender that is a Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (d) in a manner that would alter the manner in which payments are shared, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) adversely affected thereby, (v) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of Canadian Borrowing Base or U.S. Borrowing Base or add new categories of eligible assets (other than Eligible Equipment), without the written consent of each Revolving Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (vi) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.02(b) or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any

 

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other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders (or Lenders of any Class) required to waive, amend or modify any rights thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent thereunder, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender) directly affected thereby, (vii) change Section 2.20, without the consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (viii) release any Loan Guarantor from its obligation under its Loan Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan Documents), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or (ix) except as provided in clause (c) of this Section 9.02 or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any amendment to Section 2.20 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender); provided further that no such agreement shall amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.06 or any letter of credit application and any bilateral agreement between the Borrower Representative and the Issuing Bank regarding the respective rights and obligations between the Borrowers and the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, respectively. The Administrative Agent may also amend the Commitment Schedule to reflect assignments entered into pursuant to Section 9.04. Any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of the Lenders of one or more Classes (but not the Lenders of any other Class), may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite number or percentage in interest of each affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time. Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section, if the Administrative Agent and Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error, manifest ambiguity, mistake or inconsistency or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature (including to make any other Loan Document consistent with this Agreement), then the Administrative Agent and Borrower Representative shall be permitted to amend, supplement or modify such provision and such amendment, modification or supplement shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five Business Days following receipt of notice thereof.

(c)    The Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if the Loan Party disposing of such property certifies to the Administrative Agent that the sale or disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), and to the extent that the property being sold or disposed of constitutes 100% of the Equity Interests of a Subsidiary, the Administrative Agent is authorized to release any Loan Guaranty provided by such Subsidiary, (iii) constituting property leased to a Loan Party under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII or (v) consisting of any fixed or capital assets and Equipment (whether or not constituting Eligible Equipment), either (A) from and after the date that the Eligible Equipment Amount is automatically excluded from the U.S. Borrowing Base and the Canadian Borrowing Base in accordance with the definitions thereof and upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of Net Proceeds from a Prepayment Event described under clause (c) of the definition thereof in accordance with Section 2.11(c) or (B) in connection with any of the Loan Parties incurring secured Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(l). Except as provided in the preceding sentence, the

 

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Administrative Agent will not release any Liens on Collateral without the prior written authorization of the Required Lenders. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(d)    If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but has not been obtained being referred to herein as a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”), then the Borrowers may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) the Borrowers shall pay to such Non-Consenting Lender in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by the Borrowers hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrower Representative only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency.

SECTION 9.03     Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .

(a)    The Applicable Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, pay all (i) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through an Electronic System) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of the Loan Documents (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth above and any limitations on expense reimbursement expressly set forth in this Agreement, expenses being reimbursed by the Loan Parties under this Section include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with:

(i)    appraisals and insurance reviews;

 

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(ii)    field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination;

(iii)    background checks regarding senior management and/or key investors, as deemed necessary or appropriate in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent;

(iv)    Other Taxes, fees and other charges for (A) lien searches and (B) recording any mortgages, filing financing statements and continuations, and other actions to perfect, protect, and continue the Administrative Agent’s Liens;

(v)    sums paid or incurred to take any action required of any Loan Party under the Loan Documents that such Loan Party fails to pay or take; and

(vi)    forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral.

All of the foregoing fees, costs and expenses may be charged to the Borrowers as Revolving Loans or to another deposit account, all as described in Section 2.18(c).

(b)    The Applicable Borrowers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of the Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses (A) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or a breach of a material obligation of such Indemnitee or any of its Affiliates under the Loan Documents or (B) arise in connection with a dispute among or between Indemnitees (other than the Administrative Agent) and not involving any act or omission of any Loan Party. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS THE INTENTION OF EACH LOAN PARTY AND EACH LOAN PARTY AGREES THAT THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNITEE WITH RESPECT TO LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL EXPENSES OF LITIGATION OR PREPARATION THEREFOR), WHICH IN

 

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WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH (AND/OR ANY OTHER) INDEMNITEE. This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c)    To the extent that any Loan Party fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing) under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank (or any Related Party of any of the foregoing), as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that such Loan Party’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve any Loan Party of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, penalty, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

(d)    To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) other than as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(e)    To the extent permitted by applicable law, each party hereto hereby waives any claim on any theory of liability for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing in this paragraph (e) shall relieve any Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnitee against special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnitee by a third party.

(f)    All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after written demand therefor.

SECTION 9.04     Successors and Assigns .

(a)    The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), 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, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b)    (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment, participations in Letters of Credit and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

(A)    the Borrower Representative, provided that no consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default under any of clauses (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;

(B)    the Administrative Agent;

(C)    the Issuing Bank; and

(D)    the Swingline Lender.

(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 or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower Representative shall be required if an Event of Default under any of clauses (a), (b), (h) or (i) of Article VII has occurred and is continuing;

(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 or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and

(D)    the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and

(E)    any assignments of all or a portion of a Lender’s Canadian Revolving Commitment or other rights and obligations under this Agreement relating to the Canadian Borrower shall be made to a Canadian Qualified Lender.

 

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For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “ Approved Fund ” and “ Ineligible Institution ” have the following meanings:

Approved Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and 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.

