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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2018

            No. 333-          

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Charah Solutions, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   4953   82-4228671

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

12601 Plantside Dr.

Louisville, KY 40299

(502) 245-1353

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

 

 

Charles Price

President and Chief Executive Officer

12601 Plantside Dr.

Louisville, KY 40299

(502) 245-1353

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

 

 

Copies to:

Julian J. Seiguer

Michael W. Rigdon

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

609 Main Street

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 836-3600

 

Richard D. Truesdell, Jr.

Shane Tintle

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 450-4000

 

 

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, a 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   ☒  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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.  

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (1)(2)
 

Amount of

Registration Fee (3)

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

  $100,000,000   $12,450

 

 

(1) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock. See “Underwriting.”
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(3) To be paid in connection with the initial filing of the registration statement.

 

 

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.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PROSPECTUS

Subject to Completion, dated May 18, 2018

                 Shares

 

LOGO

Charah Solutions, Inc.

COMMON STOCK

 

 

Charah Solutions, Inc. is offering                      shares of our common stock and the selling stockholders are offering                      shares of our common stock. This is our initial public offering and no public market currently exists for our shares. We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $         and $         per share.

 

 

We have applied to list the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CHRA.”

 

 

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 16.

 

 

PRICE $         A SHARE

 

 

 

      

Price to

Public

      

Underwriting

Discounts

and

Commissions

      

Proceeds to

Company (1)

      

Proceeds to

Selling

Stockholders

 

Per share

       $                              $                              $                              $                      

Total

       $                              $                              $                              $                      

 

(1) We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain FINRA-related expenses. See “Underwriting” for additional information regarding the underwriters’ compensation.

The Company and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to an additional                      shares of common stock to cover over-allotments at the initial public offering price less the underwriting discount.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of common stock on or about                     , 2018.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

MORGAN STANLEY     BofA MERRILL LYNCH
  STIFEL  

Co-Managers

MACQUARIE CAPITAL             FIRST ANALYSIS SECURITIES CORP.              HOULIHAN LOKEY

                , 2018.


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Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus we have prepared. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters are offering to sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of any sale of the common stock. Our business, liquidity position, financial condition, prospects or results of operations may have changed since the date of this prospectus.

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. See “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Dealer Prospectus Delivery Obligation

Until                 , 2018 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

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COMMONLY USED DEFINED TERMS

 

    “Allied Management Holdings” refers to Allied Management Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, through which certain of our officers and employees prior to our corporate reorganization own equity interests in Allied Power Holdings.

 

    “Allied Power Holdings” refers to Allied Power Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an entity indirectly owned by BCP and the Management Members.

 

    “BCP” refers, collectively, to (i) affiliates (including Charah Holdings and the BCP Energy Services Funds) of and (ii) investment funds affiliated with or managed by, in each case, Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP.

 

    “BCP Energy Services Funds” refers to BCP Energy Services Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership owned by BCP and certain related affiliates and BCP Energy Services Fund-A, LP, a Delaware limited partnership owned by BCP and certain related affiliates.

 

    “CCR” means coal combustion residuals, a byproduct of coal-fired power production, also commonly referred to as coal ash.

 

    “CEP Holdings” means CEP Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation owned by Charles Price and certain affiliates.

 

    “Charah Holdings” refers to Charah Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership owned by BCP and certain related affiliates.

 

    “Charah Management” refers to Charah Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an entity indirectly owned by BCP and the Management Members.

 

    “Charah Management Holdings” refers to Charah Management Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, through which certain of our officers and employees prior to our corporate reorganization own equity interests in Charah Management.

 

    “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” relate, prior to the corporate reorganization described in this prospectus (unless otherwise disclosed), to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, on a combined basis and together with their consolidated subsidiaries (as combined, our “Predecessors,” and each, a “Predecessor Company”) and following the corporate reorganization described in this prospectus, to Charah Solutions, Inc. (“Charah Solutions”) and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

    “Credit Facility” means the ABL Credit Facility, dated October 25, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC, Allied Power Management, LLC and Allied Power Services, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Regions Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer.

 

    “Existing Owners” refers, collectively, to BCP, CEP Holdings and the Management Members.

 

    “Management Members” refers, collectively, to our current officers and employees who own equity interests in Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings, including through Charah Management Holdings and Allied Management Holdings.

 

    “Term Loan” means the Term Loan Credit Facility, dated October 25, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent.

 

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Presentation of Financial and Operating Data

Unless otherwise indicated, the historical financial and operating information presented in this prospectus for the year ended and as of December 31, 2016 is that of Charah, LLC, and as of March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the year ended and as of December 31, 2017 is that of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC on a combined basis. We present certain operational data in this prospectus that includes the operations of Allied Power Management, LLC, an entity that has been under common control with Charah, LLC since May 2017, the date of formation of Allied Power Management, LLC. Our historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 may not be comparable to the historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Certain amounts and percentages included in this prospectus have been rounded. Accordingly, in certain instances, the sum of the numbers in a column of a table may not exactly equal the total figure for that column.

Industry and Market Data

The market data and certain other statistical information used throughout this prospectus are based on independent industry publications, government publications and other published sources, including data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some data are also based on our good faith estimates. Although we believe these third-party sources are reliable as of their respective dates, neither we, the selling stockholders nor the underwriters have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of this information. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications.

Trademarks and Trade Names

We own or have rights to various trademarks, service marks and trade names that we use in connection with the operation of our business. This prospectus may also contain trademarks, service marks and trade names of third parties, which are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, service marks, trade names or products in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship by us. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® , TM or SM symbols, but the omission of such references is not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the right of the applicable owner of these trademarks, service marks and trade names.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary contains basic information about us and the offering. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read and carefully consider this entire prospectus before making an investment decision, especially the information presented under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the historical combined financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

Except as otherwise indicated, (i) references to “selling stockholders” refer to those persons identified as selling stockholders in “Principal and Selling Stockholders” and (ii) all information contained in this prospectus assumes or reflects no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock and excludes shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our omnibus incentive plan.

Company Overview

We are a leading provider of mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. We provide on-site, essential services that enable our clients to continue operations and provide necessary electric power to communities nationwide. In 2017, we performed work at 51 coal-fired and nuclear power generation sites nationwide. We are the only service provider offering a suite of coal ash management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. We also design and implement solutions for complex environmental projects (such as ash pond closures) and facilitate coal ash recycling through byproduct sales and other beneficial use services. We believe we are a partner-of-choice for the power generation industry due to our industry-leading quality, safety and compliance record, all of which are key criteria for our customers.

Since our founding, we have continuously anticipated our customers’ evolving environmental needs, increasing the number of services we provide and our embedded presence at their power generation facilities. Compared to service providers with more limited scope, our multi-service platform allows customers to gain efficiencies from sourcing multiple required offerings from a single, trusted partner.

We provide our services through two segments:

Environmental Solutions . Our Environmental Solutions segment includes Remediation and Compliance Services, as well as Byproduct Sales. Remediation and Compliance Services is associated with our customers’ need for multiyear environmental improvement and sustainability initiatives, whether driven by proactive engagement by power generation customers, by regulatory requirements or by consumer expectations and standards. Byproduct Sales supports both our power generation customers’ desire to profitably recycle recurring volumes of coal combustion residuals (“CCRs”) and our ultimate end customers’ need for high-quality, cost-effective raw material substitutes.

Maintenance and Technical Services . Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes Fossil Services and Nuclear Services. Fossil Services is the recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities. Nuclear Services, which we market under the Allied Power brand name, includes routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities.

As a result of these unique offerings, the embedded nature of our on-site presence and our track record of successful execution, we have built long-term relationships with leading U.S. utilities and independent power producers, including Duke Energy, Exelon Corporation, Dominion Energy, Inc., Dynegy Inc. and PPL



 

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Corporation, among others. In some cases, these relationships have spanned over 20 years. The national scale of our operational footprint is also a key differentiator, as many competitors are localized, focusing on a single geographic area (sometimes isolated to a single plant). We operate in 22 states, resulting in an overall footprint and density in key markets that we believe is difficult to replicate. Our national reach enables us to successfully pursue new business within our existing customer base and attract new customers while providing consistent quality, safety and compliance standards.

Our services platform is led by a senior executive team averaging over 30 years of industry experience and supported by a highly skilled labor force. The nature of our work requires employees, particularly our nuclear end market-related labor force, to have specialized skills, training and certifications in order for them to be allowed on-site at our customers’ facilities. Collectively, our focus on human capital management allows us to maintain and develop a labor force of highly qualified, well-trained personnel capable of handling our customers’ needs.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, we generated revenue, net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA of $430.4 million, $12.8 million and $76.0 million, respectively ($421.2 million, $18.3 million and $76.4 million, respectively, for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and $9.1 million, $(5.5) million and $(0.4) million, respectively, for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017). For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we generated revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $155.5 million, $1.2 million and $17.4 million, respectively. For more information on Adjusted EBITDA, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) financial measure, see “—Summary Historical Combined Financial Data.”

Market Opportunity

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2016, there were over 500 large-scale facilities in the U.S. with generation capabilities of at least 250 megawatts, including over 200 coal-fired plants and over 60 nuclear plants (representing 99 nuclear reactors). To maintain continuous operations, these complex facilities have specialized and recurring environmental and maintenance service needs throughout their lifecycles. These service needs are particularly significant for coal-fired and nuclear power plants, given increasing environmental demands, the aging nature of the installed base, and the characteristics of the feedstock required to power such facilities. Due to the breadth and nature of these needs, power plant operators typically do not possess these capabilities internally and instead outsource these mission-critical and often regulatory-driven requirements to a fragmented set of service providers. The continuous need for these specialized services is supported by a number of significant dynamics:

Coal and Nuclear Power Generation Will Remain Indispensable Energy Sources . According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of September 2017, coal and nuclear power generation combined are expected to remain indispensable energy sources for decades, providing at least 1.6 trillion kilowatt hours of energy production annually through 2040. As of September 2017, coal and nuclear power generation combined accounted for approximately 50% of domestic U.S. energy generation and is expected to contribute a similar percentage annually for at least the next five years.

Coal-Fired Power Plants Have Significant and Recurring Environmental Management Needs Associated with Their Waste Byproducts . Coal-fired power plants consistently generate various waste byproducts throughout the power generation process. The primary type of these waste byproducts are CCRs, commonly known as coal ash. According to the American Coal Ash Association, more than 107 million tons of coal ash were generated in 2016, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), in 2015, coal ash was one of the



 

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largest types of waste in the U.S. Coal ash management is mission-critical to the daily operations of power plants, as they generally only have on-site storage capacity for three to four days of CCR waste accumulation.

Large Installed Base of Legacy Coal Ash Disposal Ponds That Require Remediation . According to the American Coal Ash Association, as of 2016, approximately 44% of coal ash generated was disposed of. According to the EPA, approximately 80% of coal ash that was disposed of in 2012 was disposed of on-site in ash ponds or landfills. As of 2016, the American Coal Ash Association estimated that more than 1.5 billion tons of coal ash existed in ash ponds and landfills around the country. The EPA also estimates that, as of 2012, there were over 1,100 active and inactive on-site ash ponds and landfills requiring remediation or closure. These sites are typically large and will require significant capital from their owners as well as specialized environmental expertise to monitor on an ongoing basis, remediate, relocate the waste or completely close in an environmentally sustainable way.

Recycling Waste Byproducts Is a Critical Component of the Coal Ash Value Chain . In 2016, approximately 56% of coal ash was recycled to produce positive environmental, economic and performance benefits such as reduced use of other natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved strength and durability of materials. The leading recycled use of coal ash is as a direct and more economic substitute for cement during the production of concrete (approximately 15 million tons of CCRs annually, as of 2016, according to the American Coal Ash Association) .

Routine Nuclear Reactor Maintenance Is Non-Discretionary, Specialized, and Predictable . Given the scale, complexity, and near-constant operational demands on power plants, routine maintenance is critical to the ongoing functionality of each facility. Since it is costly to take nuclear plants offline, plant outages are planned, contracted, and announced far in advance and involve the completion of numerous maintenance services while offline (including inspections, repairs, maintenance, equipment replacement, facility modification, new construction and certifications). We estimate, based on our management’s experience and discussions with customers, our total addressable market for these services (including outsourced maintenance and capital needs) to be in excess of $5 billion annually. We believe this spend will increase over time as the nuclear reactor fleet continues to age and additional maintenance is required.

Power Plant Operators Are Increasingly Focused on Environmental Stewardship and Regulatory Compliance . Power plant operators face increasing pressure from advocacy groups and their communities to manage the environmental risks associated with their operations and, therefore, the industry is increasingly focused on environmental stewardship. Due to the considerable potential consequences associated with environmental liabilities, spending on environmental liability management has increased over time and is expected to increase in the future.

The Power Generation Industry Is Increasingly Requiring Larger Scale Environmental and Maintenance Service Providers . The mounting burden of environmental compliance, consistent need to maintain aging facilities and the focus on continuous and safe plant operations has the power generation industry (coal-fired and nuclear utilities in particular) increasingly seeking larger scale outsourced service providers as partners that can provide a range of services on their behalf. To date, most prospective service providers either have narrow service offerings or a highly localized geographic focus (sometimes limited to a single plant). Therefore, the market opportunity is substantial for specialized environmental and maintenance platforms that can offer a track record of quality service, exceptional safety, exacting environmental standards and a reliable labor force.

Our Strengths

We believe our platform has become a leader in environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. Our strengths that support our leading position include:



 

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Industry Leading Quality, Safety and Compliance

We believe we are a partner-of-choice for customers due to our reputation as a leader in quality, safety and compliance. Utilities and independent power producers are generally risk-averse and focus on strong environmental and safety considerations as key factors for awarding on-site service provider contracts. We believe our reputation for and dedication to quality, industry-leading safety record and adherence to environmental compliance standards provides a distinctive competitive advantage and differentiates us from many of our competitors. These attributes are key contributors to our leading market share positions.

Broad Platform of Mission-Critical Environmental and Maintenance Services

Our broad platform of essential environmental and maintenance services has enabled us to become a leading service provider to our power generation customers. We are the only service provider offering a suite of CCR management and recycling, environmental remediation, and outage maintenance services. Compared to service providers with more limited scope, our platform allows our customers to gain efficiencies and reduce the number of vendors on their sites by sourcing multiple required offerings from a single, trusted partner. This service offering is supported by the national scale of our operational footprint. This is a key differentiator, as many of our competitors are localized, focusing on a single geographic area (sometimes isolated to a single plant). We operate in 22 states across the country, resulting in an overall footprint and density in key markets that we believe is difficult to replicate. Our national reach enables us to successfully pursue new business within our existing customer base and attract new customers while providing consistent quality, safety and compliance standards.

Long-Term Partnerships with Leading Power Generators

Our customers are some of the largest power generation companies in the U.S., including Exelon Corporation, Duke Energy Corporation, and Dominion Energy, Inc. Given the essential nature of our services, our on-site personnel become integrated into the daily procedures of each facility, seamlessly working with utility employees to provide uninterrupted operations. This co-location and integration into the daily operations results in direct relationships with key decision makers at every level within our customers’ organizations. This embedded partnership deepens customer connectivity and drives long-term relationships which are critical for the renewal of existing contracts, winning incremental business from existing customers at new sites, and adding new customers. For example, over the last five years we have achieved an approximately 90% renewal rate for contracts in our Fossil Services offerings up for renewal.

Innovative Solutions to Our Customers’ Environmental Challenges

Our customers regularly face complex, large-scale environmental challenges that require bespoke, technical solutions. We believe we have a proactive and differentiated approach to solving these challenges. Our internal technical and engineering experts have developed deep domain knowledge and capabilities in environmental remediation and beneficial use as a result of our long-term and significant experience in the sector. We believe this credibility, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset, enables us to source market opportunities not readily available to our competitors.

Favorable Contract Dynamics Drive Predictable Financial Model

The contracted nature of our business and depth of our customer relationships provides significant visibility into both revenues and earnings, reflecting the predictable operations of our customers. Our platform of services is contracted for terms generally ranging from 18 months to five years, thereby reducing financial volatility. In excess of 90% of our services work is structured as time and materials, cost reimbursable or unit price contracts, which significantly reduces the risk of loss on contracts and provides gross margin visibility. At the beginning of 2017, 67% of our budgeted revenue for the year was already contracted, not including our Nuclear Services



 

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offerings that commenced operations in June 2017, which had 100% of its budgeted revenues contracted. The vast majority of our customers have investment-grade credit ratings and we have never experienced a payment issue with a client. In addition, because our capital expenditures are tied to specific, known contracts and are typically financed, we also have attractive and predictable free cash flow generation.

Entrepreneurial Management Team Supported by Highly Skilled Labor Force

We are led by an experienced management team with an entrepreneurial mindset and keen focus on safety and customer service. Our senior executive team consists of industry veterans averaging over 30 years of industry experience, helping us provide high-quality operational execution and solidify long-term customer relationships. Our ability to hire, develop and retain a highly skilled labor force with specialized skills, training and certifications is a key differentiator in the sector. For example, within our Nuclear Services offering, we have the proven ability to quickly ramp up to in excess of 5,000 employees to align with our customers’ outage schedules and service their planned maintenance needs. Our entrepreneurial mindset drives us to constantly search for new ways to maximize relevance to customers and develop innovative solutions. Our customers have unique certification and training requirements for the service providers they allow on-site.

Our Growth Strategy

Our growth strategy includes the following key initiatives:

Expand Market Share by Capitalizing on the Significant Environmental and Maintenance Needs of Power Generation Customers.

We believe we have a strong growth opportunity in the near-term, as U.S. coal-fired power generation facilities continue to remediate and close ash ponds and landfills. These projects are triggered as coal power plant operators preemptively manage environmental liabilities, comply with regulatory requirements (at the local, state, and federal levels) and work to meet consumer standards for environmental sustainability. We estimate a $3 billion pipeline of near-term remediation and closure projects in the next three years. Additionally, we believe the market for mission-critical maintenance services in the nuclear power generation market is large and growing. We estimate that the annual pipeline of near-term addressable projects for our nuclear-related business is $2.2 billion, comprised of $1.5 billion in capital projects and $700 million in Nuclear Services. We expect this market opportunity to grow over time as the nuclear reactor fleet continues to age and additional maintenance is required.

Continue to Grow On-Site Services Revenue by Expanding Environmental and Maintenance Offerings.

We believe our broad platform of environmental and maintenance services is a competitive differentiator and therefore continuing to enhance the breadth of services offered to our existing customers is a key growth opportunity. We believe opportunities exist across our platform in waste byproduct management, recycling, environmental remediation and maintenance services. We believe our customers will continue to find value in a full-service platform and source incremental services from us as an existing, on-site, trusted partner.

Leverage New and Existing Customer Relationships to Maximize Fleet-Wide Opportunities.

Given the breadth of our service offering, the trend among our customers to consolidate service providers, and our access to our customers’ senior decision makers, we believe we are well-positioned to grow our market share with current customers by providing our existing services to other coal-fired and nuclear power plants within their fleets.



 

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Invest in Innovative Technologies, Processes, and Solutions.

We believe investments in new technology and processes present opportunities to provide higher-margin offerings, improve the environment, and enhance relevance to our customers. For example, our recently announced acquisition of SCB International Materials, Inc. (“SCB”) provided two new technologies for incremental beneficiation of coal ash and other industrial byproducts. We hope that these innovative technologies will allow us to optimize our traditional fly ash sales & distribution, enter new markets for our products, and provide cleaner, environmentally friendly solutions to our customers. We intend to continue to invest in additional technologies and other process that expand our portfolio of solutions and further establish us as an innovator in our industry.

Enhance Our Platform via Disciplined Acquisitions.

We believe we can continue a focused acquisition strategy to add adjacent capabilities and services and enhance stockholder value. We intend to focus on environmental and industrial services, processes and technologies that support our existing capabilities and customer needs. We believe our national scale and market leadership make us a natural consolidator, particularly in our highly fragmented industry.

Our Equity Sponsor

BCP is a private equity firm investing in middle market services businesses across North American energy, industrial and infrastructure complexes with approximately $1.5 billion of assets under management. BCP seeks opportunities to apply its operations-based knowledge and relationships to positively influence the trajectory of its investments. Specifically, BCP leverages its network of world-class managers, expands services businesses across additional verticals to diversify and accelerate growth, and provides flexible buildup and growth capital.

In January 2017, BCP paid $104.1 million in exchange for a 76% equity interest in Charah, LLC. Following the completion of this offering, BCP and its affiliates will hold approximately     % of our common stock.

Corporate Reorganization

Charah Solutions was formed as a Delaware corporation in January 2018. Following this offering and the corporate reorganization described below, we will be a holding company and our only material assets will consist of membership interests in Charah Sole Member and Allied Sole Member. Through our ownership of Charah Sole Member and Allied Sole Member, we will own the outstanding equity interests in Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, the subsidiaries through which we will operate our businesses.

Pursuant to the terms of certain reorganization transactions that will be completed immediately prior to the closing of this offering, (a) Charah Management will contribute all of its interests in Charah Sole Member to us in exchange for              shares of common stock and Allied Power Holdings will contribute all of its interests in Allied Sole Member to us in exchange for                 shares of common stock, with the respective amounts of common stock to be received by each of Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings to be calculated using an implied valuation based on the initial public offering price of the common stock; (b) each of Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings will distribute the shares of common stock received by them pursuant to clause (a) to their respective members in accordance with the respective terms of their limited liability company agreements; (c) Charah Holdings will distribute a portion of the shares of common stock it received in clause (b) above to certain direct and indirect blocker entities which will ultimately merge into us, with us surviving, and the BCP Energy Services Funds will receive          shares of our common stock as consideration in the mergers; and (d) Charah Management Holdings and Allied Management Holdings will distribute the shares of common stock received by them pursuant to clause (b) to their respective members in accordance with the respective terms of their limited liability company agreements. For additional detail regarding our corporate reorganization see “Corporate Reorganization.”



 

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After giving effect to these transactions and the offering contemplated by this prospectus and assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised:

 

    the Existing Owners will, collectively, own              shares of common stock, representing         % of our capital stock (of which, (i) BCP will, directly or indirectly, own approximately         % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, (ii) CEP Holdings will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, and (iii) the Management Members, collectively, will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock).

If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full:

 

    the Existing Owners will, collectively, own              shares of the common stock, representing         % of our common stock (of which, (i) BCP will own, directly or indirectly, approximately         % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, (ii) CEP Holdings will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, and (iii) the Management Members, collectively, will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock).

The number of shares to be received by our Existing Owners, and the ownership percentages above, assume an initial public offering price of $         per share of common stock, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any increase or decrease (as applicable) of the assumed initial public offering price will result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of shares of common stock to be allocated amongst the Existing Owners; however, any such change in our initial public offering price will not affect the aggregate number of shares of common stock held by our Existing Owners. See “Corporate Reorganization—Existing Owners’ Ownership.”



 

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The following diagrams indicate our simplified ownership structure immediately following this offering and the transactions related thereto (assuming that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised):

Simplified Ownership Structure After Giving Effect to this Offering (1)

 

LOGO

 

(1) See “Corporate Reorganization—Existing Owners’ Ownership.”
(2) CEP Holdings, Inc. is owned by Charles Price and certain affiliated entities.
(3) BCP’s ownership is held through Charah Holdings and the BCP Energy Services Funds.
(4) Includes (i) our operating subsidiaries, Ash Management Services, LLC and Green Meadow, LLC, (ii) our 50% interest in our equity method investment and (iii) our 67% interest in Ash Venture LLC.
(5) Includes our operating subsidiaries, Allied Power Services, LLC, Allied Plant Services, LLC and Allied Power Resources, LLC.


 

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Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should read carefully the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” for an explanation of these risks before investing in our common stock.

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the “JOBS Act”). For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” within the meaning of the JOBS Act, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) and the reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We intend to take advantage of all of the reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under Section 107 of the JOBS Act until we are no longer an emerging growth company. Our election to use the phase-in periods permitted by this election may make it difficult to compare our financial statements to those of non-emerging growth companies and other emerging growth companies that have opted out of the longer phase-in periods under Section 107 of the JOBS Act and who will comply with new or revised financial accounting standards. If we were to subsequently elect instead to comply with these public company effective dates, such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act. Please see “Risk Factors—Taking advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to ‘emerging growth companies’ may make our common stock less attractive to investors.”

Our Offices

Our principal executive offices are located at 12601 Plantside Dr., Louisville, Kentucky 40299, and our telephone number at that address is (502) 245-1353. Our website address is www.charah.com. Information contained on our website, or that can be accessed from it, does not constitute part of this prospectus.



 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

                 shares (                  shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

                 shares (                  shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Total common stock offered

                 shares (                  shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Common stock to be outstanding immediately after completion of this offering

                 shares (                  shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Common stock owned by the selling stockholders immediately after completion of this offering

                 shares (                  shares if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full).

 

Option to purchase additional shares

The Company and the selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an aggregate of              additional shares of our common stock to the extent the underwriters sell more than              shares of common stock in this offering.

 

Use of proceeds

We expect to receive approximately $         million of net proceeds from the sale of common stock, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus).

 

  We intend to use approximately $         million of the net proceeds to repay $         outstanding under the Term Loan and the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

  We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

 

Dividend policy

The declaration and payment of any future dividends to our stockholders will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”


 

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Registration Rights Agreements

In connection with the closing of this offering we will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with certain of the Existing Owners. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

 

Listing symbol

We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CHRA.”

 

Risk factors

You should carefully read and consider the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and all other information set forth in this prospectus before deciding to invest in our common stock.


 

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Summary Historical Combined Financial Data

Charah Solutions was formed in January 2018 and does not have historical financial results. The following table shows summary historical combined financial information of our Predecessor for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The summary historical combined financial information at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the years then ended, was derived from the historical audited combined financial statements of our Predecessor included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary historical financial information at March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was derived from the unaudited condensed combined interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The successor columns below represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018, and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement. The following table should be read together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Corporate Reorganization” and the financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,
2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statement of Income:

           

Revenue:

           

Environmental Solutions

  $ 47,785     $ 47,856     $ 7,451     $ 232,581     $ 7,451     $ 218,051  

Maintenance and Technical Services

    107,744       11,109       1,679       188,658       1,679       47,017  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    155,529       58,965       9,130       421,239       9,130       265,068  

Cost of sales

    136,430       43,235       7,301       338,908       7,301       203,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit:

           

Environmental Solutions

    12,469       13,036       1,412       64,433       1,412       51,282  

Maintenance and Technical Services

    6,630       2,694       417       17,898       417       10,558  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

    19,099       15,730       1,829       82,331       1,829       61,840  

General and administrative expenses

    14,382       6,516       3,170       48,495       3,170       35,170  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    4,717       9,214       (1,341     33,836       (1,341     26,670  

Interest expense

    (4,131     (1,055     (4,181     (14,146     (4,181     (6,244

Income from equity method investment

    587       206       48       816       48       2,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    1,173       8,365       (5,474     20,506       (5,474     23,129  

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest (3)

    (367     (270     (54     (2,190     (54     (2,198
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

  $ 806     $ 8,095     $ (5,528   $ 18,316     $ (5,528   $ 20,931  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro Forma Per Share Data (4) :

           

Pro forma net income

  $     $       $      

Basic and diluted

  $     $       $      

Pro forma provision for income taxes

  $     $       $      

Basic and diluted

  $     $       $      

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding

           

Basic and diluted

           


 

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    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,
2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statements of Cash Flows Data:

           

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 4,225     $ 1,983     $ (4,418   $ 57,792     $ (4,418   $ 8,351  

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

  $ (22,876   $ (2,734   $     $ (7,270         $ (15,885

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

  $ (4,330   $ 3,902     $ 4,463     $ (19,304   $ 4,463     $ 7,298  

Other Financial Data:

           

Adjusted EBITDA (5)

  $ 17,364     $ 15,427     $ (422   $ 76,430     $ (422   $ 58,965  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (5)

    11.2   $ 26.2     (4.6 )%      18.1     (4.6 )%      22.7

Balance Sheet Data (as of the end of the periods indicated):

 

Total assets

  $ 416,918         $ 377,651       $ 188,834  

Long-term debt

  $ 233,438         $ 227,698       $ 113,182  

Total liabilities

  $ 367,699         $ 329,332       $ 167,488  

Total members’ equity (including non-controlling interest)

  $ 49,219         $ 48,319       $ 21,346  

 

(1) The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the periods from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017, January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018, as applicable, as reflected in our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) Relates to one of our joint ventures.
(4) Pro forma net income (loss), net income (loss) per share and weighted average shares outstanding reflect the estimated number of shares of common stock we expect to have outstanding upon the completion of our corporate reorganization described under “ —Corporate Reorganization.” Our Predecessor was not subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level. As a result, the combined net income in our historical financial statements does not reflect the tax expense we would have incurred if we were subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level during such periods.
(5) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to our most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” immediately below.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation and income taxes, elimination of certain legacy expenses, amounts from a non-acquired business line, and transaction related expenses and other items. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents



 

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the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December 31, 2016 were less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line).

We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful performance measures because they allow for an effective evaluation of our operating performance when compared to our peers, without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. We exclude the items listed above from net income in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts are either non-recurring or can vary substantially within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are reflected in Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that our results will be unaffected by the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be identical to other similarly titled measures of other companies. We use Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure the success for our business in managing our cost base and improving profitability. The following tables present reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, our most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with our Adjusted EBITDA margin. The successor columns below represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the periods from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017, as well as the three months ended March 31, 2018, and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017, each as reflected in our unaudited and audited financial statements, as applicable, included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.

 

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,  2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017

through
January 12,  2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
               

(in thousands)

             

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

  $ 806     $ 8,095     $ (5,528   $ 18,316     $ (5,528   $ 20,931  

Interest expense

    4,131       1,055       4,181       14,146       4,181       6,244  

Depreciation and amortization

    8,431       6,157       763       25,719       763       15,601  

Elimination of certain non-recurring and non-operating legal costs (3)

    2,680                   8,650              

Elimination of certain non-recurring startup costs (4)

    793                   6,167              

Equity-based compensation

    110       56             2,429             7,352  

Elimination of legacy expenses

                                  3,910 (5)  

Non-acquired business line

                                  3,768 (6)  

Transaction related expenses and other items (7)

    413       64       162       1,003       162       1,159  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 17,364     $ 15,427     $ (422   $ 76,430     $ (422   $ 58,965  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (8)

    11.2     26.2     (4.6 )%      18.1     (4.6 )%      22.7

 

(1)

The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the periods from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018, as applicable, as reflected in our financial



 

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  statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) For the three months ended March 31, 2018, represents non-recurring legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, represents non-operating and non-recurring legal expenses associated with the legal entity formation of Allied Power Management, LLC as well as legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017. As a result, these costs will be non-recurring following the resolution of the APTIM litigation and are not representative of legal costs that we will incur from time to time in the ordinary course of our business.
(4) Represents non-recurring start-up costs associated with the startup of Allied Power Management, LLC and our Nuclear Services offerings, including the setup of financial operations systems and modules, pre-contract expenses to obtain initial contracts and the hiring of operational staff. Because these costs are associated with the initial setup of the Allied business to initiate the operations involved in our Nuclear Services offerings, these costs are non-recurring in the normal course of our business.
(5) Primary components include a change in charitable giving and other business expense policies associated with the BCP investment.
(6) Non-acquired business line item adjusts for a legacy operation of Charah, LLC that was transferred to a stockholder of CEP Holdings in January 2017 prior to the BCP investment.
(7) Transaction related expenses and other items include certain transaction expenses incurred in connection with the BCP investment and SCB acquisition, as well as certain financing transaction expenses.
(8) Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December 31, 2016 were less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line). We use Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure the success of our businesses in managing our cost base and improving profitability.


 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this prospectus, including our historical combined financial statements and the related notes contained elsewhere in this prospectus, before you decide to purchase shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow and prospects could be materially and adversely affected. As a result, the price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment in our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

A decline in the production of CCRs by our coal-fired utility industry customers due to environmental regulations or otherwise could negatively impact our profitability and hinder our growth.

Many of our services are dependent upon the production of CCRs by our coal-fired utility customers. The coal-fired utility industry is facing a number of new and pending initiatives by regulatory authorities seeking to address air and water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and management and disposal of CCRs. In recent years, federal and state environmental regulation has imposed more stringent requirements regarding emission of air pollutants and other toxic chemicals, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water quality impacts from coal operations. Adoption of more stringent regulations governing coal combustion, water discharges or air emissions may decrease the amount of CCRs produced by our customers and, as a result, the demand for our services. Faced with the prospect of more stringent regulations, litigation by environmental groups and the relatively low cost of natural gas, an increasing number of utilities are reducing their portfolio of coal-fired power plants. This reduction could increase if the Clean Power Plan, which urges states to substitute electricity generation from higher-emitting coal plants to low-emitting coal and natural gas plants and zero-emitting renewable sources, is upheld in court and retained by the EPA. See “Business—Regulation.”

Increasing requirements generally will increase the cost of doing business and may make coal burning less attractive for utilities. In recent years, multiple companies have announced plans to close coal-fired power plant units or plants, or dropped plans to open new plants, citing the cost of compliance with pending or new environmental regulations and the relatively low cost of natural gas. A reduction in the use of coal as fuel would cause a decline in the production and availability of CCRs, which would adversely affect our Fossil Services and Byproduct Sales offerings and result in reduced revenues. The outcome of these developments cannot be predicted but could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition and cash flows.

Unsatisfactory service and safety performance may negatively affect our customer relationships and, to the extent we fail to retain existing customers or attract new customers, adversely impact our revenues.

Our ability to retain existing customers and attract new business is dependent on many factors, including our ability to demonstrate that we can reliably and safely operate our business in a manner that is consistent with our customers’ standards of service as well as applicable laws, rules and permits, which legal requirements are subject to change. Existing and potential customers consider the safety and service record of their third-party service providers to be of high importance in their decision to engage such providers. The power generation industry generally emphasizes safety and service over the lowest cost service provider due to economic and reputational risk associated with operations at their facilities. If one or more accidents were to occur while we are providing services to our customers, or if we were unable to maintain the level of safety and service our customers require, the affected customer may seek to terminate or cancel our services and may be less likely to continue to use our services, which could cause us to lose substantial revenues. Furthermore, our ability to attract new customers may be impaired if they view our safety record or service as unacceptable. In addition, it is possible that we will experience multiple or particularly severe accidents in the future, causing our safety record to deteriorate. This may be more likely as we continue to grow, if we experience high employee turnover or a labor shortage or hire inexperienced personnel to support our staffing needs.

 

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A substantial portion of our Maintenance and Technical Services segment consists of the provision of Nuclear Services offerings to nuclear power plants. To the extent there is a decrease in these plants, either due to reduced investment, increased regulation or otherwise, demand for our Nuclear Services offerings could decrease.

U.S. nuclear capacity and electricity generation are expected to decline due to continuing low natural gas prices and the rapid expansion of low-cost renewable energy and new technologies in the U.S., displacing more traditional sources of power, including nuclear power. Public support for nuclear power has also softened because of concerns about safety and environmental issues and new construction costs.

Very few new nuclear reactors are under construction in the U.S., and several nuclear reactors are undergoing decommissioning. In addition, changes in state and federal government subsidies and increased regulation could also negatively impact the nuclear power industry. For instance, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has broad authority under federal law to impose safety-related and other licensing requirements for the operation of nuclear generation facilities, and events at nuclear facilities or other events impacting the industry generally could lead to additional requirements and regulations on all nuclear generation facilities and could negatively impact new construction of or continued generation from nuclear power facilities. A lower number of nuclear power facilities in operation and decrease in related maintenance and construction budgets would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition and cash flows.

Loss of a large customer may adversely affect our revenue and operating results.

During 2017 and 2016, Duke Energy Corporation (“Duke Energy”) accounted for 49% and 68% of our revenues, respectively, through our provision of services at over 10 of their power plants. In 2017, Exelon Corporation (“Exelon”) accounted for 32% of our revenues, through our provision of services at 14 of their sites, representing 23 nuclear reactors. It is likely that we will continue to derive a significant portion of our revenue from a relatively small number of customers in the future. If a major customer fails to pay us, revenue would be impacted and our operating results and financial condition could be materially harmed. Additionally, if we were to lose any material customer, such loss would have a material adverse effect on our business.

We and our customers operate in industries subject to significant environmental regulation, and compliance with changes in, or liabilities under, such regulations could add significantly to the costs of conducting business.

Our operations and the operations of our customers are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that, among other matters, impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the air and water and establish standards for the treatment, storage and disposal of solid, hazardous and radioactive waste materials, remediation of releases of hazardous substances and reclamation of land. In order to conduct our operations, we and our customers have obtained various federal, state and local environmental permits and must comply with these permits and processes and procedures that have been approved by regulatory authorities. These environmental requirements and any failure to comply could give rise to sanctions, including the cessation of all or part of our operations, or substantial fines and penalties, environmental or reclamation liabilities, which liabilities may be strict, joint and several and damages, including natural resource damages in connection with our sites, customer sites or sites to which we sent wastes, including CCRs and third-party claims. Moreover, changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly environmental requirements could require us or our customers to make significant expenditures to attain and maintain compliance. New regulations, any failure to comply with existing regulations or environmental liabilities arising thereunder could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition and cash flows.

 

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Success by environmental groups in convincing the EPA to restrict beneficial uses of CCRs, or to regulate CCRs as hazardous waste, may have an adverse effect on our business.

In April 2015, the EPA published a final rule, Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals from Utilities, to regulate the disposal of CCRs, including fly ash and bottom ash generated at coal-fired power plants, as non-hazardous waste under Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), as amended, and to distinguish beneficial use of CCRs from disposal, which became effective in October 2015 (the “CCR Rule”). The CCR Rule establishes national minimum criteria for CCR landfills and impoundments consisting of location restrictions, design and operating criteria, groundwater monitoring and corrective action, closure requirements, post-closure care, recordkeeping and reporting and other requirements, and requires closure of facilities unable to comply with these criteria within five to seven years. The CCR Rule has increased the complexity and cost of managing and disposing of CCRs and the remediation of existing ash ponds and landfills. In addition, Congress passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (the “WIIN Act”) in December 2016, which, among other things, authorizes state permit programs to manage CCRs in lieu of the CCR Rule. The WIIN Act also gives the EPA the authority to regulate coal ash in states that choose not to implement state permitting programs and in states whose permitting programs are determined to be inadequate by the EPA. On March 1, 2018, the EPA issued a proposed rule that would take further steps under the WIIN Act by granting states with approved CCR permit programs (or the EPA where it is the permitting authority) the ability to set certain alternative performance standards. The proposed rule would also allow CCR to be used during certain closure situations and address certain matters remanded to the EPA by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2016, including clarifying corrective action triggers and requirements, adding boron to the list of constituents triggering corrective action, determining the proper height of woody and grassy vegetation for slope protection, and modifying alternative closure procedures. The proposed rule is designed to allow states or the EPA to incorporate flexibilities into their coal ash permit programs and could be followed by a second proposed rule with a similar purpose by September 2018 and a final rule by June 2019.

Some environmental groups continue to urge the EPA to restrict certain beneficial uses of CCRs, such as in concrete, road base and soil stabilization, alleging contaminants may leach into the environment. The CCR Rule created a definition of “beneficial use” that includes uses in concrete and road base, but changes in the definition could reduce the demand for fly ash and other CCRs which would have an adverse effect on our revenues. Moreover, if the EPA were to regulate CCRs as hazardous waste, we, together with CCR generators, could be subject to environmental cleanup, personal injury and other possible claims and liabilities, which could result in significant additional costs. Any such changes in or new regulations or indemnity obligations could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial condition and cash flows.

We may be subject in the normal course of business to judicial, administrative or other third-party proceedings that could interrupt or limit our operations, result in adverse judgments, settlements or fines and create negative publicity.

Individuals, citizens groups, trade associations, community groups or environmental activists may bring actions against us in connection with our operations that could interrupt or limit the scope of our business. Many of these matters could raise difficult and complicated factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties and complexities. The timing of the final resolutions to lawsuits, regulatory inquiries and governmental and other legal proceedings is uncertain. Additionally, the possible outcomes of or resolutions to these matters could include adverse judgments or settlements, either of which could require substantial payments or other financial obligations. Any adverse outcome in such proceedings could harm our operations and financial results and create negative publicity, which could damage our reputation and competitive position.

In particular, we are a party to a lawsuit filed by a certain environmental advocacy group challenging North Carolina’s authority to issue certain permits related to our Brickhaven mine site. The North Carolina Superior Court’s decision (which upheld the allowance to reclaim the original site but held that the portions of the permits that allow us to “cut and prepare” an additional portion of the site exceeded the relevant agency’s statutory

 

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authority) was reversed and remanded back to the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearing (“OAH”). If the OAH determines North Carolina exceeded its permitting authority with respect to either the original allowance or the “cut or prepare” portions of the permits or both, such decision, if ultimately upheld, could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

One of our subsidiaries, Allied Power Management, LLC, is the subject of litigation. An adverse outcome in this litigation could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may, at any given time, be a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In July 2017, APTIM Corp. sued Allied Power Management, LLC and certain of its employees and affiliated entities in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging, among other things, misappropriation of alleged trade secrets and civil conspiracy. APTIM also alleged tortious interference with their contractual and business relations because Exelon, our customer whose business makes up 100% of our Nuclear Services revenues, ended their business relationship with APTIM and started a new business relationship with Allied Power Management, LLC. No schedule for the current phase of the case, and no trial date, has been set. APTIM has not identified its alleged damages. We believe that APTIM’s claims are meritless, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously. For further information regarding this lawsuit, see “Business—Legal Proceedings.” We cannot predict the outcome of the lawsuit or the amount of time and expense that will be required to resolve the lawsuit. If such litigation were to be determined adversely to our interests, or if we were forced to settle such matter for a significant amount, such resolution or settlement could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Increases in labor costs or our ability to find and employ technically skilled labor could impact our financial results.

Our continued success will depend on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Additionally, a significant percentage of our Nuclear Services employees are hired on a seasonal basis as a result of the seasonal (typically every 12 to 24 months) outage maintenance services we provide. We compete with other businesses in our markets for qualified employees. From time to time, the labor supply is tight in some of our markets. A shortage of qualified employees would require us to enhance our wage and benefits packages to compete more effectively for employees, to hire more expensive temporary employees or to contract for services with more expensive third-party vendors. Labor is one of our highest costs and relatively small increases in labor costs per employee could materially affect our cost structure. If we fail to attract and retain qualified employees, control our labor costs or recover any increased labor costs through increased prices we charge for our services or otherwise offset such increases with cost savings in other areas, our operating margins could suffer.

Our employees perform services that involve certain risks, including risks of accident and a failure to maintain a safe work site could result in significant losses.

Safety is a primary focus of our business and is critical to our reputation. Our services can place our employees and others near large equipment, dangerous processes or highly regulated materials, and in challenging environments. Operations in our Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services segments involve risks, such as truck accidents, equipment defects, malfunctions and failures and natural disasters, which could potentially result in releases of CCR materials, injury or death of employees and others or a need to shut down or reduce operation of our customers’ facilities while remedial actions are undertaken. We are responsible for safety on the sites where we work and these risks expose us to potential liability for pollution and other environmental damages, personal injury, loss of life, business interruption and property damage or destruction. Unsafe work conditions also have the potential of increasing employee turnover, increasing costs and raising our operating costs. If we fail to implement appropriate safety procedures and/or if our procedures fail, our employees or others may suffer injuries.

 

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Although we maintain functional groups whose primary purpose is to implement effective health, safety and environmental procedures throughout our company, the failure to comply with such procedures, client contracts or applicable regulations could subject us to losses and liability and the potential loss of customers. If we were to incur substantial liabilities in excess of any applicable insurance, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Work stoppages, union negotiations and other labor problems could adversely affect us.

At March 31, 2018, approximately 1,973 of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements, 98% of which are employed in the Nuclear Services operations of our Maintenance and Technical Services segment. A lengthy strike or other work stoppage at any of the facilities where we provide Nuclear Services could have a material adverse effect on us. Additional groups of employees may seek union representation in the future. From time to time, we are subject to unfair labor practice charges, complaints and other legal administrative and arbitration proceedings initiated against us by unions, the National Labor Relations Board or our employees, which could negatively impact our operating results. Negotiating collective bargaining agreements could divert management attention, which could also adversely affect operating results. If we are unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining agreements, we may be subject to labor disruptions, such as union-initiated work stoppages, including strikes. Depending on the type and duration of any labor disruptions, our operating expenses could increase significantly, which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be adversely affected by uncertainty in the global financial markets and the deterioration of the financial condition of our customers. If any of our customers suffers financial difficulties affecting their credit risk, our operating results could be negatively impacted.

Our future results may be impacted by the uncertainty caused by an economic downturn, volatility or deterioration in the debt and equity capital markets, inflation, deflation or other adverse economic conditions that may negatively affect us or parties with whom we do business, resulting in a reduction in our customers’ spending and their nonpayment or inability to perform obligations owed to us, such as the failure of customers to honor their commitments. Additionally, downturns in U.S. construction could lower the demand for our Byproduct Sales offerings.

Furthermore, we provide service to a number of power generators. To the extent these entities suffer significant financial difficulties, they could be unable to pay amounts owed to us or renew contracts with us at previous or increased rates. The inability of our customers to pay us in a timely manner or pay increased rates, particularly larger accounts, could negatively affect our operating results. In addition, in the course of our business we hold accounts receivable from our customers. In the event of the financial distress or bankruptcy of a customer, we could lose all or a portion of such outstanding accounts receivable associated with that customer. Further, if a customer was to enter into bankruptcy, it could also result in the cancellation of all or a portion of our service contracts with such customer at significant expense or loss or expected revenue to us.

Our historical financial statements may not be indicative of future performance, and our business may be difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating history.

Due to our limited operating history, comparisons of our current and future operating results with prior periods are difficult. As a result, our limited historical financial performance as the owner of the acquired assets may make it difficult for stockholders to evaluate our business and results of operations to date and to assess our future prospects and viability.

We are, and upon completion of transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization” will be, a recently combined company with a short combined operating history, which makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our prospective business or operations or the merits of an investment in our securities. In addition,

 

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Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, which will become our operating subsidiaries in connection with the transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization,” have not historically operated on a consolidated or combined basis or under the same management team. These factors may make it more difficult for investors to evaluate our business and prospects and to forecast our future operating results. For example, the historical combined financial data may not give you an accurate indication of what our actual results would have been if our corporate reorganization or the formation of our management team had been completed at the beginning of the periods presented or of what our future results of operations are likely to be. Our future results will depend on our ability to efficiently manage our combined operations and execute our business strategy.

Our financial results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter, which may make it difficult to predict our future performance.

Our financial results may fluctuate as a result of the seasonal outage maintenance services we provide as part of our Nuclear Services offerings, along with a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Additionally, our other service offerings are subject to quarterly fluctuations from time to time. For these reasons, comparing our financial results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and our past results should not be relied on as an indication of our future performance. Our future quarterly and annual expenses as a percentage of our revenues may be significantly different from those we have recorded in the past or which we expect for the future. Our financial results in some quarters may fall below expectations. Changes in cost estimates relating to our services, which under percentage-of-completion accounting principles could lead to significant fluctuations in revenue or to changes in the timing of our recognition of revenue from such services, could cause our stock price to fall.

Seasonal and adverse weather conditions adversely affect demand for services and operations.

Weather can have a significant impact on demand as consumption of energy is seasonal, and any variation from normal weather patterns, including due to cooler or warmer summers and winters, can have a significant impact on demand. Adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tropical storms and severe cold weather, may interrupt or curtail our operations or our customers’ operations, and result in a loss of revenue and damage to our equipment and facilities, which may or may not be insured.

We operate in a highly competitive industry and may not be able to compete effectively with larger and better capitalized companies.

While no specific company provides the range of services that we offer, the industries in which we operate are highly competitive and require substantial labor and capital resources. Some of the markets in which we compete or plan to compete are served by one or more large, national companies, as well as by regional and local companies of varying sizes and resources, some of which may have accumulated substantial goodwill in their markets. Some of our competitors may also be better capitalized than we are, have greater name recognition than we do or be able to provide or be willing to bid their services at a lower price than we may be willing to offer. Our inability to compete effectively could hinder our growth or adversely impact our operating results.

We may be unable to make attractive acquisitions or successfully integrate acquired businesses, and any inability to do so may disrupt our business and hinder our ability to grow.

We may from time to time consider opportunities to acquire or make investments in other services and businesses that could enhance our technical capabilities, complement our current services or expand the breadth of our markets. The success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to effectively integrate the acquired business into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquired businesses may involve unforeseen difficulties or liabilities and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources. In addition, possible future acquisitions may be larger and for purchase prices significantly higher than those paid for earlier acquisitions. No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition

 

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opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to integrate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations successfully or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties or liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are vulnerable to significant fluctuations in our liquidity or capital requirements that may vary substantially over time.

Our operations could require us to utilize large sums of working capital, sometimes on short notice and sometimes without assurance of recovery of the expenditures. Environmental liabilities including those arising from various customer contracts and acquisition agreements that require us to indemnify for certain environmental liabilities, litigation risks, unexpected costs or losses resulting from acquisitions, contract initiation or completion delays, political conditions, client payment problems and professional liability or indemnity claims are circumstances or events that could result in significant cash outflows.

We may have difficulty managing growth of our business following the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings, which we provide through Allied Power Management, LLC, to our operations, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The growth of our business could place a significant strain on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. In particular, Allied Power Management, LLC did not operate on a combined basis under our Predecessor until 2017. As we expand the scope of our activities and our geographic coverage through organic growth, there will be additional demands on our financial, technical, operational and management resources. The failure to continue to upgrade our technical, administrative, operating and financial control systems or the occurrences of unexpected expansion difficulties, including the failure to recruit and retain experienced managers and other professionals, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to successfully or timely execute our business plan.

Restrictive covenants in our debt agreements may restrict our ability to pursue our business strategies. If we fail to comply with the restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements, there could be an event of default under the terms of such agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment.

Our debt agreements limit our ability to, among other things:

 

    incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;

 

    issue preferred stock;

 

    pay dividends or make distributions to our stockholders;

 

    repurchase or redeem our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness;

 

    make investments;

 

    create liens;

 

    enter into sale/leaseback transactions;

 

    incur restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or to make payments to us;

 

    enter into transactions with our stockholders and affiliates;

 

    sell and pledge assets; and

 

    acquire the assets of, or merge or consolidate with, other companies or transfer all or substantially all of our assets.

These covenants may also impair our ability to engage in favorable business activities and our ability to finance future operations or capital needs in furtherance of our business strategies. Moreover, the form or level of

 

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our indebtedness may prevent us from raising additional capital on attractive terms or obtaining additional financing if needed. A breach of any of these covenants would result in a default under the applicable agreement after any applicable grace periods. A default could result in acceleration of the indebtedness which would have a material adverse effect on us. If an acceleration occurs, it would likely accelerate all of our indebtedness through cross-default provisions and we would likely be unable to make all of the required payments to refinance such indebtedness. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us.

Our borrowing levels and debt service obligations could adversely affect our financial condition and impair our ability to fulfill our obligations under our Credit Facility and Term Loan.

At March 31, 2018, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $266.1 million, $245.3 million of which relates to our Term Loan. At March 31, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings and $12.5 million in letters of credit issued for our account under our Credit Facility. Our indebtedness could have important consequences, including the following:

 

    requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to the repayment of debt, which reduces the cash available for other business purposes;

 

    limiting our ability to obtain additional financing and creating additional liens on our assets;

 

    limiting our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in our business;

 

    placing us at a competitive disadvantage if we are more leveraged than our competitors;

 

    limiting our ability to deduct our interest expense;

 

    making us more vulnerable to adverse economic and industry conditions; and

 

    restricting us from making additional investments or acquisitions by limiting our aggregate debt obligations.

To the extent that new debt is incurred in addition to our current debt levels, the leverage risks described above would increase.

The limitation or the modification of the Price-Anderson Act’s indemnification authority and similar federal programs for nuclear and other potentially hazardous activities could adversely affect our business.

The Price-Anderson Act (“PAA”) provides indemnification to the nuclear industry against liability arising from nuclear incidents at non-military facilities in the U.S. while still ensuring compensation for the general public. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended the period of coverage to include all nuclear power reactors issued construction permits through December 31, 2025. Because we provide services to the nuclear energy industry in the ongoing maintenance and modification of its nuclear energy plants, we are entitled to the indemnification protections under the PAA. Although the PAA’s indemnification provisions are broad, it does not apply to all liabilities that we might incur while performing services as a contractor.

If the contractor protection currently provided by the PAA is significantly modified, is not approved for, or does not extend to all of our services, our business could be adversely affected by either our clients’ refusal to retain us for potentially covered services or our inability to obtain commercially adequate insurance and indemnification, or we may be subject to potentially material liabilities in connection with the performance of our services.

Increases in interest rates could adversely impact the price of our shares, our ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes.

Interest rates on future borrowings, credit facilities and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. A rising interest rate environment could have an adverse impact on the price of our shares, our ability to issue equity or incur debt for acquisitions or other purposes.

 

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We may lose contracts through competitive bidding or early termination.

Many of our contracts are for a specified term and are or will be subject to competitive bidding in the future. Although we intend to bid on additional contracts, we may not always be the successful bidder. In addition, some or all of our customers may terminate their contracts with us prior to their scheduled expiration dates. If we are not able to replace lost revenues resulting from unsuccessful competitive bidding, early termination or the renegotiation of existing contracts with other revenues within a reasonable time period, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We could be precluded from entering into or maintaining permits or certain contracts if we are unable to obtain sufficient third-party financial assurance or adequate insurance coverage.

Our operations in our Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services segments sometimes require us to obtain performance or surety bonds, letters of credit or other means of financial assurance to secure our contractual performance. We currently obtain performance and surety bonds from multiple financial institutions; however, if we are unable to obtain financial assurance in the future in sufficient amounts from appropriately rated sureties or at acceptable rates, we could be precluded from entering into additional municipal contracts or from obtaining or retaining landfill management or other contracts or operating permits. Any future difficulty in obtaining insurance could also impair our ability to secure future contracts conditioned upon having adequate insurance coverage.

If we are unable to fully protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, or if competitors are able to replicate our technology or services, we may suffer a loss in our competitive advantage or market share.

We do not have patents or patent applications relating to many of our key processes and technology. If we are not able to maintain the confidentiality of our trade secrets, or if our competitors are able to replicate our technology or services, our competitive advantage would be diminished. We cannot assure you we will be able to prevent our competitors from employing comparable technologies or processes.

In addition, third parties from time to time may initiate litigation against us by asserting that the conduct of our business infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates intellectual property rights. If we are sued for infringement and lose, we could be required to pay substantial damages and/or be enjoined from using or selling the infringing products or technology. Any legal proceeding concerning intellectual property could be protracted and costly regardless of the merits of any claim, is inherently unpredictable and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, regardless of its outcome.

Additionally, we currently license certain third-party intellectual property in connection with our business, and the loss of any such license could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to cyber security risks and interruptions or failures in our information technology systems. A cyber incident could occur and result in information theft, data corruption, operational disruption and/or financial loss.

We depend on digital technologies to process and record financial and operating data and rely on sophisticated information technology systems and infrastructure to support our business, including process control technology. At the same time, cyber incidents, including deliberate attacks, have increased. The U.S. government has issued public warnings that indicate that energy assets might be specific targets of cyber security threats. Our technologies, systems and networks and those of our vendors, suppliers and other business partners may become the target of cyberattacks or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, misuse, loss or destruction of proprietary and other information, or other disruption of business operations. In addition, certain cyber incidents, such as surveillance, may remain undetected for an extended period. Our systems for protecting against cyber security risks may not be sufficient.

 

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As the sophistication of cyber incidents continues to evolve, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents. Additionally, any of these systems may be susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, usage errors by employees, computer viruses, cyber-attacks or other security breaches or similar events. The failure of any of our information technology systems may cause disruptions in our operations, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

Risks Related to This Offering and Our Common Stock

The requirements of being a public company, including compliance with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

As a public company, we will need to comply with laws, regulations and requirements that are new to us, including certain corporate governance provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley, related regulations of the SEC and the requirements of the NYSE, with which we are not required to comply as a private company. Complying with these statutes, regulations and requirements will occupy a significant amount of time of our board of directors and management and will significantly increase our costs and expenses. We will need to:

 

    institute a more comprehensive compliance function;

 

    comply with rules promulgated by the NYSE;

 

    continue to prepare and distribute periodic public reports in compliance with our obligations under the federal securities laws;

 

    establish new internal policies, such as those relating to insider trading; and

 

    involve and retain to a greater degree outside counsel and accountants in the above activities.

Furthermore, while we generally must comply with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, we are not required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls until our first annual report subsequent to our ceasing to be an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act. Accordingly, we may not be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls until as late as our annual report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Once it is required to do so, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed. Compliance with these requirements may strain our resources, increase our costs and distract management, and we may be unable to comply with these requirements in a timely or cost-effective manner.

In addition, we expect that being a public company subject to these rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating these rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

The initial public offering price of our common stock may not be indicative of the market price of our common stock after this offering. In addition, an active, liquid and orderly trading market for our common stock may not develop or be maintained, and our stock price may be volatile.

Prior to this offering, our common stock was not traded on any market. An active, liquid and orderly trading market for our common stock may not develop or be maintained after this offering. Active, liquid and orderly

 

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trading markets usually result in less price volatility and more efficiency in carrying out investors’ purchase and sale orders. The market price of our common stock could vary significantly as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. In the event of a drop in the market price of our common stock, you could lose a substantial part or all of your investment in our common stock. The initial public offering price will be negotiated between us, the selling stockholders and representatives of the underwriters, based on numerous factors that we discuss in “Underwriting,” and may not be indicative of the market price of our common stock after this offering. Consequently, you may not be able to sell shares of our common stock at prices equal to or greater than the price paid by you in this offering.

The following factors could affect our stock price:

 

    quarterly variations in our financial and operating results;

 

    the public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

 

    strategic actions by our competitors;

 

    changes in revenues or earnings estimates, or changes in recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage, by equity research analysts;

 

    speculation in the press or investment community;

 

    the failure of research analysts to cover our common stock;

 

    sales of our common stock by us or other stockholders, or the perception that such sales may occur;

 

    equity capital markets transactions by competitors, including by way of initial public offerings;

 

    changes in accounting principles, policies, guidance, interpretations or standards;

 

    additions or departures of key management personnel;

 

    actions by our stockholders;

 

    general market conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices;

 

    changes in, or investors’ perception of, the industries in which we operate;

 

    litigation involving us, our industry, or both;

 

    domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; and

 

    the realization of any risks described under this “Risk Factors” section.

Certain of our Existing Owners will collectively hold a substantial majority of our common stock.

Holders of our common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to our stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable law or our certificate of incorporation. Upon completion of this offering (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares), the Existing Owners will own approximately     % of our common stock.

Although the Existing Owners are entitled to act separately in their own respective interests with respect to their stock in us, the Existing Owners will together have the ability to elect all of the members of our board of directors, and thereby to control our management and affairs. In addition, they will be able to determine the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval, including mergers and other material transactions, and will be able to cause or prevent a change in the composition of our board of directors or a change in control of our company that could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company. The existence of significant stockholders may also have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, delaying or preventing changes in control or changes in management, or limiting the ability of our other stockholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in the best interests of our company.

 

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So long as the Existing Owners continue to control a significant amount of our common stock, each will continue to be able to strongly influence all matters requiring stockholder approval, regardless of whether or not other stockholders believe that a potential transaction is in their own best interests. In any of these matters, the interests of the Existing Owners may differ or conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. In addition, BCP and its affiliates may, from time to time, acquire interests in businesses that directly or indirectly compete with our business, as well as businesses that are significant existing or potential customers. BCP and its affiliates may acquire or seek to acquire assets that we seek to acquire and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us or may be more expensive for us to pursue. Moreover, this concentration of stock ownership may also adversely affect the trading price of our common stock to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a controlling stockholder.

We have identified material weaknesses and a significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting and may identify additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, which may result in material misstatements of our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our periodic reporting obligations.

As a public company, we will be required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in those internal controls, subject to any exemptions that we avail ourselves to under the JOBS Act. For example, we will be required to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley. We are in the process of designing, implementing, and testing internal control over financial reporting required to comply with this obligation.

We and our independent registered public accounting firm have identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses related to the misapplication of GAAP in accounting for our deferred stock plan in effect in 2016 and ineffective controls over the financial statement close and reporting processes.

We also identified a significant deficiency related to our debt reconciliation process. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the company’s financial reporting.

We are taking steps to remedy these material weaknesses and significant deficiency by establishing more robust processes supporting internal controls over financial reporting, including accounting policies and procedures and our engagement of consultants to assist management in determining and evaluating new accounting positions. We can give no assurance that these actions will remediate this deficiency in internal control or that additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Our failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in errors in our financial statements that could result in a restatement of our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

BCP and its respective affiliates are not limited in their ability to compete with us, and the corporate opportunity provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation could enable BCP to benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us.

Our governing documents will provide that BCP and its respective affiliates (including portfolio investments of BCP and its affiliates) are not restricted from owning assets or engaging in businesses that

 

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compete directly or indirectly with us. In particular, subject to the limitations of applicable law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will, among other things:

 

    permit BCP and its respective affiliates to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and

 

    provide that if BCP or its respective affiliates, or any employee, partner, member, manager, officer or director of BCP or its respective affiliates who is also one of our directors or officers, becomes aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter, they will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us.

BCP or its respective affiliates may become aware, from time to time, of certain business opportunities (such as acquisition opportunities) and may direct such opportunities to other businesses in which they have invested, in which case we may not become aware of or otherwise have the ability to pursue such opportunity. Furthermore, such businesses may choose to compete with us for these opportunities, possibly causing these opportunities to not be available to us or causing them to be more expensive for us to pursue. In addition, BCP and its respective affiliates may dispose of properties or other assets in the future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to purchase any of those assets. As a result, our renouncing our interest and expectancy in any business opportunity that may be from time to time presented to BCP and its respective affiliates could adversely impact our business or prospects if attractive business opportunities are procured by such parties for their own benefit rather than for ours.

We have engaged in transactions with our affiliates and expect to do so in the future. The terms of such transactions and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests.

We have engaged in transactions and expect to continue to engage in transactions with affiliated companies, as described under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.” The terms of such transactions and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as well as Delaware law, will contain provisions that could discourage acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. If our board of directors elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, some provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders, including:

 

    after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, providing that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law or, if applicable, the rights of holders of a series of preferred stock, only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum (prior to such time, vacancies may also be filled by stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote);

 

    after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, permitting any action by stockholders to be taken only at an annual meeting or special meeting rather than by a written consent of the stockholders, subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock with respect to such rights;

 

   

after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, permitting our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and

 

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restated bylaws to be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon;

 

    after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, permitting special meetings of our stockholders to be called only by our board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of authorized directors whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships (prior to such time, a special meeting may also be called at the request of stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote);

 

    after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of all then outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, to remove any or all of the directors from office at any time, and directors will be removable only for “cause”;

 

 

    dividing our board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class serving staggered three-year terms;

 

    prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

    establishing advance notice provisions for stockholder proposals and nominations for elections to the board of directors to be acted upon at meetings of stockholders; and

 

    providing that the board of directors is expressly authorized to adopt, or to alter or repeal our bylaws.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders to us or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any director, officer, employee or agents of ours arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation described in the preceding sentence. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and such persons. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Investors in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution of $            per share.

Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $             per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), purchasers of our common stock in this offering will experience an immediate and substantial dilution of $             per share in the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of common stock from the initial public offering price, and our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31,

 

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2018 after giving effect to this offering would be $             per share. This dilution is due in large part to earlier investors having paid substantially less than the initial public offering price when they purchased their shares. See “Dilution.”

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock, and our Credit Facility and Term Loan place certain restrictions on our ability to do so. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment is if the price of our common stock appreciates.

We do not plan to declare cash dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. Additionally, our Credit Facility and Term Loan place certain restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends. Consequently, your only opportunity to achieve a return on your investment in us will be if you sell your common stock at a price greater than you paid for it. There is no guarantee that the price of our common stock that will prevail in the market will ever exceed the price that you pay in this offering.

Future sales of our common stock in the public market could reduce our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute your ownership in us.

We may issue additional shares of common stock or convertible securities in subsequent public offerings. After the completion of this offering, we will have                 outstanding shares of common stock. This number includes                 shares of common stock that we and the selling stockholders are selling in this offering, but does not include the                 shares of common stock that we and the selling stockholders may sell in this offering if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is fully exercised, which may be resold immediately in the public market. Following the completion of this offering, BCP and its respective affiliates will own                 shares of common stock (assuming an initial public offering price of $         per share of common stock, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) representing approximately     % (or     % if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) of our total outstanding common stock. All such shares are restricted from immediate resale under the federal securities laws and are subject to the lock-up agreements between such parties and the underwriters described in “Underwriting,” but may be sold into the market in the future. We expect that certain of the Existing Owners will be party to a registration rights agreement with us that will require us to effect the registration of their shares in certain circumstances no earlier than the expiration of the lock-up period contained in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with this offering. See “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

In connection with this offering, we intend to file a registration statement with the SEC on Form S-8 providing for the registration of                  shares of our common stock issued or reserved for issuance under our equity incentive plan. Subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions and the expiration of lock-up agreements, shares registered under the registration statement on Form S-8 will be available for resale immediately in the public market without restriction.

We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or securities convertible into common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.

The underwriters of this offering may waive or release parties to the lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

We, all of our directors and executive officers, and the selling stockholders have entered or will enter into lock-up agreements with respect to their common stock, pursuant to which they will be subject to certain resale restrictions with respect to the sale or other disposition of our common stock for a period of 180 days following

 

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the effectiveness date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, at any time and without notice, may release all or any portion of the common stock subject to the foregoing lock-up agreements. If the restrictions under the lock-up agreements are waived, then common stock will be available for sale into the public markets, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline and impair our ability to raise capital.

We may issue preferred stock, the terms of which could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.

Taking advantage of the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” may make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of certain reduced reporting and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. Pursuant to these reduced disclosure requirements, emerging growth companies are not required to, among other things, comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, provide certain disclosures regarding executive compensation, hold stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation or obtain stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, emerging growth companies have longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates, or issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period.

We intend to take advantage of all of the reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under Section 107 of the JOBS Act, until we are no longer an emerging growth company. If we were to subsequently elect instead to comply with these public company effective dates, such election would be irrevocable pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act.

Our election to use the phase-in periods permitted by this election may make it difficult to compare our financial statements to those of non-emerging growth companies and other emerging growth companies that have opted out of the longer phase-in periods under Section 107 of the JOBS Act and who will comply with new or revised financial accounting standards. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our common stock price may be more volatile. Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.

 

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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company adversely changes his or her recommendation with respect to our common stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information in this prospectus includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events.

Forward-looking statements may include statements about:

 

    our business strategy;

 

    our operating cash flows, the availability of capital and our liquidity;

 

    our future revenue, income and operating performance;

 

    our ability to sustain and improve our utilization, revenues and margins;

 

    our ability to maintain acceptable pricing for our services;

 

    our future capital expenditures;

 

    our ability to finance equipment, working capital and capital expenditures;

 

    competition and government regulations;

 

    our ability to obtain permits and governmental approvals;

 

    pending legal or environmental matters or liabilities;

 

    pending litigation involving Allied Power Management, LLC;

 

    environmental hazards;

 

    industrial accidents;

 

    business or asset acquisitions;

 

    general economic conditions;

 

    credit markets;

 

    our ability to successfully develop our research and technology capabilities and implement technological developments and enhancements;

 

    uncertainty regarding our future operating results; and

 

    plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this prospectus that are not historical.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks include, but are not limited to, the risks described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this prospectus occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

 

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All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this prospectus are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive approximately $            million of net proceeds from the sale of our common stock in this offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us (assuming the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). We intend to use approximately $            million of the net proceeds to repay $            outstanding under the Term Loan and any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders.

Our Term Loan matures on October 25, 2024. As of March 31, 2018, $245.3 million was outstanding under the Term Loan, which bears interest, at our option, at 1-month, 2-month or 3-month LIBOR or any combination thereof, plus 6.25% (8.2% as of March 31, 2018). Approximately $130.0 million and $120.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan were incurred to repay indebtedness and to make cash distributions to our Existing Owners, respectively.

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $            per share would cause the net proceeds from this offering received by us, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, to increase or decrease, respectively, by approximately $            million, assuming the number of shares offered by us (as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) remains the same. If the proceeds increase due to a higher initial public offering price, we would use the additional net proceeds to repay borrowings under our Term Loan, if any borrowings remain outstanding, and the remaining net proceeds, if any, for general corporate purposes. If the proceeds decrease due to a lower initial public offering price, we would first reduce by a corresponding amount the net proceeds to be used for general corporate purposes, and then, if necessary, the net proceeds directed to repayment of amounts outstanding under the Term Loan.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our future dividend policy is within the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon then-existing conditions, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, investment opportunities, statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. Our Credit Facility and our Term Loan restrict our ability to pay cash dividends to holders of our common stock.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of March 31, 2018:

 

    on an actual basis; and

 

    as adjusted to give effect to (i) the transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization,” (ii) the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering at the initial public offering price of $                per share (the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus) and (iii) the application of net proceeds from this offering as set forth under “Use of Proceeds.”

You should read the following table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our combined financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The information presented below assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. The table does not reflect shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our omnibus incentive plan, which we plan to adopt in connection with this offering.

 

     As of March 31, 2018  
     Actual      As
Adjusted (1)
 
    

(in thousands, except number

of shares and par value)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 9,283      $                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt, including current portion:

     

Credit Facility

   $      $  

Term Loan

   $ 245,315      $  

Equipment Financing Facilities

   $ 20,823      $  
  

 

 

    

Total debt

   $ 266,138      $  

Members’/Stockholders’ equity:

     

Members’ equity

   $ 29,515      $  

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding (actual),                  shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)

         

Common stock, $0.01 par value; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding (actual);                  shares authorized,                  shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)

         

Retained earnings

     19,122     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

     582     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total members’/stockholders’ equity

   $ 49,219      $  
  

 

 

    

Total capitalization

   $ 315,357      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $         per share (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) would increase (decrease) each of additional paid-in capital, total members’/stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $             million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. An increase (decrease) of one million shares offered by us at an assumed offering price of $             per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) cash and cash equivalents by approximately $             (            )    million and increase (decrease) additional paid-in capital, total members’/stockholders’ equity and total capitalization each by approximately $                 (            )    million, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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DILUTION

Purchasers of the common stock in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value per share of the common stock for accounting purposes. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2018, after giving pro forma effect to the transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization,” was approximately $        million, or $        per share of common stock. Pro forma net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our pro forma tangible net worth (tangible assets less total liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares of common stock that will be outstanding immediately prior to the closing of this offering including giving effect to our corporate reorganization.

After giving effect to the sale of the shares in this offering and further assuming the receipt of the estimated net proceeds (after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses), our adjusted pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2018 would have been approximately $        million, or $        per share. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of $        per share to the Existing Owners and an immediate dilution (i.e., the difference between the offering price and the adjusted pro forma net tangible book value after this offering) to new investors purchasing shares in this offering of $        per share. The following table illustrates the per share dilution to new investors purchasing shares in this offering:

 

Initial public offering price per share of common stock

      $                   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock as of March 31, 2018 (after giving effect to our corporate reorganization)

   $                      

Increase per share of common stock attributable to new investors in this offering

     
  

 

 

    

As adjusted pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock after giving further effect to this offering

     
     

 

 

 

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share of common stock to new investors in this offering (1)

      $               
     

 

 

 

 

(1) If the initial public offering price were to increase or decrease by $1.00 per share, then dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering would equal $        or $        , respectively.

The following table summarizes, on an adjusted pro forma basis as of March 31, 2018, the total number of shares of common stock owned by the Existing Owners and to be owned by new investors, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by the Existing Owners and to be paid by new investors in this offering at $        , calculated before deduction of estimated underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

     Shares Acquired     Total Consideration     Average
Price Per
Share
 
     Number      Percent     Amount      Percent    
     (in thousands)  

Existing Owners (1)

               $                            $               

New investors in this offering (2)

               $                            $               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

               $                            $               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The number of shares disclosed for the Existing Owners includes                 shares as selling stockholders in this offering.
(2) The number of shares disclosed for the new investors does not include the                shares being purchased by the new investors from the Existing Owners in this offering.

The data in the table excludes                shares of common stock initially reserved for issuance under our omnibus incentive plan.

 

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If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full, the number of shares held by new investors will be increased to                , or approximately     % of the total number of shares of common stock.

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA

Charah Solutions was formed in January 2018 and does not have historical financial results. The following table shows selected historical combined financial information of our Predecessor for the periods and as of the dates indicated. The selected historical combined financial information at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the years then ended, was derived from the historical audited combined financial statements of our Predecessor included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary historical financial information at March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was derived from the unaudited condensed combined interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The successor columns below represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 13, 2018 through March 31, 2017, as well as the three months ended March 31, 2018, and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement. The following table should be read together with “Use of Proceeds,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Corporate Reorganization” and the financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period From
January 13, 2017
through
December 31, 2017
    Period From
January 1, 2017

through
January 12,  2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statement of Income:

           

Revenue:

           

Environmental Solutions

  $ 47,785     $ 47,856     $ 7,451     $ 232,581     $ 7,451     $ 218,051  

Maintenance and Technical Services

    107,744       11,109       1,679       188,658       1,679       47,017  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    155,529       58,965       9,130       421,239       9,130       265,068  

Cost of sales

    136,430       43,235       7,301       338,908       7,301       203,228  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit:

           

Environmental Solutions

    12,469       13,036       1,412       64,433       1,412       51,282  

Maintenance and Technical Services

    6,630       2,694       417       17,898       417       10,558  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

    19,099       15,730       1,829       82,331       1,829       61,840  

General and administrative expenses

    14,382       6,516       3,170       48,495       3,170       35,170  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

    4,717       9,214       (1,341     33,836       (1,341     26,670  

Interest expense

    (4,131     (1,055     (4,181     (14,146     (4,181     (6,244

Income from equity method investment

    587       206       48       816       48       2,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    1,173       8,365       (5,474     20,506       (5,474     23,129  

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest (3)

    (367     (270     (54     (2,190     (54     (2,198
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

  $ 806     $ 8,095     $ (5,528   $ 18,316     $ (5,528   $ 20,931  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro Forma Per Share Data: (4)

           

Pro forma net income

  $     $       $      

Basic and diluted

  $     $       $      

Pro forma provision for income taxes

  $     $       $      

Basic and diluted

  $     $       $      

Pro forma weighted average shares outstanding

           

Basic and diluted

           

 

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    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period From
January 13, 2017
through
December 31, 2017
    Period From
January 1, 2017

through
January 12,  2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
   

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Statements of Cash Flows Data:

           

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 4,225     $ 1,983     $ (4,418   $ 57,792     $ (4,418   $ 8,351  

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

  $ (22,876   $ (2,734   $     $ (7,270         $ (15,885

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

  $ (4,330   $ 3,902     $ 4,463     $ (19,304   $ 4,463     $ 7,298  

Other Financial Data:

           

Adjusted EBITDA (5)

  $ 17,364     $ 15,427     $ (422   $ 76,430     $ (422)     $ 58,965  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (5)

    11.2%       26.2%     $ (4.6 )%      18.1     (4.6)     22.7

Balance Sheet Data (as of the end of the periods indicated):

           

Total assets

  $ 416,918         $ 377,651       $ 188,834  

Long-term debt

  $ 233,438           $227,698       $ 113,182  

Total liabilities

  $ 367,699         $ 329,332       $ 167,488  

Total members’ equity (including non-controlling interest)

  $ 49,219         $ 48,319       $ 21,346  

 

(1) The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the periods from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017, January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018, as applicable, as reflected in our financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) Relates to one of our joint ventures.
(4) Pro forma net income (loss), net income (loss) per share and weighted average shares outstanding reflect the estimated number of shares of common stock we expect to have outstanding upon the completion of our corporate reorganization described under “Corporate Reorganization.” Our Predecessor was not subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level. As a result, the combined net income in our historical financial statements does not reflect the tax expense we would have incurred if we were subject to U.S. federal income tax at an entity level during such periods.
(5) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to our most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “Prospectus Summary—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical Combined Financial Data,” “Selected Historical Combined Financial Data” and the financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion contains “forward-looking statements” reflecting our current expectations, estimates and assumptions concerning events and financial trends that may affect our future operating results or financial position. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, capital expenditures, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory changes and other uncertainties, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. We assume no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a leading provider of mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. We provide on-site, essential services that enable our clients to continue operations and provide necessary power to communities nationwide. In 2017, we performed work at 51 coal-fired and nuclear power generation sites nationwide. We are the only service provider offering a suite of coal ash management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. We also design and implement solutions for complex environmental projects (such as ash pond closures) and facilitate coal ash recycling through byproduct sales and other beneficial use services. We believe we are a partner-of-choice for the power generation industry due to our industry-leading quality, safety and compliance record, all of which are key criteria for our customers.

Since our founding, we have continuously anticipated our customers’ evolving environmental needs, increasing the number of services we provide and our embedded presence at their power generation facilities. Compared to service providers with more limited scope, our multi-service platform allows customers to gain efficiencies from sourcing multiple required offerings from a single, trusted partner. As a result of these unique offerings, the embedded nature of our on-site presence and our track record of successful execution, we have built long-term relationships with leading U.S. utilities and independent power producers. We operate in 22 states, resulting in an overall footprint and density in key markets that we believe is difficult to replicate.

We conduct our operations through two segments: Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services.

Environmental Solutions . Our Environmental Solutions segment includes Remediation and Compliance Services, as well as Byproduct Sales offerings. Remediation and Compliance Services is associated with our customers’ need for multiyear environmental improvement and sustainability initiatives, whether driven by proactive engagement by power generation customers, by regulatory requirements or by consumer expectations and standards. Byproduct Sales supports both our power generation customers’ desire to profitably recycle recurring volumes of CCRs and our ultimate end customers’ need for high-quality, cost-effective raw material substitutes.

Maintenance and Technical Services. Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes Fossil Services and, from and after May 2017 when Allied Power Management, LLC was created, Nuclear Services. Fossil Services is the recurring management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities. Nuclear Services includes routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities. The Maintenance and Technical Services segment offerings are most closely

 

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associated with the ongoing operations of power plants, whether in the form of daily environmental management or required maintenance services (typically during planned outages).

We believe there is an expanding market opportunity for our platform, and we have a focused growth strategy to capture new business. As the environmental and maintenance needs of our power generation customers increase, we believe we can capture incremental market share across our business by capitalizing on the significant pipeline of near-term environmental remediation and closure projects, growing our on-site service revenue through expanded offerings and maximizing fleet-wide opportunities among new and existing customers. We also intend to augment these strategies by investing in innovative technologies, processes and solutions, as well as pursuing disciplined acquisitions.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

We use a variety of financial and operational metrics to assess the performance of our operations, including:

 

    Revenues;

 

    Gross Margin;

 

    Operating Income;

 

    Adjusted EBITDA; and

 

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin.

Revenues

We analyze our revenues by comparing actual revenues to our internal projections for a given period and to prior periods to assess our performance. We believe that revenues are a meaningful indicator of the demand and pricing for our services.

Gross Margin

We analyze our gross margin, which we define as revenues less cost of sales, to measure our financial performance. We believe gross margin is a meaningful metric because it provides insight on financial performance of our revenue streams without consideration of company overhead. When analyzing gross margin we compare actual gross margin to our internal projections for a given period and to prior periods to assess our performance.

Operating Income

We analyze our operating income, which we define as revenues less cost of sales and general and administrative expenses, to measure our financial performance. We believe operating income is a meaningful metric because it provides insight on profitability and true operating performance based on the historical cost basis of our assets. We also compare operating income to our internal projections for a given period and to prior periods.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

We view Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures, as an important indicator of performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation and income taxes, elimination of certain legacy expenses, amounts from a non-acquired business line and transaction related expenses and other items. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December

 

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31, 2016 were less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line). See “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical Combined Financial Data” and “—Non-GAAP Measures” for more information and reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Statements

Ability to Capture New Contracts and Opportunities

Our ability to grow revenue and earnings is contingent on maintaining and increasing our market share, renewing existing contracts and obtaining additional contracts from proactive bidding on contracts with new and existing customers. We proactively work with existing customers ahead of contract end dates to secure contract renewals. We also leverage the embedded long-term nature of our customer relationships to obtain insight into and capture new business opportunities across our platform.

Seasonality of Business

Based on historic trends, we expect our operating results to vary seasonally. Nuclear power generators perform turnaround and outages in the off peak months where demand is lower and capacity is less constrained. As a result, our Nuclear Services offerings may have higher revenue volume in the spring and fall months. Weather can also have an impact on our business as the consumption of energy is seasonal and variations in normal weather patterns can influence energy demand and associated services. These variations can impact the regularity of our business performance, particularly within our Fossil Services offerings.

Project-Based Nature of Environmental Remediation Mandates

We believe there is a significant pipeline of ash ponds and landfills that will require remediation or closure in the future. Because of their scale and complexity, these environmental remediation projects are typically completed over longer periods of time. As a result, our revenues from these projects can fluctuate over time. Some of our revenues from projects are recognized using percentage of completion accounting for GAAP purposes. This method of revenue recognition is determined by estimating the percentage of completion on a job and the ultimate estimated gross profit margin on the job. Revenues booked may differ from revenue billed, sometimes resulting in costs and billing in excess of actual revenues. Because of the risks in estimating long term jobs, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Byproduct Recycling Market Dynamics

There is a growing demand for recycled coal ash across a variety of applications. Pricing of byproduct sales is driven by supply and demand market dynamics, in addition to the chemical and physical properties of coal ash. As demand increases for the end-products that use recycled coal-fired power generation waste byproducts (i.e. concrete for construction and infrastructure projects), the demand for recycled coal ash also typically increases. These fluctuations affect the relative demand for our Byproduct Sales offerings. In recessionary periods, construction and infrastructure spending and the corresponding need for concrete may decline. However, this unfavorable effect may be partially offset by an increase in the demand for recycled coal ash during a recessionary period given coal ash is more cost-effective than other alternatives.

Power Generation Industry Spend on Environmental Liability Management and Regulatory Requirements

The power generation industry has increased annual spending on environmental liability management. We believe this is the result of not only regulatory and consumer pressure, but also the industry’s increasing focus on environmental stewardship. Continued increases in spending on environmental liability management by our customers should result in increased demand for services across our platform.

 

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Cost Management and Capital Investment Efficiency

Our main operating costs consist of labor and material costs and equipment maintenance. We maintain a focus on cost management and efficiency, including monitoring labor costs, both in terms of wage rates and headcount, along with other costs such as materials and equipment. We maintain a disciplined approach to capital expenditure decisions, which are typically associated with specific contract requirements. Furthermore, we strive to extend the useful life of our equipment through the application of a well-planned routine maintenance program.

How We Generate Revenues

The Environmental Solutions segment generates revenue through our Remediation and Compliance Services, as well as Byproduct Sales offerings. Our Remediation and Compliance Services offerings primarily consist of designing, constructing, managing, remediating, and closing ash ponds and landfills on customer-owned sites. Our Byproduct Sales offerings include the recycling of recurring and contracted volumes of coal-fired power generation waste byproducts, such as bottom ash, fly ash and gypsum byproduct, each of which can be used for various industrial purposes. Our platform of services is contracted for terms generally ranging from 18 months to five years, thereby reducing financial volatility. In excess of 90% of our services work is structured as time and materials, cost reimbursable or unit price contracts, which significantly reduces the risk of loss on contracts and provides gross margin visibility. Revenue from management contracts is recognized when the ash is hauled to the landfill or the management services are provided. Revenue from the sales of ash is recognized when it is delivered to the customer.

The Maintenance and Technical Services segment generates revenue through our Fossil Services and Nuclear Services offerings. Maintenance and Technical Services segment offerings are most closely associated with the ongoing operations of power plants, whether in the form of daily environmental management or required maintenance services (typically during planned outages). Our Fossil Services offerings focus on recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities to fulfill an environmental service need of our customers in handling their waste byproducts. Our Nuclear Services operations, which goes to market under the Allied Power brand name, consists of a broad platform of mission-critical professional, technical and craft services spanning the entire asset life cycle of a nuclear power generator. The services are performed on the customer’s site and the contract terms typically range between three to five years. Revenues are billed and paid on a monthly basis during the term of the contract. Our Nuclear Services revenues may experience spikes related to shutdowns of generators. This embedded partnership deepens customer connectivity and drives long-term relationships which are critical for the renewal of existing contracts, winning incremental business from existing customers at new sites and adding new customers. For example, over the last five years, we have achieved an approximately 90% renewal rate for contracts in our Fossil Services offerings up for renewal.

Costs of Conducting Our Business

The principal expenses involved in conducting our business are labor and material costs, most of which is included in cost of goods sold. Additionally, we have general and administrative expenses primarily comprised of sales and marketing expense. Expenses related to subcontracting and equipment are also key expenses in our business.

Basis of Presentation

Charah Solutions, Inc. was formed in January 2018, and has not and will not conduct any material business operations prior to the transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization,” other than certain activities related to this offering. The historical financial data presented herein for the year ended and as of December 31, 2016 is that of Charah, LLC, our predecessor for financial reporting purposes and, at March 31, 2018 and for the

 

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three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and for the year ended and as of December 31, 2017 is that of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC on a combined basis. Allied Power Management was formed in May 2017 and did not commence operations until July 2017. Our historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 may not be comparable to the historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. The historical combined financial information of our Predecessor is not indicative of the results that may be expected in any future periods. For more information, please see the historical combined financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Factors Impacting the Comparability of Results of Operations

Public Company Costs

We expect to incur incremental, non-recurring costs related to our transition to a publicly traded and taxable corporation, including the costs of this initial public offering and the costs associated with the initial implementation of our Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control implementation and testing. We also expect to incur additional significant and recurring expenses as a publicly traded corporation, including costs associated with the employment of additional personnel, compliance under the Exchange Act, annual and quarterly reports to common stockholders, registrar and transfer agent fees, national stock exchange fees, audit fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director and officer compensation.

Corporate Reorganization

We were incorporated to serve as the issuer in this offering and have no previous operations, assets or liabilities. Charah Sole Member and Allied Sole Member will be contributed to us in connection with this offering as described under “Corporate Reorganization” and will thereby become our subsidiaries. As we integrate our operations and further implement controls, processes and infrastructure, it is likely that we will incur incremental selling, general and administrative expenses relative to historical periods. The corporate reorganization represents a reorganization of entities under common control, and as a result will not result in a change in accounting basis of our net assets.

Income Taxes

Charah Solutions, Inc. is a Subchapter C corporation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and, as a result, will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes. Although the Predecessor Companies are subject to franchise tax at the state level (at less than 1% of modified pre-tax earnings), they have historically passed through their taxable income to their owners for U.S. federal and other state and local income tax purposes and thus were not subject to U.S. federal income taxes or other state or local income taxes. Accordingly, the financial data attributable to our Predecessor contains no provision for U.S. federal income taxes or income taxes in any state or locality other than franchise taxes. We estimate that Charah Solutions, Inc. would have been subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes at a blended statutory rate of 38% of pre-tax earnings and would have incurred pro forma income tax expense of approximately $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The historical tax rate used in connection with the pro forma income tax expense calculation for the year ended December 31, 2017 does not reflect the impact of recently enacted U.S. tax reform legislation, known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” which reduces the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, which generally became effective on January 1, 2018. We estimate that Charah Solutions, Inc. will be subject to U.S. federal, state and local taxes at a blended statutory rate of 25% of pre-tax earnings and would have incurred pro forma tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $0.2 million. The historical tax rate used in connection with the pro forma income tax expense calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 reflects the impact of U.S. tax reform.

 

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Internal Controls and Procedures

We and our independent registered public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses related to the misapplication of GAAP in accounting for our deferred stock plan in effect in 2016 and ineffective controls over the financial statement close and reporting processes.

We also identified a significant deficiency related to our debt reconciliation process. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those responsible for oversight of the company’s financial reporting.

We are taking steps to remedy these material weaknesses and significant deficiency by establishing more robust processes supporting internal controls over financial reporting, including accounting policies and procedures and our engagement of consultants to assist management in determining and evaluating new accounting positions. We can give no assurance that these actions will remediate this deficiency in internal control or that additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting will not be identified in the future. Our failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in errors in our financial statements that could result in a restatement of our financial statements and cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations.

We are not currently required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, and are therefore not required in connection with this offering to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Upon becoming a public company, we will be required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley, which will require our management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports. We will be required to provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting beginning with our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2019. We will not be required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 until our first annual report subsequent to our ceasing to be an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act.

Operations of Allied Power Management, LLC

Allied Power Management, LLC was formed in May 2017 and did not commence operations until July 2017. Our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 reflect the results of Allied Power Management only from the commencement of its operations in July 2017. As a result, our historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 may not be comparable to the historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016, and, similarly, our historical financial and operating information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 may not be comparable to the historical financial and operating information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Predecessor Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

The following table sets forth our Predecessor’s selected operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The successor column below represents the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017, each as reflected in

 

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our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement. The dollar amount and percentage change information below reflects the difference between results in the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the combined results for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 and the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017.

 

     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Change  
     Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    $     %  
     (in thousands)  

Revenue:

          

Environmental Solutions

   $ 47,785     $ 47,856     $ 7,451     $ (7,522     (13.6 )% 

Maintenance and Technical Services

     107,744       11,109       1,679       94,956       742.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     155,529       58,965       9,130       87,434       128.4%  

Cost of sales

     136,430       43,235       7,301       85,894       170.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit:

          

Environmental Solutions

     12,469       13,036       1,412       (1,979     (13.7 )% 

Maintenance and Technical Services

     6,630       2,694       417       3,519       113.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

     19,099       15,730       1,829       1,540       8.8

General and administrative expenses

     14,382       6,516       3,170       4,696       48.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     4,717       9,214       (1,341     (3,156     (40.1 )% 

Interest expense

     (4,131     (1,055     (4,181     (1,105     (21.1 )% 

Income from equity method investment

     587       206       48       333       131.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     1,173       8,365       (5,474     (1,718     (59.4 )% 

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest

     (367     (270     (54     (43     (13.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

   $ 806     $ 8,095     $ (5,528   $ (1,761     (68.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (3)

   $ 17,364     $ 15,427     $ (422   $ 2,358       15.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (3)

     11.2     26.2     (4.6 )%      (10.8 )%      N/A  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor column represents the financial information of Charah, LLC for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to our most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “—Non-GAAP Measures” below.

 

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Revenues . Revenues increased $87.4 million, or 128.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $155.5 million from $68.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in revenues by segment was as follows:

Environmental Solutions revenues. Environmental Solutions segment revenues decreased $7.5 million, or 13.6%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $47.8 million from $55.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to the completion of a large remediation and compliance job that ended mid-2017, offset by the net addition of new remediation and compliance contracts.

Maintenance and Technical Services revenues. Maintenance and Technical Services revenues increased $95.0 million, or 741.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $107.8 million from $12.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings.

Gross Profit . Gross profit increased $1.5 million, or 8.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $19.1 million from $17.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 12.3% and 25.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in gross profit by segment was as follows:

Environmental Solutions gross profit. Gross profit for our Environmental Solutions segment decreased $2.0 million, or 13.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $12.4 million from $14.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to the completion of a large remediation and compliance job that ended mid-2017, offset by the net addition of new remediation and compliance contracts.

Maintenance and Technical Services gross profit. Gross profit for our Maintenance and Technical Services segment increased $3.5 million, or 113.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $6.6 million from $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings.

General  & Administrative . General and administrative expense increased $4.7 million, or 48.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $14.4 million from $9.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to $5.9 million of additional expense associated with our Nuclear Services offerings, including $3.5 million of non-recurring and non-operating legal costs (including legal costs associated with outstanding litigation as disclosed in Note 18 to our audited financial statements) and non-recurring startup costs, as disclosed in our Adjusted EBITDA calculation included herein.

Interest Expense. Interest expense, net decreased $1.1 million, or 21.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $4.1 million from $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. We incurred $4.1 million of costs associated with debt retirement in conjunction with BCP’s investment in us recorded during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017. The three months ended March 31, 2018 had higher interest costs associated with the increase in our debt balances, offset by a $1.6 million gain on our interest rate swap.

Income from Equity Method Investment . Income from equity method investment increased $0.3 million, or 131.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $0.6 million from $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to a price increase of the products sold through this joint venture.

Net Income. Net income decreased $1.7 million, or 59.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $1.2 million from $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in general and administrative costs noted above, offset by overall increased revenues and gross profit associated with our projects, including the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin . Adjusted EBITDA increased $2.4 million, or 15.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $17.4 million from $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and our Adjusted EBITDA margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 11.2%, a decrease of 10.8% from 22.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see “—Non-GAAP Measures.”

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

The following table sets forth our Predecessor’s selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The successor column below represents the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017, each as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement. The dollar amount and percentage change information below reflects the difference between results in the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the combined results for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 and the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Change  
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through

December 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through

January 12, 2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
        $              %      
   

(in thousands)

             

Revenue:

         

Environmental Solutions

  $ 232,581     $ 7,451     $   218,051     $ 21,981       10.1

Maintenance and Technical Services

    188,658       1,679       47,017       143,320       304.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    421,239       9,130       265,068       165,301       62.4

Cost of sales

    338,908       7,301       203,228       142,981       70.4
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit:

         

Environmental Solutions

    64,433       1,412       51,282       14,563       28.4

Maintenance and Technical Services

    17,898       417       10,558       7,757       73.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

    82,331       1,829       61,840       22,320       36.1

General and administrative expenses

    48,495       3,170       35,170       16,495       46.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    33,836       (1,341     26,670       5,825       21.8

Interest expense

    (14,146     (4,181     (6,244     12,083       193.5

Income from equity method investment

    816       48       2,703       (1,839     (68.0 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    20,506      
(5,474

    23,129       (8,097     (35.0 )% 

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest

    (2,190     (54     (2,198     (46     (2.1 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

    18,316       (5,528     20,931       (8,143     (38.9 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (3)

  $ 76,430     $ (422   $ 58,965     $ 17,043       28.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin (3)

    18.1     (4.6 )%      22.7     (5 )%      N/A  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The successor column represents the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2)

The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial

 

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  statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to our most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, please read “—Non-GAAP Measures” below.

Revenues . Revenues increased $165.3 million, or 62.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $430.4 million from $265.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in revenues by segment was as follows:

Environmental Solutions revenues. Environmental Solutions segment revenues increased $22.0 million, or 10.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $240.0 million from $218.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in revenues from our Remediation and Compliance Services job sites in the amount of $26 million, partially offset by a reduction in revenue related to our non-acquired business line of $5 million.

Maintenance and Technical Services revenues. Maintenance and Technical Services revenues increased $143.3 million, or 304.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $190.3 million from $47.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings in the amount of $136 million, in addition to the net increase in revenue on Fossil Services projects of $7 million.

Gross Profit . Gross profit increased $22.3 million, or 36.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $84.2 million from $61.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. As a percentage of revenue, gross profit was 19.6% and 23.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in gross profit by segment was as follows:

Environmental Solutions gross profit. Gross profit for our Environmental Solutions segment increased $14.6 million, or 28.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $65.8 million from $51.3 million for the year end December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit from our Remediation and Compliance Services job sites and Byproduct Sales offerings in the amount of $13 million and the elimination of negative gross profit associated with our non-acquired business line of $2 million.

Maintenance and Technical Services gross profit. Gross profit for our Maintenance and Technical Services segment increased $7.8 million, or 73.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $18.3 million from $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings, in addition to the net increase in gross profit on Fossil Services projects.

General & Administrative . General and administrative expense increased $16.5 million, or 46.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $51.7 million from $35.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to $18.9 million of additional expense associated with our Nuclear Services offerings, including $14.8 million of non-recurring and non-operating legal costs (including legal costs associated with outstanding litigation as disclosed in Note 18 to our audited financial statements included herein) and non-recurring startup costs, as disclosed in our Adjusted EBITDA calculation included herein.

Interest Expense . Interest expense, net increased $12.1 million, or 193.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $18.3 million from $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. We incurred $4.1 million of costs associated with debt retirement in conjunction with BCP’s investment in us recorded during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017. During the period from January 13, 2017 to December 31, 2017, $6.1 million of debt issuance costs were expensed primarily due to the refinancing of our debt in October 2017. Additionally, we had higher interest costs associated with the increase in our debt balances in 2017.

 

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Income from Equity Method Investment . Income from equity method investment decreased $1.8 million, or 68.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $0.9 million from $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in ash volumes generated by the utility and available for sale by us.

Net Income. Net income decreased $8.1 million, or 35.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $15.0 million from $23.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in general and administrative costs noted above, along with an increase in interest expense, offset by overall increased revenues and gross profit associated with our projects, including the addition of our Nuclear Services offerings.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin . Adjusted EBITDA increased $17.0 million, or 28.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $76.0 million from $59 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and our Adjusted EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 17.7%, a decrease of 5.0% from 22.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.

For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, see “—Non-GAAP Measures.”

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly statements of income data for each of the nine quarters in the period ended March 31, 2018. The information for each of these quarters has been prepared on the same basis as our audited combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for these periods in accordance with GAAP. This data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. These quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of our operating results for a full year or any future period. The column for the three months ended March 31, 2017 presents financial information for the periods January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 and from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017. The column for the year ended December 31, 2017 presents financial information for the period January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 and from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

 

    Three Months Ended (unless otherwise noted)  
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 
    (in thousands)        

Revenue

  $ 57,477     $ 63,885     $ 72,189     $ 71,517     $ 265,068     $ 68,095     $ 74,404     $ 118,911     $ 168,959     $ 430,369     $ 155,529  

Environmental Solutions

    47,330       53,169       59,118       58,434       218,051       55,307       61,638       65,931       57,155       240,031       47,785  

Maintenance & Technical Services

    10,147       10,716       13,071       13,083       47,017       12,788       12,766       52,981       111,804       190,338       107,744  

Gross profit

    13,840       16,107       16,632       15,261       61,840       17,559       20,494       23,154       22,953       84,160       19,099  

Environmental Solutions

    11,322       15,141       13,157       11,662       51,282       14,449       17,504       18,683       15,209       65,845       12,469  

Maintenance & Technical Services

    2,518       966       3,475       3,599       10,558       3,110       2,989       4,471       7,744       18,315       6,630  

Adjusted EBITDA

    10,910       15,682       16,552       15,821       58,965       15,005       19,903       20,678       20,422       76,008       17,364  

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    19.3     25.5     23.1     22.5     22.7     22.0     26.8     17.4     12.1     17.7     11.2

 

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The following table presents reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, our most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with our Adjusted EBITDA margin.

 

    Three Months Ended (unless otherwise noted)  
    March 31,
2016
    June 30,
2016
    September 30,
2016
    December 31,
2016
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
    March 31,
2017
    June 30,
2017
    September 30,
2017
    December 31,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2017
    March 31,
2018
 
    (in thousands)        

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC

  $ 2,696     $ 6,508     $ 6,689     $ 5,038     $ 20,931     $ 2,567     $ 10,770     $ 1,057     $ (1,606   $ 12,788     $ 806  

Interest expense

    1,206       1,503       1,854       1,681       6,244       5,236       1,728       1,549       9,814       18,327       4,131  

Depreciation and amortization

    3,786       4,135       3,973       3,707       15,601       6,920       6,642       6,803       6,117       26,482       8,431  

Elimination of certain non-recurring and non-operating legal costs (1)(2)

                                        19       5,426       3,205       8,650       2,680  

Elimination of certain non-recurring startup costs

                                        447       3,464       2,256       6,167       793  

Equity-based compensation

    1,838       1,838       1,838       1,838       7,352       56       85       2,203       85       2,429       110  

Elimination of legacy expenses (3)

    262       1,018       835       1,795       3,910                                      

Non-acquired business line (4)

    1,111       627       1,085       945       3,768                                      

Transaction related expenses and other items (5)

    11       53       278       817       1,159       226       212       176       551       1,165       413  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 10,910     $ 15,682     $ 16,552     $ 15,821     $ 58,965     $ 15,005     $ 19,903     $ 20,678     $ 20,422    

 

$

 

76,008

 

 

  $ 17,364  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (6)

    19.3     25.5     23.1     22.5     22.7     22.0     26.8     17.4     12.1     17.7     11.2

 

(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2018, represents non-recurring legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, represents non-operating and non-recurring legal expenses associated with the legal entity formation of Allied Power Management, LLC as well as legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017. As a result, these costs will be non-recurring following the resolution of the APTIM litigation and are not representative of legal costs that we will incur from time to time in the ordinary course of our business.
(2) Represents non-recurring start-up costs associated with the startup of Allied Power Management, LLC and our Nuclear Services offerings, including the setup of financial operations systems and modules, pre-contract expenses to obtain initial contracts and the hiring of operational staff. Because these costs are associated with the initial setup of the Allied business to initiate the operations involved in our Nuclear Services offerings, these costs are non-recurring in the normal course of our business.
(3) Primary components include a change in charitable giving and other business expense policies associated with the BCP investment.
(4) Non-acquired business line item adjusts for a legacy operation of Charah, LLC that was transferred to a stockholder of CEP Holdings in January 2017 prior to the BCP investment.
(5) Transaction related expenses and other items include certain transaction expenses incurred in connection with the BCP investment and the SCB acquisition, as well as certain financing transaction expenses.
(6) Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December 31, 2016 were less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line, consisting of $897, $2,268, $675 and $1,205 for the quarterly periods ending March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016, respectively). We use Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure the success of our businesses in managing our cost base and improving profitability.