Ineligible Institution ” means a (a) natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Parent, (c) holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof; provided that, such holding company, investment vehicle or trust shall not constitute an Ineligible Institution if it (x) has not been established for the primary purpose of acquiring any Loans or Commitments, (y) is managed by a professional advisor, who is not such natural person or a relative thereof, having significant experience in the business of making or purchasing commercial loans, and (z) has assets greater than $25,000,000 and a significant part of its activities consist of making or purchasing commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business, or (d) a Loan Party or a Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Loan Party.

(iii)    Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and 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 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 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 in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

(iv)    The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, 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 addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(v)    Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, 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; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05, 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until

 

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such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

(c)    Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “ Participant ”) other than an Ineligible Institution in all or a portion of such 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 Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and 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. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) and (g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender and the information and documentation required under Section 2.17(g) will be delivered to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.

Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Applicable Borrowers’ request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19(b) with respect to any Participant. 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 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Applicable Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d)    Any Lender 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 without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any

 

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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)     Disqualified Institutions .

(i)    No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “ Trade Date ”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Borrower Representative has consented to such assignment in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (A) such assignee shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender and (B) the execution by the Borrower Representative of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.

(ii)    If any assignment or participation is made to any Disqualified Institution without the Borrower Representative’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date, the Borrowers may, at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, (A) terminate any Revolving Commitment of such Disqualified Institution and repay all obligations of the Applicable Borrower owing to such Disqualified Institution in connection with such Revolving Commitment, and/or (B) require such Disqualified Institution to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.04), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) at the lesser of (X) the principal amount thereof and (Y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.

(iii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Institutions (A) will not (x) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter, and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (a “ Debtor Relief Plan ”), each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such Debtor Relief Plan, (2) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such Debtor Relief Plan notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any

 

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similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such Debtor Relief Plan in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the Bankruptcy Court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (2).

(iv)    The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and each Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Institutions provided by the Borrower Representative and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “ DQ List ”) on the Platform, including that portion of the Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender requesting the same.

SECTION 9.05     Survival . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank 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 or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 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 Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

SECTION 9.06     Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution .

(a)    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, the other Loan Documents 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.

(b)    Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, emailed pdf, or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global

 

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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 nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

SECTION 9.07     Severability . Any provision of any Loan Document 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 thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

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 any Loan Party against any of and all the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured. The applicable Lender shall notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent of such set-off or application, provided that any failure to give or any delay in giving such notice shall not affect the validity of any such set-off or application under this Section. 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.

SECTION 9.09     Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . (a) The Loan Documents (other than those containing a contrary express choice of law provision) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.

(b)    Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. Federal or New York State court sitting in New York, New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court; provided that claims with respect to Canadian Loan Documents may, as provided therein, also be tried in the courts of Ontario (or such other Canadian jurisdiction in regard to the validity, perfection or effect of perfection of any Lien or in regard to procedural matters that would govern under applicable law). 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 or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(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 or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(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 or any other Loan Document 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, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, OTHER AGENT (INCLUDING ANY 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, the Issuing Bank 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), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by any Requirement of Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Loan Parties and their obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower Representative, (h) to holders of Equity Interests in any Borrower, (i) to any Person providing a Guarantee of all or any portion of the Secured Obligations, or (j) 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, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrowers. For the purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from the Borrowers relating to the Borrowers or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrowers and other than information pertaining to this Agreement provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrowers after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION 9.12 FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY, AND ITS AFFILIATES, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE BORROWERS OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES. ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE BORROWERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

SECTION 9.13     Several Obligations; Nonreliance; Violation of Law . The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and the failure of any Lender to make any Loan or perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. Each Lender hereby represents that it is not relying on or looking to any margin stock (as defined in Regulation U of the Board) for the repayment of the Borrowings provided for herein. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Issuing Bank nor any Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrowers in violation of any Requirement of Law.

SECTION 9.14     USA PATRIOT Act . Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

SECTION 9.15     Disclosure . Each Loan Party, each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Administrative Agent and/or its Affiliates from time to time may hold investments in, make other loans to or have other relationships with any of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates.

SECTION 9.16     Appointment for Perfection . Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC, the PPSA, or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

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SECTION 9.17     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 9.18     Marketing Consent . The Borrowers hereby authorize Chase U.S. and its affiliates (collectively, the “ Chase U.S. Parties ”), at their respective sole expense, but without any prior approval by the Borrower Representative, to publish such tombstones and give such other publicity to this Agreement as each may from time to time determine in its sole discretion. The foregoing authorization shall remain in effect unless and until the Borrower Representative notifies Chase U.S. in writing that such authorization is revoked.

SECTION 9.19     No Fiduciary Duty . Each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to each Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, any Borrower or any other person. Each Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising any Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. Each Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to any Borrower with respect thereto. Each Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party, together with its affiliates, is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, any Borrower and other companies with which any Borrower may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion. In addition, each Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which a Borrower may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from any Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with such Borrower in connection with the performance

 

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by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. Each Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to any Borrower, confidential information obtained from other companies.

SECTION 9.20     Judgment Currency Conversion .

(a)    The obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents to make payments in dollars or in CAD, as the case may be (the “Obligation Currency”), shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the applicable Loan Party of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be payable to the applicable Loan Party under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Loan Party in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made, at the Administrative Agent’s quoted rate of exchange prevailing, in each case, as of the date immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency Conversion Date”).

(b)    If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the applicable Loan Parties covenant and agree to pay, or cause to be paid, such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount), as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date. Any amount due from a Loan Party under this Section 9.21 shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other amounts due under or in respect of any of the Loan Documents.

(c)    For purposes of determining the prevailing rate of exchange, such amounts shall include any premium and costs payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency.

SECTION 9.21     Canadian Anti-Money Laundering Legislation .

(a)    Each Loan Party acknowledges that, pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act and other applicable anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, government sanction and “know your client” laws (collectively, including any guidelines or orders thereunder, “AML Legislation”), the Secured Parties may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding the Loan Parties and their respective directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of the Loan Parties, and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Loan Party shall promptly provide all such information, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by any Secured Party or any prospective assignee or participant of a Secured Party, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, in order to comply with any applicable AML Legislation, whether now or hereafter in existence.

 

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(b)    If the Administrative Agent has ascertained the identity of any Loan Party or any authorized signatories of any Loan Party for the purposes of applicable AML Legislation, then the Administrative Agent:

(i)    shall be deemed to have done so as an agent for each Secured Party, and this Agreement shall constitute a “written agreement” in such regard between each Secured Party and the Administrative Agent within the meaning of the applicable AML Legislation; and

(ii)    shall provide to each Secured Party copies of all information obtained in such regard without any representation or warranty as to its accuracy or completeness.

(c)    Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and except as may otherwise be agreed in writing, each of the Secured Parties agrees that the Administrative Agent has no obligation to ascertain the identity of the Loan Parties or any authorized signatories of the Loan Parties on behalf of any Secured Party, or to confirm the completeness or accuracy of any information it obtains from any Loan Party or any such authorized signatory in doing so.

SECTION 9.22     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 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 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

(a)    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 entity, 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.

SECTION 9.23     Limitation on Liability of Certain Subsidiaries . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including, without limitation, Article X), (i) no Foreign Subsidiary of a U.S. Loan Party, any U.S. Domestic Subsidiary owned directly or indirectly by the Foreign Subsidiary or any FSHCO shall be the primary obligor or guarantor (pursuant to Section 10.01 or otherwise) or pledger of any assets or otherwise responsible for, in each case, any U.S. Secured Obligations and (ii) no Foreign Subsidiary of a U.S. Loan Party or any U.S. Domestic Subsidiary owned directly or indirectly by such Foreign Subsidiary shall be liable hereunder for any of the Loans made to, or any other U.S. Secured Obligations.

ARTICLE X

Loan Guaranty .

SECTION 10.01     Guaranty . Each Loan Guarantor (other than those that have delivered a separate Guaranty) hereby agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Secured Parties, the

 

130


prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations and all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, all court costs and attorneys’ and paralegals’ fees (including allocated costs of in-house counsel and paralegals) and expenses paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in endeavoring to collect all or any part of the Secured Obligations from, or in prosecuting any action against, any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part of the Secured Obligations (such costs and expenses, together with the Secured Obligations, collectively the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”; provided , however , that the definition of “Guaranteed Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor). Each Loan Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed in whole or in part without notice to or further assent from it, and that it remains bound upon its guarantee notwithstanding any such extension or renewal. All terms of this Loan Guaranty apply to and may be enforced by or on behalf of any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of any Lender that extended any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.02     Guaranty of Payment . This Loan Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Each Loan Guarantor waives any right to require the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to sue any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor, any other guarantor of, or any other Person obligated for, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations (each, an “ Obligated Party ”), or otherwise to enforce its payment against any collateral securing all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations.

SECTION 10.03     No Discharge or Diminishment of Loan Guaranty . (a) Except as otherwise provided for herein, the obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and not subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than Payment in Full), including: (i) any claim of waiver, release, extension, renewal, settlement, surrender, alteration or compromise of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, by operation of law or otherwise; (ii) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any Borrower or any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Obligated Party or their assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any Obligated Party; or (iv) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Loan Guarantor may have at any time against any Obligated Party, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or in any unrelated transactions.

(b)    The obligations of each Loan Guarantor hereunder are not subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Obligated Party, of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof.

(c)    Further, the obligations of any Loan Guarantor hereunder are not discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by: (i) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy with respect to all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any waiver or modification of or supplement to any provision of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations; (iii) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any indirect or direct security for the obligations of any Borrower for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any obligations of any other Obligated Party liable for any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any action or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any collateral securing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (v) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other circumstance, act,

 

131


omission or delay that might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Loan Guarantor or that would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Loan Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations).

SECTION 10.04     Defenses Waived . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor hereby waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of any Borrower or any Loan Guarantor or the unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of any Borrower, any Loan Guarantor or any other Obligated Party, other than Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any Obligated Party or any other Person. Each Loan Guarantor confirms that it is not a surety under any state law and shall not raise any such law as a defense to its obligations hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its election, foreclose on any Collateral held by it by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, accept an assignment of any such Collateral in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise act or fail to act with respect to any collateral securing all or a part of the Guaranteed Obligations, compromise or adjust any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with any Obligated Party or exercise any other right or remedy available to it against any Obligated Party, without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of such Loan Guarantor under this Loan Guaranty except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been Paid in Full. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election even though that election may operate, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Loan Guarantor against any Obligated Party or any security.