Seasonality

Based on historic trends, we expect our operating results to vary seasonally due to demand within our industry as well as weather conditions. For additional information on the effects of seasonality on our operating results, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Statements—Seasonality of Business.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We expect that our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources after the consummation of this offering will be cash flows generated by operating activities and borrowings under our Credit Facility. Depending upon market conditions and other factors, we may also have the ability to issue additional equity and debt if needed.

 

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As described in “Use of Proceeds,” we intend to use approximately $        million of the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under the Term Loan and the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes. Please see “Use of Proceeds.” We believe that, following completion of this offering, our cash on hand, operating cash flow and available borrowings under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.

Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities and equity provided by investors, including our management team and BCP. To date, our primary use of capital has been the funding of capital expenditures for the replacement and addition of equipment to continue ongoing operations and grow. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $9.3 million in cash.

Capital Requirements and Sources of Liquidity

Our 2018 capital budget is approximately $35 million, consisting primarily of equipment costs associated with performance and completion of our contracts, including replacement of dated and obsolete equipment. However, the amount and timing of these 2018 capital expenditures is largely discretionary and within our control. We could choose to defer or increase a portion of these planned 2018 capital expenditures depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, additional contracts awarded above and beyond our projections, and/or the increase or decrease in the useful life of our equipment. As we pursue growth, we monitor which capital resources, including equity and debt financings, are available to us to meet our future financial obligations, planned capital expenditure activities and liquidity requirements. Based upon the current industry outlook, following the closing of this offering and the consummation of the transactions described under “Corporate Reorganization,” we believe that our cash flow from operations, proceeds of this offering and borrowings under our Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. However, future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including the ability to maintain existing contracts, obtain new contracts and manage our operating expenses. The failure to achieve anticipated revenue and cash flows from operations could result in a reduction in future capital spending. We cannot assure you that operations and other needed capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all. In the event we make additional acquisitions and the amount of capital required is greater than the amount we have available for acquisitions at that time, we could be required to reduce the expected level of capital expenditures or seek additional capital. We cannot assure you that needed capital will be available on acceptable terms or at all.

 

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Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated. The successor columns below represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017, and the predecessor column below represents the financial information of Charah, LLC for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017, each as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.

 

     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Change  
     Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    $     %  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $     4,225     $     1,983     $ (4,418   $     6,660           273.5

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

   $ (22,876   $ (2,734   $     $ (20,142     (736.7 )% 

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ (4,330   $ 3,902     $ 4,463     $ (12,695     (151.8 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

   $ (22,981   $ 3,151     $ 45     $ (26,177     (819.1 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 and the three months ended March 31, 2018 as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor column represents the financial information of Charah, LLC for the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities increased $6.7 million, or 273.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $4.2 million from $(2.5) million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change in cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities is primarily attributable to the non-recurrence of an $18.9 million payment associated with the deferred stock plan in 2017 and an increase in accrued payroll of $15.2 million, offset by an $18.6 million decrease in cash resulting from the increase in trade accounts receivable and an $8.2 million decrease in cash resulting from the increase in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing.

Investing Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities increased $20.1 million, or 736.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $(22.9) million from $(2.7) million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change in cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities is primarily attributable to the $19.8 million used for business acquisitions, net of cash received.

 

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Financing Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $12.7 million, or 151.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $(4.3) million from $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change in cash flows provided by financing activities is primarily attributable to the refinancing of debt and the acquisition of Charah by BCP, both of which occurred in the first three months of 2017.

Our working capital, which we define as total current assets less total current liabilities, totaled $16.6 million and $12.3 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. This increase in working capital for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily the result of a $9.2 million increase in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, an $8.0 million increase in trade accounts receivable (excluding accounts receivable acquired as part of our business acquisition) and a $4.0 million increase in deferred offering costs, primarily offset by a $15.7 million increase in accrued payroll and bonuses.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

The following table sets forth our cash flows for the years indicated. The successor column below represents the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and the predecessor columns below represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017, each as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.

 

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Change  
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through

December 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
        $             %      
   

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ 57,792     $   (4,418   $ 8,351     $ 45,023       539.1

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

  $ (7,270         $ (15,885   $ 8,615       54.2

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

  $ (19,304   $ 4,463     $ 7,298     $ (22,139     (303.4 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

  $ 31,218     $ 45     $ (236   $ 31,449       13,325.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) The successor column represents the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $45.0 million, or 539.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $53.4 million from $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in cash flows used in operating activities is primarily attributable to the increase in net change in working capital of $41 million and other items.

 

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Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $8.6 million, or 54.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $7.3 million from $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in cash flows used in investing activities is attributable to the elimination of a restricted cash requirement associated with one of our projects, an increase in purchases of property and equipment net of sales, and other investing cash outflows in 2016 that did not recur in 2017.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $22.1 million, or 303.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $(14.8) million from $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in cash flows provided by financing activities is attributable to net proceeds from loan financings of $114 million and capital contributions of $10 million, offset by distributions to members of $136 million.

Working Capital

Our working capital, which we define as total current assets less total current liabilities, totaled $12.5 and $64.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This decrease in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2017 is primarily the result of a $49.9 million reduction in our costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, a $14.5 million increase in our billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings, a $13.2 million increase in accrued payroll and bonuses, a $11.0 million increase in current maturities of notes payable, offset by a $31.3 million increase in cash and a $18.9 million reduction in deferred compensation.

Our Debt Agreements

Credit Facility

On October 25, 2017, we entered into a credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) by and among us, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Regions Bank, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), providing for the Credit Facility, with a principal amount of up to $45.0 million aggregate principal amount. The Credit Facility permits extensions of credit up to the lesser of $45.0 million and a borrowing base that is calculated by us based upon a percentage of the value of our eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory, and approved by the Administrative Agent. As of March 31, 2018, the borrowing base certificate delivered by us under the Credit Facility reflected a borrowing base as of such date of $25.4 million. Subject to certain customary conditions, we may elect to increase the aggregate revolving credit commitments to an amount not exceeding $65.0 million; provided no lender has any obligations to increase its own revolving credit commitment. As of March 31, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and $12.5 million in letters of credit under the Credit Facility with $12.8 million in revolving commitments available. The Credit Facility has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2022.

The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Credit Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at our election, either (1) an adjusted London inter-bank offered rate (“LIBOR”) plus a 2.00% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 1.00% borrowing margin. Customary fees are payable in respect of the Credit Facility and include (1) commitment fees in an amount equal to 0.50% of the daily unused portions of the Credit Facility, and (2) a 2.00% fee on outstanding letters of credit. See “—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks—Interest Rate Risk” for more information.

The Credit Facility contains various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things and subject to specified exceptions, restrict the ability of us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make restricted payments, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business. In addition, if

 

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excess availability under the Credit Facility falls below the greater of 15% of the loan cap amount or $6.75 million, we will be required to comply with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The Credit Facility does not otherwise contain financial maintenance covenants.

The Credit Facility contains certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements, such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance, and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.

The Credit Facility includes customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross default to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments and change of control.

Term Loan

On October 25, 2017, we entered into a credit agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) by and among us, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), providing for our Term Loan with an initial commitment of $250 million. The Term Loan provides that we have the right at any time to request incremental term loans up to the greater of (1) the excess, if any, of $25.0 million over the aggregate amount of all incremental Credit Facility commitments and incremental term loan commitments previously utilized, and (2) such other amount so long as such amount at such time could be incurred without causing the pro forma consolidated secured leverage ratio to exceed 3.25 to 1.00. The lenders under the Term Loan are not under any obligation to provide any such incremental commitments or loans and any such addition of or increase in commitments or loans are subject to certain customary conditions precedent.

The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at our election, either (1) LIBOR plus a 6.25% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 5.25% borrowing margin.

The principal amount of the Term Loan will amortize at a rate of 7.5% per annum with all remaining outstanding amounts under the Term Loan due on the Term Loan maturity date. The Term Loan has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2024.

As of March 31, 2018, we had $245.3 million outstanding on borrowings under the Term Loan.

The Term Loan requires us to prepay its outstanding loans, subject to certain exceptions, with: (i) 100% of the net cash proceeds of non-ordinary course asset sales or other dispositions of property by us or any of the restricted subsidiaries and 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain insurance and condemnation events with respect to our assets, subject to customary thresholds and reinvestment rights; (ii) a variable percentage of excess cash flow, ranging from 75% to 0% depending on our consolidated secured leverage ratio from time to time; and (iii) 100% of our and our restricted subsidiaries’ net cash proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of debt obligations for borrowed money not permitted under the Term Loan. We may voluntarily prepay outstanding loans under our Term Loan at any time subject to customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans and subject to a prepayment premium of 1.00% in connection with certain customary repricing events that may occur within twenty-four months of October 25, 2017.

The Term Loan contains various representations and warranties and restrictive covenants that, among other things and subject to specified exceptions, restrict the ability of us and our restricted subsidiaries to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, make restricted payments, make prepayments on other indebtedness, engage in mergers or change the nature of their business. In addition, we are required to comply with a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 5.00 to 1.00 beginning March 31, 2018, decreasing to 4.50 to 1.00 as of March 31, 2019 and further decreasing to 4.00 to 1.00 as of March 31, 2020 and thereafter.

 

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The Term Loan contains certain affirmative covenants, including reporting requirements, such as delivery of financial statements, certificates and notices of certain events, maintaining insurance, and providing additional guarantees and collateral in certain circumstances.

The Term Loan includes customary events of default including non-payment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties, cross default to certain other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency events, invalidity or impairment of guarantees or security interests, material judgments and change of control.

Equipment Financing Facilities

We have entered into equipment financing and capital lease arrangements with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation and Stock Yards Bank to finance the lease or acquisition of certain equipment up to an aggregate principal amount for the two facilities of $30 million (the “Equipment Financing Facilities”). As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of our obligations on the Equipment Financing Facilities was approximately $20.8 million. Each of the Equipment Financing Facilities includes non-financial covenants, and as of March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with these covenants in each of the agreements.

Contractual and Commercial Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2017:

 

     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
 
     (in thousands)  

Credit Facility

                                  

Term Loan

     250,000        18,750        37,500        37,500        156,250  

Equipment Facilities

     9,154        1,246        3,341        3,694        873  

Operating lease obligations (1)

     11,064        6,097        4,699        268         
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 270,218      $ 26,093      $ 45,540      $ 41,462      $ 157,123  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) We lease equipment and office facilities under non-cancellable operating leases.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, equity-based compensation, elimination of certain legacy expenses, amounts from a non-acquired business line and transaction related expenses and other items. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December 31, 2016 was less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line).

We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful performance measures because they allow for an effective evaluation of our operating performance when compared to our peers, without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. We exclude the items listed above from net income in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts are either non-recurring or can vary substantially within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are

 

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significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as the historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are reflected in Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indication that our results will be unaffected by the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be identical to other similarly titled measures of other companies. We use Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure the success for our business in managing our cost base and improving profitability. The following tables present reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, our most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, along with our Adjusted EBITDA margin.

 

    Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)     Successor (1)     Predecessor (2)  
    Three Months
Ended
March 31, 2018
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
March 31, 2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12, 2017
    Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,  2017
    Period from
January 1, 2017

through
January 12,  2017
    Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 
               

(in thousands)

             

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

  $ 806     $ 8,095     $ (5,528   $ 18,316     $ (5,528   $ 20,931  

Interest expense

    4,131       1,055       4,181       14,146       4,181       6,244  

Depreciation and amortization

    8,413       6,157       763       25,719       763       15,601  

Elimination of certain non-recurring and non-operating legal costs (3)

    2,680                   8,650              

Elimination of certain non-recurring startup costs (4)

    793                   6,167              

Equity-based compensation

    110       56             2,429             7,352  

Elimination of legacy expenses

                                  3,910 (5)  

Non-acquired business line

                                  3,768 (6)  

Transaction related expenses and other items (7)

    413       64       162       1,003       162       1,159  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 17,364     $ 15,427     $ (422   $ 76,430     $ (422   $ 58,965  

Adjusted EBITDA margin (8)

    11.2     26.2     (4.6 )%      18.1     (4.6 )%      22.7

 

(1) The successor columns represent the combined financial information of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC for the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017, January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018, as applicable, as reflected in our unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(2) The predecessor columns represent the financial information of Charah, LLC for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 as reflected in our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The predecessor and successor columns together represent our accounting Predecessor for purposes of this registration statement.
(3) For the three months ended March 31, 2018, represents non-recurring legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, represents non-operating and non-recurring legal expenses associated with the legal entity formation of Allied Power Management, LLC as well as legal expenses associated with the lawsuit filed by APTIM Corp. against Allied Power Management, LLC in July 2017. As a result, these costs will be non-recurring following the resolution of the APTIM litigation and are not representative of legal costs that we will incur from time to time in the ordinary course of our business.
(4) Represents non-recurring start-up costs associated with the startup of Allied Power Management, LLC and our Nuclear Services offerings, including the setup of financial operations systems and modules, pre-contract expenses to obtain initial contracts and the hiring of operational staff. Because these costs are associated with the initial setup of the Allied business to initiate the operations involved in our Nuclear Services offerings, these costs are non-recurring in the normal course of our business.

 

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(5) Primary components include a change in charitable giving and other business expense policies associated with the BCP investment.
(6) Non-acquired business line item adjusts for a legacy operation of Charah, LLC that was transferred to a stockholder of CEP Holdings in January 2017 prior to the BCP investment.
(7) Transaction related expenses and other items include certain transaction expenses incurred in connection with the BCP investment and SCB acquisition, as well as certain financing transaction expenses.
(8) Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP measure that represents the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to total revenues (which for the year ended December 31, 2016 were less revenues ($5,045) of a non-acquired business line). We use Adjusted EBITDA margin to measure the success of our businesses in managing our cost base and improving profitability.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. In connection with preparing our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events, and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expense and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time we prepare our combined financial statements. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our combined financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ materially from our assumptions and estimates.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in our audited historical combined financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We believe that the Company’s primary critical accounting policy is its policy regarding accounting for long term contracts. This policy is the most critical to fully understand and evaluate our reported financial results, and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue and Cost Recognition on Construction Contracts

Accounting for these contracts involves management judgment in estimating total contract revenue and cost. Contract revenues are largely determined by negotiated contract prices and quantities, modified by our assumptions regarding contract options, change orders and price adjustment clauses (such as inflation or index-based clauses). Contract costs are incurred over a period of time, which can be several years, and the estimation of these costs requires management judgment. Cost estimates are largely based on negotiated or estimated purchase contract terms, historical performance trends and other economic projections. Significant factors that influence these estimates include inflationary trends, technical and schedule risk, internal and subcontractor performance trends, business volume assumptions, and asset utilization. We have processes during which management reviews the progress and performance of our contracts. As part of this process, management reviews information including any outstanding key contract matters, progress toward completion and the related project timeline, and the related changes in estimates of revenues and costs. Anticipated losses on long-term contracts are recognized when such losses become evident. In 2017, we did not have any losses on long-term contracts.

Revenue from contract claims is recognized when invoiced. Revenue from contract change orders is recognized when it is probable that the change order will be approved, the amount can be reasonably estimated, and the work has been completed.

The asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed on uncompleted contracts. The liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized.

 

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Asset Acquisition and Business Combinations

On January 13, 2017, Charah Management LLC completed a transaction with Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP, a previously unrelated third party. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. By the application of “push-down” accounting, Charah’s assets, liabilities and equity were accordingly adjusted to fair value. The fair value estimates used reflect our best estimates for the highest and best use by market participants.

On March 31, 2018, Charah Management LLC completed a transaction with SCB Materials International, Inc. and affiliated entities (SCB), a previously unrelated third party, pursuant to which Charah acquired certain assets and liabilities of SCB. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. For more information on the business combination, see Note 2 to our unaudited condensed combined financial statements included elsewhere herein.

Determining the fair value of these items requires management’s judgment, the utilization of independent valuation experts and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amounts of future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, market prices and asset lives, among other items. The judgments made in the determination of the estimated fair value assigned to the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed as well as the estimated useful life of each asset and the duration of each liability, can materially impact the combined financial statements in periods after acquisition, such as through depreciation and amortization.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition price over the fair value of acquired net assets, and such amounts are reported separately as goodwill on our combined balance sheets. Our total goodwill resulted from the application of “push-down” accounting associated with BCP’s January 2017 acquisition of a controlling equity position in Charah Management LLC and the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of SCB Materials International, Inc.

Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually, as of October 31st of each year, or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the goodwill has decreased below its carrying value.

We assess whether a goodwill impairment exists using both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Our qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If based on this qualitative assessment we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will not perform a quantitative assessment.

If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative assessment, or two-step impairment test, to determine whether a goodwill impairment exists at a reporting unit. The first step in our quantitative assessment identifies potential impairments by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment. Fair value is typically estimated using an income approach. However, when appropriate, we may also use a market approach. The income approach is based on the long-term projected future cash flows of the reporting units. We discount the estimated cash flows to present value using a weighted average cost of capital

 

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that considers factors such as market assumptions, the timing of the cash flows and the risks inherent in those cash flows. We believe that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting units’ expected long-term performance considering the economic and market conditions that generally affect our business. The market approach estimates fair value by measuring the aggregate market value of publicly-traded companies with similar characteristics to our business as a multiple of their reported earnings. We then apply that multiple to the reporting units’ earnings to estimate their fair values. We believe that this approach may also be appropriate in certain circumstances because it provides a fair value estimate using valuation inputs from entities with operations and economic characteristics comparable to our reporting units.

Fair value is computed using several factors, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable marketplace data and the cost of capital. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and to our judgment in applying them in our analysis. However, we believe our methodology for estimating the fair value of our reporting units is reasonable.

Stock Based Compensation

We account for the Series C interests as an equity-classified plan, in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. We utilize the Black-Scholes model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating (a) the volatility of our common stock price over the expected term, (b) the number of units that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (forfeitures) and (c) expected dividends. Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized on the combined statements of income.

The Charah Management Incentive Units vest ratably in each of the first five anniversaries of their grant date with vesting accelerated upon a change of control. The Charah Management Incentive Units were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 30% based upon a comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. No Charah Management Incentive Units will be outstanding following the completion of this offering and the reorganization transactions contemplated hereby.

The Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units vest immediately upon grant. The Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 32.5% based upon a comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. No Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units will be outstanding following the completion of this offering and the reorganization transactions contemplated hereby.

Stock based compensation expense is recognized in general and administrative expenses.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Please see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements” to our Predecessor’s historical combined financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, included elsewhere in this prospectus, for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Under the JOBS Act, we expect that we will meet the definition of an “emerging growth company,” which would allow us to have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. We intend to take advantage of all of the reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under Section 107 of the JOBS Act until we are no longer an emerging growth company.

 

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. Currently, our market risks relate to potential changes in the fair value of our long-term debt due to fluctuations in applicable market interest rates. Going forward our market risk exposure generally will be limited to those risks that arise in the normal course of business, as we do not engage in speculative, non-operating transactions, nor do we utilize financial instruments or derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 31, 2018, we had $245.3 million of debt outstanding under the Term Loan and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, with a weighted average interest rate of 8.2%. A 1.0% increase or decrease in the weighted average interest rate would increase or decrease interest expense by approximately $2.5 million per year assuming a consistent debt balance. We currently have an interest rate cap in place with respect to outstanding indebtedness under our Term Loan that provides a ceiling on three month LIBOR at 2.5% for a notional amount of $150 million.

Credit Risk

While we are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties, the majority of our customers are investment grade companies and we do not anticipate non-performance. We mitigate the associated credit risk by performing credit evaluations and monitoring the payment patterns of our customers.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Company

We are a leading provider of mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. We provide on-site, essential services that enable our clients to continue operations and provide necessary electric power to communities nationwide. In 2017, we performed work at 51 coal-fired and nuclear power generation sites nationwide. We are the only service provider offering a suite of coal ash management and recycling, environmental remediation, and outage maintenance services. We also design and implement solutions for complex environmental projects (such as ash pond closures) and facilitate coal ash recycling through byproduct sales and other beneficial use services. We believe we are a partner-of-choice for the power generation industry due to our industry-leading quality, safety and compliance record, all of which are key criteria for our customers.

Since our founding, we have continuously anticipated our customers’ evolving environmental needs, increasing the number of services we provide and our embedded presence at their power generation facilities. Compared to service providers with more limited scope, our multi-service platform allows customers to gain efficiencies from sourcing multiple required offerings from a single, trusted partner.

We provide our services through two segments: Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services. Our Environmental Solutions segment includes Remediation and Compliance Services, as well as Byproduct Sales. Remediation and Compliance Services is associated with our customers’ need for multiyear environmental improvement and sustainability initiatives, whether driven by proactive engagement, by power generation customers, by regulatory requirements or by consumer expectations and standards. Byproduct Sales supports both our power generation customers’ desire to profitably recycle recurring volumes of CCRs and our ultimate end customers’ need for high-quality, cost-effective raw material substitutes. Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes Fossil Services and Nuclear Services. Fossil Services is the recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities. Nuclear Services, which we market under the Allied Power brand name, includes routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities.

As a result of these unique offerings, the embedded nature of our on-site presence, and our track record of successful execution, we have built long-term relationships with leading U.S. utilities and independent power producers, including Duke Energy, Exelon Corporation, Dominion Energy, Inc., Dynegy Inc., and PPL Corporation, among others. In some cases, these relationships have spanned over 20 years. The national scale of our operational footprint is also a key differentiator, as many competitors are localized, focusing on a single geographic area (sometimes isolated to a single plant). We operate in 22 states, resulting in an overall footprint and density in key markets that we believe is difficult to replicate. Our national reach enables us to successfully pursue new business within our existing customer base and attract new customers while providing consistent quality, safety and compliance standards.

Our services platform is led by a senior executive team averaging over 30 years of industry experience and supported by a highly skilled labor force. The nature of our work requires employees, particularly our nuclear end market-related labor force, to have specialized skills, training and certifications in order for them to be allowed on-site at our customers’ facilities. Collectively, our focus on human capital management allows us to maintain and develop a labor force of highly qualified, well-trained personnel capable of handling our customers’ needs.

Market Opportunity

The U.S. power industry is composed of critical infrastructure providing essential power generation to communities nationwide. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2016, there were over

 

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500 large-scale facilities in the U.S. with generation capabilities of at least 250 megawatts, including over 200 coal-fired plants and over 60 nuclear plants (representing 99 nuclear reactors). With near constant demand by consumers and industry on these baseload power providers, continuous operation of these facilities is critical with cost of downtime being both economic and reputational. To maintain continuous operations, these complex facilities have specialized and recurring environmental and maintenance service needs throughout their lifecycles. While pervasive across the entire power generation industry, these service needs are particularly significant for coal-fired and nuclear power plants given increasing environmental demands, the aging nature of the installed base and the characteristics of the feedstock required to power such facilities. Due to the breadth and nature of these needs, power plant operators typically do not possess these capabilities internally and instead outsource these mission-critical and often regulatory-driven requirements to a fragmented set of service providers. The continuous need for these specialized services is supported by a number of significant dynamics:

Coal and Nuclear Power Generation Will Remain Indispensable Energy Sources

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of September 2017, coal and nuclear power generation combined are expected to remain indispensable energy sources for decades, providing at least 1.6 trillion kilowatt hours of energy production annually through 2040. As of September 2017, coal and nuclear power generation combined accounted for approximately 50% of domestic U.S. energy generation and is expected to contribute a similar percentage annually for at least the next five years. By 2030, they are projected to still contribute approximately 40% of domestic U.S. energy generation. Although other energy generation sources, such as natural gas and renewables, are projected to make moderate gains on a percentage contribution basis, the aggregate demand for coal and nuclear power generation will remain robust. The combined coal and nuclear installed base is also deeply entrenched throughout the U.S. national power grid.

Coal-Fired Power Plants Have Significant and Recurring Environmental Management Needs Associated with Their Waste Byproducts

Coal-fired power plants consistently generate various waste byproducts throughout the power generation process. The primary type of these waste byproducts are coal combustion residuals, commonly known as coal ash. Coal combustion residuals come in various forms (including fly ash, bottom ash, and boiler slag) and are collected throughout the coal burning process. Although not considered a hazardous waste under RCRA, there are meaningful regulatory and reputational risks associated with the handling and disposal of coal ash. According to the American Coal Ash Association, more than 107 million tons of coal ash were generated in 2016. According to the EPA, in 2015 coal ash was one of the largest types of waste in the U.S. Coal ash management is mission-critical to the daily operations of power plants as they generally only have on-site storage capacity for three to four days of CCR waste accumulation. This requires continuous daily monitoring, handling, transportation, and disposal to enable ongoing power plant operation. As of December 2014, the EPA estimated that coal-fired utilities spend approximately $2.9 billion per year on coal ash management. Power plant operators typically engage specialized service providers to conduct this critical recurring activity on-site alongside their personnel operating the plant.

Large Installed Base of Legacy Coal Ash Disposal Ponds That Require Remediation

Collected coal ash is disposed of or beneficially used (recycled) in a range of applications. According to the American Coal Ash Association, as of 2016, approximately 44% of coal ash generated was disposed of. According to the EPA, approximately 80% of coal ash that was disposed of in 2012 was disposed of on-site in ash ponds or landfills, and the balance is transported and disposed of off-site at third-party landfills. For many years, coal-fired power plants relied on ash ponds as the primary disposal locations for waste byproducts. The vast majority of these older inactive and older existing ash ponds were designed and constructed without regulatory mandated design standards to prevent impact to the environment, and will require remediation or closure in the future. As of 2016, the American Coal Ash Association estimated that more than 1.5 billion tons of coal ash existed in ash ponds and landfills around the country. The EPA also estimates that, as of 2012, there

 

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were over 1,100 active and inactive on-site ash ponds and landfills requiring remediation or closure. These sites are typically very large (on average slightly over 120 acres) and will require significant capital from their owners as well as specialized environmental expertise to monitor on an ongoing basis, remediate, relocate the waste or completely close.

Recycling Waste Byproducts Is a Critical Component of the Coal Ash Value Chain

Coal ash can be recycled to produce positive environmental, economic and performance benefits such as reduced use of other natural resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved strength and durability of materials. According to the American Coal Ash Association, approximately 60 million tons of coal ash, or 56% of generated coal ash, was recycled in 2016. As of 2016, the leading recycled use of coal ash is as a direct and more economic substitute for cement during the production of concrete (approximately 15 million tons of CCRs, annually as of 2016). Also, according to the American Coal Ash Association, in 2018, more than half of all the concrete produced in the U.S. is made with coal ash and reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 2.5 million cars from the road every year. Coal ash recycling has compelling economic benefits as well. As of 2011, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association estimated that coal ash recycling would save approximately $105 billion over the next 20 years towards the cost to build roads, runways, and bridges. Additionally, there are technologies currently in development that improve the characteristics of certain types of coal ash, making them more viable for recycling purposes and ultimately increasing the addressable market of recyclable coal ash.

Routine Nuclear Reactor Maintenance Is Non-Discretionary, Specialized and Predictable

Given the scale, complexity and near-constant operational demands on power plants of all energy types, routine maintenance is critical to the ongoing functionality of each facility. Regardless of energy type, power generation facilities have similar planned outages and recurring maintenance needs. Without these regular maintenance outages, power plants cannot maintain operations and risk more costly, unplanned service interruptions. This dynamic is particularly true for nuclear power generation where baseload power demands are more acute than other energy sources. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of 2016, nuclear power represents 19% of total electricity generation in megawatt hours but only 9% of total electricity generation capacity in megawatts, resulting in the highest utilization rate of any energy source.

Recurring maintenance of nuclear reactors represents an attractive long-term market opportunity given the seasonal predictability of outages and expected longevity of nuclear power generation. Nuclear power plants typically run 24 hours a day, seven days a week over 12 to 24 month cycles with outages typically occurring during fall and spring. Since it is costly to take nuclear plants offline, plant outages are planned, contracted and announced far in advance and involve the completion of numerous maintenance services while offline (including inspections, repairs, maintenance, equipment replacement, facility modification, new construction and certifications). We estimate, based on our management’s experience and discussions with customers, our total addressable market for these services (including outsourced maintenance and capital needs) to be in excess of $5 billion annually. We believe this spend will increase over time as the nuclear reactor fleet continues to age and additional maintenance is required. Additionally, given the stringent safety requirements for the nuclear power industry, specialized licenses and training are required for on-site workforces, representing a considerable barrier to entry for prospective market participants.

Power Plant Operators Are Increasingly Focused on Environmental Stewardship and Regulatory Compliance

Power plant operators face increasing pressure from advocacy groups and their communities to manage the environmental risks associated with their operations and, therefore, the industry is increasingly focused on environmental stewardship. Due to the considerable potential consequences associated with environmental liabilities, spending on environmental liability management has increased over time and is expected to increase in the future.

 

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Additionally, power plants are highly regulated by government environmental authorities, both at the federal and state level, which have recently added compliance requirements. A recent example is the CCR Rule. Passed in April 2015 by the EPA, the CCR Rule regulates the disposal of coal ash as a solid waste in response to two significant coal ash spills in Kingston, Tennessee and Eden, North Carolina which caused widespread environmental damage. The CCR Rule established new requirements for the closure and remediation of existing ash ponds as well as restrictions on the location of new ash ponds. The CCR Rule will result in significant incremental environmental management costs for many industry participants. As an example, Duke Energy, PPL Corporation, The Southern Company and Tennessee Valley Authority have stated they will spend over $11.7 billion combined on projects resulting from the CCR Rule through 2023. In addition, the power generation industry is proactively implementing environmental best practices across their assets, even when not yet required by law.

The Power Generation Industry Is Increasingly Requiring Larger Scale Environmental and Maintenance Service Providers

The mounting burden of environmental compliance, consistent need to maintain aging facilities, and the focus on continuous and safe plant operations has the power generation industry (coal-fired and nuclear utilities in particular) increasingly seeking larger scale outsourced service providers as partners that can provide a range of services on their behalf. To date, most prospective service providers either have narrow service offerings or a highly localized geographic focus (sometimes limited to a single plant). Few service providers offer a broad set of service capabilities with a track record of quality service, exceptional safety, exacting environmental standards and a reliable labor force. The market opportunity for a specialized environmental and maintenance platform that can offer such a range of capabilities to the industry is substantial.

Our Solution

We have established a leading platform of mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. Led by a senior executive team averaging 30 years of experience, we execute with a singular focus on quality, environmental compliance, service reliability and safety for our customers. Since our founding, we have continuously anticipated our customers’ evolving environmental needs, increasing the number of services we provide and our embedded presence at their power plants. We view ourselves as partners in maintaining the continuous operations of power plants and delivering a range of critical services, including turn-key CCR management and recycling, environmental remediation, and maintenance services. Our differentiated approach has resulted in managing approximately 11% of the CCR management market (based on tons of CCR generated annually) and servicing 23 of the 99 operating nuclear reactors in the U.S.

Charah delivers these best-in-class services via two business segments:

 

    Environmental Solutions . Our Environmental Solutions segment includes Remediation and Compliance Services, as well as Byproduct Sales offerings. Remediation and Compliance Services is associated with our customers’ need for multiyear environmental improvement and sustainability initiatives, whether driven by proactive engagement by power generation customers, by regulatory requirements or to meet consumer expectations and standards. Byproduct Sales supports both our power generation customers’ desire to profitably recycle recurring volumes of CCRs and our ultimate end customers’ need for high-quality, cost-effective raw material substitutes.

 

    Maintenance and Technical Services . Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes Fossil Services and Nuclear Services offerings. Fossil Services is the recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities. Nuclear Services, which we market under the Allied Power brand name, includes routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities. Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment offerings are most closely associated with the ongoing operations of power plants, whether in the form of daily environmental management or required maintenance services (typically during planned outages).

 

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As a result of this unique offering and commitment to strict safety and environmental standards, we have built long-term relationships with leading U.S. utilities and independent power producers. In some cases, these relationships have spanned over 20 years. We are a trusted partner and our team is embedded with the customer on-site to handle its most critical operational needs. Our employees and corresponding service expertise are necessary to customers’ daily operations, maintenance and environmental compliance requirements. Without these mission-critical services, our customers would not be able to provide essential power generation to communities nationwide.

Our Strengths

We believe our platform has become a leader in environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry. Our strengths that support our leading position include:

Industry Leading Quality, Safety and Compliance

We believe we are a partner-of-choice for customers due to our reputation as a leader in quality, safety and compliance. Utilities and independent power producers are generally risk-averse and focus on strong environmental and safety considerations as key factors for awarding on-site service provider contracts. We believe our reputation for and dedication to quality, industry-leading safety record and adherence to environmental compliance standards provide a distinctive competitive advantage and differentiates us from many of our competitors. Supported by our team of in-house compliance experts, we have developed trusted relationships and credibility with regulatory agencies. We pride ourselves on being a reliable partner consistently delivering high-quality, efficient and on-time service.

These attributes are key contributors to our leading market share positions. Our leading positions are favorable for potential new business as customers recognize the value of engaging a best-in-class partner.

Broad Platform of Mission-Critical Environmental and Maintenance Services

Our broad platform of essential environmental and maintenance services has enabled us to become a leading service provider to our power generation customers. In our end markets, we are the only service provider offering a suite of CCR management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. Compared to service providers with more limited scope, our platform allows our customers to gain efficiencies and reduce the number of vendors on their sites by sourcing multiple required offerings from a single, trusted partner.

The national scale of our operational footprint is also a key differentiator as many of our competitors are localized, focusing on a single geographic area (sometimes isolated to a single plant). We operate in 22 states across the country, resulting in an overall footprint and density in key markets that we believe is difficult to replicate. Our national reach enables us to successfully pursue new business within our existing customer base and attract new customers while providing consistent quality, safety and compliance standards.

Long-Term Partnerships with Leading Power Generators

Our customers are some of the largest power generation companies in the U.S., including Exelon Corporation, Duke Energy Corporation and Dominion Energy, Inc. Given the essential nature of our services, our on-site personnel become integrated into the daily procedures of each facility, seamlessly working with utility employees to provide uninterrupted operations. This co-location and integration into the daily operations results in direct relationships with key decision makers at every level within our customers’ organizations. This embedded partnership deepens customer connectivity and drives longer customer tenure. In some cases, these relationships have spanned over 20 years. As an example, LG&E and KU, which are currently owned by PPL, have been customers for 21 years, and members of our management team have provided mission-critical services

 

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to Exelon Corporation for over 15 years. These long-term relationships led to Exelon entrusting us with the outage maintenance needs across their nuclear fleet. We have also demonstrated the ability to grow our service offerings with a single customer. We first provided Duke Energy Corporation with Byproduct Sales in 2001 at two plants and now provide all of our coal-related services across nine of their plants. These long-term relationships are critical for the renewal of existing contracts, winning incremental business from existing customers at new sites, and adding new customers. For example, over the last five years, we have achieved an approximately 90% renewal rate for contracts in our Fossil Services offerings up for renewal.

Given the essential nature of our services, our on-site personnel become integrated into the daily procedures of each facility, seamlessly working with utility employees to provide uninterrupted operations. Since we are co-located and integrated into the daily operations at customer sites, our on-site presence results in direct relationships with key decision makers at every level. This embedded partnership deepens customer connectivity and provides greater visibility into future revenue and pipeline. Long-term contracts across our service offerings also enhance the longevity of our customer relationships. Our contracts generally range from 18 months to five years and we are often the sole service provider.

Innovative Solutions to Our Customers’ Environmental Challenges

Our customers regularly face complex, large-scale environmental challenges that require bespoke, technical solutions. We believe we have a proactive and differentiated approach to solving these challenges. Our internal technical and engineering experts have developed deep domain knowledge and capabilities in environmental remediation and beneficial use as a result of our long-term and significant experience in the sector. We believe this credibility, combined with an entrepreneurial mindset, enables us to source market opportunities not readily available to our competitors.

As an example, we demonstrated this innovative approach for a major reclamation project at the Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina. In the course of remediating an ash pond on-site at a nearby coal power plant, we had the vision to beneficially use that ash as structural fill underneath a newly constructed taxiway at the airport. Our engineers designed a state-of-the-art, highly engineered structural fill system to capture the ash in an environmentally sound way. Asheville Regional Airport saved approximately $12 million by using coal ash instead of traditional materials and approximately 4 million cubic yards of coal ash from an ash pond was beneficially used. We believe this innovative thinking, coupled with new technologies and processes, generates additional value for our customers and stockholders.

Favorable Contract Dynamics Drive Predictable Financial Model

The contracted nature of our business and depth of our customer relationships provides significant visibility into both revenues and earnings, reflecting the predictable operations of our customers. Our platform of services is contracted for terms generally ranging from 18 months to five years, thereby reducing financial volatility. In excess of 90% of our services work is structured as time and materials, cost reimbursable or unit price contracts, which significantly reduces the risk of loss on contracts and provides gross margin visibility. At the beginning of 2017, 67% of our budgeted revenue for the year was already contracted, not including our Nuclear Services offerings that commenced operations in June 2017, which had 100% of its budgeted revenues contracted. The vast majority of our customers have investment-grade credit ratings, and we have never experienced a payment issue with a client. In addition, because our capital expenditures are tied to specific, known contracts and are typically financed, we also have attractive and predictable free cash flow generation.

Entrepreneurial Management Team Supported by Highly Skilled Labor Force

We are led by an experienced management team with an entrepreneurial mindset and keen focus on safety and customer service. Our senior executive team consists of industry veterans averaging over 30 years of industry experience, helping us provide high-quality operational execution and solidify long-term customer

 

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relationships. In addition to a commitment to develop internal talent, we have made key strategic external hires to further deepen our expertise. Our entrepreneurial mindset drives us to constantly search for new ways to maximize relevance to customers and develop innovative solutions.

Our customers have unique certification and training requirements for the service providers they allow on-site. Our ability to hire, develop and retain a highly skilled labor force with specialized skills, training and certifications is a key differentiator in the sector. We also have a dedicated team of in-house professionals that focus exclusively on training, certification, and mentorship. As part of our commitment to safety and compliance, each of our on-site employees must complete a unique, rigorous training program. We train our managers to lead from the frontline and to share, involve and support their teams. Our ability to nimbly staff large-scale projects is also critical. For example, within our Nuclear Services offering, we have the proven ability to quickly ramp up to in excess of 5,000 employees to align with our customers’ outage schedules and service their planned maintenance needs. Collectively, our human capital management allows us to maintain and develop a labor force of highly qualified, well-trained personnel capable of handling our customers’ needs.

Our Growth Strategy

Expand Market Share by Capitalizing on the Significant Environmental and Maintenance Needs of Power Generation Customers

We believe we have a strong growth opportunity in the near-term as U.S. coal-fired power generation facilities continue to remediate and close ash ponds and landfills. These projects are triggered as coal power plant operators preemptively manage environmental liabilities, comply with regulatory requirements (at the local, state and federal level) and work to meet consumer standards for environmental sustainability. We estimate a $3 billion pipeline of near-term remediation and closure projects in the next three years. We estimate there are over 1,000 remaining ash ponds and landfills, substantially all of which remain to be remediated today, and that customer spending for our core services, including ash pond and landfill remediation, will increase significantly over the next three to five years and remain at elevated levels thereafter. We believe spending on coal ash management will increase as well due to our customers’ increased focus on environmental stewardship. Additionally, we believe the market for mission-critical maintenance services in the nuclear power generation market is large and growing. We estimate that the annual pipeline of near-term addressable projects for our nuclear-related business is $2.2 billion, comprised of $1.5 billion in capital projects and $700 million in Nuclear Services. We expect this market opportunity to grow over time as the nuclear reactor fleet continues to age and additional maintenance is required.

Continue to Grow On-Site Services Revenue by Expanding Environmental and Maintenance Offerings

We believe our broad platform of environmental and maintenance services is a competitive differentiator and therefore continuing to enhance the breadth of services offered to our existing customers is a key growth opportunity. We are a trusted partner and our team is embedded with the customer on-site to handle its most critical operational needs. As a result, we are well-positioned to identify relevant, attractive service offerings to add to our portfolio. We believe opportunities exist across our platform in waste byproduct management, recycling, environmental remediation and maintenance services. We believe our customers will continue to find value in a full-service platform and source incremental services from us as an existing, on-site, trusted partner.

Leverage New and Existing Customer Relationships to Maximize Fleet-Wide Opportunities

Given the breadth of our service offering, the trend among our customers to consolidate service providers, and our access to our customers’ senior decision makers, we believe we are well-positioned to grow our market share with current customers by providing our existing services to other coal-fired and nuclear power plants within their fleets. We currently provide services at 45 of the 280 large-scale facilities in the U.S., which we define as larger than 250 megawatts, representing an approximately 16% penetration rate. We see an opportunity

 

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to increase this percentage meaningfully. We will also seek to generate business with new utility customers, aiming ultimately to compete fleet-wide across their power plant footprints as well. We see similar opportunities in international geographies.

Invest in Innovative Technologies, Processes and Solutions

We believe investments in new technology and processes present opportunities to provide higher-margin offerings while also improving the environment. The embedded nature of our operations gives us a superior understanding of unique customer problems allowing us to deploy innovative solutions. We believe there are opportunities for technological innovation in environmental compliance and stewardship. For example, our recently announced acquisition of SCB provided two new technologies for incremental beneficiation of coal ash and other industrial byproducts. We hope these innovative technologies will allow us to optimize our traditional fly ash sales & distribution, enter new markets for our products, and provide cleaner, environmentally friendly solutions to our customers. We intend to continue to invest in additional technologies and other process that expand our portfolio of solutions and further establish us as an innovator in our industry.

Enhance Our Platform via Disciplined Acquisitions

We believe we can utilize a focused acquisition strategy to add adjacent capabilities and services and enhance stockholder value. This strategy could enable us to add technical expertise, expand into new geographies and gain new customers. We intend to focus on environmental and industrial services, processes and technologies that support our existing capabilities and customer needs. We believe our national scale and market leadership make us a natural consolidator, particularly in our highly fragmented industry. We have established a disciplined approach to identify acquisition targets with a core focus on growth, cash flow and return on investment.

Our Services

We deliver best-in-class service offerings and solutions to the power generation industry through two business segments: Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services.

Environmental Solutions

Our Environmental Solutions segment includes Remediation and Compliance Services and Byproduct Sales offerings. We are a trusted partner with our Environmental Solutions customers and are a leader in providing safe and quality environmental services to the power generation industry. We have over 30 years of experience in constructing, operating and managing structural fill projects for coal-fired utilities and assisting coal-fired utilities in beneficially using waste byproducts.

 

    Remediation and Compliance Services . Our Remediation and Compliance Services offerings primarily include environmental management of landfills for coal-fired power generation facilities and of new and existing ash ponds (particularly remediation mandates). Service offerings cover all aspects of new and existing active pond management including: clean closure, cap-in-place and design and construction of new ponds. Additional service offerings cover all aspects of the landfill development, construction and management process. Our remediation and compliance services teams can also provide site evaluation and characterization; preliminary design and cost estimates with life-cycle analysis; hydrogeological assessments; groundwater and containment modeling; permit application and processing for expansions and greenfield sites; design engineering; construction of landfills and cap and cover systems; conversion of impoundments to landfill sites; quality assurance and quality control and documentation; engineered fills (offsite) and other related services.

 

   

Byproduct Sales . Our Byproduct Sales offerings include the recycling of recurring and contracted volumes of coal-fired power generation waste byproducts, such as bottom ash, fly ash and gypsum byproduct, each of which can be used for various industrial purposes. These waste byproducts can be

 

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used in the production of concrete products and other applications. Our dedicated waste byproduct sales and marketing team has a national presence and works with many of the nation’s largest power generators to identify opportunities to improve each customer’s long-term position in the market for sales of coal-fired waste byproducts while providing concrete producers with the consistent fly ash sourcing they need. With a variety of different coal sources being utilized across the power generation industry, we evaluate, process and market the different bottom ash products in order to achieve the highest value for a given market area.

Maintenance and Technical Services . Our Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes Fossil Services and Nuclear Services offerings. Maintenance and Technical Services segment offerings are most closely associated with the ongoing operations of power plants, whether in the form of daily environmental management or required maintenance services (typically during planned outages). Our on-site personnel become integrated into the daily procedures of each facility, seamlessly working with utility employees to provide uninterrupted operations. Since we are co-located and integrated into the daily operations at customer sites, our on-site presence results in direct relationships with key decision makers at every level.

 

    Fossil Services . Our Fossil Services offerings focus on recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities to fulfill an environmental service need of our customers in handling their waste byproducts. Coal ash management is mission-critical to the daily operations of power plants as they generally only have on-site storage capacity for three to four days of CCR waste accumulation. These services include silo management, on-site ash transportation, landfill management and capture and disposal of ash byproduct from coal power operations. These operations cover management of a wide variety of combustion byproducts including bottom ash, flue gas desulfurization gypsum disposal, Pozatec/fixated scrubber sludge disposal and fluidized bed combustion fly ash disposal. We coordinate all aspects of the ash management operation, from processing and screening for sales to facilitating an economical disposal.

 

    Nuclear Services . Our Nuclear Services operations, which goes to market under the Allied Power brand name, consists of a broad platform of mission-critical professional, technical and craft services spanning the entire asset life cycle of a nuclear power generator. Our Nuclear Services offerings include routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities, and we are focused on expanding these offerings to include specialty welding, valve repairs, reactor and turbine support and specialty engineering, among other services. Additionally, our staffing services and solutions include professional, technical and craft staffing; managed and turnkey staffing solutions; and staff recruitment and oversight services. A substantial portion of our Nuclear Services operations are driven by scheduled nuclear maintenance outages, which are typically planned for every 12 to 24 months.

Safety Record

Utilities and independent power producers are generally risk-averse and focused on strong environmental and safety considerations as key factors for awarding on-site service provider contracts. We believe our strong safety record provides a distinct competitive advantage. We have developed trusted relationships and credibility with regulatory agencies and utilities over the past 30 years due to our long-standing safety record supported by an experienced team of in-house safety and regulatory compliance professionals. As a result of this demonstrated performance and adherence to safety standards, we have never experienced a material safety violation related to the service of our customers.

Safety is integral to our culture and our results, and is one of our core values. We believe we operate under the strictest safety standards and are dedicated to maintaining a safe working environment. Our dedicated in-house team of over 20 safety professionals develop and train our employees and subcontractors to not only perform their jobs safely but also to proactively contribute to a safe workplace. This expert team includes highly trained professionals who are accredited Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) trainers, along with full-time transportation specialists in both over-the-road and rail operations.

 

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Furthermore, we endorse the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Safety Culture Policy Statement with respect to our services provided to nuclear utilities, which includes a list of nine traits further defining a positive safety culture: leadership safety values and actions; problem identification and resolution; personal accountability; work processes; continuous learning; environment for raising concerns; effective safety communications; respectful work environment; and questioning attitude. Given the inherent stringent safety requirements surrounding the nuclear power industry, specialized licenses and training are required for all employees.

We recognize the unique safety issues related to working with our utility industry partners. Our Engineering, Environmental and Quality Group has the expertise and experience to ensure our operations are compliant with local, state and federal regulations and exceed customary safety standards in our industry.

Sales and Marketing

We believe our dedicated sales team has built successful and long-term relationships with the nation’s largest power generators, and we believe we can leverage the deep relationships and strong operational track record we have built to broaden our on-site presence and deepen client partnerships. We will also seek to generate business with new power generation customers, aiming ultimately to compete enterprise-wide across their power plant footprints as well. Through close contact with utility management and personal relationships developed on a daily basis by our network of embedded field team of regional manager and site managers, we believe we are able to understand our customers’ needs to quickly respond to their next project needs and provide creative solutions. Our team of professionals includes professional engineers, experienced site managers and seasoned estimators who strive to be detailed, accurate and upfront, allowing us to minimize contract modifications after the work begins. We employ what we refer to as a “zippered” organization approach to customer service and marketing, with relationships up and down the organization. By structuring the organization around our customers’ needs through this unique network of regional field operations managers, we ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget and, additionally, are able to quickly recognize opportunities to cross-sell and market our services.

Customers

We have leveraged our long-term, strong relationships to become a preferred provider to many of the largest power generation companies in the U.S. In 2017, we performed work at 51 plants for more than 20 “blue-chip” utilities across 22 states including AEP Energy, Inc., Ameren Corporation, Big Rivers Electric Corporation, Dominion Energy, Inc., Duke Energy, Dynegy Inc., Exelon Corporation, Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., NRG Energy, Inc., PPL Corporation and Southern Company. The majority of our power generation clients are investment grade. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, Duke Energy accounted for more than 10% of our revenue, and for the year ended December 31, 2017, both Duke Energy and Exelon each accounted for more than 10% of our revenue. No other major customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenue during this period. If one of these major customers decided to stop purchasing our services, revenue could decline and our operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

We are party to two master contract agreements for on-site construction services and a master contract agreement for large ash project services with certain subsidiaries of one Duke Energy. Each master contract agreement contains general terms and conditions, specifies payment terms, audit rights and insurance requirements and allocates certain operational risks through indemnity and similar provisions for services rendered at over 10 Duke Energy plants. The specific terms of each request for materials or services from Duke Energy are typically set forth in purchase orders that we enter into from time to time. The decision makers for the purchase orders are typically separate individuals at each of the plants we service. Additionally, we are party to a master terms and conditions agreement for the purchase of materials and services from time to time by subsidiaries of Exelon. This master terms and conditions agreement provides general terms and conditions governing two blanket agreements with Exelon for the routine provision of Nuclear Services and staff augmentation services across 14 sites representing 23 nuclear reactors.

 

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Joint Ventures and Contractual Arrangements

Ash Venture Joint Venture

In December 2013, we organized Ash Venture LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (“Ash Venture”) which provides ash management and marketing services to the utility industry. Ash Venture is a joint venture between Charah, LLC and an unrelated third party. Charah, LLC owns 67% and the third party owns 33% of Ash Venture.