SECTION 10.05     Rights of Subrogation . No Loan Guarantor will assert any right, claim or cause of action, including, without limitation, a claim of subrogation, contribution or indemnification, that it has against any Obligated Party or any collateral, until the Loan Parties and the Loan Guarantors have fully performed all their obligations to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders.

SECTION 10.06     Reinstatement; Stay of Acceleration . If at any time any payment of any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a Secured Party in its discretion), each Loan Guarantor’s obligations under this Loan Guaranty with respect to that payment shall be reinstated at such time as though the payment had not been made and whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are in possession of this Loan Guaranty. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of any agreement relating to the Guaranteed Obligations shall nonetheless be payable by the Loan Guarantors forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 10.07     Information . Each Loan Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that each Loan Guarantor assumes and incurs under this Loan Guaranty, and agrees that none of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any duty to advise any Loan Guarantor of information known to it regarding those circumstances or risks.

SECTION 10.08     Termination . Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank may continue to make loans or extend credit to the Borrowers based on this Loan Guaranty until five (5) days after it receives

 

132


written notice of termination from any Loan Guarantor. Notwithstanding receipt of any such notice, each Loan Guarantor will continue to be liable to the Lenders for any Guaranteed Obligations created, assumed or committed to prior to the fifth day after receipt of the notice, and all subsequent renewals, extensions, modifications and amendments with respect to, or substitutions for, all or any part of such Guaranteed Obligations. Nothing in this Section 10.08 shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of, or eliminate, limit, reduce or otherwise impair any rights or remedies the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have in respect of, any Default or Event of Default that shall exist under clause (o) of Article VII hereof as a result of any such notice of termination.

SECTION 10.09     Taxes . Each payment of the Guaranteed Obligations will be made by each Loan Guarantor without withholding for any Taxes, unless such withholding is required by law. If any Loan Guarantor determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it is so required to withhold Taxes, then such Loan Guarantor may so withhold and shall timely pay the full amount of withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, then the amount payable by such Loan Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that, net of such withholding (including such withholding of Indemnified Taxes applicable to additional amounts payable under this Section), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives the amount it would have received had no such withholding been made.

SECTION 10.10     Maximum Liability . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Loan Guaranty, the amount guaranteed by each Loan Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the extent, if any, required so that its obligations hereunder shall not be subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any applicable state Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, Uniform Voidable Transaction Act or similar statute or common law. In determining the limitations, if any, on the amount of any Loan Guarantor’s obligations hereunder pursuant to the preceding sentence, it is the intention of the parties hereto that any rights of subrogation, indemnification or contribution which such Loan Guarantor may have under this Loan Guaranty, any other agreement or applicable law shall be taken into account.

SECTION 10.11     Contribution .

(a)    To the extent that any Loan Guarantor shall make a payment under this Loan Guaranty (a “ Guarantor Payment ”) which, taking into account all other Guarantor Payments then previously or concurrently made by any other Loan Guarantor, exceeds the amount which otherwise would have been paid by or attributable to such Loan Guarantor if each Loan Guarantor had paid the aggregate Guaranteed Obligations satisfied by such Guarantor Payment in the same proportion as such Loan Guarantor’s “Allocable Amount” (as defined below) (as determined immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment) bore to the aggregate Allocable Amounts of each of the Loan Guarantors as determined immediately prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment, then, following indefeasible payment in full in cash of the Guarantor Payment and the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, such Loan Guarantor shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and be reimbursed by, each other Loan Guarantor for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately prior to such Guarantor Payment.

(b)    As of any date of determination, the “Allocable Amount” of any Loan Guarantor shall be equal to the excess of the fair saleable value of the property of such Loan Guarantor over the total liabilities of such Loan Guarantor (including the maximum amount reasonably expected to become due in respect of contingent liabilities, calculated, without duplication, assuming each other Loan Guarantor that is also liable for such contingent liability pays its ratable share thereof), giving effect to all payments made by other Loan Guarantors as of such date in a manner to maximize the amount of such contributions.

 

133


(c)    This Section 10.11 is intended only to define the relative rights of the Loan Guarantors, and nothing set forth in this Section 10.11 is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Loan Guarantors, jointly and severally, to pay any amounts as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Loan Guaranty.

(d)    The parties hereto acknowledge that the rights of contribution and indemnification hereunder shall constitute assets of the Loan Guarantor or Loan Guarantors to which such contribution and indemnification is owing.

(e)    The rights of the indemnifying Loan Guarantors against other Loan Guarantors under this Section 10.11 shall be exercisable upon the Payment in Full of the Guaranteed Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 10.12     Liability Cumulative . The liability of each Loan Party as a Loan Guarantor under this Article X is in addition to and shall be cumulative with all liabilities of each Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or in respect of any obligations or liabilities of the other Loan Parties, without any limitation as to amount, unless the instrument or agreement evidencing or creating such other liability specifically provides to the contrary.

SECTION 10.13     Keepwell . Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guarantee in respect of a Swap Obligation ( provided , however , that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 10.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 10.13 or otherwise under this Loan Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Swap Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 10.13 constitute, and this Section 10.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act .

ARTICLE XI

The Borrower Representative

SECTION 11.01     Appointment; Nature of Relationship . The Company is hereby appointed by each of the Borrowers as its contractual representative (herein referred to as the “ Borrower Representative ”) hereunder and under each other Loan Document, and each of the Borrowers irrevocably authorizes the Borrower Representative to act as the contractual representative of such Borrower with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. The Borrower Representative agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this Article XI. Additionally, the Borrowers hereby appoint the Borrower Representative as their agent to receive all of the proceeds of the Loans in the Funding Account(s), at which time the Borrower Representative shall promptly disburse such Loans to the appropriate Borrower(s), provided that, in the case of a Revolving Loan, such amount shall not exceed the Aggregate Availability, U.S. Availability or Canadian Availability, as applicable. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall not be liable to the Borrower Representative or any Borrower for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 11.01.

 

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SECTION 11.02     Powers . The Borrower Representative shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Borrower Representative by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Borrower Representative shall have no implied duties to the Borrowers, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.03     Employment of Agents . The Borrower Representative may execute any of its duties as the Borrower Representative hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through authorized officers.

SECTION 11.04     Notices . Each Borrower shall immediately notify the Borrower Representative of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder referring to this Agreement describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” In the event that the Borrower Representative receives such a notice, the Borrower Representative shall give prompt notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Any notice provided to the Borrower Representative hereunder shall constitute notice to each Borrower on the date received by the Borrower Representative.

SECTION 11.05     Successor Borrower Representative . Upon the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Representative may resign at any time, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Borrower Representative. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt written notice of such resignation to the Lenders.

SECTION 11.06     Execution of Loan Documents; Borrowing Base Certificate . The Borrowers hereby empower and authorize the Borrower Representative, on behalf of the Borrowers, to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Loan Documents and all related agreements, certificates, documents, or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Borrowing Base Certificates and the Compliance Certificates. Each Borrower agrees that any action taken by the Borrower Representative or the Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Borrower Representative of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Borrowers.

(Signature Pages Follow)

 

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

 

U.S. BORROWERS :
NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
NINE ENERGY SERVICE, LLC
CDK PERFORATING HOLDINGS, INC.
CDK INTERMEDIATE, LLC
CDK PERFORATING, LLC
NORTHERN STATES COMPLETIONS, INC.
PEAK PRESSURE CONTROL, LLC
DAK-TANA WIRELINE, LLC
CREST PUMPING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
NINE DOWNHOLE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Each By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BECKMAN PRODUCTION SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BECKMAN PRODUCTION SERVICES, INC., a Michigan corporation
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


U.S. BORROWERS (CONTINUED) :

R&S WELL SERVICE, INC.

SJL WELL SERVICE, LLC

J&R WELL SERVICE, LLC

NORTHERN PRODUCTION COMPANY, LLC

REDZONE HOLDCO, LLC

REDZONE COIL TUBING, LLC

BIG LAKE SERVICES HOLDCO, LLC

BIG LAKE SERVICES, LLC

Each By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 
CANADIAN BORROWER :

NINE ENERGY CANADA INC.

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


[LENDER]

By

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


[LENDER]

By

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


[LENDER]
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


COMMITMENT SCHEDULE

 

Lender

   Revolving
Commitment
     U.S. Revolving
Commitment
     Canadian
Revolving
Commitment
     Applicable
Percentage of
Aggregate
Revolving
Commitment
 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

   $      $      $       
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 200,000,000.00      $ 200,000,000.00      $ 20,000,000        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Canadian Revolving Commitment is a sub-facility of the Revolving Commitment and not in addition to it.

 

Nine Energy Service, Inc. – Credit Agreement   Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

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

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below, (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and other rights of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:   
2.    Assignee:   
      [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [ identify Lender ] 1 ]
3.    Borrowers:    Nine Energy Service, Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc.
4.    Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:    The Credit Agreement dated as of [            ] [    ], 2017 among Nine Energy Service, Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc., as Borrowers, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto.

 

1   Select as applicable.

 

EXHIBIT A


6. Assigned Interest:

 

Facility Assigned 2

   Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans for
all Lenders
     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment/Loans 3
 
   $      $       
   $      $       
   $      $       

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

The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more Credit Contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Company, the other Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.

After giving effect to the assignment and assumption set forth herein, the Assignee agrees to be bound by that certain Allocation and Exchange Mechanism dated June [    ], 2017 among the Administrative Agent, the Assignor and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance therewith.

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

 

ASSIGNOR

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By:

 

 

Title:

 

ASSIGNEE

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

2   Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g. “Revolving Commitment,” etc.)
3   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

EXHIBIT A


[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as

[Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender]

By  

 

Title:  
[Consented to:] 5
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By  

 

Title:  

 

4   To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and/or Swingline Lender, as applicable, is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
5   To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

EXHIBIT A


ANNEX 1

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

Credit Agreement dated as of [            ], 2017 among Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto from time to time, as U.S. Borrowers, Nine Energy Canada Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada, as the Canadian Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1.     Representations and Warranties .