Equity Method Investment

In January 2016, we organized a joint venture with an unrelated third party, which markets and sells fly ash to the ready-mix concrete market. We account for the joint venture under the equity method. Charah, LLC and the third party each own 50% of the joint venture.

Competition

The power and environmental services industries are highly fragmented with a limited subset of competitors maintaining a national presence, few of which offer the same spectrum of services we provide through our Environmental Solutions and Maintenance and Technical Services segments. Our competitors consist of a combination of large environmental and waste management businesses, as well as hundreds of local, regional companies with limited service areas, typically servicing only one to three sites each. The highly fragmented and regional nature of our industry has produced a limited number of competitors with national scope.

We are the only service provider offering a suite of CCR management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. While some competitors are significantly engaged in one of the core areas in the power or environmental services value chain, many have limited or no engagement in the majority of our core areas.

Seasonality

Based on historic trends, we expect our operating results to vary seasonally due to demand within our industry as well as weather conditions. For additional information, on the effects of seasonality on our operating results, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Statements—Seasonality of Business.”

Risk Management and Insurance

The nature of our business exposes us to the risk of liabilities arising out of our operations, including possible damages to the environment. Such potential liabilities could involve, for example, claims for remediation costs, personal injury, property damage and damage to the environment, including natural resources, claims of employees, customers or third parties for personal injury or property damage occurring in the course of our operations, or claims alleging negligence or other wrongdoing in the planning or performance of work. We also could be subject to fines and civil and criminal penalties and other sanctions in connection with alleged violations of regulatory requirements which could be significant. We maintain general liability, contractor’s pollution liability policies (as well as additional pollution and remediation policies as needed), vehicle liability, employment practices liability, fiduciary liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, workers’ compensation and employer’s liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in these primary policies. We also carry property insurance. Although we try to operate safely and prudently and we have, subject to limitations and exclusions, substantial liability insurance, we cannot assure you that we will not be exposed to uninsured liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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Regulation

Our utility customers involved in coal-based and nuclear-based power generation are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Our operations and services for our utility customers are subject to many of the same environmental laws and regulations that govern the host utility site. These environmental laws and regulations, among other things, impose limits on the discharge of pollutants to the air and water and establish requirements for the treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, remediation of releases of hazardous substances and reclamation of land. Compliance with the applicable environmental laws and regulations adds to the cost of doing business. Moreover, in order to establish and operate power plants and collect, transport and manage CCRs, we and our customers have obtained various federal, state and local environmental permits and must comply with these permits or processes and procedures approved by regulatory authorities. Any failure to comply with these laws or regulations, permits or processes and procedures could result in the issuance of substantial fines and penalties or other sanctions and may cause us (or our customers) to incur environmental or reclamation liabilities or subject us (or our customers) to third-party claims.

The operations of our Maintenance and Technical Services segment offerings are usually performed onsite at the host utility power plant and as such, the utility holds permits for our operational activities performed onsite. At facilities that we own, we secure the permits.

In spite of safeguards, our operations entail risks of regulatory noncompliance or releases of hazardous substances that could create an environmental liability.

Regulations Affecting Our Maintenance and Technical Services Segment

The Fossil Services offerings provided in our Maintenance and Technical Services segment are subject to several environmental laws and regulations that have the potential to increase operating costs and give rise to increased risk of regulatory noncompliance and environmental liabilities.

 

    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. RCRA, as amended, regulates handling, transporting and disposing of hazardous and non-hazardous waste and delegates authority to states to develop solid and hazardous waste programs. In 1991, the EPA issued final regulations under Subtitle D of RCRA, which set forth minimum federal performance and design criteria for solid waste landfills. These regulations are typically implemented by the states, although states can impose requirements that are more stringent than the Subtitle D standards. The CCR Rule regulates the disposal of CCRs under Subtitle D of RCRA as non-hazardous wastes, as discussed below.

 

   

EPA Coal Combustion Residuals Rule . As a CCR, coal ash had previously been largely exempted from regulation under RCRA by the “Bevill amendment” and therefore was subject to state solid waste regulations. However, after a major spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority site in Tennessee in 2008, EPA began a rulemaking process to regulate CCRs. That process ended with the April 17, 2015 publication of the CCR Rule to regulate the disposal of CCRs, including fly ash, bottom ash and flue gas desulfurization products generated at coal-fired power plants. The CCR Rule, among other things, regulates CCRs as non-hazardous waste and imposes new standards for location, groundwater monitoring and dam stability on surface impoundments and requires long-term monitoring of existing and new surface impoundments and landfills facilities. The CCR Rule also preserves an exemption for CCRs when used for beneficial purposes. The EPA, however, published its intent, in December 2017, to reconsider the CCR Rule and its priority list of issues to address. On March 1, 2018, EPA issued a proposed rule that would grant states with approved CCR permit programs under the WIIN Act (or EPA where it is the permitting authority) the ability to set certain alternative performance standards. The proposed rule would also allow CCR to be used during certain closure situations and address certain matters remanded to EPA by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in June 2016, including clarifying corrective action triggers and requirements, adding boron to the list of constituents triggering

 

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corrective action, determining the proper height of woody and grassy vegetation for slope protection, and modifying alternative closure procedures. The CCR rulemaking reconsideration is ongoing and may impact how the regulations are applied to facilities that manage CCRs.

 

    WIIN Act. In December 2016, Congress passed the WIIN Act, which, among other things, establishes state primacy for enforcement of the CCR Rule. The WIIN Act directed the EPA to provide guidance to states on issuing state regulations to manage the CCR program. The EPA published the Coal Combustion Residuals State Permit Program Guidance Document (Interim Final) in August, 2017. States may now submit their regulatory programs for CCRs and receive EPA approval that they are equivalent to or more stringent than federal guidance. As noted above, the rule proposed by EPA on March 1, 2018 would further the objectives of the WIIN Act by allowing states or the EPA to incorporate flexibilities into their coal ash permit programs.

The CCR Rule may require adjustments to our operations, and the complexity and cost of managing and disposing of CCRs could increase. We manage mine reclamation projects that may be subject to the CCR Rule. The CCR Rule establishes national minimum criteria for landfills and impoundments containing CCRs, and includes restrictions on their location, design and operation, as well as groundwater monitoring, recordkeeping, reporting and closure requirements. The rule also requires closure, shutdown or retrofitting of certain non-complying units or impoundments. Citizens and states now have the right to bring lawsuits to enforce the new CCR Rule against owners and operators. Since the CCR Rule was finalized, citizens and environmental organizations have brought several suits against the owners and operators of CCR impoundments.

The CCR Rule affirms that beneficial uses of CCRs remain exempt from federal waste regulation under RCRA’s “Bevill exclusion.” Beneficial use is defined by the regulation to cover uses where CCRs provide a functional benefit, substitute for the use of a virgin material, meet the product specifications, follow established specifications for use, and are environmentally equivalent to the material that they substitute for or are below all thresholds for safety and environmental impact. In February 2014, the EPA released a report determining that the use of fly ash in concrete constitutes a beneficial use, and the CCR Rule specifically notes that the incorporation of fly ash in concrete, as a replacement for Portland cement, is one of “the most widely recognized beneficial applications” of CCRs. The CCR Rule indicates that the use of CCRs in applications such as road base generally would qualify as beneficial use, so long as relevant regulations and guidelines are followed.

Both industry and environmental organizations have challenged the CCR Rule, which is currently under review in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The EPA voluntarily remanded certain provisions of the CCR Rule, including those relating to an exemption for certain post-closure requirements for inactive surface impoundments, a regulation describing the non-groundwater releases triggering corrective action procedures, and the provisions regarding new alternative closure procedures, for further proceedings. The EPA extended the compliance deadline for inactive surface impoundments in a direct final rule in August 2016. In September 2017, the EPA granted two petitions to reconsider certain aspects of the CCR Rule, including several segments not pending judicial review. The EPA released a proposed rule on March 1, 2018 to address the two petitions and other aspects of the CCR Rule. The proposed rule is designed to allow states or the EPA to incorporate flexibilities into their coal ash permit programs and could be followed by a second proposed rule with a similar purpose by September 2018 and a final rule by June 2019.

In September 2016, the United States Commission on Civil Rights (the “Civil Rights Commission”) issued a report which determined that CCR disposal facilities can negatively impact environmental justice communities. While the Civil Rights Commission cannot require changes to EPA regulations, environmental organizations may seek to use the Civil Rights Commission’s report to spur the EPA to make regulatory changes.

Regulations Affecting the Coal Industry

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coal industry are generally highly regulated under federal and state law. Regulation affecting this industry is ever-evolving, including the following:

 

    Clean Air Act . The federal Clean Air Act of 1970 and subsequent amendments, particularly the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and corresponding state laws and EPA regulations (discussed below), regulate the emission of air pollutants such as SOx, NOx, particulate matter (“PM”) and ozone. The EPA finalized more stringent ambient air quality standards for fine PM in January 2013 and for ozone in October 2015 and issued final policy assessment for NOx in April 2017 and draft policy assessment for SOx in August 2017. The EPA concluded that the current primary NOx standard is adequate, but has not taken additional steps with respect to the SOx standards. To meet emissions limits, utilities have been required to make changes such as changing fuel sources, installing expensive pollution control equipment and, in some cases, shutting down plants.

 

    Cross-State Air Pollution Rule . In July 2011, the EPA adopted the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”), a cap-and-trade type program requiring utilities to make substantial reductions in SO2 and NOx and emissions that contribute to ozone and in fine PM emissions in order to reduce interstate transport of such pollution. CSAPR was challenged and vacated by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in August 2012, but that decision was reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2014. The D.C. Circuit has since lifted its stay on CSAPR and ruled in favor of the EPA on the remaining significant issues. In January 2016, the EPA filed a brief with the D.C. Circuit addressing the remaining legal challenges left undecided by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2014 decision. Conforming with a court- ordered schedule, the EPA implemented the first phase of CSAPR in 2015 and 2016 and the second phase in 2017. In November 2014 and January 2015, the EPA issued notices of data availability (“NODA”) outlining emission allowance allocations for existing generating units that began operating before and after 2010. In September 2016, the EPA finalized a rule updating CSAPR in order to maintain 2008 ozone emission limitations in downwind states by addressing summertime (May-September) transport of ozone pollution. The update, which commenced in May 2017, sets stricter NOx ozone season emission budgets in 22 states and could affect up to 886 coal-fired facilities. These emission control requirements, for both NOx and SO2, can impact the quantity and quality of CCRs produced at a power plant, add to the costs of operating a power plant and make coal a less attractive fuel alternative in the planning and building of utility power plants.

 

    Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act . Certain environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and similar state laws, impose strict, joint and several liability on responsible parties for investigation and remediation of regulated materials at contaminated sites, including our sites, customer sites and sites to which we sent wastes, including CCRs. CCRs may contain materials such as metals that are regulated materials under these laws. Management of CCRs can give rise to liability under CERCLA and similar laws.

 

    Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants . In February 2012, under its Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Power Plants rule, the EPA promulgated final limits on mercury and other toxic chemicals from new and modified power plants. In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the EPA to undertake cost-benefit analysis when promulgating mercury and air toxics standards. In April 2016, the EPA published a supplemental finding pursuant to the U.S. Supreme Court’s directive, which is currently being challenged at the D.C. Circuit. In April 2017, the D.C. Circuit granted EPA’s motion to stay the litigation while EPA reconsiders its finding that the rule is “appropriate and necessary” as required under the Clean Air Act. If upheld, requirements to control mercury emissions could result in implementation of additional technologies at power plants that could negatively affect fly ash quality.

 

   

GHG Emissions . Some states and regions have adopted legislation and regulatory programs to reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, either directly or through mechanisms such as renewable portfolio standards for electric utilities. These programs require electric utilities to increase their use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power. Federal GHG legislation appears unlikely in the near

 

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term. The EPA has initiated review of rules finalized in August 2015 for GHG emissions from new and existing fossil-fuel fired electric power plants and for carbon emissions from existing sources in the power sector (the latter being known as the “Clean Power Plan”). The Clean Power Plan establishes state-specific, rate-based reduction goals for carbon emissions and calls on the power sector to reduce carbon emissions to 32% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Clean Power Plan is currently pending judicial review in the D.C. Circuit based on state and industry challenges, and the EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in December 2017 seeking comment on a framework to replace the Clean Power Plan. If the Clean Power Plan is upheld and retained by the EPA, various states’ utility companies would be encouraged to substitute generation from low-emitting coal and natural gas plants and zero-emitting renewable sources for generation from higher-emitting coal plants. Such changes in the energy market could impact the quantity of CCRs produced by our suppliers, add to the cost of operating power plants and make coal-fired plants a less attractive option in the planning and commissioning of new energy generating facilities.

 

    EPA Water Quality Regulations . The EPA is addressing water quality impacts from coal-fired power plants and coal mining operations. In September 2015, the EPA finalized new effluent limitations under the Clean Water Act for steam electric power generating facilities. The final rule requires operators of coal plants with a generating capacity over 50 megawatts to store fly ash and bottom ash in dry landfills, rather than containment ponds. Approximately 12% of coal plants will be affected, and some marginal operations may shut down rather than face the expense of complying with the new effluent discharge requirements. Multiple challenges to the effluent limitation guidelines were consolidated and are pending before the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In September 2017, the EPA issued a rulemaking postponing certain compliance dates under the effluent limitation guidelines. In addition, the EPA finalized new regulations to minimize adverse environmental impacts to aquatic life from cooling water intake structures at existing electric generating plants, which were challenged by environmental and industry groups at the Fifth and Second Circuit Courts of Appeals, which remain pending. More stringent regulation of coal-fired power plants and coal mining operations could increase the cost for utilities and thus indirectly impact the availability and cost of fly ash for our CCR activities.

Increasingly strict requirements such as those described above generally will increase the cost of doing business and may make coal burning less attractive for utilities. Faced with more stringent regulations, litigation by environmental groups, and a decrease in the cost of natural gas, some electric utilities are reducing their portfolio of coal-fired energy facilities. For example, in recent years, multiple companies announced plans to close coal-fired power plant units, or dropped plans to open new plants, citing the cost of compliance with pending or new environmental regulations. The potential negative impact on job prospects in the utility and mining industries has prompted considerable concern in Congress, leading to calls to restrict the EPA’s regulatory authority and prompting the EPA to reconsider the same. The outcome of these developments cannot be predicted. To date, our business has not been significantly impacted by these developments; however, if the rate of coal-fired plant closures increases, we may be adversely affected in the future. Nevertheless, we believe that reliance on coal for a substantial amount of power generation in the United States is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Regulations Affecting the Nuclear Power Industry

Our nuclear power generation customers are subject to regulations from a number of entities, including the applicable U.S. regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and non-U.S. regulatory bodies, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (the “IAEA”). Regulations include, among other things: (1) systems for nuclear material safeguards implemented by the IAEA, (2) global-scale agreements on nuclear safety such as the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management and (3) additional general regulations for nuclear facilities under the Atomic Energy Act and Nuclear Waste Policy Act, including strict licensing

 

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requirements, inspection procedures and regulations governing the maintenance, shutdown and dismantling of nuclear facilities and the management and disposal of radioactive wastes. In addition, the PAA regulates, among other things, radioactive materials and the nuclear energy industry, including liability and compensation in the event of nuclear-related incidents. The PAA provides certain protections and indemnification to nuclear energy plant operators, which also apply to us as part of our services to the U.S. nuclear energy industry.

Motor Carrier Operations

Through the services we provide, we operate as a motor carrier and therefore are subject to regulation by the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and various state agencies. These regulatory authorities exercise broad powers, governing activities such as the authorization to engage in motor carrier operations, regulatory safety, hazardous materials labeling, placarding and marking, financial reporting, and certain mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. There are additional regulations specifically relating to the trucking industry, including testing and specification of equipment and product handling requirements. The trucking industry is subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes that may affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for common or contract carrier services or the cost of providing truckload services. Some of these possible changes include increasingly stringent environmental regulations, changes in the hours of service regulations which govern the amount of time a driver may drive in any specific period and requiring onboard black box recorder devices or limits on vehicle weight and size.

Interstate motor carrier operations are subject to safety requirements prescribed by DOT. Intrastate motor carrier operations are subject to safety regulations that often mirror federal regulations. Such matters as weight and dimension of equipment are also subject to federal and state regulations. DOT regulations also mandate drug testing of drivers. From time to time, various legislative proposals are introduced, including proposals to increase federal, state or local taxes, including taxes on motor fuels, which may increase our costs or adversely impact the recruitment of drivers. We cannot predict whether, or in what form, any increase in such taxes applicable to us will be enacted.

Legal Proceedings

We may, at any given time, be named as defendants in certain lawsuits, investigations and claims arising in the ordinary course of conducting our business, including certain environmental claims and employee-related matters, and we expect that we will be named defendants in similar lawsuits, investigations and claims in the future. While the outcome of these lawsuits, investigations and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

In July 2017, APTIM Corp. sued Allied Power Management, LLC and certain of its employees and affiliated entities in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging, among other things, misappropriation of alleged trade secrets and civil conspiracy. APTIM also alleged tortious interference with their contractual and business relations because Exelon, our customer whose business makes up 100% of our Nuclear Services revenues, ended their business relationship with APTIM and started a new business relationship with Allied Power Management, LLC. The parties are currently engaged in expedited discovery relevant to APTIM’s motion for preliminary injunction, which was also filed last July. No hearing date has been set for that motion. APTIM also has an unspecified claim for damages that will proceed after the hearing on APTIM’s motion for preliminary injunction. No schedule for that phase of the case, and no trial date, has been set. APTIM has not identified its alleged damages. We believe that APTIM’s claims are meritless, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously.

APTIM and its alleged predecessors in interest have also initiated judicial and arbitral proceedings in Louisiana against Dorsey Ron McCall, our Senior Vice President. In June 2017, APTIM’s alleged predecessor, The Shaw Group, Inc., sued Mr. McCall in Louisiana state court, alleging breaches of his employment

 

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agreement. APTIM later filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana seeking to stay the state-court litigation and compel arbitration of the breach-of-contract claims, which the district court granted, permitting APTIM’s pending arbitration against Mr. McCall to proceed. Mr. McCall appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which affirmed the district court’s order. Mr. McCall filed a petition for rehearing en banc on May 1, 2018 and the Fifth Circuit directed APTIM to file a response to the petition by May 24, 2018.

We believe that all of APTIM’s claims in the above proceedings are without merit, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against them.

We are party to a lawsuit filed against North Carolina by a certain environmental advocacy group alleging that the issuance by the state of certain permits associated with our Brickhaven clay mine reclamation site exceeded the state’s power. Although the state’s authority to issue the bulk of the permits (i.e. the allowance to reclaim the original site with coal ash) was upheld, the portion of the permits that allows us to “cut and prepare” an additional portion of the site was held by the North Carolina Superior Court to exceed the relevant agency’s statutory authority. The North Carolina Superior Court’s decision (which upheld the allowance to reclaim the original site but held that the portions of the permits that allow us to “cut and prepare” an additional portion of the site exceeded the relevant agency’s statutory authority) was reversed and remanded back to the OAH. If the OAH determines North Carolina exceeded its permitting authority with respect to either the original allowance or the “cut and prepare” portions of the permits or both, such decision, if ultimately upheld, could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.

Employees

As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately 3,411 employees. Approximately 1,973 of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements, 98% of which are employed in the Nuclear Services operations of our Maintenance and Technical Services segment. We believe we have good relations with our employees.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers

Set forth below are the names, age, position and description of the business experience of our executive officers, directors and director nominees.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position with Charah Solutions

Charles Price

   62   

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Bruce Kramer

   56   

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Scott Sewell

   38   

Chief Operating Officer

Dorsey “Ron” McCall

   69   

Senior Vice President and Director

Mark Spender

   39   

Director

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

   53   

Director Nominee

Jack A. Blossman, Jr.

   53   

Director Nominee

Brian Ferraioli

   62   

Director Nominee

Robert Flexon

   59   

Director Nominee

Stephen Tritch

   68   

Director Nominee

Charles Price—President, Chief Executive Officer and Director . Charles Price is our founder and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since 1987. Mr. Price currently serves as the Chairman of the board of directors of the American Coal Ash Association and was selected as Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 in the Midwest Region by Ernst & Young, when he was also a finalist for National Entrepreneur of the Year. Because of his broad knowledge of the industry, we believe Mr. Price is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Bruce Kramer—Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer . Bruce Kramer joined the Company in 2007 and has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2007. Mr. Kramer is a CPA (inactive) with over 30 years of experience in public and private accounting and management. Mr. Kramer was recognized as the CFO of the Year by Business First of Louisville in 2011. Mr. Kramer is a board member of Dismas Charities and serves on the sponsorship committee for the St. John Center for Homeless Men. Mr. Kramer holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bellarmine University.

Scott Sewell—Chief Operating Officer . Scott Sewell joined the Company in 2008 and has served as our Chief Operating Officer since 2013. Prior to serving as our Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Sewell served as our Senior Vice President of Operations from 2012 to 2013, Vice President of Operations from 2010 to 2012 and Operations Manager from 2008 to 2010. Prior to joining Charah, Mr. Sewell was Project Manager for Bechtel Corporation from 2001 to 2008. Mr. Sewell was named to the Business First of Louisville “Forty Under 40” list in 2017. Mr. Sewell is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt and a member of ASTM International, the Association of Equipment Management Professionals and the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Sewell holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from the College of Charleston and an Executive Development Certification from Vanderbilt University.

Dorsey “Ron” McCall —Senior Vice President and Director . Ron McCall has served as our Senior Vice President since 2018 and served as Chief Executive Officer of Allied Power Management, LLC, since June 2017. From January 2016 to June 2017, Mr. McCall worked as an independent consultant. From 2002 to January 2016, Mr. McCall was at Chicago Bridge & Iron (formerly the Shaw Group). Mr. McCall has had a career that spans over 48 years in the industrial construction and maintenance sectors which includes 15 years as President of the Shaw Group’s Plant Services division and approximately 25 years as Senior Vice President of Turner Industries-Western division. Mr. McCall has extensive knowledge in all aspects of project management including nuclear

 

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outages, refinery turnarounds, as well as major construction and maintenance projects, both domestic and international. Mr. McCall received his bachelor’s degree in education from McNeese State University and has completed graduate work toward his master’s degree in business at Pepperdine University. Because of his broad knowledge of the industry, we believe Mr. McCall is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Mark Spender —Director . Mark Spender has served on our board of directors since 2018. Mr. Spender is a Managing Director and member of the Investment Committee at BCP. Since joining BCP in 2015, Mr. Spender has led BCP’s investments in the environmental services and utility services industries. Prior to joining BCP, Mr. Spender was a Managing Director in the Global Industrials Group in the Investment Banking Department at Credit Suisse where he began in 2000. Mr. Spender also held various roles in the Investment Banking Department at UBS from 2004 to 2011. During his career, Mr. Spender focused on a variety of industrial subsectors, including engineering and construction, building products and construction materials, and industrial distribution. Mr. Spender holds a B.B.A. in Finance with Highest Distinction from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Because of his extensive knowledge of the industry and his involvement and directorship with our predecessor companies, we believe Mr. Spender is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot Director Nominee. Claire Babineaux-Fontenot has been nominated to serve on our board of directors. Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot is the founder of CBF Consulting Group, LLC. Prior to founding CBF Consulting Group, Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot served as Executive Vice President and Treasurer at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from February 2014 to April 2017. She joined Wal-Mart Stores in August 2004 as Vice President of Audits and Tax Policy before being promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer in 2007. From 2001 to 2004, Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot was a Partner at Adams and Reese LLP, where she served as the Tax Practice Leader and Partner-in-Charge of the Baton Rouge Office. Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot served as a regional dispute resolution practice group leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot began her career as a tax attorney for the Louisiana Department of Revenue, where she went on to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Office of Legal Affairs. Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot serves on the global board of directors and audit committee for Walmart Chile S.A. She holds a B.S. from the University of Louisiana Lafayette, a J.D. from Southern University Law Center and an L.L.M. in Taxation from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot has also participated in executive development programs at Harvard Business School and the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. Because of her extensive background, we believe Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Jack A. Blossman, Jr.—Director Nominee . Jack Blossman has been nominated to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Blossman has been a practicing attorney for 25 years, the last 20 in the utility regulatory field. Mr. Blossman is currently Of Counsel at the law firm of Milling Benson Woodward L.L.P. in New Orleans, Louisiana. Prior to joining Milling Benson Woodward in January 2017, Mr. Blossman worked as a solo practitioner and general consultant. Mr. Blossman also served on the Louisiana Public Service Commission from 1996 to 2008, serving as its Chairman from 2002-2003, 2007-2008. From 1993 to 2008, Mr. Blossman served on the board of directors for Parish National Bank before it was acquired by Whitney Holding Corp. Mr. Blossman graduated with a B.A. in General Studies from Louisiana State University in 1987 and a J.D. from Southern University School of Law in 1991. Because of his energy regulatory and financial experience, we believe that Mr. Blossman is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Brian Ferraioli Director Nominee . Brian Ferraioli has been nominated to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Ferraioli served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of KBR, Inc. from October 2013 to February 2017. Prior to joining KBR, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Shaw Group Inc. from July 2007 to February 2013, when the company was acquired by Chicago Bridge & Iron Company, N.V. Prior to joining The Shaw Group, Mr. Ferraioli served as Vice President and Controller of Foster Wheeler, AG. Mr. Ferraioli is a director and chairman of the audit committee of Vistra Energy Corp and Team, Inc. Mr. Ferraioli has approximately 40 years of experience in senior finance and accounting roles in the engineering and construction industries and is also a National Association of Corporate Directors Governance

 

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Fellow. He is a licensed CPA (inactive) and holds a B.S. in Accounting from Seton Hall University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Because of his extensive background in the industry and with publicly traded companies, we believe Mr. Ferraioli is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Robert Flexon—Director Nominee . Robert Flexon has been nominated to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Flexon recently served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynegy Inc. beginning June 2011, and will continue to do so in an official capacity until June 2018. Prior to joining Dynegy, Mr. Flexon served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Foster Wheeler USA Corporation, from November 2009 to May 2010. Mr. Flexon served as Chief Financial Officer of NRG Energy, Inc. from March to November 2009 and March 2004 to March 2008 as well as its Chief Operating Officer from March 2008 to March 2009. Prior to joining NRG, Mr. Flexon served as a Vice President in various capacities at Hercules Inc., which he joined in 2000. Previously, Mr. Flexon served with Atlantic Richfield Company for more than 10 years, including as General Auditor from 1998 to 2000, Franchise Manager of ARCO Products from 1996 to 1998 and Controller of ARCO Products from 1995 to 1996. He began his career with the former Coopers & Lybrand public accounting firm in 1980. He has been an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee for Westmoreland Coal Company since May 2016, a Director of Dynegy Inc. since June 2011 and a Director of Capstone Turbine Corporation since April 2018. Mr. Flexon previously served as a Director at Foster Wheeler AG from May 2006 to November 2009 and again from May 2010 until October 2010. Mr. Flexon is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Villanova University. Because of his broad knowledge of the power generation industry, we believe Mr. Flexon is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Stephen Tritch Director Nominee. Stephen Tritch has been nominated to serve on our board of directors. Mr. Tritch previously served as the Chairman of Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC from March 2008 to July 2010. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Westinghouse from July 2002 to June 2008 and served as its President from July 2002 to June 2008. Mr. Tritch’s previous management experience at Westinghouse included serving as Senior Vice President of Nuclear Fuel and Senior Vice President of Nuclear Services. He began his Westinghouse career in 1971 as a Product Engineer in the Power Circuit Break Division. Mr. Tritch has served as a director of PaR Systems, Inc. since November 2010 and has been an independent director of Koppers Holdings Inc. since May 2009. He also served as a director of The Shaw Group Inc. from April 2009 to February 2013. Mr. Tritch currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. Because of his broad knowledge of the nuclear services and power industries, we believe Mr. Tritch is well qualified to serve on our board of directors.

Composition of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors currently consists of three members. Prior to the date that our common stock is first traded on the NYSE, we expect to have an eight member board of directors.

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a stockholders’ agreement with certain of the Existing Owners. Among other things, the stockholders’ agreement provides BCP with the right to nominate a certain number of directors in proportion to its ownership of our outstanding common stock, so long as BCP owns at least 5% of such outstanding shares, and provides CEP Holdings with the right to nominate Charles Price as a director, so long as CEP Holdings owns at least 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock or Charles Price holds the title of our chief executive officer. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholders’ Agreement” for additional information.

Our directors will be divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. Class I, Class II and Class III directors will serve until our annual meetings of stockholders in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.                  and                  will be assigned to Class I,                 ,                  and                  will be assigned to Class II, and                 ,                  and                  will be assigned to Class III. At each annual meeting of stockholders held after the initial classification, directors will be elected to succeed the class of directors whose

 

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terms have expired. This classification of our board of directors could have the effect of increasing the length of time necessary to change the composition of a majority of the board of directors. In general, at least two annual meetings of stockholders will be necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of the board of directors.

In evaluating director candidates, we will assess whether a candidate possesses the integrity, judgment, knowledge, experience, skills and expertise that are likely to enhance the board’s ability to manage and direct our affairs and business, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of committees of the board to fulfill their duties.

Director Independence

The board of directors is in the process of reviewing the independence of our directors using the independence standards of the NYSE. Currently, we anticipate that our board of directors will determine that Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot and Messrs. Blossman, Ferraioli, Flexon, Spender and Tritch are independent within the meaning of the NYSE listing standards currently in effect, and Ms. Babineaux-Fontenot and Messrs. Ferraioli and Flexon are independent within the meaning of Section 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Audit Committee

We will establish an audit committee prior to the completion of this offering. Rules implemented by the NYSE and the SEC require us to have an audit committee comprised of at least three directors who meet the independence and listing standards of the NYSE and the Exchange Act, subject to transitional relief during the one-year period following the completion of this offering. Our audit committee consists of                 ,                  and                 , who are independent under the rules of the SEC. As required by the rules of the SEC and listing standards of the NYSE, the audit committee will consist solely of independent directors.

This committee will oversee, review, act on and report on various auditing and accounting matters to our board of directors, including: the selection of our independent accountants, the scope of our annual audits, fees to be paid to the independent accountants, the performance of our independent accountants and our accounting practices. In addition, the audit committee will oversee our compliance programs relating to legal and regulatory requirements. We expect to adopt an audit committee charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC and the NYSE or market standards.

Compensation Committee

We will establish a compensation committee prior to completion of this offering. We anticipate that the compensation committee will consist of three directors,                 ,                  and                 , all of whom will be “independent” under the rules of the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the NYSE. This committee will establish salaries, incentives and other forms of compensation for officers and other employees. Our compensation committee will also administer our incentive compensation and benefit plans. We expect to adopt a compensation committee charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC, the PCAOB and NYSE or market standards.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

We will establish a nominating and corporate governance prior to completion of this offering. We anticipate that the nominating and corporate governance committee will consist of three directors,                 ,                  and                 , all of whom will be “independent” under the rules of the SEC, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the NYSE. This committee will identify, evaluate and recommend qualified nominees to serve on our board of directors; develop and oversee our internal corporate governance processes; and maintain a management succession plan. We expect to adopt a nominating and corporate governance committee charter defining the committee’s primary duties in a manner consistent with the rules of the SEC and NYSE standards.

 

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Code of Conduct

Prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors will adopt a code of conduct applicable to our employees, directors and officers, in accordance with applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. Any waiver of this code may be made only by our board of directors and will be promptly disclosed as required by applicable U.S. federal securities laws and the corporate governance rules of the NYSE.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are providing compensation disclosure that satisfies the requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, as defined in the JOBS Act.

2017 Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, with respect to our named executive officers, information relating to compensation earned for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Bonus
($) (1)
     Option
Awards
($) (2)
     All Other
Compensation
($) (3)
     Total($)  

Charles Price
(Chief Executive Officer)

     2017        700,000        297,500        —          38,791        1,036,291  

Bruce Kramer
(Chief Financial Officer)

     2017        450,000        120,000        308,047        34,439        904,386  

Dorsey Ron McCall
(Senior Vice President)

     2017        490,388        375,000        24,311        5,600        895,299  

 

(1) Amounts shown represent the payment of annual bonuses for the applicable year. For a description of annual bonuses for 2017 see the “—Additional Narrative to Disclosures—2017 Bonus Plan” section below.
(2) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of Series C Profits Units in Charah Management LLC (the “Charah Management Incentive Units”) and Series C Profits Units in Allied Power Holdings, LLC (the “Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units” and together with the Charah Management Incentive Units, the “Incentive Units”) granted pursuant to the Charah Management Series C Profits Interest Plan (“Charah Management Incentive Unit Plan”) and the Allied Power Holdings Series C Profits Interest Plan (“Allied Power Holdings Incentive Unit Plan”), respectively, during fiscal year 2017, determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, based on the probable outcome of the applicable performance conditions (determined as of the applicable date of grant) and excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The Charah Management Incentive Units and Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units are intended to constitute profits interests and represent actual (non-voting) equity interests in Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings, respectively, that have no liquidation value for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the date of grant but are designed to potentially increase in value only after the underlying assets have realized a certain level of growth and return to those persons who hold certain other classes of equity. We believe that, despite the fact that the Incentive Units do not require the payment of an exercise price, such awards are most similar economically to options to purchase equity and, as such, they are properly classified as “options” for purposes of the SEC’s executive compensation disclosure rules under the definition provided in 402(m)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K since such awards had “option-like features.” Additional information on the Incentive Units and their treatment upon consummation of this offering is included under “—Additional Narrative Disclosures—Incentive Units” below.

 

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(3) For Mr. Price and Mr. Kramer, the amount in this column reflects employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan (as defined below), reimbursement for a vehicle lease and club membership dues during fiscal year 2017. For Mr. McCall, the amount in this column reflects a vehicle allowance. For additional information on the 401(k) Plan, see “—Other Benefits.” The following table reflects the types and amounts of allowances and reimbursements included in this column:

 

Executive Officer

   Vehicle
Allowance or
Value of
Vehicle Lease
Reimbursement

($)
     Club
Membership
Dues
Reimbursement

($)
     Employer
Contributions
to 401(k) Plan
($)
 

Charles Price

     23,852        6,840        8,100  

Bruce Kramer

     21,058        5,281        8,100  

Dorsey Ron McCall

     5,600                

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2017 Fiscal Year-End

The following table reflects information regarding outstanding Incentive Units held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2017.

 

Option Awards (1)

 

Name

  

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable (2)

    

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable (2)

    

Option
Exercise
Price($)

    

Option
Expiration
Date

 

Charles Price

Series C Profits Units

                           

Bruce Kramer

Series C Profits Units

     20        80        N/A        N/A  

Dorsey Ron McCall

Series C Profits Units

     350               N/A        N/A  

 

(1) This table reflects information regarding Charah Management Incentive Units and Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units that were outstanding as of December 31, 2017. See “—Additional Narrative Disclosures—Incentive Units” below for additional information regarding the treatment of the Incentive Units in connection with our corporate reorganization and this offering. Additional information regarding the Incentive Units is also provided in footnote (2) to the 2017 Summary Compensation Table above.
(2) Awards reflected as “Exercisable” are Incentive Units subject to time-based vesting that have vested while awards reflected as “Unexercisable” are Incentive Units subject to time-based vesting that have not yet vested.

Additional Narrative Disclosures

Base Salary

Each named executive officer’s base salary is a fixed component of compensation that does not vary depending on the level of performance achieved. Base salaries are determined for each named executive officer based on his or her position and responsibility. Our board of directors reviews the base salaries for each named executive officer annually as well as at the time of any promotion or significant change in job responsibilities and, in connection with each review, our board of directors considers individual and company performance over the course of the applicable year.

 

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2017 Bonus Plan

Our named executive officers participated in our 2017 Bonus Plan, which awarded our named executive officers a bonus calculated as a percentage of their base salary based on the achievement of a combination of company-wide, site-specific and individual performance goals, including but not limited to profitability, engagement improvement, safety, environmental compliance and customer service. Actual payment of the bonuses under this plan is at the discretion of our board of directors. Mr. McCall received an annual bonus pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, which is based on company-specific performance goals.

Incentive Units

Set forth below is a discussion of the Charah Management Incentive Units and Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units. In connection with the corporate reorganization described in this prospectus, certain Management Members will receive shares of common stock with respect to their vested Incentive Units and any unvested Incentive Units will be automatically forfeited and cancelled for no consideration.

Charah Management Incentive Units

Certain of our employees, including certain of our named executive officers, previously received Charah Management Incentive Units granted pursuant to the Charah Management Incentive Unit Plan. The Charah Management Incentive Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” and represent actual (non-voting) equity interests that had no liquidation value for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the date of grant but are designed to gain value only after the underlying assets realize a certain level of growth and return to those persons who hold certain other classes of equity. The Charah Management Incentive Units are subject to time-based vesting and vest in five equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the date of grant of such award. The Charah Management Incentive Units granted to certain of the named executive officers on February 1, 2017, vest, or did vest, in equal installments on February 1 of each of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, subject to the applicable named executive officer’s continued employment through each vesting date. As of the date of this offering, no more than 20% of the Charah Management Incentive Units held by our named executive officers will have vested. As part of the corporate reorganization described in this prospectus, the holders of Charah Management Incentive Units will receive shares of common stock in respect of their vested Charah Management Incentive Units and their unvested Charah Management Incentive Units will be cancelled.

Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units

Certain of our employees, including certain named executive officers of Charah Solutions, previously received Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units granted pursuant to the Allied Power Holdings Incentive Unit Plan. The Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units are intended to constitute “profits interests” and represent actual (non-voting) equity interests that had no liquidation value for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the date of grant but are designed to gain value only after the underlying assets realize a certain level of growth and return to those persons who hold certain other classes of equity. The Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units were vested immediately upon the date of grant of such award. In connection with the corporate reorganization and this offering, holders of the Allied Power Holdings Incentive Units will receive shares of common stock in respect of their Allied Power Holding Incentive Units.

Other Benefits

We currently maintain a plan intended to provide benefits under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan permits employees to contribute portions of their base compensation into a retirement account. We make a flat contribution to each employee’s 401(k) account equal to 3.0% of each employee’s annual base salary.

 

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Employment, Severance or Change in Control Agreements

We currently maintain employment agreements with the following named executive officers: Charles Price, Bruce Kramer, and Dorsey Ron McCall (each, an “Executive”). If Mr. Price’s or Mr. Kramer’s employment is terminated by us for Cause (as defined below) or by the Executive without Good Reason (as defined below), we will pay the terminated Executive any accrued and unpaid portion of their base salary, provide any benefits to which Executive is entitled (including paid time off through the date of their terminations of employment) as well as payment of any unreimbursed expenses (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”). Upon any Executive’s death or Permanent Disability (as defined in each Executive’s respective employment agreement), we will pay the terminated Executive, or the Executive’s estate, as applicable, the Accrued Obligations, as well as severance equal to (i) in the case of Mr. Kramer, twelve months’ current base salary payable in ratable installments in accordance with our normal payroll procedures during the twelve-month period following the Executive’s termination (the “Kramer Severance Term”) of employment or (ii) in the case of Mr. Price, base salary for the greater of (x) each month of the time remaining in his initial term of employment had he not been terminated and (y) twelve months (the “Price Severance Term,” and together with the Kramer Severance Term, the “Severance Term”), payable in ratable installments over the course of the Severance Term in accordance with our normal payroll procedures during the period following the Executive’s termination of employment (each of clauses (i) and (ii), as applicable, the “Severance”). Upon termination of the Executive’s employment by us without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason (as defined below) or for our election not to renew the applicable employment agreement following the initial term of employment, the terminated Executive is entitled to the Accrued Obligations, Severance and COBRA continuation coverage under our group health plan at the same cost applicable to our active employees for the twelve-month period following such termination of employment (or, if earlier, the date that the terminated Executive becomes eligible to receive health benefits as a result of subsequent employment). The receipt of Severance as described in the foregoing sentence is conditioned upon the terminated Executive executing (and not revoking) a general release of claims.

If Mr. McCall is terminated for Cause, we will pay him the Accrued Obligations, as well as (i) any annual bonus accrued and determined but not yet paid for a prior fiscal year, (ii) any benefits accrued and vested under any plan or arrangement maintained by Allied Power Management, LLC, and (iii) any claims arising but not yet paid under any welfare benefit plans maintained by Allied Power Management, LLC as of the date of termination. Upon termination of Mr. McCall’s employment by him without Good Reason, we will pay Mr. McCall the Accrued Obligations no later than fifteen (15) days following the date of termination and will not be entitled to any salary, compensation, severance or other benefits from us thereafter, except as otherwise provided under the terms of any applicable benefit plan or arrangement with respect to which Mr. McCall has been a participant. Upon a termination of employment of any of Mr. McCall’s employment by us without Cause (as defined below) or by Mr. McCall with Good Reason (as defined below), the we will pay to Mr. McCall, in addition to the aforementioned payments, (i) an amount equal to (w) two times his then current base salary, (x) two times the higher of (I) his then target bonus or (II) the annual bonus paid for the year immediately preceding the year in which his termination of employment occurs, if any, (y) a pro-rated portion of the annual bonus Mr. McCall would have been entitled to for the year in which the termination occurs, if any, and (z) a prorated portion of the amount the Executive would have received under the Allied Power Holdings Incentive Unit Plan related to certain distributions occurring after the date of termination had such termination not occurred, each such post-termination distribution to be calculated by multiplying the amount the Executive would have received had his termination not occurred multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days between the award date and the date of termination and the denominator of which is the number of days between the award date and the date of such post-termination distribution (the amounts in clauses (w), (x), (y) and (z) collectively, the “McCall Severance”). Upon Mr. McCall’s death or Disability (as defined in Mr. McCall’s employment agreement), Mr. McCall will be paid the McCall Severance, provided that payment of (w) and (x) shall only be calculated at one-times those stated amounts.

For purposes of Mr. Price’s and Mr. Kramer’s employment agreements, “Cause” means: (i) the Executive’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of the Executive’s employment hereunder, (ii) the

 

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Executive’s substantial and sustained failure or refusal to perform the Executive’s material duties or responsibilities to the Company Group (as defined in each employment agreement) or to follow the lawful directives of the board of managers (other than as a result of death or Permanent Disability), (iii) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by the Executive of any of our assets or business opportunities or any other member of the Company Group, (iv) the Executive’s conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, (v) the Executive’s failure to cooperate in any material way with any audit or investigation of the business or financial practices of the Company Group, (vi) the Executive’s performance of any act of theft, embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance, dishonesty or misappropriation of the our property, (vii) the Executive’s material breach of his respective employment agreement, the Charah Management limited liability company agreement, or any other non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, non-disparagement or other restrictive covenant provisions relating to any member of the Company Group by which the Executive may be bound, or any other agreement between the Executive, on the one hand, and a member of the Company Group, on the other hand, (viii) the Executive’s material violation of the our lawful code of conduct or other written policy (so long as the Executive has been provided a copy of such code or policy and has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure such violation, if such violation is curable) or (ix) the Executive’s deliberate misconduct that is reasonably likely to be materially damaging to any member of the Company Group.

For purposes of Mr. McCall’s employment agreement, “Cause” means (i) the violation by the Executive, without the consent or knowledge of the individual he ordinarily reports to or our governing body, of any law or regulation which materially affects our business, (ii) the violation by the Executive of any of our written policies, including in our employee handbook, if the Company has announced that such a violation will be treated generally as a cause for termination, (iii) the embezzlement of our funds, those of our affiliates or of their respective customers or vendors by the Executive, (iv) the Executive’s misappropriation or theft of any of our property or that of our affiliates or of their respective customers, which is not de minimus or the result of inadvertent mistake, (v) the engaging by the Executive in any willful misconduct or gross negligence, which injures or could reasonably be expected to injure in a material respect our or our affiliates’ reputation, business or business relationships, (vi) the Executive’s conviction or, or plea of guilty to or admission of a felony or actions that constitute a felony, (vii) the Executive’s breach of the employment agreement with regard to certain covenants relating to intellectual property and confidentiality due to willful misconduct or gross negligence, (viii) the Executive’s refusal to perform diligently, reasonably and in good faith his lawful duties and obligations as set forth in the employment agreement, which refusal is a breach of the employment agreement and has a material adverse effect on us, or (ix) the Executive’s refusal to comply with the lawful and reasonable written direction of our board of managers; provided, however, that with respect to the above clauses (viii) and (ix), the Executive has first been given written notice thereof and an opportunity to cure, which cure is not effected in all material respects within thirty (30) days thereafter; and, provided further , that no such written notice need be given upon the second occurrence of such breach or default within one (1) year of the first. A termination for Cause shall not take effect until a termination notice is given to the Executive following a determination by our governing body that, in its good faith and reasonable judgment, grounds for termination of the Executive for Cause exist.

For the purposes of Mr. Price’s employment agreement, “Good Reason” means, without Mr. Price’s consent, (i) a material and ongoing diminution in Mr. Price’s title, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a reduction in his base salary below the level of such base salary on the effective date of the employment agreement, (iii) the relocation of his principal place of employment in Louisville, Kentucky more than seventy-five (75) miles from its current location, (iv) a “Change of Control” as that term is defined in the limited liability company agreement of Charah Management, LLC; (v) a material adverse change in benefits (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any change related to any annual bonus) or perquisites; or (vi) any other material breach of a provision of his employment agreement by us, provided , that none of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason unless we fail to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receipt from the Executive of written notice of the event which constitutes Good Reason, which written notice shall give reasonable specificity in the nature of the circumstances determined by the Executive in good faith to constitute Good Reason; and provided, further ,

 

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that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for an event on the sixtieth (60th) day after the Executive obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such event, unless the Executive has given us written notice thereof prior to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the term of employment, in the event that we reasonably believes that the Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, we may, in our sole and absolute discretion, suspend the Executive from performing the Executive’s duties thereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which the Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided , that no such suspension shall alter our obligations under the employment agreement during such period of suspension.

For the purposes of the employment agreements with Mr. Kramer, “Good Reason” means, without the Executive’s consent, (i) a material and ongoing diminution in the Executive’s title, duties or responsibilities, (ii) a reduction in the Executive’s base salary below the level of such base salary on the effective date of the employment agreement, (iii) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment in Louisville, Kentucky more than seventy-five (75) miles from its current location, (iv) a material adverse change in benefits (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any change related to any annual bonus) or perquisites, or (v) any other material breach of a provision of the Executive’s employment agreement by us; provided , that none of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason unless we fail to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receipt from the Executive of written notice of the event which constitutes Good Reason, which written notice shall give reasonable specificity in the nature of the circumstances determined by the Executive in good faith to constitute Good Reason; and provided, further , that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for an event on the sixtieth day after the Executive obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such event, unless the Executive has given the Company written notice thereof prior to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the initial term of the employment agreement, in the event that we reasonably believe that the Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, we may, in our sole and absolute discretion, suspend the Executive from performing the Executive’s duties thereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which the Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided , that no such suspension shall alter our obligations under the employment agreement during such period of suspension.

For the purposes of Mr. McCall’s employment agreement, “Good Reason” means a termination of the Executive’s employment at his initiative following the occurrence, without the Executive’s written consent, of one or more of the following events (except as a result of a prior termination): (i) a material reduction in the Executive’s then-current base salary, (ii) our failure to pay the Executive when due his then-current base salary or earned and accrued annual bonus, (iii) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities or (iv) a material breach by us of our obligations under the employment agreement. For purposes of the employment agreement, Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred unless (i) the Executive provides us with written notice of one of the conditions described above within ninety (90) days after the first existence of such condition, (ii) we fail to cure such condition in all material respects within thirty (30) days of our receipt of such notice, and (iii) the Executive terminates his employment no later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of such cure period. Upon the occurrence of Good Reason permitting the Executive to terminate the employment agreement therefor, the Executive shall deliver a termination notice to us.

2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan

We anticipate that our board of directors will adopt our 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”), pursuant to which employees, consultants and directors of our company and its affiliates performing services for us, including our named executive officers, will be eligible to receive awards. We anticipate that the 2018 Plan will provide for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, bonus stock, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards, substitute awards, annual incentive awards and performance awards intended to align the interests of participants with those of our stockholders. The following description of the 2018 Plan is based on the form we anticipate will be adopted, but since the 2018 Plan has not yet been adopted, the provisions remain subject to change. As a result, the following description is qualified in its

 

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entirety by reference to the final 2018 Plan once adopted, a copy of which in substantial form has been filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.

Share Reserve

We have reserved                      shares of our common stock for issuance under the 2018 Plan. In addition, the following shares of our common stock will again be available for grant or issuance under the 2018 Plan:

 

    shares subject to awards granted under the 2018 Plan that are subsequently forfeited or cancelled;

 

    shares subject to awards granted under the 2018 Plan that otherwise terminate without shares being issued; and

 

    shares surrendered, cancelled or exchanged for cash (but not shares surrendered to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes associated with the award).

Eligibility

Our employees, consultants and non-employee directors, and employees, consultants and non-employee directors of our affiliates, will be eligible to receive awards under the 2018 Plan.

Term

The 2018 Plan terminates ten years from the date our board of directors approved the plan, unless it is terminated earlier by our board of directors.

Award Forms and Limitations

The 2018 Plan authorizes the award of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, other cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. For stock options that are intended to qualify as incentive stock options (ISOs), under Section 422 of the Code, the maximum number of shares subject to ISO awards shall be                 .

Eligibility

Only employees, consultants and board members of us and our affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2018 Plan. The Board or committee delegated such authority by the Board determines who will receive awards, and the terms and conditions associated with such award.

Administration

The 2018 Plan will be administered by our compensation committee. The compensation committee has the authority to construe and interpret the 2018 Plan, grant awards and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the plan. Awards under the 2018 Plan may be made subject to “performance conditions” and other terms.

Stock Options

The 2018 Plan provides for the grant of ISOs only to our employees. All options other than ISOs may be granted to our employees, directors and consultants. The exercise price of each stock option must be at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of ISOs granted to 10% or more stockholders must be at least equal to 110% of that value. Options granted under the 2018 Plan may be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the compensation committee determines. The maximum term of options granted under the 2018 Plan is 10 years (five years in the case of ISOs granted to 10% or more stockholders).

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights

Stock appreciation rights provide for a payment, or payments, in cash or shares of our common stock, to the holder based upon the difference between the fair market value of our common stock on the date of exercise and the stated exercise price of the stock appreciation right. The exercise price must be at least equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date the stock appreciation right is granted. Stock appreciation rights may vest based on time or achievement of performance conditions, as determined by the compensation committee in its discretion.

Restricted Stock

The compensation committee may grant awards consisting of shares of our common stock subject to restrictions on sale and transfer. The price (if any) paid by a participant for a restricted stock award will be determined by the compensation committee. Unless otherwise determined by the compensation committee at the time of award, vesting will cease on the date the participant no longer provides services to us and unvested shares will be forfeited to or repurchased by us. The compensation committee may condition the grant or vesting of shares of restricted stock on the achievement of performance conditions and/or the satisfaction of a time-based vesting schedule.

Performance Awards

A performance award is an award that becomes payable upon the attainment of specific performance goals. A performance award may become payable in cash or in shares of our common stock. These awards are subject to forfeiture prior to settlement due to termination of a participant’s employment or failure to achieve the performance conditions.

Other Stock-Based Awards and Other Cash-Based Awards

Stock-based awards, such as dividend equivalent rights and other awards denominated or payable in shares of our common stock, may be granted as additional compensation for services or performance. Similarly, the compensation committee may grant other cash-based awards to participants in amounts and on terms and conditions determined by them in their discretion. Both other stock-based awards and other cash-based awards may be granted subject to vesting conditions or awarded without being subject to conditions or restrictions.

Additional Provisions

Awards granted under the 2018 Plan may not be transferred in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or as determined by our compensation committee. Unless otherwise restricted by our compensation committee, awards that are non-ISOs or SARs may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee, the optionee’s guardian or legal representative or a family member of the optionee who has acquired the non-ISOs or SARs by a permitted transfer. Awards that are ISOs may be exercised during the lifetime of the optionee only by the optionee or the optionee’s guardian or legal representative.

In the event of a change of control (as defined in the 2018 Plan), the compensation committee may, in its discretion, provide for any or all of the following actions: (i) awards may be continued, assumed or substituted with new rights, (ii) awards may be purchased for cash equal to the excess (if any) of the highest price per share of common stock paid in the change in control transaction over the aggregate exercise price of such awards, (iii) outstanding and unexercised stock options and stock appreciation rights may be terminated prior to the change in control (in which case holders of such unvested awards would be given notice and the opportunity to exercise such awards), or (iv) vesting or lapse of restrictions may be accelerated. All awards will be equitably adjusted in the case of stock splits, recapitalizations and similar transactions.

 

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Director Compensation

Our board of directors was formed in January 2018, and we do not currently provide any compensation to the members of our board of directors for their services. Going forward, we believe that attracting and retaining qualified non-employee directors will be critical to the future value of our growth and governance. Accordingly, following the completion of this offering, we expect to provide our non-employee directors (other than directors who are employees of BCP) with an annual compensation package comprised of a cash component and, in order to align the interests of such non-employee directors with our stockholders, an equity-based award component. We also expect that all members of our board of directors will be reimbursed for certain reasonable expenses in connection with their services to us.

 

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CORPORATE REORGANIZATION

Charah Solutions was formed as a Delaware corporation in January 2018. Following this offering and the corporate reorganization described below, we will be a holding company and our only material assets will consist of membership interests in Charah Sole Member and Allied Sole Member. Through our ownership of Charah Sole Member and Allied Sole Member, we will own the outstanding equity interests in Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, the subsidiaries through which we will operate our business.

Pursuant to the terms of certain reorganization transactions that will be completed immediately prior to the closing of this offering, (a) Charah Management will contribute all of its interests in Charah Sole Member to us in exchange for                  shares of common stock and Allied Power Holdings will contribute all of its interests in Allied Sole Member to us in exchange for                  shares of common stock with the respective amounts of common stock to be received by each of Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings to be calculated using an implied valuation based on the initial public offering price of the common stock; (b) each of Charah Management and Allied Power Holdings will distribute the shares of common stock received by them pursuant to clause (a) to their respective members in accordance with the respective terms of their limited liability company agreements; (c) Charah Holdings will distribute a portion of the shares of common stock it received in clause (b) above to certain direct and indirect blocker entities which will ultimately merge into us, with us surviving, and the BCP Energy Services Funds will receive                  shares of our common stock as consideration in the mergers; and (d) Charah Management Holdings and Allied Management Holdings will distribute the shares of common stock received by them pursuant to clause (b) to their respective members in accordance with the respective terms of their limited liability company agreements.

After giving effect to these transactions and the offering contemplated by this prospectus and assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised, the Existing Owners will, collectively, own              shares of common stock, representing             % of our capital stock (of which, (i) BCP will own, directly or indirectly, approximately             % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, (ii) CEP Holdings will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock and (iii) the Management Members, collectively, will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock).

If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full, the Existing Owners will, collectively, own              shares of common stock, representing             % of our capital stock (of which, (i) BCP will own, directly or indirectly, approximately             % of the total issued and outstanding common stock, (ii) CEP Holdings will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock and (iii) the Management Members, collectively, will own approximately     % of the total issued and outstanding common stock).

The ownership percentages above assume an initial public offering price of $         per share of common stock, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any increase or decrease (as applicable) of the assumed initial public offering price will result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in the number of shares of common stock to be allocated amongst the Existing Owners; however, any such change in our initial public offering price will not affect the aggregate amount of capital stock held by our Existing Owners. See “Corporate Reorganization—Existing Owners’ Ownership.”

 

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The following diagrams indicate our simplified ownership structure prior to and immediately following this offering and the transactions related thereto (assuming that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is not exercised):

Simplified Current Ownership Structure

 

LOGO

 

(1) Includes (i) CEP Holdings, Inc., which is owned by Charles Price and certain affiliated entities, (ii) Charah Holdings LP, which is owned by BCP and certain of its affiliates, (iii) Charah Management Holdings LLC, which is owned by certain officers and employees of Charah, LLC, and (iv) Allied Management Holdings, LLC, which is owned by certain officers and employees of Allied Power Management, LLC.
(2) Includes (i) our operating subsidiaries, Ash Management Services, LLC and Green Meadow, LLC, (ii) our 50% interest in our equity method investment and (iii) our 67% interest in Ash Venture LLC.
(3) Includes our operating subsidiaries, Allied Power Services, LLC, Allied Plant Services, LLC and Allied Power Resources, LLC.

 

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Simplified Ownership Structure After Giving Effect to this Offering (1)

 

LOGO

 

(1) See “—Existing Owners’ Ownership.”
(2) CEP Holdings, Inc. is owned by Charles Price and certain affiliated entities.
(3) BCP’s ownership is held through Charah Holdings and the BCP Energy Services Funds.
(4) Includes (i) our operating subsidiaries, Ash Management Services, LLC and Green Meadow, LLC, (ii) our 50% interest in our equity method investment and (iii) our 67% interest in Ash Venture LLC.
(5) Includes our operating subsidiaries, Allied Power Services, LLC, Allied Plant Services, LLC and Allied Power Resources, LLC.

 

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Existing Owners’ Ownership

The table below sets forth the percentage ownership of our Existing Owners prior to this offering and after the consummation of this offering.

 

Existing Owners (1)

   Percentage
Ownership
Prior to this
Offering (6)
     Percentage
Ownership
After this
Offering (6)
 

BCP (2)

     

CEP Holdings (3)

     

Management Member Executive Officers (4)

     

Other Management Members (5)

     

 

(1) The number of shares of common stock to be issued to our Existing Owners is based on the implied valuation immediately prior to this offering, based on an initial public offering price of $             per share of common stock, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any increase or decrease of the assumed initial public offering price will result in an increase or decrease in the number of shares of common stock received by each of the Existing Owners, but will not affect the aggregate amount of our common stock held by our Existing Owners. At an assumed public offering price of $             (the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover of this prospectus), the Existing Owners will receive                      shares of common stock.
(2) A $1.00 increase (decrease) in this assumed common stock price would increase (decrease) the aggregate number of shares of common stock to be received by BCP by              (            ) shares of common stock.
(3) A $1.00 increase (decrease) in this assumed common stock price would increase (decrease) the aggregate number of shares of common stock to be received by CEP Holdings by              (            ) shares of common stock.
(4) Includes Messrs. Charles Price, Bruce Kramer and Dorsey Ron McCall. A $1.00 increase (decrease) in this assumed common stock price would increase (decrease) the aggregate number of shares of common stock to be received by the Management Members that serve as our executive officers by              (            ) shares of common stock.
(5) A $1.00 increase (decrease) in this assumed common stock price would increase (decrease) the aggregate number of shares of common stock to be received by the nonexecutive Management Members by              (            ) shares of common stock.
(6) Totals may not sum or recalculate due to rounding.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the closing of this offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with certain of the Existing Owners, pursuant to which we may be required to register the sale of common stock owned by certain of the Existing Owners. Under the registration rights agreement, BCP will have the right to request that we register the sale of common stock held by it, including the right to require us to make available a shelf registration statement and conduct underwritten offerings, subject to certain limitations. The registration rights agreement gives BCP “piggyback” registration rights under certain circumstances. Additionally, CEP Holdings will receive the right to register and offer its common stock pursuant to an underwritten offering on one occasion. The registration rights agreement also includes certain customary indemnification and contribution and allocation of expenses provisions.

Stockholders’ Agreement

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a stockholders’ agreement with certain of the Existing Owners. Among other things, the stockholders’ agreement provides BCP with the right to nominate a number of directors in a proportionate amount to the number of shares of common stock that it holds, as follows: (i) a majority of the directors as long as BCP owns at least 50% of our common stock; (ii) at least 40% of the directors as long BCP owns at least 40% but less than 50% of our common stock; (iii) at least 30% of the directors as long as BCP owns at least 30% but less than 40% of our common stock; (iv) at least 20% of the directors as long as BCP owns at least 20% but less 30% of our common stock; and (v) at least 10% of the directors as long as BCP owns at least 5% but less than 20% of our common stock. The stockholders’ agreement also provides CEP Holdings with the right to nominate Charles Price as a director, so long as CEP Holdings owns at least 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock or Charles Price holds the title of our chief executive officer.

Historical Transactions with Affiliates

C4 Lease Agreement

Circle Four, Inc. (“C4”), an entity majority owned by a trust controlled by a stockholder of CEP Holdings, stored machinery and equipment for the Company. Rental expense of $21 thousand was incurred during 2016. C4 owed the Company $216 thousand at December 31, 2016. The lease was terminated in December 2016.

Amended and Restated Office Lease Agreement

We rent our corporate office, housing at work sites and a condo from Price Real Estate, LLC (“Price Real Estate”), an entity indirectly owned by Charles Price, our President and Chief Executive Officer. The lease for the corporate office is a triple net lease, requiring monthly payments of $36 thousand (increasing by the consumer price index each year commencing June 1, 2013) through May 31, 2020. Rental expenses of $453 thousand, $638 thousand and $501 thousand were incurred during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Aircraft Lease Agreement

PriceFlight, LLC (“PriceFlight”), an entity indirectly owned by Charles Price, our President and Chief Executive Officer, provides flight services to us. Expenses to PriceFlight for flight services amounted to $706 thousand, $708 thousand and $675 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our receivable from PriceFlight was reduced by expenses of $0, $203 thousand and $119 thousand during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. PriceFlight owed us $0, $641 thousand and $845 thousand at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The receivable is unsecured and does not bear interest.

 

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Employment Arrangement with Charles W. Price

Charles Price’s son, Charles W. Price, has been an employee of the Company since 2005. Charles W. Price’s total cash and equity compensation for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $178,462, $159,889 and $145,115, respectively. We seek to fill positions with qualified employees, whether or not they are related to our executive officers or directors. We compensate employees who have such relationships within what we believe to be the current market rate for their position and provide benefits consistent with our policies that apply to similarly situated employees.

Stockholders Line of Credit

An open line of credit was available to the voting stockholder of CEP Holdings. The note was payable on demand and bore interest at the applicable federal rate (0.55% for the year ended December 31, 2016). The outstanding balance was $7.9 million on December 31, 2016 and was terminated in January 2017.

Corporate Reorganization

In connection with our corporate reorganization, we will engage in certain transactions with certain affiliates of the Existing Owners, including BCP. See “Corporate Reorganization.”

Policies and Procedures for Review of Related Party Transactions

A “Related Party Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which we or any of our subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “Related Person” means:

 

    any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of our executive officers or one of our directors;

 

    any person who is known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5.0% of our common stock;

 

    any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer or a beneficial owner of more than 5.0% of our common stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than 5.0% of our common stock; and

 

    any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 10.0% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

Our board of directors will adopt a written related party transactions policy prior to the completion of this offering. Pursuant to this policy, our audit committee will review all material facts of all Related Party Transactions and either approve or disapprove entry into the Related Party Transaction, subject to certain limited exceptions. In determining whether to approve or disapprove entry into a Related Party Transaction, our audit committee shall take into account, among other factors, the following: (i) whether the Related Party Transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and (ii) the extent of the Related Person’s interest in the transaction. Furthermore, the policy requires that all Related Party Transactions required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC be so disclosed in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock that, upon the consummation of this offering and transactions related thereto, and assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional common shares, will be owned by:

 

    each person known to us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our outstanding voting securities;

 

    each member of our board of directors;

 

    each of the selling stockholders;

 

    each of our named executive officers; and

 

    all of our directors, director nominees and executive officers as a group.

All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the respective 5% or more stockholders, selling stockholders, directors, director nominees or executive officers, as the case may be. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each listed beneficial owner is 12601 Plantside Dr., Louisville, Kentucky 40299.

 

    Shares Beneficially
Owned Prior to the
Offering (1)(2)
    Shares of
Common Stock
Being Offered
    Shares Beneficially
Owned After the
Offering
 
        Common Stock  
    Number     %       Number     %  

Selling Stockholders and Other 5% Stockholders:

         

BCP (3)

         

CEP Holdings, Inc.

         

Directors, Director Nominees and Named Executive Officers :

         

Charles Price

         

Bruce Kramer

         

Scott Sewell

         

Dorsey “Ron” McCall

         

Mark Spender

         

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot

         

Jack A. Blossman, Jr.

         

Brian Ferraioli

         

Robert Flexon

         

Stephen Tritch

         

Directors, Director Nominees and Executive Officers as a group (10 persons)

         

 

(1)

The amounts and percentages of common stock beneficially owned are reported on the bases of regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. Securities that can be so acquired are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing such person’s ownership percentage, but not for purposes of computing any other person’s percentage. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities as to which such person

 

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  has no economic interest. Except as otherwise indicated in these footnotes, each of the beneficial owners has, to our knowledge, sole voting and investment power with respect to the indicated shares of common stock, except to the extent this power may be shared with a spouse.
(2) The number of shares of common stock to be issued to our Existing Owners is based on the implied valuation immediately prior to this offering, based on an initial public offering price of $         per share of common stock, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See “Corporate Reorganization—Existing Owners’ Ownership.”
(3) BCP’s interest is held through Charah Holdings LP, the BCP Energy Services Funds and BCP Energy Services Fund GP, LP. The general partner of Charah Holdings LP is Charah Holdings GP LLC. Charah Holdings GP LLC is owned by BCP Energy Services Fund, LP and BCP Energy Services Fund-A, LP. The general partner of both BCP Energy Services Fund, LP and BCP Energy Services Fund-A, LP is BCP Energy Services Fund GP, LP. The general partner of BCP Energy Services Fund GP, LP is BCP Energy Services Fund UGP, LLC. BCP Energy Services Fund UGP, LLC is managed by J.M. Bernhard, Jr. and Jeff Jenkins. Each of the BCP entities and Messrs. Bernhard and Jenkins may be deemed to beneficially own such shares directly or indirectly controlled, but each disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares in excess of its pecuniary interest therein. The address of each of the BCP entities and Messrs. Bernhard and Jenkins is 400 Convention Street, Suite 1010, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Upon completion of this offering, the authorized capital stock of Charah Solutions will consist                  of                shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which                shares will be issued and outstanding and                shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares will be issued and outstanding.

The following summary of the capital stock and amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Charah Solutions does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of applicable law and to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws, which will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share held of record on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

Dividend Rights. Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to ratably receive dividends when and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, subject to any statutory or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and to any prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or other winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the assets available for distribution to the stockholders after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any of our outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Other Matters. The shares of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessment by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock, including the common stock offered in this offering, are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder approval, to establish and to issue from time to time one or more classes or series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, covering up to an aggregate of                 shares of preferred stock. Each class or series of preferred stock will cover the number of shares and will have the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions determined by the board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, voting rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights and redemption rights. Except as provided by law or in a preferred stock designation, the holders of preferred stock will not be entitled to vote at or receive notice of any meeting of stockholders.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

Some provisions of Delaware law, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws described below, will contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisitions of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

 

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These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection and our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Delaware Law

We will not be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL regulating corporate takeovers. In general, those provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation, including those whose securities are listed for trading on the NYSE, from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

    the transaction is approved by the board of directors before the date the interested stockholder attained that status;

 

    upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

    on or after such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective upon the closing of this offering, may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares, or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Among other things, upon the completion of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will:

 

    establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting;

 

    provide our board of directors the ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock. This ability makes it possible for our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company;

 

    provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

 

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    provide that, after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law or, if applicable, the rights of holders of a series of preferred stock, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum (prior to such time, vacancies may also be filled by stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote);

 

    provide that, after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such stockholders, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock with respect to such series;

 

    provide that, after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon;

 

    provide that, after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by the board of directors;

 

    provided that, after BCP and its affiliates no longer collectively hold more than 35% of the voting power of our common stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of all then outstanding common stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required to remove any or all of the directors from office at any time, and directors will be removable only for “cause”;

 

    provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered three-year terms, other than directors that may be elected by holders of preferred stock, if any. This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors;

 

    provide that we renounce any interest in existing and future investments in other entities by, or the business opportunities of, BCP and its affiliates and that they have no obligation to offer us those investments or opportunities; and

 

    provide that our amended and restated bylaws can be amended by the board of directors, except to the extent that such amendment would be contrary or inconsistent with the Stockholders’ Agreement, for so long as the Stockholders’ Agreement remains in effect.

Forum Selection

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for:

 

    any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;

 

    any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees, agents or stockholders to us or our stockholders;

 

    any action asserting a claim against us or any director, officer, employee or agents of ours arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or

 

    any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine;

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this forum selection provision.

Although we believe these provisions will benefit us by providing increased consistency in the application of Delaware law for the specified types of actions and proceedings, the provisions may have the effect of discouraging lawsuits against our directors, officers, employees and agents. The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more actions or proceedings described above, a court could rule that this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation is inapplicable or unenforceable.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liability that cannot be eliminated under the DGCL. Delaware law provides that directors of a company will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for liabilities:

 

    for any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

    for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    for unlawful payment of dividend or unlawful stock repurchase or redemption, as provided under Section 174 of the DGCL; or

 

    for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Any amendment, repeal or modification of these provisions will be prospective only and would not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions that occurred prior to any such amendment, repeal or modification.

Our amended and restated bylaws will also provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws also will permit us to purchase insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of that person’s actions as our officer, director, employee or agent, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification. We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our current and future directors and officers. These agreements will require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liability that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We believe that the limitation of liability provision that will be in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the indemnification agreements will facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.

Registration Rights

For a description of registration rights with respect to our common stock, see the information under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Registration Rights Agreement.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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Listing

We have applied to list our common stock for quotation on the NYSE under the symbol “CHRA.”

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Future sales of our common stock in the public market, or the availability of such shares for sale in the public market, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time. As described below, only a limited number of shares will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market after such restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity-related capital at a time and price we deem appropriate.

Sales of Restricted Shares

Upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding an aggregate of                shares of common stock. Of these shares, all of the                shares of common stock (or                shares of common stock if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised) to be sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless the shares are held by any of our “affiliates” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. All remaining shares of common stock held by the Existing Owners will be deemed “restricted securities” as such term is defined under Rule 144. The restricted securities were issued and sold by us in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act, which rules are summarized below.

As a result of the lock-up agreements described below and the provisions of Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act, the shares of our common stock (excluding the shares to be sold in this offering) that will be available for sale in the public market are as follows:

 

    no shares will be eligible for sale on the date of this prospectus or prior to 180 days after the date of this prospectus; and

 

                    shares will be eligible for sale upon the expiration of the lock-up agreements, beginning 180 days after the date of this prospectus when permitted under Rule 144 or Rule 701.

Lock-up Agreements

We, all of our directors, director nominees and officers, stockholders that own over 5% of our common stock and the selling stockholders have agreed not to sell any common stock for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions and extensions. See “Underwriting” for a description of these lock-up provisions.

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 under the Securities Act as currently in effect, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about us. A non-affiliated person (who has been unaffiliated for at least the past three months) who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the provisions of Rule 144.

A person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is deemed to be an affiliate of ours and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months would be entitled

 

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to sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of our common stock or the average weekly trading volume of our common stock reported through the NYSE during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of notice of the sale. Such sales are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchase shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of this offering is entitled to sell such shares 90 days after the effective date of this offering in reliance on Rule 144, without having to comply with the holding period requirement of Rule 144 and, in the case of non-affiliates, without having to comply with the public information, volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144. The SEC has indicated that Rule 701 will apply to typical stock options granted by an issuer before it becomes subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, along with the shares acquired upon exercise of such options, including exercises after the date of this prospectus.

Stock Issued Under Employee Plans

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register stock issuable under our omnibus incentive plan. This registration statement on Form S-8 is expected to be filed following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and will be effective upon filing. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following the effective date, unless such shares are subject to vesting restrictions with us or the lock-up restrictions described above.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations related to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below), that holds our common stock as a “capital asset” (generally property held for investment). This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Treasury Regulations”), published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the IRS and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect in a manner that could adversely affect a non-U.S. holder of our common stock. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this summary does not address the Medicare tax on certain investment income, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or any tax treaties. This summary also does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

 

    banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions;

 

    tax-exempt or governmental organizations;

 

    qualified foreign pension funds (or any entities all of the interests of which are held by a qualified foreign pension fund);

 

    dealers in securities or foreign currencies;

 

    traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

    persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

    partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or holders of interests therein;

 

    persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

    persons that acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan;

 

    certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; and

 

    persons that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction, wash sale or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner, upon the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, we urge partners in partnerships (including entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) considering the purchase of our common stock to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock by such partnership.

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR

 

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PARTICULAR SITUATION, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

Non-U.S. Holder Defined

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not for U.S. federal income tax purposes a partnership or any of the following:

 

    an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

    a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

    an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

    a trust (i) the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(3) of the Code) who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) which has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy,” we do not plan to make any distributions on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, in the event we do make distributions of cash or other property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. See “—Gain on Disposition of Common Stock.” Subject to the withholding requirements under FATCA (as defined below) and with respect to effectively connected dividends, each of which is discussed below, any distribution made to a non-U.S. holder on our common stock generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. To receive the benefit of a reduced income tax treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide the applicable withholding agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) certifying qualification for the reduced rate. A non-U.S. holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under any applicable income tax treaty.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are treated as attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code). Such effectively connected dividends will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder satisfies certain certification requirements by providing the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying eligibility for exemption. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which will include effectively connected dividends.

 

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Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below under “—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” and “—Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA,” a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

    the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met;

 

    the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or

 

    our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest (“USRPI”) by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock.

A non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain, which generally may be offset by U.S. source capital losses.

A non-U.S. holder whose gain is described in the second bullet point above or, subject to the exceptions described in the next paragraph, the third bullet point above generally will be taxed on a net income basis at the rates and in the manner generally applicable to United States persons (as defined under the Code) unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If the non-U.S. holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes whose gain is described in the second bullet point above, then such gain would also be included in its effectively connected earnings and profits (as adjusted for certain items), which may be subject to a branch profits tax (at a 30% rate or such lower rate as specified by an applicable income tax treaty).

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its USRPIs equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we currently are not a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we do not expect to become a USRPHC for the foreseeable future. However, in the event that we become a USRPHC, as long as our common stock is and continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market, only a non-U.S. holder that actually or constructively owns, or owned at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for the common stock, more than 5% of our common stock will be taxable on gain realized on the disposition of our common stock as a result of our status as a USRPHC. If we were to become a USRPHC and our common stock were not considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market, such non-U.S. holder (regardless of the percentage of stock owned) would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a taxable disposition of our common stock (as described in the preceding paragraph), and a 15% withholding tax would apply to the gross proceeds from such disposition.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Any dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder must be reported annually to the IRS and to the non-U.S. holder. Copies of these information returns may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Payments of dividends to a non-U.S. holder generally will not be

 

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subject to backup withholding if the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form).

Payments of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition by a non-U.S. holder of our common stock effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding (at the applicable rate) unless the non-U.S. holder establishes an exemption by properly certifying its non-U.S. status on an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) and certain other conditions are met. Information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to any payment of the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. office of a broker. However, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that the non-U.S. holder is not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or the non-U.S. holder otherwise establishes an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of our common stock effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships within the United States.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability (if any) of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Requirements under FATCA

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (“FATCA”), impose a 30% withholding tax on any dividends paid on our common stock and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of our common stock (if such disposition occurs after December 31, 2018), in each case if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners); (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the applicable withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial United States owners of the entity (in either case, generally on an IRS Form W-8BEN-E); or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Non-U.S. holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the effects of FATCA on their investment in our common stock.

INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS AND ANY STATE, LOCAL OR NON-U.S. TAX LAWS AND TAX TREATIES.

 

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CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. RETIREMENT PLANS AND ARRANGEMENTS

This summary is based on the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the Code (and related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations) as of the date of this registration statement. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, regulations, rulings or pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized below. Any of these changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release. This discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as investment or legal advice.

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA imposes certain requirements on employee benefit plans subject to Title I of ERISA and on entities and accounts that are deemed to hold the “plan assets” of such plans (collectively, “ERISA Plans”), and on those persons who are fiduciaries with respect to ERISA Plans. Investments by ERISA Plans are subject to ERISA’s general fiduciary requirements, including, but not limited to, the requirement of investment prudence and diversification and the requirement that an ERISA Plan’s investments be made in accordance with the documents governing the ERISA Plan.

Non-U.S. plans, U.S. governmental plans and certain U.S. church plans, while not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code (as discussed below), may nevertheless be subject to non-U.S., state, local or other federal laws or regulations that are substantially similar to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code (“Similar Law”). Fiduciaries of any such plans should consult with their counsel before purchasing shares of common stock to determine the suitability of the common stock for such plan and the need for, and the availability, if necessary, of any exemptive relief under any such laws or regulations.

Each ERISA Plan and other investor using the plan assets of U.S. employee benefit plans and retirement arrangements subject to Section 4975 of the Code, such as individual retirement arrangements (“IRAs”) (each, a “Plan”) should consider the fact that none of the issuer, the Company, the Predecessor Companies or any of their affiliates (the “Transaction Parties”) will act as a fiduciary to any Plan with respect to the decision to purchase or hold shares of common stock and is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, with respect to such decision. The decision to purchase and hold common stock must be made by each prospective Plan purchaser on an arm’s length basis. In addition, each Plan purchasing the common stock must generally be represented by a fiduciary independent of the Transaction Parties (which may not be an owner of an IRA, in the case of an investor that is an IRA) that (i) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to the prospective investment in common stock, (ii) has exercised independent judgment in evaluating whether to invest the assets of such Plan in common stock and (iii) is a bank, an insurance carrier, a registered investment adviser, a registered broker-dealer or an independent fiduciary with at least $50 million of assets under management or control.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Plan and certain persons (referred to as “parties in interest” or “disqualified persons”) having certain relationships to such Plans, unless a statutory or administrative exemption is applicable to the transaction. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code.

Any Plan fiduciary which proposes to cause a Plan to purchase the common stock should consult with its counsel regarding the applicability of the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA

 

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and Section 4975 of the Code to such an investment, and to confirm that such purchase and holding is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction or any other violation of an applicable requirement of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

The fiduciary of a Plan that proposes to purchase and hold any common stock should consider, among other things, whether such purchase and holding may involve a prohibited transaction, including without limitation (i) the direct or indirect extension of credit between a Plan and a party in interest or a disqualified person, (ii) the sale or exchange of any property between a Plan and a party in interest or a disqualified person or (iii) the transfer to, or use by or for the benefit of, a party in interest or disqualified person, of any Plan assets. Purchase and/or holding of the common stock by a Plan with respect to which any Transaction Party is or becomes a party in interest or disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the common stock are acquired and held in accordance with an applicable exemption.

Certain exemptions from the prohibited transaction rules could be applicable to the purchase and holding of the common stock by a Plan, depending on the type and circumstances of the fiduciary making the decision to acquire such common stock and the relationship of the party in interest or disqualified person to the Plan. Included among these exemptions are Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain transactions between a Plan and non-fiduciary service providers to the Plan. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued certain administrative prohibited transaction exemptions that may apply to the purchase and holding of the common stock, including Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (“PTCE”) 84-14 (relating to transactions effected by a “qualified professional asset manager”), PTCE 90-1 (relating to investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTCE 91-38 (relating to investments by bank collective investment funds), PTCE 95-60 (relating to investments by insurance company general accounts) or PTCE 96-23 (relating to transactions directed by an in-house asset manager) (collectively, the “Class Exemptions”).

Each of these exemptions contains conditions and limitations on its application, and there can be no assurance that any Class Exemption or any other exemption will be available with respect to any particular transaction involving the common stock.

Consultation with Counsel

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be comprehensive; by its offer of the common stock, the Company makes no representation that purchase or holding of such common stock meets the relevant legal requirements with respect to any particular investor. The complexity of these rules, and the severity of potential penalties, make it particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering an acquisition of common stock on behalf of or with the plan assets of any Plan, or plan subject to Similar Law, consult with its counsel regarding the suitability of an acquisition of the common stock in light of such prospective purchaser’s particular circumstances.

Deemed Representation

By its acceptance of any common stock or any interest therein, the purchaser thereof or subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented, warranted and covenanted that either:

 

  (1)   no assets of a Plan or non-U.S., governmental or church plan have been used to acquire such common stock or an interest therein; or

 

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  (2)   (a) the acquisition and holding of such common stock or an interest therein by such person does not and will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any violation of Similar Law; and (b) if it is a Plan, the decision to purchase the common stock has been made by a duly authorized fiduciary (each, a “Plan Fiduciary”) who is independent of the Transaction Parties, which Plan Fiduciary (i) is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the decision to purchase the common stock, (ii) is not an IRA owner (in the case of an IRA), (iii) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to the prospective investment in the common stock, (iv) has exercised independent judgment in evaluating whether to invest the assets of such Plan in the common stock, and (v) is either a bank, an insurance carrier, a registered investment adviser, a registered broker-dealer or an independent fiduciary with at least $50 million of assets under management or control; provided, however, that Plans will not be deemed to make the representations in clause 2(b), above, to the extent that the regulations under Section 3(21) of ERISA issued by the U.S. Department of Labor on April 8, 2016 are rescinded or otherwise are not implemented in their current form.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions in an underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are acting as representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we and the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of shares indicated below:

 

Underwriters

  

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock

 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                       Incorporated

  

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

  

Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc.

  

First Analysis Securities Corp.

  

Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.

  
  

 

 

 

Total:

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters and the representatives are collectively referred to as the “underwriters” and the “representatives,” respectively. The underwriters are offering the shares of common stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from us and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of common stock directly to the public at the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers. After the initial offering of the shares of common stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

We and the selling stockholders have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to                  additional shares of common stock at the public offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase about the same percentage of the additional shares of common stock as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of common stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table.

 

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The following table shows the per share and total public offering price, underwriting discounts and commissions, and proceeds before expenses to us and the selling stockholders. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase up to an additional                  shares of common stock.

 

            Total  
     Per
Share
     No Exercise      Full
Exercise
 

Public offering price

   $                   $                   $               

Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by:

        

Us

   $      $      $  

The selling stockholders

   $      $      $  

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $      $      $  

Proceeds, before expenses, to selling stockholders

   $      $      $  

The estimated offering expenses payable by us, exclusive of the underwriting discounts and commissions, are approximately $        . We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for expense relating to clearance of this offering with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority up to $        . The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for certain expenses incurred by us in connection with this offering.

The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of common stock offered by them.

We have applied to list our common stock on the NYSE under the symbol “CHRA.”

We and all directors, director nominees and officers, stockholders that own over 5% of our common stock and the selling stockholders have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus (the “restricted period”):

 

    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, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of common stock;

 

    file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the offering of any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock; or

 

    enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock,

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. In addition, we and each such person agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated on behalf of the underwriters, we or such other person will not, during the restricted period, 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.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph do not apply to:

 

    the sale of shares to the underwriters; or

 

    the issuance by the Company of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of this prospectus of which the underwriters have been advised in writing;

 

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    transactions by any person other than us relating to shares of common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offering of the shares; provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is required or voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of the common stock or other securities acquired in such open market transactions; or

 

    the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of common stock, provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of common stock during the restricted period and (ii) to the extent a public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act, if any, is required or voluntarily made regarding the establishment of such plan, such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no transfer of common stock may be made under such plan during the restricted period.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in their sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time.

In order to facilitate the offering of the common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of common stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the common stock. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the common stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.

We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to allocate a number of shares of common stock to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

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In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Pricing of the Offering

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price was determined by negotiations between us and the representatives. Among the factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were our future prospects and those of our industry in general, our sales, earnings and certain other financial and operating information in recent periods, and the price-earnings ratios, price-sales ratios, market prices of securities and certain financial and operating information of companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

Selling Restrictions

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act, and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the common stock may only be made to persons, or to the Exempt Investors, who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the common stock without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The common stock applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate for their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Canada

The common stock may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration

 

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Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts ( NI 33-105 ), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33- 105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State it has not made and will not make an offer of common stock which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

    to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

    to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined in the Prospectus Directive), per Relevant Member State, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters; or

 

    in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of common stock shall result in a requirement for us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or a supplemental prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of common stock to the public” in relation to any common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the common stock, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

Hong Kong

The common stock has not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the common stock has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the

 

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securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to common stock which is or is intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Japan

The common stock has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

People’s Republic of China (PRC)

This prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in the PRC, and the common stock may not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly to any resident of the PRC, except pursuant to applicable laws, rules and regulations of the PRC. For the purpose of this paragraph only, the PRC does not include Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the common stock is subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  a)   a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  b)   a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  a)   to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  b)   where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  c)   where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  d)   as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

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  e)   as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Switzerland

This document is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the common stock described herein. The common stock may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the common stock constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland, and neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the common stock may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Company nor the common stock have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The common stock is not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMAXX, and investors in the common stock will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

United Kingdom

This document is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling with Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The common stock is only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of our common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Houston, Texas. The underwriters have been represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statement of Charah Solutions, Inc. included in this prospectus has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein and elsewhere in the registration statement. Such financial statement is included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The combined financial statements of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), and for the period January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), period January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), included in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein and elsewhere in the registration statement. Such combined financial statements are included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (including the exhibits, schedules and amendments thereto) under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of our common stock offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or any other document are summaries of the material terms of this contract, agreement or other document. With respect to each of these contracts, agreements or other documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the exhibits for a more complete description of the matter involved. A copy of the registration statement, and the exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Copies of these materials may be obtained from such office, upon payment of a duplicating fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to full information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We will fulfill our obligations with respect to such requirements by filing periodic reports and other information with the SEC. We intend to furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing financial statements certified by an independent public accounting firm.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Charah Solutions, Inc.

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Balance Sheet as of February 1, 2018

     F-3  

Notes to Balance Sheet

     F-4  

Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

  

Audited Financial Statements

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-5  

Combined Balance Sheets as of December  31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor)

     F-6  

Combined Statements of Income for the Periods from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor)

     F-8  

Combined Statements of Members’ Equity for the Periods from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor)

     F-9  

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Periods from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor)

     F-10  

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

     F-12  

Unaudited Interim Financial Statements

  

Condensed Combined Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and March  31, 2017

     F-37  

Condensed Combined Statements of Income for the Periods from January  13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor)

     F-39  

Condensed Combined Statements of Members’ Equity for the Periods from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor)

     F-41  

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Periods from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and for the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor)

     F-42  

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements

     F-44  

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Charah Solutions, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) as of February 1, 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statement”). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 1, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

This financial statement is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit of the financial statement provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Louisville, Kentucky

February 5, 2018

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

 

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CHARAH SOLUTIONS, INC.

Balance Sheet

(in whole dollars)

 

     February 1,
    2018    
 

ASSETS

  

Receivable from affiliate

   $           10  
  

 

 

 

Total current assets

     10  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10  
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

  

Total liabilities

   $ —    
  

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

  

Stockholder’s equity:

  

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding

     10  
  

 

 

 

Total stockholder’s equity

     10  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity

   $ 10  
  

 

 

 

See notes to balance sheet.

 

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CHARAH SOLUTIONS, INC.

Notes to Balance Sheet

1. Organization and Background of Business

Charah Solutions, Inc., or the Company, was incorporated on January 30, 2018 as a Delaware corporation.

The Company was formed to serve as the issuer of an initial public offering of equity, or IPO.

The balance sheet has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Separate Statements of Operations, Changes in Stockholder’s Equity and of Cash Flows have not been presented because the Company had no business transactions or activities, except for the initial capitalization of the Company which was funded by an affiliate. In this regard, general and administrative costs associated with the formation and daily management of the Company have been determined by the Company to be insignificant.

2. Stockholder’s Equity

The Company has authorized share capital of 1,000 common shares with $0.01 par value. On February 1, 2018, all 1,000 shares were issued and acquired by an affiliate for consideration of $10 receivable from that affiliate. Each share has one voting right.

3. Subsequent Events

There have been no events subsequent to February 5, 2018 that would require additional adjustments to or disclosure in our financial statements.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Boards of Managers and Members of

Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

Opinion on the Combined Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Charah, LLC and its subsidiaries and Allied Power Management, LLC and its subsidiaries both of which are under common ownership (on a combined basis, the “Companies”), as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), the related combined statements of income, members’ equity, and cash flows for the period January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “combined financial statements”). In our opinion, the combined financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Companies as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and for the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These combined financial statements are the responsibility of the Companies’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companies’ combined financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Companies in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the combined financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Companies are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Companies’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the combined financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the combined financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the combined financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Louisville, Kentucky

March 16, 2018 (April 16, 2018 as to Note 9 and the correction of immaterial error disclosed in Note 2)

We have served as the Companies’ auditor since 2017.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands)

 

     Successor
2017
                Predecessor
2016
 
Assets           
 

Current assets:

          

Cash

   $ 32,264           $ 1,001  

Trade accounts receivable

     47,227             48,668  

Receivable from affiliates

     38             1,116  

Loan to related party

                 7,865  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

     7,959             57,817  

Inventory

     1,666             1,370  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,644             1,180  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total current assets

     93,798             119,017  
 

Property and equipment:

          

Plant, machinery and equipment

     42,565             61,690  

Structural fill site improvements

     55,760              

Vehicles

     16,478             16,069  

Office equipment

     638             1,424  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     240             367  

Structural fill sites

     7,110             16,458  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total property and equipment

     122,791             96,008  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (22,861           (34,794
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     99,930             61,214  
 

Other assets:

          

Trade name

     34,330              

Customer relationship, net

     71,032              

Other intangible assets, net

     87             4  

Goodwill

     73,468              

Equity method investment

     5,006             5,241  

Restricted cash

                 3,358  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 377,651           $ 188,834  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Balance Sheets, continued

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016

(in thousands, except share counts)

 

     Successor
2017
                Predecessor
2016
 
Liabilities and Members’ Equity           

Current liabilities:

          

Accounts payable

   $ 15,247           $ 14,624  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     15,882             1,352  

Notes payable, current maturities

     19,996             9,040  

Deferred compensation

                 18,888  

Accrued payroll and bonuses

     16,036             2,852  

Asset retirement obligation

     1,072             865  

Purchase option liability, current portion

     5,061              

Accrued expenses

     7,959             6,685  

Other liabilities

     198              
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     81,451             54,306  

Long-term liabilities:

          

Line of credit

                 39,195  

Purchase option liability, less current portion

     20,183              

Notes payable, less current maturities

     227,698             73,987  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     329,332             167,488  
 

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 18)

          

Members’ equity

          

Common stock—voting, no par value, 18,750 shares authorized and outstanding as of December 31, 2016

                 24  

Common stock—non-voting, no par value, 231,250 shares authorized and 168,750 outstanding as of December 31, 2016

                 216  

Additional paid in capital, less cost of 484 shares repurchased as of December 31, 2016

                 54  

Retained earnings

     18,316             20,366  

Members’ interest—Charah, LLC Series A, no par, 200,000,000 members’ interest authorized (104,109,890 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017. Series B, no par, 100,000,000 members’ interest authorized (35,199,063 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017

     19,718              

Members’ interest—Allied Power Management, LLC, Series A, no par, 200,000,000 members’ interest authorized (7,210,555 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017. Series B, no par, 100,000,000 members’ interest authorized (2,437,855 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017

     9,687              
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total Charah, LLC Allied Power Management, LLC members’ equity

     47,721             20,660  

Non-controlling interest

     598             686  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total members’ equity

     48,319             21,346  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 377,651           $ 188,834  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Statements of Income

(in thousands)

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13,
2017 through
December 31,
2017
                Period
from
January 1
2017,
through
January 12,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Revenue

   $ 421,239           $ 9,130     $ 265,068  

Cost of sales

     338,908             7,301       203,228  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     82,331             1,829       61,840  

General and administrative expenses

     48,495             3,170       35,170  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     33,836             (1,341     26,670  

Interest expense

     (14,146           (4,181     (6,244

Income from equity method investment

     816             48       2,703  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     20,506             (5,474     23,129  

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest

     2,190             54       2,198  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

   $ 18,316           $ (5,528   $ 20,931  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Pro forma provision for income taxes (unaudited)

   $ 6,960           $ (2,101)     $ 7,954  

Pro forma net income (loss) (unaudited)

   $ 13,546           $ (3,373)     $ 15,175  

Pro forma net income (loss) (unaudited) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC (unaudited)

   $ 11,356           $ (3,427)     $ 12,977  

Pro forma basic income per common share (unaudited)

            

Pro forma diluted income per common share (unaudited)

            

 

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Statements of Members’ Equity

(in thousands, except share counts)

 

    Charah, LLC Members              
    Voting Shares     Non-voting Shares                          
    Number of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Number
of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In Capital
    Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
    Total     Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total  

Predecessor

                 

Balance, January 1, 2016

    18,750     $ 24       168,750     $ 216     $ 54     $ (540   $ (246   $ 691     $ 445  

Net income

                                  20,931       20,931       2,198       23,129  

Issuance of stock

                49,860                                     49,860  

Repurchase of stock

                (49,860                                   (49,860

Distributions

                                  (25     (25     (2,203     (2,228
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2016

    18,750     $ 24       168,750     $ 216     $ 54     $ 20,366     $ 20,660     $ 686     $ 21,346  

Net income (loss)

                                  (5,528     (5,528     54       (5,474

Distributions

                                  (20,660     (20,660           (20,660
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, January 12, 2017

    18,750     $ 24       168,750     $ 216     $ 54     $ (5,822   $ (5,528   $ 740     $ (4,788
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management,
LLC Combined
             
     Charah, LLC
Members’
Interests
    Allied Power
Management, LLC
Members’
Interests
     Retained
Earnings
     Total     Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total  

Successor

              

Balance, January 13, 2017

   $     $      $      $     $ 740     $ 740  

Net income

                  18,316        18,316       2,190       20,506  

Issuance of original Series A member interests

     116,418                     116,418             116,418  

Issuance of original Series B member interests

     36,643                     36,643             36,643  

Issuance of Series A and B member interests

     486       9,514               10,000             10,000  

Share-based compensation—Series A and B interests

     1,945       135               2,080             2,080  

Share-based compensation—Series C profits interests

     311       38               349             349  

Distributions

     (136,085                   (136,085     (2,332     (138,417
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

   $ 19,718     $ 9,687      $ 18,316      $ 47,721     $ 598     $ 48,319  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13,
2017 through
December 31,
2017
           Period
from
January 1,
2017
through
January 12,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 20,506          $ (5,474   $ 23,129  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

         

Depreciation and amortization

     25,719            763       15,601  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     4,150                  664  

Loss (Gain) on sale of assets

     1,332            123       (1,798

Income from equity method investment

     (816          (48     (2,703

Distributions received from equity method investment

     1,099                  840  

Non-cash share-based compensation

     2,429                  7,352  

Payment related to deferred stock plan

     (18,888                (15,666

Loss on interest rate swap

     198                   

Increase (decrease) in cash due to changes in:

         

Trade accounts receivable

     4,814            (3,977     (6,930

Receivable from affiliates

     195                  (30

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing

     (7,959          2,185       3,351  

Inventory

     (1,428          278       (243

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (3,535          71       (1,161

Accounts payable

     (3,296          4,380       (15,365

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     15,882            6       1,352  

Accrued payroll and bonuses

     13,502            (318     24  

Asset retirement obligation

     207                  865  

Accrued expenses

     3,681            (2,407     (931
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     57,792            (4,418     8,351  

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Proceeds from the sale of equipment

     2,062                  4,730  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (12,690                (10,065

Investment in equity method investment

                      (3,378

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

     3,358                  (3,358

Change in loan to related party, net

                      (3,814
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (7,270                (15,885

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Combined Statements of Cash Flows, continued

(in thousands)

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,
2017
                Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Net payments on line of credit

     (43,800           4,605       (3,301

Proceeds from long-term debt

     395,004             298       32,887  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (242,090           (440     (20,060

Capital contribution to Allied Power Management, LLC

     10,000                    

Distributions to non-controlling interest

     (2,333                 (2,203

Distributions to members

     (136,085                 (25
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (19,304           4,463       7,298  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     31,218             45       (236

Cash, beginning of period

     1,046             1,001       1,237  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

   $ 32,264           $ 1,046     $ 1,001  
  

 

 

         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

            

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 9,747           $ 104     $ 5,550  

Non-cash investing and financing transactions

During the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), the loan to related party of $7,865, receivables from affiliates of $883 and assets and liabilities related to the un-acquired business amounting to $11,912 were distributed to CEP Holdings, Inc. as non-cash distributions.

During the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), Charah purchased $5,898 of equipment with seller provided financing.

At January 12, 2017, Charah, LLC reflected a non-cash transaction to re-value its assets and liabilities resulting from the transaction described in Note 3.

 

See notes to combined financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

1. Nature of Business

During 2016, Charah, Inc. converted from an S corporation to a limited liability company and changed its name to Charah, LLC (Charah). In December 2016, Charah became a wholly owned subsidiary of CEP Holdings, Inc. In January 2017, Charah became a wholly owned subsidiary of Charah Sole Member LLC, which itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Charah Management LLC. Charah Management LLC was a wholly owned subsidiary of CEP Holdings, Inc.

As noted in Note 3, on January 13, 2017, Charah Management LLC completed a transaction with Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP (BCP), a previously unrelated third party, pursuant to which BCP acquired a 76% equity position of Charah Management LLC. Our historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 may not be comparable to the historical financial and operating information as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. References to “Successor” relate to the financial position and results of operations of Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC on a combined basis for the period including and after January 13, 2017, and references to “Predecessor” relate to the financial position and results of operations of Charah, LLC for the period through January 12, 2017.

Allied Power Management, LLC (Allied) was formed and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Power Holdings, LLC in May 2017. In July 2017, Allied became a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, which itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Power Holdings, LLC. Allied Power Holdings, LLC has been under common control with Charah Management LLC since April 2017.

The combined financial statements include the assets, liabilities, members’ equity, and results of operations of Charah and Allied, on a combined basis, together with their consolidated subsidiaries. References to the “Companies,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to Charah and Allied combined. References to “Predecessor” refer to Charah. References to “Charah Solutions” refer to Charah Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Charah is the predecessor for accounting purposes of Charah Solutions which was formed for the purposes of submitting a registration statement for its initial public offering of common stock (the “Offering”).

Under the JOBS Act, the Companies expect that it will meet the definition of an “emerging growth company,” which would allow the Companies to have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. The Companies intend to take advantage of all of the reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under Section 107 of the JOBS Act until the Companies are no longer an emerging growth company.

The Companies provide mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry that enable customers to continue operations and provide necessary electric power to communities nationwide. Services offered include a suite of coal ash management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. We also design and implement solutions for complex environmental projects (such as ash pond closures) and facilitate coal ash recycling through byproduct sales and other beneficial use services. The Companies have corporate offices in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisiana, and principally operate in the eastern and mid-central United States.

In February 2009, Charah organized Ash Management Services, LLC (AMS) as a wholly-owned subsidiary. AMS provides ash management services to the utility industry.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

In December 2013, Charah organized Ash Venture LLC (Ash Venture). Ash Venture is a joint venture owned 67% by Charah. The profits and losses are allocated 67% to Charah and 33% to the non-controlling interest holder. Ash Venture provides ash management and remarketing services to the utility industry.

In May 2014, Charah organized Green Meadow, LLC (Green Meadow) as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Green Meadow was created to own certain properties operated by Charah.

In July 2015, Charah organized Green Meadow II, LLC (Green Meadow II) and Big Tree, LLC (Big Tree). Both entities were formed for potential land acquisitions and remained inactive during 2016 and 2017.

In April and May 2017, Allied organized three wholly owned subsidiaries through which Allied began conducting, and currently conducts, its utility maintenance, modification, and construction operations: Allied Power Services, LLC (Power Services), Allied Plant Services, LLC (Plant Services), and Allied Power Resources, LLC (Power Resources). Power Services, formerly named Allied Plant Services, LLC, conducts Allied’s utility maintenance, modification, and construction operations using non-union, non-staff augmentation employees. Plant Services, formerly named Allied Industrial Services, LLC, conducts Allied’s utility maintenance, modification, and construction operations using unionized labor. Power Resources conducts Allied’s utility maintenance, modification, and construction operations using staff augmentation employees.

The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of the Companies and their consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Unaudited Pro Forma Income Information

The unaudited pro forma income information gives effect to the anticipated corporate reorganization and the resulting legal entity for the new holding company of Charah and Allied, which is incorporated as a “C” Corporation. Prior to such anticipated corporate reorganization, the holding company for Charah and Allied was a limited liability company and generally not subject to income taxes. The pro forma net income, therefore, includes an adjustment for income tax expense as if the holding company for Charah and Allied had been a “C” Corporation for all periods presented at an assumed combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate of 38%, which approximates the calculated statutory tax rate for each period. This tax rate does not reflect the impact of U.S. tax reform, which reduces the federal U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective in 2018.

The unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net income per common share is computed using unaudited pro forma net income, as discussed above, and reflects (i) the estimated number of shares of common stock we expect to have outstanding upon the completion of the Company’s reorganization and (ii) the estimated number of shares of common stock that will be issued in connection with the initial public offering that will be used to repay the Term Loan.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Management’s Use of Estimates

The preparation of combined financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions, in particular estimates of costs to complete contracts in process, that affect the reported amounts in the combined financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Balance Sheet Classification

The Companies include in current assets and liabilities retainage amounts payable, asset retirement obligation, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and billings in excess of costs and estimated

 

F-13


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

earnings, which may extend beyond one year. A one-year time period is used as the basis for classifying all other assets and liabilities.

Cash

The Companies and subsidiaries maintain cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Companies and subsidiaries have not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Companies and subsidiaries believe they are not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash.

Restricted Cash

Charah was required to establish an escrow account for the post closure care costs related to the structural fill sites. The post closure care costs are also covered by financial guarantee and performance bonds. During the period from January 13, 2017 to December 31, 2017 (Successor), the requirement to maintain the escrow account was removed and the cash was returned to Charah.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to the extent it is probable that a portion of a particular account will not be collected. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history, and the current economic conditions. Management believes all trade accounts receivable at December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor) are fully collectible; therefore, the combined financial statements do not include an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Trade accounts receivable balances are considered past due based upon contract or invoice terms and are charged off when deemed uncollectible. The Companies do not charge interest on customer accounts and generally do not require collateral on sales and services during the normal course of business. The Companies have the right to file liens on the owner’s property with regards to certain construction contracts.

Inventory

Inventories, mainly comprising of ash for resale, are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization is provided principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

Plant, machinery and equipment

   2 - 15 years

Vehicles

   2 - 10 years

Office equipment

   2 - 10 years

Buildings and leasehold improvements

   5 - 40 years

Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred and expenditures for improvements are capitalized.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Structural Fill Sites

Cost Basis of Structural Fill Sites, Associated Site Improvement Costs and Related Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)

Prior to the BCP transaction (see Note 3), the acquisition cost of the structural fill sites was capitalized. As a result of the BCP transaction (see Note 3) the fair value of the site improvements related to the structural fill sites was recognized. The site improvement costs relate to items such as directly related engineering, liner material and installation, leachate collection systems, environmental monitoring equipment, on-site road and rail construction and other infrastructure costs. The structural fill sites are a part of the Company’s Environmental Solutions Segment.

Following is a description of our asset retirement activities and our related accounting:

 

    Final capping and closure involves the installation of drainage and compacted soil layers and topsoil over areas where total airspace capacity has been consumed. Asset retirement obligations are recorded on a units-of-consumption basis as airspace is consumed (see Note 19). The liability is based on estimates of the discounted cash flows.

 

    Post closure involves the maintenance and monitoring of the structural fill sites. Generally, we are required to maintain and monitor the structural fill sites for a 30-year period. These maintenance and monitoring costs are recorded as an asset retirement obligation as airspace is consumed over the life of the structural fill sites. Post-closure obligations are recorded over the life of the structural fill sites on a units-of-consumption basis as airspace is consumed (see Note 19), based on estimates of the discounted cash flows associated with performing post-closure activities.

We develop our estimates of these obligations using input from our operations personnel. Our estimates are based on our interpretation of current requirements and proposed regulatory changes and are intended to approximate fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value is based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques. We use professional engineering judgment and estimated prices paid for similar work to determine the fair value of these obligations. We are required to recognize these obligations at market prices whether we plan to contract with third parties or perform the work ourselves. In those instances where we perform the work with internal resources, the incremental profit margin realized will be recognized as a component of operating income when the work is completed.

Once we have determined the final capping, closure and post-closure costs, we inflate those costs to the expected time of payment and discount those expected future costs back to present value. During the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), we inflated these costs in current dollars until the expected time of payment using an inflation rate of 3.0%. We discounted these costs to present value using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate effective at the time an obligation is incurred, consistent with the expected cash flow approach. Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated cash flows are treated as a new liability and discounted at the current rate while downward revisions are discounted at the historical weighted average rate of the recorded obligation. As a result, the credit-adjusted, risk-free discount rate used to calculate the present value of an obligation is specific to each individual asset retirement obligation. The weighted average rate applicable to our long-term asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2017 (Successor) is approximately 5.25%.

We record the estimated fair value of final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for our structural fill sites based on the capacity consumed through the current period. Because these obligations are measured at

 

F-15


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

estimated fair value using present value techniques, changes in the estimated cost or timing of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities could result in a material change in these liabilities, related assets and results of operations. We assess the appropriateness of the estimates used to develop our recorded balances annually, or more often if conditions warrant.

Changes in inflation rates or the estimated costs, timing or extent of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities typically result in both (i) a current adjustment to the recorded liability and structural fill site asset and (ii) a change in liability and asset amounts to be recorded prospectively over the remaining permitted airspace. Any changes related to the capitalized and future cost of the structural fill assets are then recognized in accordance with our amortization policy, which would generally result in amortization expense being recognized prospectively over the remaining capacity of the permitted airspace. Changes in such estimates associated with airspace that has been fully utilized results in an adjustment to the recorded liability and landfill assets with an immediate corresponding adjustment to landfill airspace amortization expense.

Depreciation of Structural Fill Sites and Site Improvements

The depreciable basis of a structural fill site includes amounts previously expended and capitalized and projected asset retirement costs related to final capping, closure and post-closure activities.

The value of the structural fill sites to Charah diminishes in direct correlation to the amount of airspace used for ash deposits. Depreciation is recorded on a units-of-consumption basis, applying expense as a rate per ton. The rate per ton is calculated by dividing the depreciable basis of the structural fill site by the number of tons needed to fill the corresponding site’s airspace. Our engineers, in consultation with third-party engineering consultants and surveyors, are responsible for determining remaining permitted airspace at our structural fill sites. The remaining permitted airspace is determined by comparing the existing structural fill sites topography to the expected final structural fill sites topography.

Once the remaining permitted airspace is determined in cubic yards, an airspace utilization factor (AUF) is established to calculate the remaining permitted capacity in tons. The AUF is established using the measured density obtained from previous surveys and is then adjusted to account for current and future expected compaction rates. The initial selection of the AUF is subject to a subsequent multi-level review by our engineering group, and the AUF used is reviewed on a periodic basis and revised as necessary.

After determining the costs and remaining permitted capacity at each of our structural fill sites, we determine the per ton rates that will be expensed as ash is received and deposited at the structural fill sites by dividing the costs by the corresponding number of tons. These rates per ton are updated annually, or more often, as significant facts change.

It is possible that actual results, including the amount of costs incurred, the timing of final capping, closure and post-closure activities, or our airspace utilization could ultimately turn out to be significantly different from our estimates and assumptions. To the extent that such estimates, or related assumptions, prove to be significantly different than actual results, lower profitability may be experienced due to higher depreciation rates or higher expenses; or higher profitability may result if the opposite occurs. Most significantly, if it is determined that expansion capacity should no longer be considered in calculating the recoverability of a structural fill site asset, we may be required to recognize an asset impairment or incur significantly higher depreciation expense.

Depreciation for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was $17,603, $90 and $2,182, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

The remaining capacity of the active structural fill site at December 31, 2017 (Successor), January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was 6.2 million tons (52%), 9.2 million tons (77%) and 9.3 million tons (78%), respectively. The Company also owns an additional structural fill site with 8.0 million tons (100%) of capacity.

Equity Method Investment

In January 2016, Charah organized a joint venture with an unrelated third party. Charah has a 50% interest in the joint venture, which is accounted for by the equity method.

Intangible Assets

The Companies’ intangible assets consist of the following as December 31, 2017 (Successor):

 

     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net  

Customer relationships

   $ 78,200      $ 7,168      $ 71,032  

Rail easement

     110        23        87  

Trade name (indefinite lived)

     34,330               34,330  

Goodwill

     73,468               73,468  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

   $ 186,108      $ 7,191      $ 178,917  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2017 (Successor), estimated amortization expense of the Companies’ intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

 

2018

   $ 7,844  

2019

     7,844  

2020

     7,844  

2021

     7,834  

2022

     7,820  

Thereafter

     31,933  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 71,119  
  

 

 

 

Definite Lived Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2017 (Successor), intangible assets include customer relationships and a rail easement. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of ten years for customer relationships and four and half years for the rail easement. Prior to January 13, 2017 (the Predecessor periods), intangible assets consisted of patents and software related to Charah’s website. These assets were amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of fifteen years for patents and three years for software. Accumulated amortization for intangible assets was $47 at December 31, 2016 (Predecessor). Amortization expense was $7,191, $0 and $1 during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Goodwill and Other Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition price over the fair value of acquired net assets, and such amounts are reported separately as goodwill on our combined balance sheets. Our total goodwill, which resulted from the application of “push-down” accounting associated with BCP’s January 2017 acquisition of a 76% equity position in Charah Management LLC was $73,468 as of December 31, 2017 (Successor). Additionally, as a result of push down accounting, an intangible asset for Charah’s trade name of $34,330 was recognized. Charah’s trade name is considered to have an indefinite life.

Indefinite lives intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset has decreased below its carrying value.

We assess whether a goodwill impairment exists using both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Our qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If based on this qualitative assessment we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we will not perform a quantitative assessment.

If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative assessment, or two-step impairment test, to determine whether a goodwill impairment exists at a reporting unit. The first step in our quantitative assessment identifies potential impairments by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment. Fair value is typically estimated using an income approach based upon discounted cash flows. However, when appropriate, we may also use a market approach. The income approach is based on the long-term projected future cash flows of the reporting units. We discount the estimated cash flows to present value using a weighted average cost of capital that considers factors such as market assumptions, the timing of the cash flows and the risks inherent in those cash flows. We believe that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting units’ expected long-term performance considering the economic and market conditions that generally affect our business. The market approach estimates fair value by measuring the aggregate market value of publicly-traded companies with similar characteristics to our business as a multiple of their reported earnings. We then apply that multiple to the reporting units’ earnings to estimate their fair values. We believe that this approach may also be appropriate in certain circumstances because it provides a fair value estimate using valuation inputs from entities with operations and economic characteristics comparable to our reporting units.

Fair value is computed using several factors, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable marketplace data and the cost of capital. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and to our judgment in applying them in our analysis. However, we believe our methodology for estimating the fair value of our reporting units is reasonable.

When performing the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill, we generally first conduct a qualitative analysis to determine whether we believe it is more likely than not that an asset has been impaired. If it is more likely than not that an asset has been impaired, we then evaluate for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the asset to its carrying value. An impairment charge is recognized if the asset’s estimated fair value is less than its carrying value. Fair value is typically estimated using an income approach. The income approach is based on the long-term projected future cash flows. We discount the estimated

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

cash flows to present value using a weighted average cost of capital that considers factors such as market assumptions, the timing of the cash flows and the risks inherent in those cash flows. We believe this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the expected long-term performance considering the economic and market conditions that generally affect our business. Fair value is computed using several factors, including projected future operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable marketplace data and the cost of capital. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and to our judgment in applying them in our analysis. However, we believe our methodology for estimating the fair value of these assets is reasonable.

We perform our impairment test as of October 31st of each year. During 2017, we performed a qualitative assessment and determined there were no indicators of impairment during the period from the January 13, 2017 acquisition date to our October 31, 2017 impairment assessment date.

Purchase Option Liability

In the BCP transaction (see Note 3), Charah recorded the fair value of a bargain purchase liability for an option held by a customer and a third party for the structural fill sites. The purchase option liability is calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value of the structural fill sites at the date the option will most likely be exercised, and the option price to be paid by the customer or third party. The purchase options are exercisable after completion of work at the structural fill sites. The bargain purchase option is amortized over the structural fill sites’ estimated useful life. The following table reflects activity related to the bargain purchase liability:

 

Fair value of liability recognized January 13, 2017

   $ 29,883  

Amortization in the period from January 13, 2017 to December 31, 2017 (Successor)

     (4,639
  

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017 (Successor)

     25,244  

Less current portion

     (5,061
  

 

 

 

Non-current portion

   $ 20,183  
  

 

 

 

Fair Value Disclosure

Long-term debt bears interest at variable rates and book value approximates fair value, and is considered to be level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Restricted cash is considered to be level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, and book value approximates fair value. The interest rate swap (within other liabilities) is considered to be level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Companies do not have any recurring or non-recurring level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2017 (Successor) or 2016 (Predecessor) other than the application of “push down” accounting resulting from the BCP transaction described in Note 3, and as related to Charah and Allied Series C Profits Interests as described in Note 17 or 2016 (Predecessor), and there have been no transfers between levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from management contracts is recognized when the ash is hauled to the landfill, or the management services are provided. Revenue from the sales of ash is recognized when it is delivered to the

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

customer. Certain contracts contain minimum quantity and quality standards that if not met will reduce the amount of revenue recognized. When applicable, revenue is recorded net of sales tax.

Revenue and Cost Recognition on Construction Contracts

During the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), we recognized approximately 45%, 51% and 66%, respectively, of our total revenues using the percentage-of-completion method. Accounting for these contracts involves management judgment in estimating total contract revenue and cost. Contract revenues are largely determined by negotiated contract prices and quantities, modified by our assumptions regarding contract options, change orders and price adjustment clauses (such as inflation or index-based clauses). Contract costs are incurred over a period of time, which can be several years, and the estimation of these costs requires management judgment. Cost estimates are largely based on negotiated or estimated purchase contract terms, historical performance trends and other economic projections. Significant factors that influence these estimates include inflationary trends, technical and schedule risk, internal and subcontractor performance trends, business volume assumptions, and asset utilization. We have processes during which management reviews the progress and performance of our contracts. As part of this process, management reviews information including any outstanding key contract matters, progress toward completion and the related project timeline, and the related changes in estimates of revenues and costs. Anticipated losses on long-term contracts are recognized when such losses become evident. During the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), we did not have any losses on long-term contracts.

Revenue from contract claims is recognized when invoiced. Revenue from contract change orders is recognized when it is probable that the change order will be approved, the amount can be reasonably estimated, and the work has been completed.

The asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed on uncompleted contracts. The liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” represents billings in excess of revenue recognized. As a result of the BCP transaction and the push down of fair values to Charah, the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings amounts at January 13, 2017 were reduced to $0.

Freight Costs

Freight costs charged to customers are included in revenue. Costs incurred by the Companies and subsidiaries for freight are included in cost of sales.

Income Taxes

In December 2016, Charah converted to a limited liability company treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. Prior to December 2016, Charah was an S Corporation that elected to be taxed as a partnership for income tax purposes. Charah is, therefore, not subject to federal and certain state income taxes.

Allied is a limited liability company treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. The subsidiaries of Allied and Charah are limited liability companies and are disregarded entities for income tax purposes.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

The items of income and deductions for the Companies are included on the income tax returns of the Company. With regards to federal taxes and states that follow federal tax treatment the members report the distributive share of the Companies’ earnings on their income tax returns and are subject to taxation at the stockholder level. The Companies are subject to income tax in some jurisdictions in which they operate. When the taxes are based on income, the expense, if any, is included within the provision for income taxes on the accompanying combined statements of income. When the taxes are based on amounts other than income, the expense is included within general and administrative expenses.

Business Segments

The Companies have identified the following business segments:

Environmental Solutions (ES) . The Environmental Solutions segment includes remediation and compliance services, as well as byproduct sales. Remediation and compliance services is associated with customers’ need for multiyear environmental improvement and sustainability initiatives, whether driven by proactive engagement by power generation customers, by regulatory requirements or by consumer expectations and standards. Byproduct sales supports both power generation customers’ desire to profitably recycle recurring volumes of coal combustion residuals and ultimate end customers’ need for high-quality, cost-effective raw material substitutes.

Maintenance and Technical Services (M&TS). The Maintenance and Technical Services segment includes fossil services and nuclear services. Fossil services is the recurring and mission-critical management of coal ash for coal-fired power generation facilities. Nuclear services, which we market under the Allied Power brand name, includes routine maintenance, outage services, facility maintenance and staffing solutions for nuclear power generation facilities.

Stock/Share-Based Compensation Plans

Prior to December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), Charah had a Deferred Stock Plan (the Plan) for the benefit of certain key employees. Charah accounted for the Plan as a liability-classified plan. The Plan was terminated in December 2016, all units became 100% vested and were converted into shares of non-voting common stock.

In 2017, Charah Management LLC and Allied Power Management LLC each issued certain Series C member interests to employees of the Companies. Additionally certain employees of Allied Power Management LLC were granted Series B member interests in both Charah Management LLC and Allied Power Management LLC.

The Companies account for the Series C interests as an equity-classified plan, in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating (a) the volatility of the Companies’ common stock price over the expected term, (b) the number of units that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (forfeitures) and (c) expected dividends. Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized on the combined statements of income.

Stock based compensation expense is recognized in general and administrative expenses.

See Note 17.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Correction of Immaterial Error

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s combined financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company identified an immaterial error related to the valuation of an interest rate swap. The Company evaluated the materiality of this misstatement from quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and concluded that it was immaterial. Management has restated the 2017 combined financial statements to correct this immaterial error. The correction resulted in the following adjustments to the 2017 combined financial statements: (1) an increase to interest expense and decrease to net income, retained earnings and members equity of $2,168; (2) a decrease to other assets and total assets of $1,970 and (3) an increase in other liabilities, current liabilities, and total liabilities of $198. On the statement of cash flows, this error decreased net income by $2,168, with an offsetting change within cash flows from operating activities on the line loss on interest rate swap; there was no impact on cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . This ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the combined balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Charah adopted ASU 2015-03 during 2016 (see Note 8). The adoption of this standard resulted in $1,849 of debt issuance costs presented as a deduction from the carrying amount of debt.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory , which requires that inventory measured using FIFO or average cost be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Charah adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-11, prospectively, effective January 1, 2017. The impact on the combined financial statements was not material.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when a customer obtains control of a good or service, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The updated standard will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Companies have not yet selected a transition method and are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , requiring all leases to be recognized on the combined balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, unless the lease is a short term lease (generally a lease with a term of twelve months or less). At the commencement date of the lease, the Companies will recognize: 1) a lease liability for the Companies’ obligation to make payments under the lease agreement, measured on a discounted basis; and 2) a right-of-use asset that represents the Companies’ right to use, or control the use of, the specified asset for the lease term. Upon adopting the ASU, the Companies will be required to recognize and measure their leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2020, with early adoption permitted. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, allowing an entity to elect not to assess whether certain land easements are, or contain, leases when transitioning to the new lease standard.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . This update addresses specific cash flow issues, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2019. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) . This ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Upon adopting the ASU, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) , Clarifying the Definition of a Business . ASU 2017-01 changes the definition of a business in an effort to assist entities with evaluating whether a set of transferred assets and activities is a business when accounting for acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, impairment and consolidations. The guidance will require an entity to evaluate whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, and thus is not a business combination. ASU 2017-01 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2019. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment , which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test and requires an entity to recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This ASU provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award requires application of modification accounting. ASU 2017-09 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

3. Business Combination

On January 13, 2017, Charah Management LLC completed a transaction with BCP, a previously unrelated third party pursuant to which BCP acquired a 76% equity position in Charah Management LLC. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Combinations . The purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition, as summarized below.

By the application of “push-down” accounting, Charah’s assets and liabilities were accordingly adjusted to fair value.

 

Net working capital

   $ 26,704  

Net nonoperating assets/liabilities

     9,679  

Property, plant and equipment

     107,876  

Rail easement

     110  

Purchase option liability

     (29,883

Trade name intangible assets

     34,330  

Customer relationship intangible assets

     78,200  

Goodwill

     73,468  
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 300,484  
  

 

 

 

Approximately $60 million of the goodwill relates to the Environmental Solutions segment and the remainder relates to the Maintenance and Technical Services segment. When the Company finalizes the purchase price allocation in the first quarter of 2018, the Company will finalize the allocation of goodwill to the reportable segments.

4. Receivable from Affiliates and Related Party Transactions

Circle Four, Inc. (C4), an entity majority-owned by a trust controlled by a stockholder of the ultimate parent company of Charah, stores machinery and equipment for Charah. Rental expense of $0, $0 and $21 was incurred during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. C4 owed the Company $0 and $216 at December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. The receivable as of December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was distributed to the parent company during January 2017. The receivable was unsecured and did not bear interest.

The Companies contributed $2,920 in 2016 to the Price Foundation, which is controlled by a stockholder of the ultimate parent company of Charah. No amounts were contributed either during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor) nor during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor).

Charah rents their corporate office, housing at work sites and a condo from Price Real Estate, LLC (PRE), an entity owned by a stockholder of the ultimate parent company of Charah. The lease for the corporate office is a triple net lease through May 31, 2020, requiring monthly payments of $36 as of December 31, 2017 (Successor), increasing by the consumer price index each year on June 1. Other property is rented on a month-to-month basis. Rental expense of $438, $15 and $638 was incurred during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. Charah had a receivable due from PRE of $0 and $25 at December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. The receivable as of December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was distributed to the parent company during January 2017. The receivable was unsecured and did not bear interest.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

PriceFlight, LLC (PF), an entity owned by a stockholder of the ultimate parent company of Charah, provides flight services to Charah. Expenses to PF for flight services amounted to $685, $21, and $708 for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. Charah’s receivable from PF was reduced by expenses of $0, $0, and $203 during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. PF owed the Company $0 and $641 at December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. The receivable as of December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was distributed to the parent company during January 2017. The receivable was unsecured and did not bear interest.

Management determined that PRE and PF are variable interest entities. Charah has variable interests in them through the common ownership and contractual agreements discussed above. Charah is not considered to be the primary beneficiary. Management considers the likelihood to be remote that Charah will be required to make future funds available to PRE and PF. However, were Charah required to make funds available the maximum exposure to Charah would be any excess of the debt obligations of PRE and PF over the fair value of their respective assets.

5. Loan to Related Party

An open line of credit was available to the voting stockholder of the ultimate parent company of Charah through January 12, 2017 (the Predecessor periods). The note was payable on demand with interest at the Applicable Federal Rate. The note was distributed to the ultimate parent company in January 2017. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was $7,865.

6. Equity Method Investment

Charah has an equity method investment that provides ash management and remarketing services to the utility industry. Charah accounts for its investment under the equity method of accounting because Charah has significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the equity method investment. Charah had a receivable due from the equity method investment of $61 and $233 at December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), respectively.

Summarized balance sheet information of our equity method investment as of December 31 is as follows:

 

Balance Sheet Data    Successor
2017
                Predecessor
2016
 

Current assets

   $ 1,946           $ 2,643  

Noncurrent assets

     764             790  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,710           $ 3,433  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     298             551  

Equity of Charah

     5,006             5,241  

Equity of JV Partner

     (2,594           (2,359
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total liabilities and member equity

   $ 2,710           $ 3,433  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Summarized financial performance of our equity method investment is as follows:

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13, 2017
through
December 31,
2017
                Period from
January 1 2017,
through January 12,
2017
     Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Operating Data

             

Revenues

   $ 7,573           $ 300      $ 11,384  

Net income

   $ 1,632           $ 96      $ 5,405  

The Company’s share of net income

   $ 816           $ 48      $ 2,703  

The following table reflects the activity in our investment account:

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13,
2017 through
December 31,
2017
                Period from
January 1 2017,
through January 12,
2017
     Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Opening balance

   $ 5,289           $ 5,241      $  

Contributions

                        3,378  

Distributions

     (1,099                  (840

Share of net income

     816             48        2,703  
  

 

 

         

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

   $ 5,006           $ 5,289      $ 5,241  
  

 

 

         

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Line of Credit Agreement

In June 2015, Charah entered into a $45,000 revolving loan agreement with a bank, secured by essentially all of the assets of Charah and its subsidiaries. Availability under the loan agreement was limited to a borrowing base. Interest on advances was calculated using the London inter-bank offered rate (LIBOR) Daily Floating Rate (0.52% as of December 31, 2016) plus the Applicable Rate (3.0% as of December 31, 2016 (Predecessor)), which was based upon the consolidated leverage ratio. The agreement was set to mature on June 30, 2018. The revolving loan agreement contained financial covenants related to fixed charge coverage ratio and the consolidated leverage ratio. The agreement also included a clause to begin reducing the revolving commitment in September 2016 in periodic intervals.

In December 2015, the credit agreement was amended to increase the revolving commitment to $50,000.

In February 2016, the credit agreement was amended which modified the definition of the borrowing base.

In March 2016, the credit agreement was amended primarily in order to modify the borrowing base and increase the revolving commitment. The Applicable Rate was changed to have a range of 1.75% to 3.50%. The revolving commitment was increased to $57,000. Covenants were modified to allow Charah to enter into subordinated debt (not to exceed $25,000) and to enter into debt related to capital assets up to $5,000 per fiscal year. The definitions of the consolidated leverage ratio and consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio were modified. Additionally, new covenants were added relating to restrictions on spending and production under certain significant customer contracts.

 

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Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

In April 2016, the credit agreement was amended primarily in order to increase the revolving commitment and extend the maturity date. The revolving commitment was increased to a maximum of $65,000. The definition of the borrowing base was modified. After June 15, 2016, the revolving commitment was set to reduce to $55,000 and on March 31, 2017, the commitment was set to reduce to $50,000.

In June, 2016, the credit agreement was amended primarily in order to modify the borrowing base.

At December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), Charah issued four letters of credit totaling $3,856. The letters of credit were secured by accounts receivable of the Company.

In January 2017, the credit agreement was terminated and paid in full, and Charah entered into a $110,000 revolving credit facility with the same bank, with a maturity date of January 2022. The agreement also provided for additional borrowings starting at $38,000 that reduced to $0 as of December 31, 2017. Interest was calculated using the LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Rate. The Applicable Rate was based upon the consolidated leverage ratio and ranged from 1.75% to 3.5%. If certain stipulated criteria were met, the outstanding principal and accrued interest on the credit facility could be prepaid without penalty. The debt was paid in full in October 2017.

In January 2017, Charah also entered into a $13,000 equipment line scheduled to term out every 6 months or once the maximum borrowings had been reached. The debt was paid in full in October 2017.

In August 2017, Allied entered into a $20,000 revolving credit facility with a bank, with its immediate parent company, its subsidiaries and Charah serving as guarantors. Availability under the revolving credit facility was limited to a borrowing base. Interest was calculated using the LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Margin. Based on the consolidated leverage ratio, the Applicable Rate ranged from 1.50% to 3.00%. The agreement was set to mature on August 17, 2019. A total of $6 million was borrowed against the revolving credit facility in September 2017. The debt was paid in full in October 2017.

In October 2017, the Companies then existing credit agreements were terminated and paid in full. The Companies entered into a credit agreement with a bank providing for a revolving credit facility (the Credit Facility) with a principal amount of up to $45,000. The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Credit Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Companies’ election, either (1) an adjusted LIBOR plus a 2.00% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 1.00% borrowing margin. Customary fees are payable in respect of the Credit Facility and include (1) commitment fees in an annual amount equal to 0.05% of the daily unused portions of the Credit Facility, and (2) a 2.00% fee on outstanding letters of credit. The revolving facility has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2022. There are no amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017 (Successor), letters of credit issued in the aggregate amount of $12.5 million were outstanding under the Credit Facility.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

8. Notes Payable

Notes payable as of December 31 are as follows:

 

    Successor           Predecessor  
    2017           2016  
Equipment notes entered into during 2014, 2015 and 2016, payable in monthly installments ranging from $2 to $146 including interest ranging from 3.3% to 4.85% (3.9% weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2016); maturing at varying dates through July 2023. The note was collateralized by equipment. The notes were covered by the same covenants and amendments as the line of credit (see Note 7). The debt was paid in full in January 2017, with an associated prepaid penalty of $622.   $         $ 44,449  
 
Loan from the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation, payable in annual installments of $405 including interest at 3.25%, maturing in April 2020. The debt was paid in full in January 2017.               1,497  
 
Loan related to purchase of property by Green Meadow. The loan was collateralized by the underlying land asset. Principal payments of $270 were due monthly. Interest was calculated using the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate plus the Applicable Rate. The interest rate at December 31, 2016 was 3.52% The note was covered by the same covenants and amendments as the line of credit (see Note 7). The debt was paid in full in January 2017.               13,733  
 
Senior subordinated credit agreement entered into during 2016, in which principal, accrued interest and fees were payable at maturity in June, 2022. Interest accrued at 13%. The debt was paid in full in January 2017, with an associated prepaid penalty of $1,250.               25,000  
 
Installment note payable to a bank, payable in monthly payments of principal and interest of $4 through May, 2021. Interest was fixed at 3.5%. The note was collateralized by equipment. The debt was paid in full in January 2017.               197  
 
Various equipment notes entered into in November 2017, payable in monthly installments ranging from $5 to $24 including interest at 5.2%, maturing in December 2022 through December 2023. The notes are secured by equipment with a net book value of $5,700 as of December 31, 2017 (Successor).     5,910            
 
In December 2017, Charah entered into a $10,000 equipment line with a bank, secured by all equipment purchased with the proceeds of the loan. Interest is calculated on any outstanding amounts using a fixed rate of 4.5%. The equipment line converts to a term loan in May 2018, with a maturity date of June 22, 2023. There was $3,244 drawn against the equipment line as of December 31, 2017 (Successor).     3,244            
 
A credit agreement with a bank, entered into during October 2017, providing for a senior secured term loan B facility with an initial commitment of $250,000 (the Term Loan). The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Companies’ election, either (1) LIBOR plus a 6.25% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 5.25% borrowing margin. The principal amount of the Term Loan will amortize at a rate of 7.5% per annum with all remaining outstanding amounts under the Term Loan due on the Term Loan maturity date. The Term Loan has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2024. The Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Companies.     250,000            
 

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

    259,154           84,876  

Less debt issuance costs

    (11,460         (1,849
 

 

 

       

 

 

 
    247,694           83,027  

Less current maturities

    (19,996         (9,040
 

 

 

       

 

 

 

Notes payable due after one year

  $ 227,698         $ 73,987  
 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

In January 2017, Charah entered into a $14,000 term note, payable to a bank in quarterly principal payments of $811 through July, 2021 at which point all outstanding principal, accrued interest and fees would be due. Interest was calculated using the LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Rate. This note was paid in full in October 2017.

In January 2017, Charah entered into a $42,000 equipment loan split into 8 notes with payoff terms between 24 months to 60 months. Seven having an interest rate of 5.25% and one having an interest rate of 4.83%. The notes were paid in full in October 2017.

Future maturities of notes payable at December 31 are as follows:

 

2018

   $ 19,996  

2019

     20,379  

2020

     20,462  

2021

     20,548  

2022

     20,646  

Thereafter

     157,123  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 259,154  
  

 

 

 

9. Interest Rate Swap

In order to manage interest rate risk in a cost-efficient manner, we entered into an interest rate swap during 2017 whereby we agree to exchange with the counterparty, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to a notional amount. The interest rate swap is not designated for hedge accounting. The change in fair values of the interest rate swap are immediately recognized in earnings, within interest expense.

As of December 31, 2017 (Successor) the notional amount of the interest rate swap is $150 million and a fair value liability of $198 is recorded in the balance sheet within other liabilities. The total amount of loss recorded as an increase of interest expense for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor) was $198.

10. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts as of December 31 as follows:

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     2017                 2016  

Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts

   $ 151,963           $ 198,380  

Estimated earnings

     53,356             34,351  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Total costs and earnings

     205,319             232,731  

Less billings to date

     (213,242           (176,266
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings (billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings)

   $ (7,923         $ 56,465  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

The net balance in process is classified on the combined balance sheets as of December 31 as follows:

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     2017                 2016  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

   $ 7,959           $ 57,817  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     (15,882           (1,352
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Net balance in process

   $ (7,923         $ 56,465  
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

11. Defined Contribution Retirement Plan

Charah and AMS provide a defined contribution employee benefit plan (401(k) Plan) qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to employees who have completed 90 days of service and have attained age 18. Participants may contribute up to the lesser of 100% of eligible compensation or the maximum allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Charah and AMS make safe harbor contributions to participant accounts equal to 3% of the participant’s annual compensation, commencing the quarter after the employee completes one year of service. Charah and AMS may also make discretionary matching contributions of participant’s salary deferrals up to 3% of the participant’s compensation and the contributions may vary from year to year for employees who have met one year of employment. Participants are immediately vested in their elective contributions and safe harbor contributions. Participants are vested in discretionary contributions after completing seven years of service. For the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), Charah and AMS contributed $861, $29, and $759 to the 401(k) Plan.

Allied provides a defined contribution employee benefit plan (401(k) Plan) qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to employees who have completed 1 year of eligibility service and have attained age 21, commencing the quarter following the anniversary of 1 year of eligibility service. Participants may contribute up to the lesser of 100% of eligible compensation or the maximum allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Allied makes safe harbor contributions to participant accounts equal to (i) 100% of the Matched Employee Contributions that are not in excess of 3% of employee compensation, plus (ii) 50% of the amount of the Matched Employee Contributions that exceed 3% of employee compensation but that do not exceed 5% of employee compensation, commencing with employee’s eligibility into the plan. Allied may also make discretionary matching contributions. Participants are immediately vested in their elective contributions and safe harbor contributions. For the period from June 1, 2017 (inception) through December 31, 2017, Allied contributed $258 to the 401(k) Plan.

12. Multiemployer Pension Plan

AMS contributes to union-sponsored multiemployer retirement defined benefit pension plans (the multiemployer plans) under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements that cover its union-represented employees. The risks of participating in the multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:

 

    Assets contributed to the multiemployer plans by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

 

    If a participating employer stops contributing to the multiemployer plans, the unfunded obligations of the multiemployer plans may be borne by the remaining participating employers.

 

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Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

    If AMS chooses to stop participating in its multiemployer plans, AMS may be required to pay the multiemployer plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the multiemployer plans, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

The primary multiemployer plan to which AMS made contributions for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number (EIN). The most recent Pension Protection Act (PPA) zone status available in 2017 is for the respective multiemployer plan’s year-end within those years, unless otherwise noted. The zone status is based on information that AMS received from the multiemployer plans and is certified by the respective multiemployer plan’s actuary. Among other factors, multiemployer plans in the red zone (critical) are generally less than 65% funded, multiemployer plans in the yellow zone (endangered) are less than 80% funded, and multiemployer plans in the green zone (neither critical and declining, critical or endangered) are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates multiemployer plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective-bargaining agreements to which the multiemployer plans are subject.

 

                  Successor                 Predecessor            
          Pension   FIF/RP   Period from
January 13,
2017 through
December 31,
2017
                Period from
January 1
2017, through
January 12,
2017
    Year Ended
December 31,
2016
          Expiration
Date of

Pension Fund

  EIN/Pension
Plan Number
   

Protection
Act Zone
Status

 

Status
Pending/
Implemented

  Contributions
to Funds by
AMS
                Contributions
to Funds by
AMS
    Contributions
to Funds by
AMS
    Surcharge
Imposed
   

Collective
Bargaining
Agreement

Central states, southeast & southeast areas pension plan

    36-6044243     Red - Critical and declining   Progress under FIP or RP   $ 59           $ 0     $ 78       None     Continuous with notice period by either party

13. Operating Leases

The Companies leases buildings, vehicles and equipment under various noncancelable agreements classified as operating leases, which expire through March 2021 and require various minimum annual rentals.

Future minimum lease payments, including the related party leases (see Note 4), are as follows:

 

2018

   $ 6,097  

2019

     2,992  

2020

     1,707  

2021

     268  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 11,064  
  

 

 

 

The total rent expense, excluding the related party leases (see Note 4), included in the combined statements of income for the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was $5,574, $179, and $4,900, respectively.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

14. Members’ Equity

During 2016, 49,860 shares of non-voting common stock were issued in accordance with the Deferred Stock Plan (see Note 17).

Charah, LLC’s voting and non-voting shares at January 12, 2017 were cancelled in connection with the BCP transaction (see Note 3) and Series A and Series B members’ interests were issued. Charah, LLC has 200,000,000 of Series A members’ interest authorized, of which 104,109,890 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The Series A members’ interests were issued between January 13, 2017 and December 31, 2017 (Successor) in connection with the BCP transaction in exchange for BCP’s investment of $104.1 million. Charah, LLC has 100,000,000 of Series B members’ interest authorized, of which 35,199,063 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The Series B members’ interests were issued between January 13, 2017 and December 31, 2017 (Successor) in connection with the BCP transaction in exchange for an investment of $32.8 million from members of Charah, LLC’s management and $2.4 million with the formation of Allied Power Management, LLC, as described below. Series A and Series B both participate in distributions.

Allied Power Management, LLC has 200,000,000 of Series A members’ interest authorized, of which 7,210,555 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The Series A members’ interests were issued between January 13, 2017 and December 31, 2017 (Successor) in exchange for an investment of $7.2 million. Allied Power Management, LLC has 100,000,000 of Series B member’s interest authorized, of which 2,437,855 are issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The Series B members’ interests were issued between January 13, 2017 and December 31, 2017 (Successor). The Series B members’ interests were issued in connection with the formation of Allied Power Management, LLC in exchange for an investment of $2.4 million by the existing shareholders of Charah, LLC and members of Allied Power Management, LLC, with the purpose of creating common ownership of the two entities. Series A and Series B both participate in distributions.

15. Distributions to Stockholder

The stockholders may require the Companies to make distributions to cover the stockholders’ tax liabilities. During the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), the Companies made distributions of $136,085, $20,660, and $25, respectively, a portion of which was used to pay for income taxes.

16. Major Customers

The Companies derived approximately 49% and 32% of its combined revenue from two customers during the period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017 (Successor), and approximately 68% and 70% from one customer, during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and during the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), respectively. Accounts receivable from the two customers at December 31, 2017 (Successor) was $30,556 and from the one customer at December 31, 2016 (Predecessor) was $33,588.

17. Stock/Unit Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2009, Charah established a Deferred Stock Plan (the Plan), whereby of certain key employees were issued units that settle in shares of non-voting common stock upon the occurrence of certain specified events. Units issued under the Plan are classified as liabilities, due to a call option which allowed

 

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Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

Charah to repurchase the non-voting common stock immediately after settlement of the units for an amount other than the fair value of the non-voting common stock. Compensation cost was recognized for issued units based upon the fair value of the units at the end of each reporting period and the percentage of requisite service rendered by the employees holding the units.

The Plan was terminated in December 2016, all units became 100% vested and were converted into shares of non-voting common stock that did not continue past the date of the investment by BCP on January 13, 2017.

Units of the Plan had a value based on the value of one share of Charah’s non-voting common stock. Participant units vested at the rate of 20% per year of service, and become fully vested and non-forfeitable after the completion of five years of service from the issuance of the units. Benefits under the Plan were settled in shares of non-voting common stock, based upon the ratio of one unit’s value to the value of one share of non-voting common stock as of the date of issuance of the unit. Participants were required to enter into a shareholder agreement which restricted the transfer of units and non-voting common stock issued under the Plan.

For the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), the Company recognized compensation cost of $7,352, which was recognized as general and administrative expenses in the combined statement of income.

At inception of the Plan, 62,500 units were authorized. During 2016, Charah issued 9,840 units. In December 2016, all units became 100% vested. The 52,515 units issued and vested were converted into 49,860 shares of non-voting common stock based on the ratio described above. The 49,860 shares of non-voting common stock were valued at $34,554, based on the purchase price associated with the transaction with BCP in January 2017 (See Note 3), of which in 2016 Charah paid $15,666, and the remaining $18,888 was recorded as a current liability at December 31, 2016 (Predecessor). Charah paid the remaining $18,888 in January 2017.

Subsequent to the BCP transaction (see Note 3), Charah Management LLC adopted the Charah Series C Profits Interest Plan providing for the issuance of up to 1,000 Series C Profits Interests and issued 650 of such units to employees. Charah Series C Profits Interests participate in distributions to Charah members based on specified rates of return being realized to the Charah Series A and Charah Series B membership interest. Charah Series C Profits Interests vest ratably in each of the first five anniversaries of their grant date with vesting accelerated upon a change of control. All 650 Charah Series C Profits Interests remain unvested as of December 31, 2017. The Charah Series C Profits Interests were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 30% based upon a comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. The weighted–average grant date fair value of the Charah Series C Profits Interest granted during 2017 was $3 per unit. There was $2,100 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the non-vested Charah Series C Profits Interest which is expected to vest over the next 5 years. $311 of compensation expense was recognized in 2017 related to Charah Series C Profits Interests.

The Allied Power Management LLC Limited Liability Agreement provides for the issuance of up to 1,000 Series C Profits Interests. In 2017 Allied Power Management LLC adopted the Allied Series C Profits Interest Plan and issued 550 of such units to employees. Allied Series C Profits Interests participate in distributions to Allied members based upon specified rates of return being realized to the Allied Series A and Allied Series B membership interest. Allied Series C Profits Interests vest immediately upon grant. The Allied Series C Profits Interests were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 32.5% based upon a

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. The average grant date fair value of the Allied Series C Profits Interest granted during 2017 was $0 per unit. An immaterial amount of compensation expense was recognized in 2017 related to Allied Series C Profits Interests.

In conjunction with the funding of the investment in Allied Power Holdings, LLC in July 2017, select individuals, including members of the management team at Allied, were given the opportunity to invest, via an aggregator entity, Allied Management Holdings, LLC, alongside, and on the same basis as, the existing investment group. In exchange for their investment, common equity interests (Series B) in both Allied Power Holdings, LLC and Charah Management, LLC were issued. For those members of management, 1.9 million Charah Management LLC Series B Membership Interests and 0.1 million Allied Power Management LLC Series B Membership Interests were granted as a deemed contribution and a portion was invested via a cash contribution. All rights under these membership interests were fully vested at the time of the grant. $2,080 of compensation expense was recorded in 2017 related to these Series B membership interest grants.

18. Commitments and Contingencies

The Companies from time to time, in the ordinary course of business, is named as a defendant in various lawsuits. In management’s opinion, the gross liability from such lawsuits is not considered to be material to the Companies’ combined financial condition or results of operations.

We may, at any given time, be a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In July 2017, APTIM Corp. sued Allied Power Management, LLC and certain of its employees and affiliated entities in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging, among other things, misappropriation of alleged trade secrets and civil conspiracy. APTIM also alleged tortious interference with their contractual and business relations because Exelon, our customer whose business makes up 100% of our Nuclear Services revenues, ended their business relationship with APTIM and started a new business relationship with Allied Power Management, LLC. No schedule for the current phase of the case, and trial date, has been set. APTIM has not identified its alleged damages. We believe that APTIM’s claims are meritless, and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously. At this point in the preceding it is not possible to reasonably estimate any probable loss, if any, that may result from the matter and accordingly no accrual has been recorded as of December 31, 2017 (Successor).

19. Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO)

Charah owns and operates two structural fill sites that will have continuing maintenance and monitoring requirements subsequent to their closure. As of December 31, 2017 (Successor) and 2016 (Predecessor), Charah has accrued approximately $1,072 and $865, respectively for the asset retirement obligations.

The following table reflects the activity for the asset retirement obligations:

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     December 31,
2017
           December 31,
2016
 

Opening balance

   $ 865          $  

Obligations incurred

     154            816  

Interest accretion

     53            49  
  

 

 

        

 

 

 
 

Ending balance

   $ 1,072          $ 865  
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

20. Business Segment and Related Information

The Companies have identified the following reportable segments, Environmental Solutions (ES) and Maintenance & Technical Services (M&TS), as each met the quantitative threshold of generating revenues 10 percent or more of the combined revenue of all operating segments.

The accounting policies applied to determine the segment information are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Management evaluates the performance of each segment based on segment gross profit, which is calculated as revenues less cost of sales at each segment. For the periods ended December 31, 2017 (Successor) and January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) and the year ended December 31, 2016 (Predecessor), there are no intersegment revenues or other intersegment transactions. Segment assets are evaluated by management based on each segment’s investment in property and equipment, and assets other than property and equipment are not allocated to segments.

Summarized financial information with respect to the reportable segments is as follows:

 

Successor

           
Period from January 13, 2017 through December 31, 2017    ES      M&TS      All
Other
     Totals  

Revenue

   $ 232,581      $ 188,658      $      $ 421,239  

Segment gross profit

     64,433        17,898               82,331  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     23,169        2,361        189        25,719  

Segment assets

     75,764        23,725        441        99,930  

Expenditures for segment assets

 

   $

 

6,107

 

 

 

   $

 

6,583

 

 

 

   $

 

 

 

 

   $

 

12,690

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

           
Period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017    ES      M&TS      All
Other
     Totals  

Revenue

   $ 7,451      $ 1,679      $      $ 9,130  

Segment gross profit

     1,412        417               1,829  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     688        70        5        763  
Year Ended December 31, 2016                            

Revenue

   $ 218,051      $ 47,017      $      $ 265,068  

Segment gross profit

     51,282        10,558               61,840  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     10,228        5,263        110        15,601  

Segment assets

     48,039        12,607        568        61,214  

Expenditures for segment assets

   $ 6,668      $ 3,044      $ 353      $ 10,065  

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

 

The following is a reconciliation of segment assets to total assets and segment gross profit to net income:

 

     Successor                 Predecessor  
     Period from
January 13,
2017

through
December 31,
2017
                Period from
January 1,
2017
through
January 12,
2017
     Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 

Segment Assets

   $ 99,930              $ 61,214  

Non-Segment Assets

     277,721                127,620  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 377,651              $ 188,834  
  

 

 

            

 

 

 

Segment Gross Profit

   $ 82,331           $ 1,829      $ 61,840  

General and administrative expenses

     48,495             3,170        35,170  

Interest Expense

     (14,146           (4,181      (6,244

Income from equity method investment

     816             48        2,703  
  

 

 

         

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Income (loss)

   $ 20,506           $ (5,474    $ 23,129  
  

 

 

         

 

 

    

 

 

 

21. Subsequent Events

On March 30, 2018, the Company purchased certain assets and liabilities of SCB International Materials, Inc. and related entities for an initial payment of $20 million plus $15 million that will be paid over time in conjunction with certain performance metrics.

The Company evaluated subsequent events through March 16, 2018, the date on which the December 31, 2017 combined financial statements were originally issued, and has updated such evaluation for disclosure purposes through April 16, 2018, the date on which December 31, 2017 combined financial statements were reissued to reflect the correction of immaterial error disclosed in Note 2. Except as described above, the Company determined there were no additional events that required disclosure or recognition in these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
Assets     

Current assets:

    

Cash

   $ 9,283     $ 32,264  

Trade accounts receivable

     61,263       47,227  

Receivable from affiliates

     89       38  

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

     17,180       7,959  

Inventory

     20,274       1,666  

Deferred offering costs

     3,955        

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     4,860       4,644  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     116,904       93,798  

Property and equipment:

    

Plant, machinery and equipment

     56,712       42,565  

Structural fill site improvements

     55,760       55,760  

Vehicles

     16,422       16,478  

Office equipment

     664       638  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

     240       240  

Structural fill sites

     7,110       7,110  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment

     136,908       122,791  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (30,484     (22,861
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     106,424       99,930  

Other assets:

    

Trade name

     34,977       34,330  

Customer relationship, net

     70,790       71,032  

Technology

     2,102        

Non-compete and other agreements

     1,448        

Other intangible assets, net

     897       87  

Goodwill

     75,999       73,468  

Other assets

     1,425        

Equity method investments

     5,952       5,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 416,918     $ 377,651  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Balance Sheets, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 
Liabilities and Members’ Equity      

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 16,432      $ 15,247  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     13,074        15,882  

Notes payable, current maturities

     21,795        19,996  

Accrued payroll and bonuses

     31,783        16,036  

Asset retirement obligation

     1,086        1,072  

Purchase option liability, current portion

     5,061        5,061  

Accrued expenses

     11,112        7,959  

Other liabilities

            198  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     100,343        81,451  

Long-term liabilities:

     

Purchase option liability, less current portion

     18,918        20,183  

Contingent earnout liability

     15,000         

Notes payable, less current maturities

     233,438        227,698  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     367,699        329,332  

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 11)

     

Members’ equity

     

Retained earnings

     19,122        18,316  

Members’ interest—Charah, LLC Series A, no par, 200,000,000 members’ interest authorized (104,109,890 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Series B, no par, 100,000,000 members’ interest authorized (35,199,063 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

     19,828        19,718  

Members’ interest—Allied Power Management, LLC, Series A, no par, 200,000,000 members’ interest authorized (7,210,555 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Series B, no par, 100,000,000 members’ interest authorized (2,437,855 issued and outstanding) as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018

     9,687        9,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC members’ equity

     48,637        47,721  

Non-controlling interest

     582        598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total members’ equity

     49,219        48,319  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and members’ equity

   $ 416,918      $ 377,651  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Statements of Income

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     Successor                  Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018
    Period from
January 13,
2017 through
March 31,
2017
                 Period from
January 1, 2017
through
January 12,
2017
 

Revenue

   $ 155,529     $ 58,965            $ 9,130  

Cost of sales

     136,430       43,235              7,301  
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Gross profit

     19,099       15,730              1,829  

General and administrative expenses

     14,382       6,516              3,170  
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     4,717       9,214              (1,341

Interest expense

     (4,131     (1,055            (4,181

Income from equity method investment

     587       206              48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     1,173       8,365              (5,474

Less income attributable to non-controlling interest

     367       270              54  
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

   $ 806     $ 8,095            $ (5,528
  

 

 

   

 

 

          

 

 

 
 

Pro forma provision for income taxes

   $ 202     $ 3,076            $ (2,101

Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 971     $ 5,289            $ (3,373

Pro forma net income (loss) attributable to Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC

   $ 604     $ 5,019            $ (3,427

Pro forma basic income per common share

                         

Pro forma diluted income per common share

                         

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Statements of Members’ Equity

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

    Charah, LLC Members     Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total  
    Voting Shares     Non-voting Shares     Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated

Deficit)
    Total      
    Number
of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Number
of
Shares
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
         

Predecessor

                                                     

Balance, December 31, 2016

    18,750     $ 24       168,750     $ 216     $ 54     $ 20,366     $ 20,660     $ 686     $ 21,346  

Net income (loss)

    —         —         —         —         —         (5,528     (5,528     54       (5,474

Distributions

    —         —         —         —         —         (20,660     (20,660     —         (20,660
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, January 12, 2017

    18,750     $ 24       168,750     $ 216     $ 54     $ (5,822   $ (5,528   $ 740     $ (4,788
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-40


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Statements of Members’ Equity

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

    Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC
Combined
    Non-Controlling
Interest
    Total  
    Charah, LLC
Members’
Interest
    Allied Power
Management, LLC
Members’ Interest
    Retained
Earnings
    Total      

Successor

                                   

Balance, January 13, 2017

  $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 740     $ 740  

Net income

    —         —         8,095       8,095       270       8,365  

Issuance of original Series A member interests

    116,418       —         —         116,418       —         116,418  

Issuance of original Series B member interests

    36,643       —         —         36,643       —         36,643  

Share-based compensation - Series C profits interests

    56       —         —         56       —         56  

Distributions

    (15,497     —         —         (15,497     (561     (16,058
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2017

  $ 137,620     $ —       $ 8,095     $ 145,715     $ 449     $ 146,164  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

  $ 19,718     $ 9,687     $ 18,316     $ 47,721     $ 598     $ 48,319  

Net income

    —         —         806       806       367       1,173  

Share-based compensation - Series C profits interests

    110       —         —         110       —         110  

Distributions

    —         —         —         —         (383     (383
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, March 31, 2018

  $ 19,828     $ 9,687     $ 19,122     $ 48,637     $ 582     $ 49,219  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Three
Months
Ended
March 31,
2018
    Period
from
January 13,
2017
through
March 31,
2017
           Period
from
January 1
2017,
through
January 12,
2017
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

           

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,173     $ 8,365          $ (5,474

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

           

Depreciation and amortization

     8,431       6,157            763  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     555                   

Loss on sale of assets

     131       53            123  

Income from equity method investment

     (587     (206          (48

Distributions received from equity investment

     252       364             

Non-cash share-based compensation

     110       56             

Payment related to deferred stock plan

           (18,888           

Gain on interest rate swap

     (1,623                 

Increase (decrease) in cash due to changes in:

           

Trade accounts receivable

     (8,116     14,411            (3,977

Receivable from affiliates

     (51     (608           

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing

     (9,222     (3,208          2,185  

Inventory

     (828     (356          278  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (87     (1,755          71  

Accounts payable

     485       (8,865          4,380  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     (2,807     1,934            6  

Accrued payroll and bonuses

     15,749       (241          (318

Asset retirement obligation

     14       74             

Accrued expenses

     646       4,696            (2,407
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     4,225       1,983            (4,418

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Proceeds from the sale of equipment

     480       133             

Purchases of property and equipment

     (3,373     (1,568           

Payments for business acquisitions, net of cash received

     (19,983                 

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

           (1,299           
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (22,876     (2,734           

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

F-42


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

     Successor                   Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018
    Period from
January 13,
2017
through
March 31,
2017
                  Period
from
January 1
2017,
through
January 12,
2017
 

Cash flows from financing activities:

              

Net payments on line of credit

           (43,801             4,605  

Proceeds from long-term debt

     4,976       142,779               298  

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (4,968     (104,017             (440

Deferred offering costs

     (3,955                    

Note payable to related party, net

           25,000                

Distributions to non-controlling interest

     (383     (561              

Distributions to members

           (15,498              
  

 

 

   

 

 

           

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (4,330     3,902               4,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

           

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

     (22,981     3,151               45  

Cash, beginning of period

     32,264       1,046               1,001  
  

 

 

   

 

 

           

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

   $ 9,283     $ 4,197             $ 1,046  
  

 

 

   

 

 

           

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

              

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 5,297     $ 3,167             $ 104  

Non-cash investing and financing transactions

During the three-months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), Charah purchased $6,975 of equipment with seller provided financing.