1.1.     Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (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 (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by any Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2.     Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section      thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, any arranger or any other Lender and their respective Related Parties, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, any arranger, the Assignor or any other Lender or their respective Related Parties, 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.

 

EXHIBIT A


3.     General Provisions . This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Acceptance of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Electronic System shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

EXHIBIT A


EXHIBIT B

EXHIBIT B

BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

See attached.

 

EXHIBIT B


EXHIBIT C

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

See attached.

 

EXHIBIT C


EXHIBIT D

JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of             ,     , 20    , is entered into between                     , a                      (the “ New Subsidiary ”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of [            ], [    ], 2017 (as the same may be amended, modified, extended or restated from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC., a Delaware corporation, certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto from time to time, as “ U.S. Borrowers ”, and NINE ENERGY CANADA INC., a corporation organized under the laws of Alberta, Canada (the “ Canadian Borrower ” and collectively with the U.S. Borrowers, the “ Borrowers ”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent for the Lenders. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

The New Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, hereby agree as follows:

1.    The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a U.S. Loan Party under the Credit Agreement and a “Loan Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and shall have all of the obligations of a Loan Party and a Loan Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement. The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Credit Agreement, including without limitation (a) all of the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement, *[ and ]* (b) all of the covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of the Credit Agreement *[ and (c) all of the guaranty obligations set forth in Article X of the Credit Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the New Subsidiary, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 10.10 and 10.13 of the Credit Agreement, hereby guarantees, jointly and severally with the other Loan Guarantors, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as provided in Article X of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment and performance of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof and agrees that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid or performed in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise), the New Subsidiary will, jointly and severally together with the other Loan Guarantors, promptly pay and perform 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 or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal. ]* *[ The New Subsidiary has delivered to the Administrative Agent an executed Loan Guaranty. ]*

2.    If required, the New Subsidiary is, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, executing and delivering such Collateral Documents (and such other documents and instruments) as requested by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

3.    The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement is as follows:

 

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

                                                             

 

EXHIBIT D


4.    The New Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by the New Subsidiary upon the execution of this Agreement by the New Subsidiary.

5.    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

6.    THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

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

 

[NEW SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Acknowledged and accepted:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT D


EXHIBIT E-1

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [            ] [    ], 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among Nine Energy Service Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc. (the “ Borrowers ”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form 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 Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment 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 E-1


EXHIBIT E-2

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [            ] [    ], 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among Nine Energy Service Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc. (the “ Borrowers ”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 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 any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any 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 IRS Form 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 prior to the first payment 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 E-2


EXHIBIT E-3

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [            ] [    ], 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among Nine Energy Service Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc. (the “ Borrowers ”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any 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 any 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 IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form 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 prior to the first payment 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 E-3


EXHIBIT E-4

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of [            ] [    ], 2017 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among Nine Energy Service Inc., certain of its Subsidiaries and Nine Energy Canada Inc. (the “ Borrowers ”), the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the 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 any 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 any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower Representative 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 IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by a withholding statement together with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form 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 Representative and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate prior to the first payment 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 E-4

Exhibit 10.10

FORM OF

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (“ Agreement ”), dated as of                     , is entered into by and between Nine Energy Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and                      (“ Indemnitee ”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.

WHEREAS, directors and officers in service to corporations are subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against a corporation itself;

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as directors or officers unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance and adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of a corporation;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, (i) the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as may be amended, the “ Charter ”) requires indemnification of the directors and officers of the Company, (ii) Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and (iii) the Charter and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and the DGCL and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, (i) Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Charter and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, (ii) Indemnitee may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company without adequate protection, (iii) the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity, and (iv) Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.

 

1


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions .

(a) As used in this Agreement:

Affiliate ” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person that directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person.

Corporate Status ” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of (i) the Company or (ii) any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

Disinterested Director ” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

Enterprise ” shall mean the Company, each of its subsidiaries, and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Expenses ” shall mean all reasonable costs, expenses, fees and charges, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include, without limitation, (i) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from, incurred by Indemnitee in connection with, arising out of, or in respect of or relating to, any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) for purposes of Section 12 (d)  hereof only, expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise, (iii) any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, and (iv) any interest, assessments or other charges in respect of the foregoing. “Expenses” shall not include “Liabilities.”

Indemnity Obligations ” shall mean all obligations of the Company to Indemnitee under this Agreement, including the Company’s obligations to provide indemnification to Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Independent Counsel ” shall mean a law firm of 50 or more attorneys, or a member of a law firm of 50 or more attorneys, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar

 

2


indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

Liabilities ” shall mean all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments, orders, fines, penalties and other amounts payable in connection with, arising out of, or in respect of or relating to any Proceeding, including, without limitation, amounts paid in settlement in any Proceeding and all costs and expenses in complying with any judgment, order or decree issued or entered in connection with any Proceeding or any settlement agreement, stipulation or consent decree entered into or issued in settlement of any Proceeding.

Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental agency or body or any other legal entity.