During the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), the loan to related party of $7,865, receivables from affiliates of $883 and assets and liabilities related to the un-acquired business amounting to $11,912 were distributed to CEP Holdings, Inc. as non-cash distributions.

At January 12, 2017, Charah, LLC reflected a non-cash transaction to re-value its assets and liabilities resulting from Charah Management LLC completing a transaction with Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP (BCP), a previously unrelated third party, pursuant to which BCP acquired a 76% equity position of Charah Management LLC.

 

See notes to condensed combined financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

1. Nature of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business Operations

The Companies provide mission-critical environmental and maintenance services to the power generation industry that enable customers to continue operations and provide necessary electric power to communities nationwide. Services offered included a suite of coal ash management and recycling, environmental remediation and outage maintenance services. We also design and implement solutions for complex environmental projects (such as ash pond closures) and facilitate coal ash recycling through byproduct sales and other beneficial use services. The Companies have corporate offices in Kentucky, North Carolina, and Louisiana, and principally operate in the eastern and mid central United States.

The combined financial statements include the assets, liabilities, members’ equity, and results of operations of Charah and Allied, on a combined basis, together with their consolidated subsidiaries. References to the “Companies,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to Charah and Allied combined. References to “Predecessor” refer to Charah. References to “Charah Solutions” refer to Charah Solutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Charah is the predecessor for accounting purposes of Charah Solutions which was formed for the purposes of submitting a registration statement for its initial public offering of common stock (the “Offering”). In connection with the Offering, Charah Sole Member, LLC and Allied Sole Member, LLC, the sole members of Charah and Allied, respectively, will be contributed to CHRH Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charah Solutions.

Under the JOBS Act, the Companies expect that it will meet the definition of an “emerging growth company,” which would allow the Companies to have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. The Companies intend to take advantage of all of the reduced reporting requirements and exemptions, including the longer phase-in periods for the adoption of new or revised financial accounting standards under Section 107 of the JOBS Act until the Companies are no longer an emerging growth company.

Basis for Presentation

The Companies fiscal year ends December 31. The accompanying unaudited condensed combined financial statements include the accounts of the Companies and their consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included, which consist of normal recurring adjustments. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited condensed combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited combined financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this registration statement.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when a customer obtains control of a good or service, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity is expected to be entitled for those goods or services. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition

 

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Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The updated standard will be effective for the year ending December 31, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Companies have not yet selected a transition method and are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , requiring all leases to be recognized on the combined balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, unless the lease is a short term lease (generally a lease with a term of twelve months or less). At the commencement date of the lease, the Companies will recognize: 1) a lease liability for the Companies’ obligation to make payments under the lease agreement, measured on a discounted basis; and 2) a right-of-use asset that represents the Companies’ right to use, or control the use of, the specified asset for the lease term. Upon adopting the ASU, the Companies will be required to recognize and measure their leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for the Companies for the year ending December 31, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . This update addresses specific cash flow issues, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, and proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) . This ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Upon adopting the ASU, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be effective for the Companies beginning after December 15, 2018 with regard to fiscal years and beginning after December 15, 2019 with regard to interim periods within fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Companies are currently evaluating the effect that the new standard will have on the combined financial statements.

Unaudited Pro Forma Income Information

The unaudited pro forma income information gives effect to the anticipated corporate reorganization and the resulting legal entity for the new holding company of Charah and Allied, which is incorporated as a “C” Corporation. Prior to such anticipated corporate reorganization, the holding company for Charah and Allied was a limited liability company and generally not subject to income taxes. The pro forma net income, therefore, includes an adjustment for income tax expense as if the holding company for Charah and Allied had been a “C” Corporation for all periods presented at an assumed combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate of 38% for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 25% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which approximates the calculated statutory tax rate for each period. The tax rate in the preceding sentence for the year ended December 31, 2017 does not reflect the impact of U.S. tax reform, which reduces the federal U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective in 2018. The tax rate mentioned for the three months ended March 31, 2018 reflects the impact of U.S. tax reform.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The unaudited pro forma basic and diluted net income per common share is computed using unaudited pro forma net income, as discussed above, and reflects the (i) the estimated number of shares of common stock we expect to have outstanding upon the completion of the Company’s reorganization and (ii) the estimated number of shares of common stock that will be issued in connection with the initial public offering that will be used to repay the Term Loan.

2. Business Combination

On March 30, 2018, Charah Management LLC completed a transaction with SCB Materials International, Inc. and affiliated entities (SCB), a previously unrelated third party, pursuant to which Charah acquired certain assets and liabilities of SCB for a purchase price of $20 million paid immediately, and $15 million paid over time in conjunction with certain performance metrics. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations . The preliminary purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition, as summarized below. Goodwill will be allocated to the Environmental Solutions segment.

 

Cash acquired

   $ 17  

Net working capital, excluding cash

     20,623  

Property, plant and equipment

     4,493  

Equity method investment

     611  

Trade name intangible assets

     647  

Customer relationship intangible assets

     1,713  

Technology

     2,102  

Non-compete and other agreements

     1,448  

Other intangible assets

     815  

Goodwill

     2,531  
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 35,000  
  

 

 

 

3. Equity Method Investments

Charah has an equity method investment that provides ash management and remarketing services to the utility industry. Charah accounts for its investment under the equity method of accounting because Charah has significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the equity method investment. Charah had a receivable due from the equity method investment of $95 and $61 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

Summarized balance sheet information of our equity method investment as of:

 

Balance Sheet Data    March 31,
2018
     December 31,
2017
 

Current assets

   $ 2,749      $ 1,946  

Noncurrent assets

     764        764  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 3,513      $ 2,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     429        298  

Equity of Charah

     5,341        5,006  

Equity of JV Partner

     (2,257      (2,594
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and member equity

   $ 3,513      $ 2,710  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Summarized financial performance of our equity method investment is as follows:

 

     Successor                  Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018
     Period from
January 13,
2017 through
March 31,
2017
                 Period from
January 1
2017, through
January 12,
2017
 

Operating Data

              

Revenues

   $ 2,365      $ 1,528            $ 300  

Net income

   $ 1,175      $ 414            $ 96  

The Company’s share of net income

   $ 587      $ 207            $ 48  

The following table reflects the activity in our investment account:

 

     Successor                  Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2018

(Unaudited)
     Period from
January 13,
2017 through
December 31,
2017

(Unaudited)
                 Period from
January 1
2017, through
January 12,
2017
 

Opening balance

   $ 5,006      $ 5,289            $ 5,241  

Contributions

                          

Distributions

     (252      (1,099             

Share of net income

     587        816              48  

Equity investment acquired (Note 2)

     611                      
  

 

 

    

 

 

          

 

 

 

Closing balance

   $ 5,952      $ 5,006            $ 5,289  
  

 

 

    

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

4. Intangible Assets

The Companies’ intangible assets consist of the following as:

 

     March 31, 2018  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net  

Customer relationships

   $ 78,200      $ 9,123      $ 69,077  

Other - Rail easement

     110        28        82  

Trade name (indefinite lived)

     34,330               34,330  

Goodwill

     73,468               73,468  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     186,108        9,151        176,957  

Other - Patents acquired (Note 2)

     815               815  

Technology acquired (Note 2)

     2,102               2,102  

Non-compete and other agreements acquired (Note 2)

     1,448               1,448  

Customer relationships acquired (Note 2)

     1,713               1,713  

Trade name (indefinite lived) acquired (Note 2)

     647               647  

Goodwill acquired (Note 2)

     2,531               2,531  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

   $ 195,364      $ 9,151      $ 186,213  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 31, 2017  
     Gross
Carrying
Amount
     Accumulated
Amortization
     Net  

Customer relationships

   $ 78,200      $ 7,168      $ 71,032  

Rail easement

     110        23        87  

Trade name (indefinite lived)

     34,330               34,330  

Goodwill

     73,468               73,468  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance

   $ 186,108      $ 7,191      $ 178,917  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Definite Lived Intangible Assets

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, intangible assets include customer relationships and a rail easement. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of ten years for customer lists and four and half years for the rail easement. Amortization expense was $1,960, $1,798 and $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor) and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), respectively.

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition price over the fair value of acquired net assets, and such amounts are reported separately as goodwill on our combined balance sheets.

Indefinite lives intangible assets are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the asset has decreased below its carrying value.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

We perform our impairment test effective October 31st of each year. Each quarter we evaluate if there are any indicators of impairment, and we determined there were no indicators of impairment at March 31, 2018 and 2017.

5. Line of Credit Agreement

The Companies have a credit agreement with a bank providing for a revolving credit facility (the Credit Facility) with a principal amount of up to $45,000. The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Credit Facility are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Companies’ election, either (1) an adjusted LIBOR plus a 2.00% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 1.00% borrowing margin. Customary fees are payable in respect of the Credit Facility and include (1) commitment fees in an annual amount equal to 0.05% of the daily unused portions of the Credit Facility, and (2) a 2.00% fee on outstanding letters of credit. The Revolving Facility has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2022. There are no amounts drawn on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

6. Notes Payable

The following table summarizes the major components of debt at each balance sheet date and provides maturities and interest rate ranges for each major category as of March 31, 2018:

 

     March 31, 2018            December 31,
2017
 
Various equipment notes entered into in November 2017, payable in monthly installments ranging from $5 to $24 including interest at 5.2%, maturing in December 2022 through December 2023. The notes are secured by equipment with a net book value of $8,259 as of March 31, 2018 (Successor).    $ 5,665          $ 5,910  
 
Various equipment notes entered into in 2018, payable in monthly installments ranging from $6 to $33 including interest at 6.25%, maturing in March 2023 through March 2025. The notes are secured by equipment with a net book value of $10,076 as of March 31, 2018 (Successor).      6,938            —    
 
In December 2017, Charah entered into a $10,000 equipment line with a bank, secured by all equipment purchased with the proceeds of the loan. Interest is calculated on any outstanding amounts using a fixed rate of 4.5%. The equipment line converts to a term loan in May 2018, with a maturity date of June 22, 2023. There was $8,220 drawn against the equipment line as of March 31, 2018 (Successor).      8,220            3,244  
 
A credit agreement with a bank, entered into during October 2017, providing for a senior secured term loan B facility with an initial commitment of $250,000 (the Term Loan). The interest rates per annum applicable to the loans under the Term Loan are based on a fluctuating rate of interest measured by reference to, at the Companies’ election, either (1) LIBOR plus a 6.25% borrowing margin, or (2) an alternative base rate plus a 5.25% borrowing margin. The principal amount of the Term Loan will amortize at a rate of 7.5% per annum with all remaining outstanding amounts under the Term Loan due on the Term Loan maturity date. The Term Loan has a scheduled maturity date of October 25, 2024. The Term Loan is collateralized by substantially all the assets of the Companies.      245,315            250,000  
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Total

     266,138            259,154  

Less debt issuance costs

     (10,905          (11,460
  

 

 

        

 

 

 
     255,233            247,694  

Less current maturities

     (21,795          (19,996
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

Notes payable due after one year

   $ 233,438          $ 227,698  
  

 

 

        

 

 

 

7. Interest Rate Swap

In order to manage interest rate risk in a cost-efficient manner, we entered into an interest rate swap during 2017 whereby we agree to exchange with the counterparty, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to a notional amount. The interest rate swap is not designated for hedge accounting. The change in fair values of the interest rate swap are immediately recognized in earnings, within interest expense.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

As of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the notional amount of the interest rate swap was $150 million. A fair value asset of $1,425 was recorded in the balance sheet within other assets, as of March 31, 2018 (Successor) and a fair value liability of $198 was recorded in the balance sheet within other liabilities as of December 31, 2017 (Successor), respectively. The total amount of gain subtracted from interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor), and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) was $1,623, $0, and $0, respectively.

8. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts

Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts as of:

 

     March 31, 2018      December 31,
2017
 

Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts

   $ 191,437      $ 151,963  

Estimated earnings

     74,453        53,356  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and earnings

     265,890        205,319  

Less billings to date

     (261,784      (213,242
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

   $ 4,106      $ (7,923
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The net balance in process is classified on the condensed combined balance sheets as of:

 

     March 31, 2018      December 31,
2017
 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

   $ 17,180      $ 7,959  

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

     (13,074      (15,882
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance in process

   $ 4,106      $ (7,923
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

9. Distributions to Stockholder

The stockholders may require the Companies to make distributions to cover the stockholders’ tax liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor), and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), the Companies made distributions of $0, $16,059 and $20,660, respectively, a portion of which was used to pay for income taxes.

10. Stock/Unit Based Compensation

The Charah Management LLC Limited Liability Agreement provides for the issuance of up to 1,000 Series C Profits Interests. In 2017 Charah Management LLC adopted the Charah Series C Profits Interest Plan and issued 650 of such units to employees. Charah Series C Profits Interests participate in distributions to Charah members based on specified rates of return being realized to the Charah Series A and Charah Series B

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

membership interest. Charah Series C Profits Interests vest ratably in each of the first five anniversaries of their grant date with vesting accelerated upon a change of control. 540 Charah Series C Profits Interests remain unvested as of March 31, 2018. The Charah Series C Profits Interests were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 30% based upon a comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. The weighted–average grant date fair value of the Charah Series C Profits Interest granted during 2017 was $3 per unit, resulting in $2,100 of total compensation costs which is expected to vest over 5 years. There is $1,679 of unrecognized compensation as of March 31, 2018. $110 of compensation expense was recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor) related to Charah Series C Profits Interests. $56 was recognized during the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor), and $0 was recognized during the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor).

The Allied Power Management LLC Limited Liability Agreement provides for the issuance of up to 1,000 Series C Profits Interests. In 2017 Allied Power Management LLC adopted the Allied Series C Profits Interest Plan and issued 550 of such units to employees. Allied Series C Profits Interests participate in distributions to Allied members based upon specified rates of return being realized to the Allied Series A and Allied Series B membership interest. Allied Series C Profits Interests vest immediately upon grant. The Allied Series C Profits Interests were valued based upon a contingent claims analysis to allocate the total implied equity value as of the valuation date amongst the various equity securities classes, with breakpoints estimated considering relative seniority, liquidation preferences, and conversion features. An assumed volatility of 32.5% based upon a comparable public company analysis was used in the determination of fair value. The average grant date fair value of the Allied Series C Profits Interest granted during 2017 was $0 dollars per unit. There is $0 of unrecognized compensation as of March 31, 2018. No compensation expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor), and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) related to Allied Series C Profits Interests.

In conjunction with the funding of the investment in Allied Power Holdings, LLC in July 2017, select individuals, including members of the management team at Allied, were given the opportunity to invest, via an aggregator entity, Allied Management Holdings, LLC, alongside, and on the same basis as, the existing investment group. In exchange for their investment, common equity interests (Series B) in both Allied Power Holdings, LLC and Charah Management, LLC were issued. For those members of management, 1.9 million Charah Management LLC Series B Membership Interests and 0.1 million Allied Power Management LLC Series B Membership Interests were granted as a deemed contribution and a portion was invested via a cash contribution. All rights under these membership interests were fully vested at the time of the grant. $2,080 of compensation expense was recorded in 2017 related to these Series B membership interest grants. No compensation expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor), and the period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor) related to Allied Series C Profits Interests.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Companies from time to time, in the ordinary course of business, are named as a defendant in various lawsuits. In management’s opinion, the gross liability from such lawsuits is not considered to be material to the Companies’ combined financial condition or results of operations.

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

12. Business Segment and Related Information

The Companies have identified the following reportable segments, Environmental Solutions (ES) and Maintenance & Technical Services (M&TS), as each met the quantitative threshold of generating revenues 10 percent or more of the combined revenue of all operating segments.

Management evaluates the performance of each segment based on segment gross profit, which is calculated as revenues less cost of sales at each segment. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 (Successor), the period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017 (Successor) and the period January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017 (Predecessor), there are no intersegment revenues or other intersegment transactions. Segment assets are evaluated by management based on each segment’s investment in property and equipment, and assets other than property and equipment are not allocated to segments.

Summarized financial information with respect to the reportable segments is as follows:

 

Successor

           
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018    ES      M&TS      All
Other
     Totals  

Revenue

   $ 47,785      $ 107,744      $      $ 155,529  

Segment gross profit

     12,469        6,630               19,099  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     5,410        1,029        1,992        8,431  

Segment property and equipment, net

     77,577        28,443        404        106,424  

Segment goodwill

     59,377        16,622               75,999  

Expenditures for segment assets

     1,242        2,131               3,373  
Period from January 13, 2017 through March 31, 2017    ES      M&TS      All
Other
     Totals  

Revenue

   $ 47,856      $ 11,109      $      $ 58,965  

Segment gross profit

     13,036        2,694               15,730  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     5,546        566        45        6,157  

Segment property and equipment, net

     78,673        24,635        458        103,766  

Segment goodwill

     56,846        16,622               73,468  

Expenditures for segment assets

 

    

 

720

 

 

 

    

 

831

 

 

 

    

 

17

 

 

 

    

 

1,568

 

 

 

 

Predecessor

           
Period from January 1, 2017 through January 12, 2017    ES      M&TS      All
Other
     Totals  

Revenue

   $ 7,451      $ 1,679      $      $ 9,130  

Segment gross profit

     1,412        417               1,829  

Segment depreciation and amortization expense

     688        70        5        763  

 

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CHARAH, LLC AND ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements, continued

(dollars in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The following is a reconciliation of segment assets to total assets and segment gross profit to net income:

 

     Successor            Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2018

(Unaudited)
    Period from
January 13,
2017
through
March 31,
2017

(Unaudited)
           Period from
January 1,
2017
through
January 12,
2017
 

Segment property and equipment, net

   $ 106,424     $ 103,766         

Segment goodwill

     75,999       73,468         

Non-segment assets

     234,495       169,965         
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

Total assets

   $ 416,918     $ 347,199         
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

Segment gross profit

   $ 19,099     $ 15,730          $ 1,829  

General and administrative expenses

     14,382       6,516            3,170  

Interest expense

     (4,131     (1,055          (4,181

Income from equity method investment

     587       206            48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,173     $ 8,365          $ (5,474
  

 

 

   

 

 

        

 

 

 

13. Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through May 18, 2018, the date financial statements were issued.

 

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Table of Contents

 

LOGO

Prospectus

Morgan Stanley

BofA Merrill Lynch

Stifel

Macquarie Capital

First Analysis Securities Corp.

Houlihan Lokey

                , 2018

Through and including                 , 2018 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver when acting as underwriters and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.


Table of Contents

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 in connection with the registration of the common stock offered hereby. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, FINRA filing fee and the NYSE listing fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.

 

SEC registration fee

     $12,450  

FINRA filing fee

     *  

NYSE 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

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that a director will not be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. 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 corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided for in our certificate of incorporation, will be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the amended DGCL. Our amended and restated bylaws will provide that the corporation will indemnify, and advance expenses to, any officer or director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.

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 amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also contain indemnification rights for our directors and our officers. Specifically, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. Furthermore, we may maintain insurance on behalf of our officers and directors against expense, liability or loss asserted incurred by them in their capacities as officers and directors.

 

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Table of Contents

We have obtained directors’ and officers’ insurance to cover our directors, officers and some of our employees for certain liabilities.

We will enter into written indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. Under these proposed agreements, if an officer or director makes a claim of indemnification to us, either a majority of the independent directors or independent legal counsel selected by the independent directors must review the relevant facts and make a determination whether the officer or director has met the standards of conduct under Delaware law that would permit (under Delaware law) and require (under the indemnification agreement) us to indemnify the officer or director.

The underwriting agreement provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers and directors, and by us of the underwriters, for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise in connection with this offering.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

In connection with our incorporation in January 2018 under the laws of the State of Delaware, we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to Charah Management LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $10.00. These securities were offered and sold by us in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. These shares will be redeemed for nominal value in connection with our reorganization.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

See the Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page hereto, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

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.

 

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Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
number

    

Description

  *1.1      Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1      Certificate of Incorporation of Charah Solutions, Inc.
  *3.2      Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charah Solutions, Inc.
  *3.3      Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Charah Solutions, Inc.
  4.1      Form of Registration Rights Agreement.
  *4.2      Form of Stockholders’ Agreement.
  *4.3      Form of Common Stock Certificate.
  *5.1      Form of Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  *†10.1      Form of Charah Solutions, Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
  †10.2      Form of Indemnification Agreement.
  10.3      ABL Credit Agreement, dated October  25, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC, Allied Power Management, LLC and Allied Power Services, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Regions Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer.
  10.4      First Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement, dated December 8, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC, Allied Power Management, LLC and Allied Power Services, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Regions Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer.
  10.5      Second Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement, dated April 27, 2018, by and among Charah, LLC, Allied Power Management, LLC and Allied Power Services, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Regions Bank, as administrative agent, collateral agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer.
  10.6      Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated October  25, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member, LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent.
  10.7      First Amendment to Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated April 27, 2018, by and among Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC, as borrowers, Charah Sole Member, LLC and Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent.
  10.8      Employment Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, with Charles E. Price.
  10.9      Employment Agreement, dated January 13, 2017, with Bruce Kramer.
  10.10      Employment Agreement, dated July 12, 2017, with Dorsey Ron McCall.
  21.1      List of subsidiaries of Charah Solutions, Inc.
  23.1      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Charah Solutions, Inc.).
  23.2      Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (Charah, LLC and Allied Power Management, LLC).
  *23.3      Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1 hereto).

 

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Table of Contents


Table of Contents

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 Louisville, State of Kentucky, on May 18, 2018.

 

Charah Solutions, Inc.
By:   /s/ Charles Price
  Charles Price
  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Charles Price and Bruce Kramer, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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 indicated below as of May 18, 2018.

 

/s/ Charles Price

Charles Price

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Bruce Kramer

   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Dorsey Ron McCall

Dorsey Ron McCall

  

Senior Vice President and Director

/s/ Mark Spender

Mark Spender

  

Director

 

II-5

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CHARAH SOLUTIONS, INC.

ARTICLE ONE

The name of the corporation is Charah Solutions, Inc. (hereinafter called the “ Corporation ”).

ARTICLE TWO

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

ARTICLE THREE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”).

ARTICLE FOUR

The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue is one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock, with a par value of one cent ($0.01) per share.

ARTICLE FIVE

The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are as follows:

 

NAME

  

MAILING ADDRESS

Charlotte M. Willingham

  

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

609 Main Street, Suite 4700

Houston, Texas 77002

ARTICLE SIX

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

ARTICLE SEVEN

In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by the DGCL, the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”) is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation.


ARTICLE EIGHT

The number of directors of the Corporation shall be as specified in, or determined in the manner provided in, the bylaws of the Corporation. Unless and except to the extent that the bylaws of the Corporation so provide, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

ARTICLE NINE

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

ARTICLE TEN

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. Any repeal or modification of this ARTICLE TEN shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any right or protection of, or limitation of the liability of, a director of the Corporation existing at, or arising out of facts or incidents occurring prior to, the effective date of such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.

ARTICLE TWELVE

To the maximum extent permitted from time to time under the law of the State of Delaware, the Corporation renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to its officers, directors or stockholders, other than those officers, directors or stockholders who are employees of the Corporation. No amendment or repeal of this ARTICLE TWELVE shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any officer, director or stockholder of the Corporation for or with respect to any opportunities of which such officer, director, or stockholder becomes aware prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

The Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend, change, or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by law; and all rights, preferences and privileges of any nature conferred upon directors, stockholders, or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to such reservation.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator hereinbefore named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts stated herein are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand on the 30th day of January, 2018.

 

/s/ Charlotte M. Willingham
Charlotte M. Willingham, Sole Incorporator

Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation of Charah Solutions, Inc.

Exhibit 4.1

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of [●], 2018, by and among Charah Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the other parties listed on the signature pages hereto (the “ Initial Holders ” and, together with the Company, the “ Parties ”).

WHEREAS, in connection with, and in consideration of, the transactions contemplated by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. [●]), the Initial Holders have requested, and the Company has agreed to provide, registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as hereinafter defined) as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1.     Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, the Company and the Initial Holders shall not be considered Affiliates of each other.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405.

BCP ” means collectively, the (i) affiliates (including Charah Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership) of and (ii) investment funds affiliated with or managed by, in each case, Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP.

Blackout Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3(o) .

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, any federal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required to be closed by law or governmental action.

CEP Holdings ” means CEP Holdings, Inc.


CEP Requested Underwritten Offering has the meaning set forth in Section  2(b)(ii) .

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or Exchange Act.

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

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Securities ” means any equity interest of any class or series in the Company.

Demand Holder ” means BCP and any transferee permitted pursuant to Section 8(e) that is designated by BCP as a “Demand Holder.”

Demand Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(a)(i) .

Demand Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2(a)(i) .

Effective Date ” means the time and date that a Registration Statement is first declared effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective.

Effectiveness Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii).

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Holder ” means (i) each Initial Holder unless and until such Initial Holder ceases to hold any Registrable Securities and (ii) any holder of Registrable Securities to whom registration rights conferred by this Agreement have been transferred in compliance with Section 8(e) hereof; provided , that any Person referenced in clause (ii) shall be a Holder only if such Person agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement.

Holder Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Holder Restricted Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3(q) .

Initial Holders ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Initiating Demand Holder ” means the Demand Holder upon delivering the Demand Notice or the Underwritten Offering Notice, as applicable.

Restricted Period ” has the meaning set forth in the underwriting agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the initial underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock.

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6(a) .

 

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Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, estate, trust, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Piggyback Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Registration Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Registration Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Proceeding ” means any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation (including a preliminary investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, to be threatened.

Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A, Rule 430B or Rule 430C promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

Registrable Securities ” means the Shares; provided , however , that Registrable Securities shall not include: (i) any Shares that have been registered under the Securities Act and disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement or otherwise transferred to a Person that is not entitled to the registration and other rights hereunder; (ii) any Shares that have been sold or transferred by the Holder thereof pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act) and the transferee thereof does not receive “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144; (iii) any Shares that cease to be outstanding (whether as a result of repurchase and cancellation, conversion or otherwise); and (iv) any Shares that are eligible for resale without restriction (including any limitation thereunder on volume or manner of sale) and without the need for current public information pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act, unless such Registrable Securities are held by a Holder that beneficially owns Shares representing 5% or more of the aggregate voting power of shares of Common Stock eligible to vote in the election of directors of the Company.

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5 .

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement of the Company in the form required to register under the Securities Act and other applicable law the resale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution of each Holder of Registrable Securities included therein (for the avoidance of doubt, including a Registration Statement on Form S-1 and a Registration Statement on Form S-3), and including any Prospectus, amendments and supplements to each such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

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Requested Underwritten Offering ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

Rule 405 ” means Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

Rule 415 ” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

Rule 424 ” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder (except as set forth in Section  5 ).

Shares ” means (i) the shares of Common Stock held by the Holders as of the date hereof, and (ii) any other equity interests of the Company or equity interests in any successor of the Company issued in respect of such shares by reason of or in connection with any stock dividend, stock split, combination, reorganization, recapitalization, conversion to another type of entity or similar event involving a change in the capital structure of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to hold Shares, and such Shares shall be deemed to be in existence, whenever such Person has the right to acquire such Shares (upon conversion, exchange or exercise in connection with a transfer of securities or otherwise, but disregarding any restrictions or limitations upon the exercise of such right other than vesting), whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected, and such Person shall be entitled to exercise the rights of a holder of Shares.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Registration Statement of the Company filed with the Commission on Form S-3 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) for an offering to be made on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415 (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission) covering the Registrable Securities, as applicable.

Suspension Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8(b) .

Trading Market ” means the principal national securities exchange on which Registrable Securities are listed.

 

4


Underwritten Offering ” means an underwritten offering of Common Stock for cash (whether a Requested Underwritten Offering, a CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, or in connection with a public offering of Common Stock by the Company, stockholders or both), excluding an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or S-8 or an offering on any registration statement form that does not permit secondary sales.

Underwritten Offering Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).

Underwritten Offering Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii).

Underwritten Offering Piggyback Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii).

Underwritten Piggyback Offering ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(ii).

WKSI ” means a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined under Rule 405.

Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Sections refer to Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (d) the terms “hereof,” “hereto,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (e) unless the context otherwise requires, the term “or” is not exclusive and shall have the inclusive meaning of “and/or”; (f) defined terms herein will apply equally to both the singular and plural forms and derivative forms of defined terms will have correlative meanings; (g) references to any law or statute shall include all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and references to any law or statute shall be construed as including any legal and statutory provisions consolidating, amending, succeeding or replacing the applicable law or statute; (h) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns; and (i) references to “days” are to calendar days unless otherwise indicated.

2.     Registration .

(a)    Demand Registration.

(i)    At any time after the expiration or early termination of the Restricted Period, the Demand Holder shall have the option and right, exercisable by delivering a written notice to the Company (a “ Demand Notice ”), to require the Company to, pursuant to the terms of and subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement registering the offering and sale of the number and type of Registrable Securities on the terms and conditions specified in the Demand Notice, which may include sales on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Demand Registration ”). The Demand Notice must set forth the number of Registrable Securities that the Initiating Demand Holder intends to include in such Demand Registration and the intended methods of disposition thereof.

 

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(ii)    Within ten Business Days after the receipt of the Demand Notice (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, within forty-five days thereof), the Company shall, subject to the limitations of this Section 2(a), file a Registration Statement in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Demand Notice. The Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such Registration Statement to become and remain effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold (the “ Effectiveness Period ”).

(iii)    A Demand Holder may withdraw all or any portion of its Registrable Securities included in a Demand Registration from such Demand Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement.

(iv)    The Company may include in any such Demand Registration other Company Securities for sale for its own account or for the account of any other Person, subject to Section  2(c)(iii) .

(v)    Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, the Company shall effect any Demand Registration on such appropriate registration form of the Commission (A) as shall be selected by the Company and (B) as shall permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition specified in the Demand Notice; provided , that if the Company becomes, and is at the time of its receipt of a Demand Notice, a WKSI, the Demand Registration for any offering and selling of Registrable Securities shall be effected pursuant to an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, which shall be on Form S-3 or any equivalent or successor form under the Securities Act (if available to the Company). If at any time a Registration Statement on Form S-3 is effective and a the Initiating Demand Holder provides written notice to the Company that it intends to effect an offering of all or part of the Registrable Securities included on such Registration Statement, the Company will amend or supplement such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such offering to take place.

(vi)    Without limiting Section  3 , in connection with any Demand Registration pursuant to and in accordance with this Section  2(a) , the Company shall (A) promptly prepare and file or cause to be prepared and filed (1) such additional forms, amendments, supplements, prospectuses, certificates, letters, opinions and other documents, as may be necessary or advisable to register or qualify the securities subject to such Demand Registration, including under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Demand Holders shall reasonably request; provided , however , that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of registration and (2) such forms, amendments, supplements, prospectuses, certificates, letters, opinions and other documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Registrable Securities subject to such Demand Registration on the Trading Market and (B) do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or appropriate or reasonably requested by the Demand Holders to enable the Demand Holders to consummate a public sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended timing and method or methods of distribution thereof.

 

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(vii)    In the event a Demand Holder transfers Registrable Securities included on a Registration Statement and such Registrable Securities remain Registrable Securities following such transfer, at the request of such Demand Holder, the Company shall amend or supplement such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such transferee to offer and sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided , that in no event shall the Company be required to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement unless (A) such Registration Statement includes only Registrable Securities held by the Demand Holder, Affiliates of the Demand Holder or transferees of the Demand Holder or (B) the Company has received written consent therefor from a Person for whom Registrable Securities have been registered on (but not yet sold under) such Registration Statement, other than the Demand Holder, Affiliates of the Demand Holder or transferees of the Demand Holder.

(b)    Requested Underwritten Offering.

(i)    Any Demand Holder then able to effectuate a Demand Registration pursuant to the terms of Section  2(a) , shall have the option and right, exercisable by delivering written notice to the Company of its intention to distribute Registrable Securities by means of an Underwritten Offering (an “ Underwritten Offering Notice ”), to require the Company, pursuant to the terms of and subject to the limitations of this Agreement, to effectuate a distribution of any or all of its Registrable Securities by means of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a new Demand Registration or pursuant to an effective Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities (a “ Requested Underwritten Offering ”). The Underwritten Offering Notice must set forth the number of Registrable Securities that the Initiating Demand Holder intends to include in such Requested Underwritten Offering. The managing underwriter or managing underwriters of a Requested Underwritten Offering shall be designated by the Initiating Demand Holder.

(ii)    CEP Holdings shall have the option and right, exercisable only once, by delivering an Underwritten Offering Notice, to require the Company, pursuant to the terms of and subject to the limitations of this Agreement, to effectuate a distribution of any or all of its Registrable Securities by means of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an effective Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities (a “ CEP Requested Underwritten Offering ”); The Underwritten Offering Notice must set forth the number of Registrable Securities that CEP Holdings intends to include in such CEP Requested Underwritten Offering. The managing underwriter or managing underwriters of a CEP Requested Underwritten Offering shall be designated by the Company. CEP Holdings’ rights pursuant to this Section  2(b)(ii) shall terminate upon the successful completion of a CEP Requested Underwritten Offering.

(c)    Piggyback Registration and Piggyback Underwritten Offering.

(i)    If the Company shall at any time propose to file (i) a Registration Statement under the Securities Act or (ii) a Prospectus supplement to an effective Registration Statement for an offering to which Demand Holders may be included without the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to which such Prospectus supplement relates, in each case, with respect to an offering of Company Securities (other than a Registration Statement on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or filed solely in connection

 

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with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan), then the Company shall promptly notify all Demand Holders of such proposal reasonably in advance of (and in any event at least five Business Days before) the anticipated filing date (the “ Piggyback Registration Notice ”). The Piggyback Registration Notice shall offer Demand Holders the opportunity to include for registration in such Registration Statement or Prospectus supplement the number of Registrable Securities as they may request in writing (a “ Piggyback Registration ”). The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include in each such Piggyback Registration such Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein (“ Piggyback Registration Request ”) within three Business Days after sending the Piggyback Registration Notice. Each Demand Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such Demand Holder’s Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw; provided , that (A) such request must be made in writing prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement and (B) such withdrawal shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal, a Demand Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the Piggyback Registration as to which such withdrawal was made. Any withdrawing Demand Holder shall continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent Registration Statement or Registration Statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of Company Securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

(ii)    If the Company shall at any time propose to conduct an Underwritten Offering, whether or not for its own account, then the Company shall promptly notify all Demand Holders of such proposal reasonably in advance of (and in any event at least five Business Days before or two Business Days before in connection with a “bought deal” or overnight Underwritten Offering) the commencement of the Underwritten Offering, which notice shall set forth the principal terms and conditions of the issuance, including the proposed offering price (or range of offering prices), the anticipated filing date of the related Registration Statement (if applicable) and the number of shares of Common Stock that are proposed to be registered (the “ Underwritten Offering Piggyback Notice ”). Receipt of any Underwritten Offering Piggyback Notice provided to any Demand Holder pursuant to this Section  2(c)(ii) shall be kept confidential by each such Demand Holder until such proposed Underwritten Offering is (i) publicly announced or (ii) such Demand Holder receives notice that such proposed Underwritten Offering has been abandoned, which notice shall be provided promptly by the Company to each Demand Holder. The Underwritten Offering Piggyback Notice shall offer Demand Holders the opportunity to include in such Underwritten Offering (and any related registration, if applicable) the number of Registrable Securities as they may request in writing (an “ Underwritten Piggyback Offering ”); provided , however , that in the event that the Company proposes to effectuate the subject Underwritten Offering pursuant to an effective Shelf Registration Statement of the Company other than an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, only Registrable Securities of Demand Holders that are subject to an effective Shelf Registration Statement may be included in such Underwritten Piggyback Offering. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include in each such Underwritten Piggyback Offering such Registrable Securities for which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein (“ Underwritten Offering Piggyback Request ”) within three Business Days after sending the Underwritten Offering Piggyback Notice (or one Business Day in connection with a “bought deal” or overnight Underwritten Offering). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  2(c)(ii) , if the Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section  2(c)(ii) is a “bought deal”

 

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or overnight Underwritten Offering and the managing underwriter advises the Company that the giving of notice pursuant to this Section  2(c)(ii) would materially adversely affect the Underwritten Offering, no such notice shall be required. Each Demand Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of such Demand Holder’s Registrable Securities from an Underwritten Piggyback Offering at any time prior to the applicable offering, and such Demand Holder shall continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent Underwritten Offerings, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

(iii)    If the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of an Underwritten Offering advise the Company, the Demand Holders, and, in the case of a CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, CEP Holdings, in writing that in their reasonable opinion the inclusion of all of the Holders’ Registrable Securities requested for inclusion in the subject Underwritten Offering (and any related registration, if applicable) (and any other Common Stock proposed to be included in such offering) exceeds the number that can be included without being likely to have a significant adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered or the market for the securities offered, the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering (and any related registration, if applicable) only that number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such Underwritten Offering (and any related registration, if applicable) that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not have such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated as follows: (A) in the case of a Requested Underwritten Offering, (x) first pro rata among all Demand Holders that have requested to include Registrable Securities in such Requested Underwritten Offering based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Demand Holder and, (y) second to the Company; (B) in the case of a CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, (x) first pro rata among all Demand Holders that have requested to include Registrable Securities and CEP Holdings based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder and, (y) second to the Company; and (C) in the case of any other Underwritten Offerings, (x) first, to the Company, (y) second, if there remains availability for additional shares of Common Stock to be included in such Underwritten Offering, pro rata among all Holders desiring to include Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering based on the relative number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder, and (z) third, if there remains availability for additional shares of Common Stock to be included in such registration, pro rata among any other holders entitled to participate in such Underwritten Offering, if applicable, based on the relative number of Common Stock then held by each such holder. If any Demand Holder disapproves of the terms of any such Underwritten Offering, or if CEP Holdings disapproves of the terms of any CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the managing underwriter(s) delivered on or prior to the time of the commencement of such offering. Any Registrable Securities withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration.

(iv)    The Company shall have the right, at any time after giving the Piggyback Registration Notice and prior to the Effective Date of the applicable Registration Statement, to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section  2(c) at any time in its sole discretion, whether or not any Demand Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement, by giving written notice of such termination or withdrawal to each Demand Holder. The Registration Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section  4 hereof.

 

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3.     Registration and Underwritten Offering Procedures .

The procedures to be followed by the Company and each Holder electing to sell Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, and the respective rights and obligations of the Company and such Holders, with respect to the preparation, filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement and the effectuation of any Underwritten Offering, are as follows:

(a)    In connection with a Demand Registration, the Company will, at least three Business Days prior to the anticipated filing of the Registration Statement and any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than, after effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any filing made under the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement), (i) furnish to such Demand Holders copies of all such documents prior to filing and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to address in each such document when so filed with the Commission such comments as such Demand Holders reasonably shall propose prior to the filing thereof.

(b)    In connection with a Piggyback Registration, Underwritten Piggyback Offering or a Requested Underwritten Offering, the Company will, at least three Business Days prior to (or two Business Days in connection with a “bought deal” or overnight Underwritten Offering) the anticipated filing of any initial Registration Statement that identifies the Demand Holders and any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than amendments and supplements that do not materially alter the previous disclosure or do nothing more than name Demand Holders and provide information with respect thereto), as applicable, (i) furnish to such Demand Holders copies of any such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto that identify the Demand Holders and any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than amendments and supplements that do not materially alter the previous disclosure or do nothing more than name Demand Holders and provide information with respect thereto) prior to filing and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to address in each such document when so filed with the Commission such comments as such Demand Holders reasonably shall propose prior to the filing thereof.

(c)    The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as reasonably practicable (i) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered thereby for its Effectiveness Period and, subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities held by the Holders; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and (iii) respond to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, as promptly as reasonably practicable provide such Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to such Registration Statement that pertains to such Holders as selling stockholders but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to such Holders of material and non-public information concerning the Company.

 

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(d)    The Company will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the Registration Statements and the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement.

(e)    The Company will notify such Holders that are included in a Registration Statement as promptly as reasonably practicable: (i) (A) when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement in which such Holder is included has been filed; (B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of the applicable Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing on such Registration Statement (in which case the Company shall provide true and complete copies thereof and all written responses thereto to each of such Holders that pertain to such Holders as selling stockholders); and (C) with respect to each applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has been declared effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to such Holders as sellers of Registrable Securities; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) 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; and (v) of the occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires any revisions to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of such 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, or in the case of such Prospectus, it will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading ( provided , however , that no notice by the Company shall be required pursuant to this clause (v) in the event that the Company either promptly files a Prospectus supplement to update the Prospectus or a Form 8-K or other appropriate Exchange Act report that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, which in either case, contains the requisite information that results in such Registration Statement no longer containing any untrue statement of material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or such Prospectus no longer including any untrue statement of material fact or omitting 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)    The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as promptly as

 

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reasonably practicable, or if any such order or suspension is made effective during any Blackout Period or Suspension Period, as promptly as reasonably practicable after such Blackout Period or Suspension Period is over.

(g)    During the Effectiveness Period, the Company will furnish to each such Holder, included in such Registration Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such Holder (including those incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission; provided , that the Company will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system.

(h)    The Company will promptly deliver to each Holder, included in such Prospectus, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each form of Prospectus) authorized by the Company for use and each amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may reasonably request during the Effectiveness Period. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, including Section  8(b) , the Company consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(i)    The Company will cooperate with such Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates shall be free of all restrictive legends indicating that the Registrable Securities are unregistered or unqualified for resale under the Securities Act, Exchange Act or other applicable securities laws, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may request in writing. In connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly, after the Effective Date of the Registration Statement, cause an opinion of counsel as to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to be delivered to and maintained with its transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without any such legend upon sale by the Holder of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement.

(j)    Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section  3(e)(v) , as promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company will prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, if required by applicable law, to the affected Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered, no Registration Statement will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and no Prospectus will include an 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.

 

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(k)    With respect to Underwritten Offerings, (i) the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein, (ii) each Holder participating in such Underwritten Offering agrees to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form and sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled to select the managing underwriter or managing underwriters hereunder and (iii) each Holder participating in such Underwritten Offering agrees to complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents customarily and reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. The Company hereby agrees with each Holder that, in connection with any Underwritten Offering in accordance with the terms hereof, it will negotiate in good faith and execute all indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, including using all commercially reasonable efforts to procure customary legal opinions and auditor “comfort” letters.

(l)    For a reasonable period prior to the filing of any Registration Statement and throughout the Effectiveness Period, the Company will make available, upon reasonable notice at the Company’s principal place of business or such other reasonable place, for inspection during normal business hours by a representative or representatives of the selling Holders, the managing underwriter or managing underwriters and any attorneys or accountants retained by such selling Holders or underwriters, all such financial and other information and books and records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary (and in the case of counsel, not violate an attorney-client privilege in such counsel’s reasonable belief) to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided , however , that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Persons unless disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or, in the opinion of counsel to such Person, law, in which case, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure and, if requested by the Company, assist the Company in seeking to prevent or limit the proposed disclosure.

(m)    In connection with any Requested Underwritten Offering or CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause appropriate officers and employees to be available, on a customary basis and upon reasonable notice, to meet with prospective investors in presentations, meetings and road shows.

(n)    Each Holder agrees to furnish to the Company any other information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as the Company reasonably determines is required to be included in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or Prospectus supplement relating to an Underwritten Offering.

(o)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to file a Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or effect a Requested Underwritten Offering or CEP Requested Underwritten Offering (or, if the Company

 

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has filed a Shelf Registration Statement and has included Registrable Securities therein, the Company shall be entitled to suspend the offer and sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement) for a period of up to 45 days if (i) the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company determines that a postponement is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders generally due to a pending transaction involving the Company (including a pending securities offering by the Company), (ii) the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company determines such registration would render the Company unable to comply with applicable securities laws or (iii) the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company determines such registration would require disclosure of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential (any such period, a “ Blackout Period ”). In the event of a Blackout Period resulting from a pending transaction identified in Section  3(o)(i) above that is an Underwritten Offering, such Blackout Period may be extended for up to an additional 45 days if the managing underwriter or managing underwriters for such Underwritten Offering have notified the Company of the need to extend such Blackout Period. The Company shall not be entitled to exercise its right of suspension or postponement, as the case may be, pursuant to this Section  3(o) more than once in any 12-month period, and in no event shall any Blackout Period together with any Suspension Period exceed an aggregate of 120 days in any 12-month period.

(p)    In connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to provide to each Holder named as a selling security holder in any Registration Statement a copy of any auditor “comfort” letters or customary legal opinions, in each case that have been provided to the managing underwriter or managing underwriters in connection with the Underwritten Offering, not later than the Business Day prior to the Effective Date of such Registration Statement.

(q)    In connection with any Underwritten Offering initiated by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account, any Holder that together with its Affiliates owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (or otherwise retains the right to appoint one or more directors to the Board pursuant to that certain Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company and the other signatories thereto) and participates in such Underwritten Offering, shall execute a customary “lock-up” agreement with the underwriters of such Underwritten Offering containing a lock-up period equal to the shorter of (i) the shortest number of days that a director of the Company, “executive officer” (as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act) of the Company or any stockholder of the Company (other than a Holder or director or employee of, or consultant to, the Company) who owns 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock contractually agrees to with the underwriters of such Underwritten Offering not to sell any securities of the Company following such Underwritten Offering and (ii) 45 days from the date of the execution of the underwriting agreement with respect to such Underwritten Offering (each such period, a “ Holder Restricted Period ”).

4.     No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights . The Company shall not hereafter enter into, and is not currently a party to, any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respect with, superior to or in any way violates or subordinates the rights granted to the Holders by this Agreement.

 

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5.     Registration Expenses . All Registration Expenses incident to the Parties’ performance of or compliance with their respective obligations under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with any Demand Registration, Requested Underwritten Offering, CEP Requested Underwritten Offering, Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Piggyback Offering (in each case, excluding any Selling Expenses) shall be borne by the Company, whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. “ Registration Expenses ” shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with the Trading Market and (B) in compliance with applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws), (ii) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for Company Securities and of printing Prospectuses if the printing of Prospectuses is reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement), (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel, auditors and accountants for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, (vi) fees and expenses of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses of one law firm of national standing selected by the Holders owning the majority of the Registrable Securities to be included in any such registration or offering and (viii) all expenses relating to marketing the sale of the Registrable Securities, including expenses related to conducting a “road show.” In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including expenses payable to third parties and including all salaries and expenses of their officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the Trading Market.

6.     Indemnification .

(a)    The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, its Affiliates and each of their respective officers and directors and any agent thereof (collectively, “ Holder Indemnified Persons ”), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including reasonable costs of preparation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Holder Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (collectively, “ Losses ”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which any Registrable Securities were registered, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or included in any preliminary Prospectus (if the Company authorized the use of such preliminary Prospectus prior to the Effective Date), any summary or final Prospectus or free writing Prospectus (if such free writing Prospectus was authorized for use by the Company) or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Company is required to keep the Registration Statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made

 

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therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable to any Holder Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, such preliminary, summary or final Prospectus or free writing Prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof. The Company shall notify the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have and shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Person or any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section  6 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement indefinitely.

(b)    In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder participates, such Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and any agent thereof, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all Losses as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, or in any preliminary Prospectus (if used prior to the Effective Date of such Registration Statement), any summary or final Prospectus or free writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Company is required to keep the Registration Statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that the same are made in reliance and in conformity with information relating to the Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder for use therein. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability such Holder may otherwise have and shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or any indemnified party. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.

(c)    Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim or there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party that is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the

 

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defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party that are in addition to or may conflict with those available to another indemnified party with respect to such claim. Failure to give prompt written notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligations hereunder.

(d)    If the indemnification provided for in this Section  6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any Losses referred to herein, the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by applicable law contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and of the indemnified party, on the other, in connection with the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided , that in no event shall any contribution by a Holder hereunder exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.