Proceeding ” shall mean any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, formal or informal hearing, inquiry or investigation, litigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed judicial, administrative or arbitration proceeding (including, without limitation, any such proceeding under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act or any other federal law, state law, statute or regulation), whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise, and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, in each case, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be, or is threatened to be, involved as a party, witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any actual or alleged action taken by Indemnitee or of any action on Indemnitee’s part while acting as director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement or advancement can be provided under this Agreement.

Sponsor Entities ” means (i) SCF-VII, L.P. and SCF-VII(A), L.P. and (ii) any of their respective Affiliates; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall be considered Sponsor Entities hereunder.

(b) For the purpose hereof, references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a Person who acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

3


Section 2. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding (other than any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, which is provided for in Section 3 below), or any claim, issue or matter therein.

Section 3. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company . The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, or any claim, issue or matter therein. No indemnification for Liabilities and Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “ Delaware Court ”) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

Section 4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, and without limiting the rights of Indemnitee under any other provision hereof, including any rights to indemnification pursuant to Section 2 or 3 hereof, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to the extent that Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved Proceeding, claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section 4 and without limitation, the termination of any Proceeding or claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 5. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness or otherwise a participant in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

Section 6. Additional Indemnification . Notwithstanding any limitation in Section 2 , 3 or 4 hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to, or threatened to be made a party to, any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Liabilities and Expenses suffered or reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding, including, but not limited to:

(a) the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and

 

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(b) the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its directors and officers.

Section 7. Exclusions . Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to indemnify or hold harmless Indemnitee:

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy obtained by the Company except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under such insurance policy;

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law;

(c) except as provided in Section 12(d) of this Agreement and except with respect to any Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or to enforce any other rights of Indemnitee to indemnification, advancement or contribution from the Company under any other contract, the Charter, the Bylaws or under any applicable statue or other law, including any rights under the DGCL, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law (for the avoidance of doubt, Indemnitee shall not be deemed, for purposes of this subsection, to have initiated or brought any claim by reason of (A) having asserted any affirmative defenses in connection with a claim not initiated by Indemnitee or (B) having made any counterclaim (whether permissive or mandatory) in connection with any claim not initiated by Indemnitee); or

(d) if a final decision by a court having jurisdiction in the matter that is not subject to appeal shall determine that such indemnification is not lawful.

Section 8. Advancement of Expenses . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Expenses and Liabilities reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding, and such advancement shall be made within 10 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest-free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all Expenses reasonably incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and

 

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forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced to the extent that it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. Nothing in this Section 8 shall limit Indemnitee’s right to advancement pursuant to Section 12(d) of this Agreement. This Section 8 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

Section 9. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim .

(a) Indemnitee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement hereunder following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof (the date of such notification to the Company, the Submission Date ). The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Any delay or failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced as a result of such delay or failure, and any delay or failure in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification or advancement, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

(b) In the event Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification and/or advancement with respect to any Proceeding, Indemnitee may, at Indemnitee’s option, (i) retain counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company to defend Indemnitee in such Proceeding, at the sole expense of the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), or (ii) have the Company assume the defense of Indemnitee in such Proceeding, in which case the Company shall assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel selected by the Company and approved by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) within ten days of the Company’s receipt of written notice of Indemnitee’s election to cause the Company to do so. If the Company is required to assume the defense of any such Proceeding, it shall engage legal counsel for such defense, and the Company shall be solely responsible for all fees and expenses of such legal counsel and otherwise of such defense. Such legal counsel may represent both Indemnitee and the Company (and any other party or parties entitled to be indemnified by the Company with respect to such matter) unless, in the reasonable opinion of legal counsel to Indemnitee, there is a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company (or any other such party or parties) or there are legal defenses available to Indemnitee that are not available to the Company (or any such other party or parties). Notwithstanding either party’s assumption of responsibility for defense of a Proceeding, each party shall have the right to engage separate counsel at its own expense. The party having responsibility for defense of a Proceeding shall provide the other

 

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party and its counsel with all copies of pleadings and material correspondence relating to the Proceeding. Indemnitee and the Company shall reasonably cooperate in the defense of any Proceeding with respect to which indemnification is sought hereunder, regardless of whether the Company or Indemnitee assumes the defense thereof. Indemnitee may not settle or compromise any Proceeding without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company may not settle or compromise any Proceeding without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 10. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification .

(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a) hereof, if any determination by the Company is required by applicable law with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto, such determination shall be made (i) if Indemnitee shall request such determination be made by Independent Counsel, by Independent Counsel, and (ii) in all other circumstances, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, or (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Liabilities and Expenses arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof, (i) the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company within ten days of the Submission Date (the cost of such Independent Counsel to be paid by the Company), (ii) the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and (iii) Indemnitee may, within ten days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company Indemnitee’s written objection to such selection. Such objection by Indemnitee may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in this Agreement. If such written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected shall not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until Indemnitee withdraws the objection or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. Absent a timely objection, the person so selected shall act as

 

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Independent Counsel. If no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to before the later of (A) 30 days after the Submission Date and (B) ten days after the final disposition of the Proceeding, each of the Company and Indemnitee shall select a law firm or member of a law firm meeting the qualifications to serve as Independent Counsel, and such law firms or members of law firms shall select the Independent Counsel.

Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or independent legal counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) Subject to Section 12(e) hereof, if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 10 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if (i) the determination is to be made by Independent Counsel and Indemnitee objects to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and (ii) the Independent Counsel ultimately selected requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation or information relating thereto; provided further, however, that such 60-day period may also be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 60 days, if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders of the Company.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with the reasonable care by the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 11(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee .

(a) Subject to Section 12(e) hereof, in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been timely made pursuant to Sections 10 and 11 of this Agreement, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 4 or 5 or the third to the last sentence of Section 10(a) of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 2 , 3 or 6 of this Agreement is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other Person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement, as the case may be.

 

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(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 , absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that Indemnitee not be required to incur Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement from the Company under this Agreement or the Charter, or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding; provided that, in absence of any such determination with respect to such Proceeding, the Company shall advance Expenses with respect to such Proceeding.

Section 13. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation .

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (as may be amended, the Bylaws ), any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement than would be afforded currently under the Charter or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

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(b) The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Liability, Expense or matter that is the subject of the Indemnity Obligations, (ii) the Company shall be primarily liable for all Indemnity Obligations and any indemnification afforded to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Liability, Expense or matter that is the subject of Indemnity Obligations, whether created by applicable law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to indemnify Indemnitee or advance Liabilities or Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Company hereunder, (iv) the Company shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee and advance Liabilities or Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or insurer of any such Person and (v) the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company hereunder. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss that is the subject of any Indemnity Obligation owed by the Company or payable under any Company insurance policy, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid that would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnity Obligation by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnity Obligation to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). Any indemnification, insurance or advancement provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) with respect to any liability arising as a result of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or capacity as a director or officer of any Person is specifically in excess over any Indemnity Obligation of the Company or valid and any collectible insurance (including, but not limited to, any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company under this Agreement.

(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, trustees, agents or fiduciaries of any Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary under such policy or policies and such policies shall provide for and recognize that the insurance policies are primary to any rights to indemnification, advancement or insurance proceeds to which Indemnitee may be entitled from one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to the same extent as the Company’s indemnification and advancement

 

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obligations set forth in this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(d) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee; provided, however, that the Company shall not be subrogated to the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect to any Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity).

(e) The indemnification and contribution provided for in this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of Indemnitee.

Section 14. Duration of Agreement; Not Employment Contract . This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the latest of: (a) ten years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary of any Enterprise and (b) one year after the date of final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement relating thereto. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall require and cause any successor, and any direct or indirect parent of any successor, whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise), if any, is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any other Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board or, with respect to service as a director of the Company, by the Charter, the Bylaws or the DGCL.

Section 15. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by

 

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applicable law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 16. Enforcement .

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefore, nor diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Section 17. Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 18. Notices . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, mailed by registered or certified mail or be sent by facsimile or electronic mail to such party at the address set forth below (or such other address as shall be specified by like notice). Notices will be deemed to have been duly given hereunder (a) if personally delivered, when received, (b) if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, one business day after deposit with the nationally recognized overnight courier, (c) if mailed by registered or certified mail, five business days after the date on which it is so mailed, and (d) if sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date sent so long as such communication is transmitted before 5:00 p.m. in the time zone of the receiving party on a business day, otherwise, on the next business day.

(i) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement.

(ii) If to the Company, to

Nine Energy Service, Inc.

16945 Northchase Drive, Suite 1600

Houston, Texas 77060

Attention: General Counsel

Fax: (281) 605-1318

E-mail: ted.moore@nineenergyservice.com

 

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Section 19. Contribution . To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Liabilities or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such claim in order to reflect (a) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and transaction(s) giving cause to such claim and (b) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and transaction(s).

Section 20. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction . This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties hereto shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (c) consent to service of process at the address set forth in Section 18 of this Agreement with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware; (d) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (e) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

Section 21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 22. Third-Party Beneficiaries . The Sponsor Entities are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall have all of the rights afforded to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Section 23. Miscellaneous . Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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

 

NINE ENERGY SERVICE, INC.
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
INDEMNITEE
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Address:

   
 

Fax:

   

E-mail:

   

 

Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement

Exhibit 21.1

List of Subsidiaries of Nine Energy Service, Inc.

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction

Beckman Production Services, Inc.

   Delaware

Beckman Production Services, Inc.

   Michigan

Big Lake Service, LLC

   Delaware

Big Lake Services Holdco, LLC

   Delaware

CDK Intermediate, LLC

   Delaware

CDK Perforating, LLC

   Texas

CDK Perforating Holdings, Inc.

   Delaware

Crest Pumping Technologies, LLC

   Delaware

Dak-Tana Wireline, LLC

   Delaware

First Call Well Service, LLC

   Oklahoma

J & R Well Service, LLC

   Michigan

Nine Downhole Technologies, LLC

   Delaware

Nine Energy Canada Inc.

   Alberta, Canada

Nine Energy Service, LLC

   Delaware

Northern Production Company, LLC

   Wyoming

Northern States Completions, Inc.

   Delaware

Peak Pressure Control, LLC

   Texas

R & S Well Service, Inc.

   Wyoming

RedZone Coil Tubing, LLC

   Texas

RedZone Holdco, LLC

   Delaware

SJL Well Service, LLC

   Oklahoma