7.     Facilitation of Sales Pursuant to Rule 144 . To the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (including the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144), and shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable the Holders to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144. Upon the request of any Holder in connection with that Holder’s sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

8.     Miscellaneous .

(a)     Remedies . In the event of actual or potential breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b)     Discontinued Disposition . Subject to the last sentence of Section  3(o) , each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any

 

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event of the kind described in clauses (ii) through (v) of Section  3(e) , such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemental Prospectus or amended Registration Statement as contemplated by Section  3(j) or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement (a “ Suspension Period ”). The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this Section  8(b) .

(c)     Amendments and Waivers . No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written instrument signed by the Company and Holders that hold a majority of the Registrable Securities as of the date of such waiver or amendment; provided , that any waiver or amendment that would have a disproportionate adverse effect on a Holder relative to the other Holders shall require the consent of such Holder. The Company shall provide prior notice to all Holders of any proposed waiver or amendment. No waiver of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any Party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right.

(d)     Notices . Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or electronic mail as specified in this Section  8(d) prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on a Business Day, (ii) the Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile or electronic mail as specified in this Agreement later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on such date, (iii) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service (iv) upon actual receipt by the Party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows:

 

If to the Company:    Charah Solutions, Inc.
   Attention: Chief Financial Officer
   12601 Plantside Dr.
   Louisville, KY 40299
   Electronic mail: BKramer@charah.com
With copy to:    Kirkland & Ellis
   Attention: Julian J. Seiguer; Michael W. Rigdon
   609 Main Street, Suite 4700
   Houston, Texas 77002
   Electronic mail: julian.seiguer@kirkland.com;
   michael.rigdon@kirkland.com
If to any person that is then the registered Holder:    To the address of such a Holder as it appears in the applicable register for the Registrable Securities or such other address as may be designated in writing by such Holder (including on the signature pages hereto).

 

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(e)     Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. Except as provided in this Section  8(e) , this Agreement, and any rights or obligations hereunder, may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company (acting through the Board of Directors) and the Holders. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, the rights of a Holder pursuant to this Agreement with respect to all or any portion of its Registrable Securities may be assigned without such consent (but only with all related obligations) with respect to such Registrable Securities (and any Registrable Securities issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, in exchange for or in replacement of such Registrable Securities) by such Holder to a transferee of such Registrable Securities; provided , that (i) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Company may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holders.

(f)     No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give any Person, other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedy, claim or benefit under or in respect of this Agreement.

(g)     Execution and Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such signature delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission were the original thereof.

(h)     Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Delaware Court of Chancery (and if jurisdiction in the Delaware Court of Chancery shall be unavailable, the Federal courts of the United States of America sitting in the State of Delaware) for the purpose of any suit, action, proceeding or judgment relating to or arising out of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Service of process in connection with any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on each Party anywhere in the world by the same methods as are specified for the giving of notices under this Agreement. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such courts and irrevocably waives any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND REPRESENTS THAT COUNSEL HAS BEEN CONSULTED SPECIFICALLY AS TO THIS WAIVER.

 

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(i)     Cumulative Remedies . The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

(j)     Severability . If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

(k)     Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof and the matters addressed or governed hereby, whether oral or written.

(l)     Termination . Except for Section  6 , this Agreement shall terminate as to any Holder, when all Registrable Securities held by such Holder no longer constitute Registrable Securities.

 

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

 

COMPANY:
CHARAH SOLUTIONS, INC.
By:  

                                                                                   

Name:   Charles E. Price
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
HOLDERS:
BERNHARD CAPITAL PARTNERS MANAGEMENT, LP
By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  
CEP HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

                                                                                   

Name:   Charles E. Price
Title:  

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit 10.2

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement is effective as of [●], 2018, (this “ Agreement ”) and is between Charah Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and the undersigned director/officer of the Company (the “ Indemnitee ”).

Background

The Company believes that, in order to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve as directors or in other capacities, including as officers, it must provide such persons with adequate protection through indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to and activities on behalf of the Company.

The Company desires and has requested Indemnitee to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company and, in order to induce the Indemnitee to serve in such capacity, the Company is willing to grant the Indemnitee the indemnification provided for herein. Indemnitee is willing to so serve on the basis that such indemnification be provided.

The parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and the advancement of expenses.

In consideration of Indemnitee’s service to the Company and the covenants and agreements set forth below, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows.

Section 1.      Indemnification . To the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is made or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, as a witness or otherwise, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Company or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, fiduciary, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in any such capacity. The indemnification provided by this Section  1 shall be from and against all loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals.

Section 2.      Advance Payment of Expenses . To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Indemnitee in appearing at, participating in or defending any action, suit or proceeding or in connection with an enforcement action as contemplated by Section  3(e) , shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a


statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time. The Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to be indemnified by the Company in respect thereof. No other form of undertaking shall be required of Indemnitee other than the execution of this Agreement. This Section  2 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section  6 .

Section 3.      Procedure for Indemnification; Notification and Defense of Claim . Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the threat or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company hereunder, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof. The failure to promptly notify the Company of the commencement of the action, suit or proceeding, or of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee hereunder, except to the extent the Company is actually and materially prejudiced in its defense of such action, suit or proceeding as a result of such failure. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request therefor including such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to enable the Company to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.

(a)    With respect to any action, suit or proceeding of which the Company is so notified as provided in this Agreement, the Company shall, subject to the last two sentences of this paragraph, be entitled to assume the defense of such action, suit or proceeding, with counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any subsequently-incurred fees of separate counsel engaged by Indemnitee with respect to the same action, suit or proceeding unless the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized in writing by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Indemnitee, based on the advice of his or her counsel, shall have reasonably concluded (with written notice being given to the Company setting forth the basis for such conclusion) that, in the conduct of any such defense, there is or is reasonably likely to be a conflict of interest or position between the Company and Indemnitee with respect to a significant issue, then the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of Indemnitee, to assume such defense. In addition, the Company will not be entitled, without the written consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

(b)    To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, the Company’s assumption of the defense of an action, suit or proceeding in accordance with paragraph (a)  above will constitute an irrevocable acknowledgement by the Company that any loss and liability suffered by Indemnitee and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by or for the account of Indemnitee incurred in connection therewith are indemnifiable by the Company under Section  1 of this Agreement.

(c)    The determination whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request shall be made promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days following the Company’s receipt of a request for indemnification in accordance with Section  3 . If the Company determines that

 

2


Indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification or, as contemplated by paragraph (b)  above, the Company has acknowledged such entitlement, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee of the indemnifiable amount within such thirty (30) day period. If the Company is not deemed to have so acknowledged such entitlement or the Company’s determination of whether to grant Indemnitee’s indemnification request shall not have been made within such thirty (30) day period, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, subject to Section  6 , nonetheless be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under the DGCL.

(d)    In the event that (i) the Company determines in accordance with this Section  3 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company denies a request for indemnification, in whole or in part, or fails to respond or make a determination of entitlement to indemnification within thirty (30) days following receipt of a request for indemnification as described above, (iii) payment of indemnification is not made within such thirty (30) day period, (iv) advancement of expenses is not timely made in accordance with Section  2 , or (v) 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, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in any court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. Indemnitee’s expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with successfully establishing Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, in any such proceeding or otherwise shall also be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

(e)    Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification and advancement of expenses under this Agreement upon submission of a request therefor in accordance with Section  2 or Section  3 of this Agreement, as the case may be. The Company shall have the burden of proof in overcoming such presumption, and such presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification and advancement of expenses unless the Company overcomes such presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

Section 4.      Insurance and Subrogation . The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to purchase and maintain a policy or policies of insurance with reputable insurance companies providing Indemnitee with coverage for any liability asserted against, and incurred by, Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, fiduciary, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or arising out of Indemnitee’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify Indemnitee against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement. Such insurance policies shall have coverage terms and policy limits at least as favorable to Indemnitee

 

3


as the insurance coverage provided to any other director or officer of the Company. If the Company has such insurance in effect at the time the Company receives from Indemnitee any notice of the commencement of an action, suit or proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the policy. 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 policy.

(a)    Subject to Section  9(b) , in the event of any payment by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee with respect to any insurance policy. Indemnitee shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights in accordance with the terms of such insurance policy. The Company shall pay or reimburse all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such subrogation.

(b)    Subject to Section  9(b) , the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement, and excise taxes or penalties relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under this Agreement or any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

Section 5.      Certain Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply.

(a)    The term “ action, suit or proceeding ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit, arbitration, alternative dispute mechanism or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

(b)    The term “ by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any actual or alleged act or omission to act.

(c)    The term “ expenses ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect costs of any type or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and related disbursements, appeal bonds, other out-of-pocket costs and reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which Indemnitee is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party), actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with either the investigation, defense or appeal of an action, suit or proceeding or establishing or enforcing a right to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise incurred in connection with a claim that is indemnifiable hereunder.

 

4


(d)    The term “ judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, all direct and indirect payments of any type or nature whatsoever, as well as any penalties or excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan).

Section 6.      Limitation on Indemnification . Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, including, without limitation, Section  1 and Section  3(b) , the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to this Agreement:

(a)     Claims Initiated by Indemnitee . To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof), however denominated, initiated by Indemnitee, other than (i) an action, suit or proceeding brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Agreement (which shall be governed by the provisions of Section  6(b) of this Agreement) and (ii) an action, suit or proceeding (or part thereof) that was authorized or consented to by the board of directors of the Company, it being understood and agreed that such authorization or consent shall not be unreasonably withheld in connection with any compulsory counterclaim brought by Indemnitee in response to an action, suit or proceeding otherwise indemnifiable under this agreement.

(b)     Action for Indemnification . To indemnify Indemnitee for any expenses incurred by Indemnitee with respect to any action, suit or proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, unless Indemnitee is successful in such action, suit or proceeding in establishing Indemnitee’s right, in whole or in part, to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder (in which case such indemnification or advancement shall be to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL), or unless and to the extent that the court in such action, suit or proceeding shall determine that, despite Indemnitee’s failure to establish his or her right to indemnification, Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification for such expenses; provided , however , that nothing in this Section  6(b) is intended to limit the Company’s obligations with respect to the advancement of expenses to Indemnitee in connection with any such action, suit or proceeding instituted by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret this Agreement, as provided in Section  2 hereof.

(c)     Section  16(b) Matters . To indemnify Indemnitee on account of any suit in which judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for disgorgement of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(d)     Fraud or Willful Misconduct . To indemnify Indemnitee on account of conduct by Indemnitee where such conduct has been determined by a final (not interlocutory) judgment or other adjudication of a court or arbitration or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as to which there is no further right or option of appeal or the time within which an appeal must be filed has expired without such filing to have been knowingly fraudulent or constitute willful misconduct.

 

5


(e)     Prohibited by Law . To indemnify Indemnitee in any circumstance where such indemnification has been determined by a final (not interlocutory) judgment or other adjudication of a court or arbitration or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as to which there is no further right or option of appeal or the time within which an appeal must be filed has expired without such filing to be prohibited by law.

Section 7.      Certain Settlement Provisions . The Company shall have no obligation to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action, suit or proceeding without the Company’s prior written consent. The Company shall not settle any action, suit or proceeding in any manner that would impose any fine or other obligation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent. Neither the Company nor Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold his, her, its or their consent to any proposed settlement.

Section 8.      Savings Clause . If any provision or provisions (or portion thereof) of this Agreement shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (brought in the right of the Company or otherwise), whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal, including appeals, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or has agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or while serving as a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent (which, for purposes hereof, shall include a trustee, partner or manager or similar capacity) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, from and against all loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated.

Section 9.      Contribution/Jointly Indemnifiable Claims .

(a)    In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for herein is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part, it is agreed that, in such event, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, contribute to the payment of all of Indemnitee’s loss and liability suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, including any appeals, in an amount that is just and equitable in the circumstances; provided , that, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such contribution shall not be required where such holding by the court is due to any limitation on indemnification set forth in Section  4(c) , 6 (other than clause (e) ) or 7 hereof.

(b)    Given that certain jointly indemnifiable claims may arise due to the service of the Indemnitee as a director and/or officer of the Company at the request of the Indemnitee-related entities, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be

 

6


fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses in connection with any such jointly indemnifiable claim, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Indemnitee-related entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation against or contribution by the Indemnitee-related entities and no right of advancement, indemnification or recovery the Indemnitee may have from the Indemnitee-related entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnitee or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-related entities shall make any payment to the Indemnitee in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any jointly indemnifiable claim, the Indemnitee-related entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnitee against the Company, and Indemnitee shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-related entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. The Company and Indemnitee agree that each of the Indemnitee-related entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section  9(b) , entitled to enforce this Section  9(b) as though each such Indemnitee-related entity were a party to this Agreement. For purposes of this Section  9(b) , the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(i)    The term “ Indemnitee-related entities ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (other than the Company or any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise Indemnitee has agreed, on behalf of the Company or at the Company’s request, to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent and which service is covered by the indemnity described in this Agreement) from whom an Indemnitee may be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to which, in whole or in part, the Company may also have an indemnification or advancement obligation (other than as a result of obligations under an insurance policy).

(ii)    The term “ jointly indemnifiable claims ” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses from both the Indemnitee-related entities and the Company pursuant to the DGCL, any agreement or the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement, certificate of formation, certificate of limited partnership or comparable organizational documents of the Company or the Indemnitee-related entities, as applicable.

Section 10.      Form and Delivery of Communications . All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand, upon receipt by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier, one day after deposit with such courier and with written verification of receipt or (d) sent by email or facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral or written confirmation that such transmission has been received. Notice to the Company shall be directed to Bruce Kramer,

 

7


the Chief Financial Officer, by mail to Charah Solutions, Inc., 12601 Plantside Dr., Louisville, KY 40299. Notice to Indemnitee shall be directed to Indemnitee’s contact information on file with the Company’s Secretary or its Human Resources Department.

Section 11.      Nonexclusivity . The provisions for indemnification and advancement of expenses set forth in this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which Indemnitee may have under any provision of law, in any court in which a proceeding is brought, other agreements or otherwise, and Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. No amendment or alteration of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or any other agreement shall adversely affect the rights provided to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Section 12.      No Construction as Employment Agreement . Nothing contained herein shall be construed as giving Indemnitee any right to be retained as a director of the Company or in the employ of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided under this Agreement shall continue as to the Indemnitee even though he may have ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company.

Section 13.      Interpretation of Agreement . It is understood that the parties hereto intend this Agreement to be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL.

Section 14.      Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the documents expressly referred to herein constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the matters covered hereby, and any other prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements with respect to the matters covered hereby are expressly superseded by this Agreement.

Section 15.      Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification, waiver or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement may not be terminated by the Company without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

Section 16.      Successor and Assigns . All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any direct or indirect successor (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of such Indemnitor, by written agreement in form and substance reasonably 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.

Section 17.      Service of Process and Venue . The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the

 

8


Delaware Court ”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) 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, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably Corporation Trust Center, New Castle County, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) 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 18.      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall make a final determination that the provisions of the law of any state other than Delaware govern indemnification by the Company of Indemnitee, then the indemnification provided under this Agreement shall in all instances be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted under such law, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary.

Section 19.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument, notwithstanding that both parties are not signatories to the original or same counterpart.

Section 20.      Headings . The section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

9


This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered to be effective as of the date first above written.

 

Company :

 

CHARAH SOLUTIONS, INC.

    Indemnitee :
By:         By:    
Name:       Name:  
Title:       Title:  

 

 

Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

 

 

$45,000,000

REVOLVING LOAN FACILITY

CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of October 25, 2017

by and among

CHARAH, LLC; ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC; and ALLIED

POWER SERVICES, LLC,

as Borrowers,

CHARAH SOLE MEMBER, LLC and ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC,

each as a Parent and a Guarantor,

REGIONS BANK,

as Agent, Swingline Lender and LC Issuer,

and

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME

 

 

REGIONS CAPITAL MARKETS,

as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
   ARTICLE I   
   THE CREDITS   
1.1    Revolving Commitment      1  
1.2    [Reserved]      4  
1.3    Swingline Loans; Settlement      4  
1.4    Letter of Credit Facility      5  
1.5    Interest      9  
1.6    Fees      11  
1.7    Maximum Interest      13  
1.8    Manner of Borrowing and Funding Loans      13  
1.9    Defaulting Lender      14  
1.10    Borrower Agent      17  
1.11    One Obligation      18  
1.12    Effect of Termination      18  
1.13    Cash Collateral      18  
1.14    General Payment Provisions      19  
1.15    Repayment of Loans      19  
1.16    Payment of Other Obligations      20  
1.17    Post-Default Allocation of Payments      20  
1.18    Sharing of Payments      22  
1.19    Nature and Extent of each Borrower’s Liability      22  
   ARTICLE II   
   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   
2.1    Conditions Precedent to Initial Extensions of Credit      25  
2.2    Conditions to All Extensions of Credit      29  
   ARTICLE III   
   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   
3.1    Corporate Existence and Power      30  
3.2    Corporate Authorization; No Contravention      30  
3.3    Governmental and Third-Party Authorization      31  
3.4    Binding Effect      31  
3.5    Litigation      31  
3.6    No Default      31  
3.7    ERISA Compliance      31  

 

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3.8    Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations      31  
3.9    Ownership of Property; Liens      32  
3.10    Taxes      32  
3.11    Financial Condition      32  
3.12    Environmental Matters      33  
3.13    Regulated Entities      33  
3.14    Solvency      34  
3.15    Labor Relations      34  
3.16    Intellectual Property      34  
3.17    Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock      34  
3.18    Insurance      35  
3.19    Collateral Documents      35  
3.20    Senior Indebtedness; Subordination      36  
3.21    Full Disclosure      36  
3.22    OFAC; Sanctions; Anti-Corruption; Related Matters      37  
3.23    Borrowing Base Certificate      38  
   ARTICLE IV   
   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS   
4.1    Financial Statements      38  
4.2    Borrowing Base Reporting; Other Information      39  
4.3    Notices      42  
4.4    Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc.      43  
4.5    Maintenance of Property      43  
4.6    Insurance      43  
4.7    Payment of Taxes      45  
4.8    Compliance with Laws      45  
4.9    Inspection of Property and Books and Records      45  
4.10    Use of Proceeds      46  
4.11    [Reserved]      46  
4.12    Compliance with ERISA      46  
4.13    Further Assurances      46  
4.14    Environmental Matters      48  
4.15    Hazardous Materials      49  
4.16    Status of Parents      49  
4.17    Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Compliance with Requirements of Law      50  
4.18    [Reserved]      51  
4.19    Cash Management; Deposit Accounts      51  
4.20    Post-Closing Matters      51  

 

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   ARTICLE V   
   NEGATIVE COVENANTS   
5.1    Limitation on Liens      51  
5.2    Disposition of Assets      56  
5.3    Fundamental Changes      58  
5.4    Loans and Investments      58  
5.5    Limitation on Indebtedness      62  
5.6    Transactions with Affiliates      67  
5.7    Management Fees and Compensation      68  
5.8    [Reserved]      69  
5.9    Voluntary Prepayments of Permitted Term Indebtedness      69  
5.10    Issuance or Repurchase of Stock      69  
5.11    Restricted Payments      69  
5.12    Change in Business      72  
5.13    Amendments to Organizational Documents      72  
5.14    Changes in Accounting, Fiscal Year, Name and Jurisdiction of Organization      72  
5.15    Amendments to Permitted Term Indebtedness      73  
5.16    No Negative Pledges      73  
5.17    Unrestricted Subsidiaries      74  
   ARTICLE VI   
   FINANCIAL COVENANTS   
6.1    Financial Covenants      75  
6.2    Equity Cure      75  
   ARTICLE VII   
   EVENTS OF DEFAULT   
7.1    Event of Default      76  
7.2    Remedies      79  
7.3    Rights Not Exclusive      80  
   ARTICLE VIII   
   AGENT   
8.1    Appointment, Authority, and Duties of the Agent; Professionals      80  
8.2    Agreements Regarding Guarantors, Collateral and Field Examination Reports      82  
8.3    Reliance By Agent      84  
8.4    Action Upon Default      84  
8.5    Indemnification of the Agent and its Related Persons      85  
8.6    Limitation on Responsibilities of the Agent      85  

 

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8.7    Resignation; Successor Agent      86  
8.8    Separate Collateral Agent      87  
8.9    Due Diligence and Non-Reliance      87  
8.10    Remittance of Payments.      88  
8.11    Agent in its Individual Capacity      88  
8.12    Agent Titles      89  
8.13    Bank Product Providers      89  
8.14    No Third Party Beneficiaries      89  
8.15    Certifications From Lenders and Participants; PATRIOT Act; No Reliance      89  
8.16    Bankruptcy      90  
   ARTICLE IX   
   MISCELLANEOUS   
9.1    Amendments and Waivers      91  
9.2    Notices      94  
9.3    Electronic Transmissions      95  
9.4    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies      96  
9.5    Costs and Expenses      96  
9.6    Indemnity      97  
9.7    Marshaling; Payments Set Aside      99  
9.8    [Reserved]      99  
9.9    Successors and Assigns      99  
9.10    Non-Public Information; Confidentiality      103  
9.11    Set-off; Sharing of Payments      107  
9.12    Counterparts; Facsimile Signature      108  
9.13    Severability      108  
9.14    Captions      108  
9.15    Independence of Provisions      108  
9.16    Interpretation      108  
9.17    No Third Parties Benefited      108  
9.18    Governing Law and Jurisdiction      108  
9.19    Waiver of Jury Trial      109  
9.20    Entire Agreement; Release      109  
9.21    Patriot Act      110  
9.22    Replacement of Lender      110  
9.23    Joint and Several      111  
9.24    Creditor-Debtor Relationship      111  
9.25    Intercreditor Agreement      112  
9.26    Collateral and Guarantee Requirements      112  
9.27    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions      113  
9.28    Judgment Currency      114  
9.29    Certain ERISA Matters      114  
9.30    Relationship with Lenders      116  
9.31    Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc.      117  
9.32    Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations      117  

 

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   ARTICLE X   
   TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY   
10.1    Taxes      117  
10.2    Illegality      122  
10.3    Increased Costs and Reduction of Return      122  
10.4    Funding Losses      124  
10.5    Inability to Determine Rates      125  
10.6    Certificates of Lenders      125  
   ARTICLE XI   
   [RESERVED]   
   ARTICLE XII   
  

DEFINITIONS

  
12.1    Defined Terms      125  
12.2    Other Interpretive Provisions      184  
12.3    Accounting Terms and Principles      185  
12.4    Payments      185  

 

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SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1    Revolving Commitments
Schedule 3.15    Labor Relations
Schedule 3.17    Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock
Schedule 4.20    Post-Closing Covenants
Schedule 5.1    Liens
Schedule 5.4    Investments
Schedule 5.5    Indebtedness
Schedule 5.6    Affiliate Transactions
Schedule 5.16    Negative Pledges
Schedule 11.1    Prior Indebtedness
Schedule 11.2    Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 11.3    Charah Letters of Credit

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 1.5(e)    Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit 2.1(d)    Solvency Certificate
Exhibit 4.2(c)    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit 11.1(a)    Form of Assignment
Exhibit 11.1 (b)    Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit 11.1(c)    Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit 11.1(d)    Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
Exhibit 11.1(e)    Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit 11.1(f)    Perfection Certificate
Exhibit 11.1(g)    Form of Swingline Note

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (including all exhibits and schedules hereto, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of October 25, 2017, by and among CHARAH, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“ Charah ”); ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied ”); ALLIED POWER SERVICES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Services ”; Charah, Allied, and Allied Services, each a “ Borrower ”, and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”); CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Charah Parent ”); ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Parent ” and together with Charah Parent, each a “ Parent ”, and collectively, “ Parents ”); REGIONS BANK, an Alabama bank (“ Regions ”), as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacities, including any successor thereto, the “ Agent ”); Regions, as Swingline Lender (as defined below) and as LC Issuer (as defined below); and the Lenders party hereto from time to time.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that Agent and the Lenders establish a revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrowers and that LC Issuer establish a letter of credit subfacility for the account of the Borrowers, all for the purposes set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Agent, the Lenders, and LC Issuer are willing to provide such credit facility and letter of credit subfacility to the Borrowers subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, on the Closing Date, Charah and Allied, as Borrowers, intend to enter into the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and related Initial Term Loan Documents, which shall provide for the availability of Initial Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 and shall be at all times subject to the Initial Intercreditor Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby mutually acknowledged, each Borrower, each Parent, Agent, Swingline Lender, LC Issuer, and each Lender, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE CREDITS

1.1 Revolving Commitment .

.

 

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(a) Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Lender agrees, severally (and not jointly or jointly and severally) on a Pro Rata basis up to its Revolving Commitment, to make Loans to Borrowers from time to time on any Business Day through the Commitment Termination Date. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Loans may be repaid and reborrowed. No Lender shall have any obligation to honor any request for a Loan if doing so would cause (i) such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Revolving Obligations to exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Revolving Obligations to exceed the Line Cap.

(b) Revolving Notes . Borrowers shall execute and deliver a Revolving Note to each Lender that requests a Revolving Note.

(c) Termination and Voluntary Reductions of Revolving Commitments . The Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Commitment Termination Date. Borrowers may terminate or from time to time reduce the Revolving Commitments by giving not less than 15 days’ (or such shorter period as the Agent may agree) prior written notice to Agent. Any notice from Borrowers for the reduction of the Revolving Commitments must specify the amount of the requested reduction. Each reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or any greater integral increment of $1,000,000. Borrowers may not reduce the Revolving Commitments to an amount less than $30,000,000, except in connection with the termination of the Revolving Commitments. All reductions of the Revolving Commitments shall be applied on a Pro Rata basis. Except to the extent otherwise agreed in writing by Agent and the Required Lenders, any notice from Borrowers of the termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be irrevocable; provided, that any such notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrowers (by written notice to the Agent) on or prior to the specified Borrowing date.

(d) Optional Overadvances .

(i) Unless otherwise directed in writing by the Required Lenders, Agent may require Lenders to honor requests by Borrowers for Overadvance Loans (in which event, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, Lenders shall continue to make Loans up to their Pro Rata Share of the Revolving Commitments) and to forbear from requiring Borrowers to cure an Overadvance, if (1) the Overadvance does not continue for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, following which no Overadvance exists for at least 30 consecutive days before another Overadvance exists, (2) the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Obligations outstanding at any time does not exceed the Revolving Commitments at such time (3) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any individual Lender at any time does not exceed such individual Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and (4) the aggregate amount of all Overadvances does not exceed $3,000,000. Except as provided in Section  1.5(h) , all Overadvance Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans. In no event shall any Borrower or any other Credit Party be deemed to be a beneficiary of this Section  1.1(d) or authorized to enforce any of the provisions of this Section  1.1(d) .

 

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(ii) Neither the funding of any Overadvance Loan nor the continued existence of an Overadvance shall constitute any waiver by Agent or any Lender of any Event of Default which may exist at the time any Overadvance Loan is made or which is caused thereby. Each Lender’s obligations under this Section  1.1(d) are absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable and are not subject to any counterclaim, right of setoff, charge back, discount, defense, qualification, or exception, and each Lender shall perform such obligations, as applicable, regardless of whether the Revolving Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or any condition precedent to the making of Loans has not been satisfied. All Overadvances and Overadvance Loans shall constitute Obligations, be secured by the Collateral, and be entitled to all benefits of the Loan Documents.

(e) Protective Advances . From time to time, Agent may, in its discretion, make one or more Base Rate Loans to preserve, protect, or defend any Collateral or to increase or improve the likelihood of collecting or obtaining repayment of any Obligations (in each case, if Agent determines in its discretion that doing so is necessary or desirable) (a “ Protective Advance ”). Agent may make a Protective Advance without regard to Availability or the satisfaction of any condition precedent to the making of Loans, unless (A) the Required Lenders have, in writing, revoked Agent’s authority to do so or (B) Agent has actual knowledge that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans made as Protective Advances (i) would exceed $3,000,000 or (ii) would cause the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Obligations outstanding to exceed the Revolving Commitments at such time or any individual Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure to exceed such individual Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time. If the terms of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are not applicable, Agent’s determination that funding of a Protective Advance is appropriate shall be conclusive. Each Lender shall participate on a Pro Rata basis in each Protective Advance. The provisions of this Section  1.1(e) are solely for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders, and none of the Credit Parties may rely on this Section  1.1(e) or have any standing to enforce its terms. All Protective Advances shall constitute Obligations, be secured by the Collateral, and be entitled to all benefits of the Loan Documents.

(f) Increases to Revolving Commitments . The Revolving Commitments may be increased up to an aggregate amount of $20,000,000 (such amount, the “ Increase Cap ”; each such increase, a “ Revolving Commitment Increase ”), provided that (i) Borrowers shall have given to Agent at least 15 days’ (or such shorter period as the Agent may agree) prior written notice of its intention to effect a Revolving Commitment Increase and the desired amount of such Revolving Commitment Increase; (ii) such increase does not increase the amount of the Revolving Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, in such Lender’s discretion; (iii) to the extent requested by any Lender, Borrowers execute a new Revolving Note with respect to such Lender reflecting the increase in such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and any additional documents, instruments or agreements Agent reasonably requests in

 

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connection therewith (including, without limitation, secretary’s certificates and authorizing resolutions); (iv) as of the date of such Revolving Commitment Increase, both before and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist (except that in the case of a Revolving Commitment Increase incurred to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, no Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a), (f), or (g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately therefrom on the date of execution of the acquisition agreement with respect to such Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment) and each of the conditions set forth in Section  2.2 shall be satisfied (subject, in the case of a Revolving Commitment Increase incurred to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, to customary “Sungard” limitations); (v) any such Revolving Commitment Increase shall be in a minimum amount of at least $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount which shall be approved by Agent) and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and no more than three Revolving Commitment Increases shall be permitted in total; and (vi) if requested by Agent, Borrower Agent shall have delivered a certificate, dated as of the date on which such Revolving Commitment Increase is to become effective, certifying that the Revolving Commitments, after giving effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase, do not violate any terms of any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement or exceed the “ABL Cap Amount” (as defined in the Initial Intercreditor Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) or any similar term in any other Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement. A Revolving Commitment Increase may be effected by one or more of the current Lenders by increasing its Revolving Commitment or one or more new lenders that are reasonably satisfactory to Agent and would constitute an Eligible Assignee joining this Agreement and providing a Revolving Commitment. After any Revolving Commitment Increase, all of the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents shall apply to the increased amount of the Revolving Commitments (including (A) being on a pari passu basis in terms of the Collateral, right of payment and guarantees with the other Loans, (B) having the same maturity date as the other Revolving Commitments, and (C) having the same Applicable Margin as the other Loans); provided that Borrowers may agree to pay to Agent, Lenders increasing their respective Revolving Commitments and new Lenders such arrangement, commitment and other fees and expenses to be agreed between Borrowers and Agent in connection with such Revolving Commitment Increase. Each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Revolving Commitments may be increased pursuant to this Section  1.1(f) regardless of whether such Lender approves such increase or increases its Revolving Commitment hereunder, and Agent, Borrowers and any Lender increasing or providing a new Revolving Commitment may enter into an amendment to this Agreement to give effect to such Revolving Commitment Increase and matters incidental thereto without further consent of any other Lender. Neither Agent nor any of its Affiliates shall have any liability to any Borrower or any other Credit Party or to Lenders in connection with any arranging or syndication of any Revolving Commitment Increase, unless separately agreed to in writing.

1.2 [ Reserved ].

1.3 Swingline Loans; Settlement .

 

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(a) Making of Swingline Loans . Swingline Lender may (but shall not be obligated to) fund any requested Loan with a Swingline Loan, but only if (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists; (ii) Swingline Lender does not believe in good faith that all conditions under Section  2.2 to the making of such Swingline Loan have been satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders; (iii) such Loan is not specifically required to be made by all Lenders hereunder; and (iv) after giving effect to such Swingline Loan, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans would not exceed $5,000,000.

(b) Swingline Note . Each Swingline Loan shall constitute a Loan for all purposes, except that payments thereon shall be made to Swingline Lender for its own account. The obligation of Borrowers to repay Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by the records of Swingline Lender. Promptly upon Swingline Lender’s request, Borrowers shall execute and deliver to Swingline Lender a Swingline Note.

(c) Settlement . To facilitate administration of the Loans, Swingline Lender and the other Lenders agree that settlement among them with respect to Swingline Loans shall take place weekly on such weekly settlement date as the Agent may elect, from time to time. On each settlement date, settlement shall be made with each Lender in accordance with the Settlement Report delivered by Swingline Lender to the other Lenders. Between settlement dates, Agent may apply payments on Loans to Swingline Loans, regardless of any designation by Borrowers or any provision herein to the contrary. If, due to an Insolvency Proceeding with respect to a Borrower or otherwise, any Swingline Loan may not be settled as provided herein, then each Lender shall be deemed to have purchased from Swingline Lender a participation in each unpaid Swingline Loan in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share thereof and shall transfer the amount of such participation to Swingline Lender in immediately available funds within one Business Day after Swingline Lender’s request therefor. Each Lender’s obligations under this Section  1.3(c) are absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable and are not subject to any counterclaim, setoff, defense, qualification, or exception, and each Lender shall perform such obligations, as applicable, regardless of whether the Revolving Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists, or any condition precedent to the making of Loans has not been satisfied. The provisions of this Section  1.3(c) are solely for the benefit of Swingline Lender and the other Lenders, and none of the Credit Parties may rely on this Section  1.3(c) or have any standing to enforce its terms.

1.4 Letter of Credit Facility .

(a) Issuance of Letters of Credit . LC Issuer agrees to issue Letters of Credit from time to time for Borrowers’ account on the terms set forth in this Agreement, including the following:

(i) LC Issuer shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless each of the LC Conditions has been satisfied (as determined by LC Issuer and Agent).

 

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(ii) If LC Issuer receives written notice from Agent or a Lender at least five Business Days before issuance of a Letter of Credit that any LC Condition has not been satisfied, LC Issuer shall have no obligation to issue the requested Letter of Credit (or any other Letter of Credit) until such notice is withdrawn in writing by Agent or such Lender or until the Required Lenders have waived the applicable LC Condition in accordance with this Agreement. Before receipt of any such notice, LC Issuer shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any failure to satisfy any LC Condition.

(iii) Borrowers may request and employ Letters of Credit only in accordance with Sections 4.10 and 4.17. The LC Issuer shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (1) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority shall by its terms purport to retrain or enjoin the LC Issuer from issuing letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit particularly, or any applicable law relating to LC Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over LC Issuer shall prohibit, or request that LC Issuer refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or any such Letter of Credit particularly or shall impose on LC Issuer with respect to any such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which LC Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date or shall impose on LC Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date which LC Issuer deems material to it, including, in each case, but without limitation, from any Change in Law, or (2) if the issuance of any such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of LC Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally. The renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be treated as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit, except that the applicable Borrower or Borrowers need not deliver a new LC Application unless requested to do so by LC Issuer.

(iv) In connection with its administration of and enforcement of rights or remedies under any Letters of Credit or LC Documents, LC Issuer shall be entitled to act, and shall be fully protected in acting, upon any certification, documentation, or communication in whatever form believed by LC Issuer, in good faith, to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by a proper Person. LC Issuer may consult with and employ legal counsel, accountants, and other experts to advise it concerning its obligations, rights, and remedies with respect to the issuance and administration of Letters of Credit and LC Documents and shall be entitled to act (or refuse to act) upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken (or refused to be taken) in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by such Persons. LC Issuer may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection with any matter relating to Letters of Credit or LC Documents and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of agents and attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care.

(v) Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time (after giving effect to any permanent reduction in the stated amount of such Letter of Credit pursuant to the terms of such Letter of Credit).

 

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(vi) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the LC Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.

(vii) Without limitation of the foregoing provisions, in the event that any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender, the LC Issuer shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless LC Issuer has entered into arrangements satisfactory to LC Issuer with the Borrowers or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate such LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender or the Borrowers), including by Cash Collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding amount of the LC Obligations in a manner satisfactory to LC Issuer and Agent.

(b) Reimbursement; Participations .

(i) On the date LC Issuer honors any draw under a Letter of Credit (each such date, a “ Reimbursement Date ”), Borrowers shall reimburse LC Issuer the amount paid by LC Issuer on account of such draw, together with interest from the Reimbursement Date until paid by Borrowers (at the interest rate for Base Rate Loans). The obligation of Borrowers to reimburse LC Issuer for any draw made under a Letter of Credit is absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable, and Borrowers shall make such reimbursement without regard to any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense, or other right Borrowers may have at any time against the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit. On each Reimbursement Date, Borrowers shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in an amount necessary to pay the amounts due to LC Issuer on such date (regardless of whether Borrower Agent submits a Notice of Borrowing therefor), and each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing, without right of setoff, counterclaim, discount, charge back or other defense and regardless of whether the Revolving Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists or any condition precedent to the making of Loans has not been satisfied.

(ii) Upon the issuance of a Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased from LC Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in all LC Obligations relating to such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. If LC Issuer honors any draw under a Letter of Credit and Borrowers do not reimburse the amount thereof on the Reimbursement Date, Agent (at LC Issuer’s request) shall promptly notify Lenders, and each Lender shall promptly (within one Business Day) unconditionally pay to Agent, for the benefit of LC Issuer, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such draw. Upon request by a Lender, LC Issuer shall furnish such Lender with copies of any Letters of Credit and LC Documents in its possession at such time.

 

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(iii) The obligations of each Lender to make payments to Agent for the account of LC Issuer in connection with LC Issuer’s honoring any draw under a Letter of Credit are absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable and are not subject to any counterclaim, right of setoff, defense, discount, charge back, qualification, or exception, and such Lender shall perform such obligations, as applicable, (A) irrespective of any lack of validity or unenforceability of any Loan Documents; (B) regardless of whether the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, an Overadvance exists, any condition precedent to the making of any Loan has not been satisfied; (C) regardless of whether any draft, certificate, or other document presented under a Letter of Credit is determined to be forged, fraudulent, invalid, or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; and (D) regardless of the existence of any setoff or defense that any Credit Party may have with respect to any Obligations. LC Issuer assumes no responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Borrower or other Person of any obligations under any LC Documents. LC Issuer makes no representation, warranty, or guaranty, express or implied, with respect to the Collateral, LC Documents, or any Credit Party. LC Issuer is not responsible for (A) any recitals, statements, information, representations, or warranties contained in, or for the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness, or enforceability of, any LC Documents; (B) the validity, genuineness, enforceability, collectibility, value, or sufficiency of any Collateral or the perfection of any Lien therein; or (C) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness, or legal status of any Credit Party.

(iv) Neither LC Issuer nor any of its Related Persons shall be liable to Agent, any Lender, or any other Person for any action taken or omitted to be taken in connection with any LC Documents except as a result of its bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment. LC Issuer shall have no liability to any Lender if LC Issuer refrains from taking any action, or refuses to take any action, under any Letter of Credit or LC Documents until it receives written instructions from the Required Lenders.

(c) Cash Collateral . If any LC Obligations, whether or not then due or payable, shall for any reason be outstanding at any time (i) that an Event of Default exists; (ii) after the Commitment Termination Date; or (iii) within 5 Business Days before the Stated Commitment Termination Date, then Borrowers shall, at LC Issuer’s or Agent’s request, Cash Collateralize the stated amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and pay to LC Issuer the amount of all other LC Obligations which are then outstanding. If Borrowers fail to provide Cash Collateral as required herein, Lenders may (and, upon written request of Agent, shall) advance, as Loans, the amount of the Cash Collateral required (regardless of whether the Revolving Commitments have terminated, an Overadvance exists, or any condition precedent to the making of any Loan has not been satisfied). Without limitation of the foregoing, at any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Agent or LC Issuer (with a copy to the Agent) the Borrowers shall Cash Collateralize LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in an amount sufficient to cover the applicable Fronting Exposure after first giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender.

 

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(d) Existing Letters of Credit . All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof to the same extent as all other Letters of Credit.

1.5 Interest .

(a) Interest Rates . The Obligations shall bear interest (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin; (ii) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for the applicable Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin; (iii) with respect to LIR Loans, at the LIBOR Index Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and (iv) with respect to any other Obligations which are then due and payable (including, to the extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; provided , however , the Obligations shall bear interest at the Default Rate (whether before or after any judgment) (A) at all times during the existence of any Credit Party’s Insolvency Proceeding and (B) if so elected by Agent or the Required Lenders, at any time during the existence of any Event of Default. Each Borrower acknowledges that the cost and expense to Agent and Lenders due to an Event of Default are difficult to ascertain and that the Default Rate is a fair and reasonable estimate to compensate Agent and Lenders therefor.

(b) Accrual of Interest . Interest shall accrue from the date the Loan is advanced or an Obligation is incurred or payable until paid by Borrowers. If a Loan is repaid on the day it was made, one day’s interest shall accrue.

(c) Payment Dates . Interest accrued on the Loans shall be due and payable in arrears (i) on the first day of each calendar month for all Swingline Loans, LIR Loans, and Base Rate Loans and on the last day of each Interest Period for all LIBOR Rate Loans ( provided , however , that, if any LIBOR Rate Loan has an Interest Period greater than three months, accrued and unpaid interest on such LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable no less than at the end of each three month period comprising such Interest Period); (ii) on any date of prepayment, with respect to the principal amount of Loans being prepaid; and (iii) with respect to Loans, on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest accrued on any other Obligations shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest accrued at the Default Rate shall be, during the existence of an Event of Default, due and payable on demand.

(d) [ Reserved ].

(e) Certain Provisions Regarding LIR Loans and LIBOR Rate Loans .

(i) Borrowers may on any Business Day, subject to delivery of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation and the terms of Section  1.5(h) , elect to (A) convert any portion of the Base Rate Loans or LIR Loans to a LIBOR Rate Loan;

 

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(B) convert Base Rate Loans to LIR Loans; (C) convert LIR Loans to Base Rate Loans; or (D) continue any LIBOR Rate Loan at the end of its Interest Period as a LIBOR Rate Loan. During any Default or Event of Default, Agent may (and, at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall) declare that no Loan may be made, converted, or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan.

(ii) Whenever Borrowers desire to convert any Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan or continue any LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrower Agent shall give Agent a Notice of Conversion/Continuation (which notice may be transmitted by electronic mail subject to the limitations set forth in Section  9.2 ) no later than 11:00 a.m. at least three Business Days before the requested date of such conversion or continuation. Promptly after receiving any such notice, Agent shall notify each Lender thereof. Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation or request shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the amount of Loans to be converted or continued, the date of such conversion or continuation (which date shall be a Business Day), and the duration of the Interest Period (which, if not specified, shall be deemed to be one month). If, upon the expiration of any Interest Period of any LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrowers shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a request with respect to such LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrowers shall be deemed to have elected to continue such LIBOR Rate Loan into a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month or, to the extent provided in Section  1.5(h) , an LIR Loan.

(iii) Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and the Agent shall have no liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definitions of “Adjusted LIBOR Rate” or “LIBOR Index Rate” (or any component parts thereof) or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

(f) Interest Periods . In connection with the making, conversion, or continuation of any LIBOR Rate Loan, Borrowers shall select an interest period (each, an “ Interest Period ”) therefor, which Interest Period shall be one, two, three, or six months; provided , however :

(i) each Interest Period shall commence on the date the Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Rate Loan, and shall expire on the numerically corresponding day in the final calendar month;

(ii) if any Interest Period commences on a day for which there is no corresponding day in the final calendar month or if such corresponding day falls after the last Business Day of such month, then the Interest Period shall expire on the last Business Day of such month and, if any Interest Period would expire on a day that is not a Business Day, the Interest Period shall expire on the next Business Day; and

(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Stated Commitment Termination Date.

 

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(g) Number and Amount of LIBOR Rate Loans; Determination of Rate . Each Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans when made shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 or any greater integral multiple of $250,000. No more than five Borrowings of LIBOR Rate Loans may be outstanding at any time, and all LIBOR Rate Loans having the same length and beginning date of their Interest Periods shall be aggregated together and considered one Borrowing for this purpose.

(h) Additional Provisions Relating to LIR Loans . Subject to Article X, (i) all Swingline Loans shall constitute LIR Loans and (ii) so long as Agent is also the only Lender, all Loans shall, as applicable, be made or continued as, or converted into, LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans. Upon there being more than one Lender, all LIR Loans (other than Swingline Loans) shall convert, automatically and without notice to any Person, into Base Rate Loans.

(i) Closing Date Loans . All Loans made on the Closing Date (other than Swingline Loans) shall be made as LIR Loans.

1.6 Fees .

(a) Upfront Fees . On the Closing Date, Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the Upfront Fees as set forth in the Fee Letter, all of which shall be due and payable in the amounts and at the times set forth therein.

(b) Commitment Fee . On the last day of each Fiscal Quarter following the Closing Date and on the Commitment Termination Date, Borrowers shall pay to Agent, in arrears and for the account of the Lenders, a commitment fee in an amount equal to 0.50% per annum times the average amount by which the Revolving Commitments exceeded the Aggregate Revolving Obligations (other than Swingline Loans) on each day during the immediately preceding calendar quarter or portion thereof; provided that (1) no commitment fee shall accrue on the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (2) any commitment fee accrued with respect to the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrowers so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

(c) LC Fees . (a) On the last day of each Fiscal Quarter following the date that any Letter of Credit is issued (or renewed or extended), Borrowers shall pay (i) to Agent, in arrears and for the account of the Lenders a letter of credit fee in an amount equal to (A) a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin in effect for LIBOR Rate Loans (including the Default Rate if then in effect), times (B) the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit ( provided that no letter of credit fee shall accrue in favor of a Defaulting Lender so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender and (2) except as otherwise provided in Section  1.9(a)(iii) , any letter of credit fee accrued in favor of a Defaulting Lender during the period prior to the time such Lender became a Defaulting Lender and unpaid at such time shall not be payable by the Borrowers so long as such Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender), and (ii) directly to each LC Issuer for its own account a fronting fee (A) with respect to each commercial Letter

 

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of Credit or any amendment of a commercial Letter of Credit increasing the amount of such Letter of Credit, at a rate separately agreed between the Borrowers and the LC Issuer, computed on the amount of such commercial Letter of Credit or the amount of such increase, as applicable, and payable upon the issuance of such commercial Letter of Credit or effectiveness of such amendment, as applicable, and (B) with respect to each standby Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter following the date that any Letter of Credit is issued (or renewed or extended), on its expiration date and thereafter on demand. In addition, the Borrowers shall pay directly to the LC Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the LC Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(d) Agent Fees . Borrowers shall pay to Agent, for its own account, the fees payable to Agent which are described in the Fee Letter, all of which shall be due and payable in the amounts and at the times set forth therein.

(e) Other Fees . Borrowers shall pay to each applicable Person the fees payable to such Person which are described in the Fee Letter, all of which shall be due and payable in the amounts and at the times set forth therein.

(f) Calculation and Distribution of Interest, Fees, Charges, and Other Amounts . Unless otherwise specifically provided herein or in any other Loan Document, interest, fees, charges and other amounts which are calculated on a per annum basis shall be calculated as follows: (i) for interest determined by reference to the Base Rate, a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and (ii) for all other such computations of interest, fees, charges and other amounts, a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. Each determination by Agent of any interest, fees, charges or interest rate hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be final, conclusive, and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. All fees payable under this Section  1.6 are compensation for services and, to the extent of any Requirement of Law, are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest or any other charge for the use, forbearance, or detention of money. A certificate as to amounts payable by Borrowers under Article X and Section  9.5 , timely submitted to Borrower Agent by Agent or the affected Lender, as applicable, shall be final, conclusive, and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and Borrowers shall pay such amounts to the applicable Person within ten days following receipt of such certificate. All fees shall be fully earned when due and shall not be subject to rebate, refund, or proration, in whole or in part. All fees paid to Agent for the account of the Lenders, LC Issuer, or any other Person shall be paid by Agent to such Persons promptly upon its receipt thereof and, with respect to fees payable for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with each such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

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1.7 Maximum Interest . Any term or provision in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by Requirements of Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”). If Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, then such excess shall be applied, first, to the principal of the Obligations second, if Agent or the Required Lenders so elect, to Cash Collateralize all LC Obligations, and then to Borrowers or such other Person lawfully entitled thereto. In determining whether the interest contracted for or charged or received by Agent, LC Issuer, or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest; (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof; and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

1.8 Manner of Borrowing and Funding Loans.

(a) Notice of Borrowing . Borrowers may request new Loans (including Swingline Loans), by delivering to Agent at its Lending Office a Notice of Borrowing (which notice may be transmitted by electronic mail subject to the limitations set forth in Section  9.3 ). If the requested Loan is to be a Base Rate Loan or an LIR Loan then such Notice of Borrowing or request must be received by Agent at or before 12:00 noon on the Business Day on which Borrowers desire such Loan to be made. If the requested Loan is to be a LIBOR Rate Loan, then such Notice of Borrowing or request must be received by Agent at or before 12:00 noon on the third Business Day preceding the date on which Borrowers desire such Loan to be made. Any Notice of Borrowing or request received by Agent after 12:00 noon shall be deemed to have been received on the immediately following Business Day. Each Notice of Borrowing and request for a Loan shall specify (i) the amount of the Borrowing; (ii) the requested funding date (which must be a Business Day); (iii) whether the Borrowing is requested to be made as a Swingline Loan, (iv) whether the Borrowing is requested to be made as Base Rate Loans, LIR Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans; and (v) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, the duration of the applicable Interest Period. If Borrowers do not specify an Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, then the Interest Period for such Loan shall be one month. Each Notice of Borrowing and request for a Loan received by Agent shall be irrevocable.

(b) Deemed Requests for Funding .

(i) The becoming due of any Obligations shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate Loans or, to the extent provided in Section  1.5(h) , an LIR Loan on the due date therefor in the amount of such Obligations, and, upon the making of such Loan, Agent shall apply the proceeds thereof in direct payment of such Obligations. In addition, Agent may, at its option, debit any of Borrowers’ Deposit Accounts maintained at Agent (or any of its Affiliates) by the amount of any Obligations which are then due and apply the proceeds thereof to the payment of such Obligations. Notwithstanding anything in this Section  1.8(b) to the contrary, it is agreed and understood that the Agent shall not exercise its right to direct the proceeds of a deemed Borrowing or debit the Borrowers’ Deposit

 

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Accounts unless (i) the Obligations to which amounts in such Deposit Accounts are to be applied have become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (ii) other than while an Event of Default is continuing, the Agent shall have delivered three Business Days’ prior notice to the Borrower Agent.

(ii) If Borrowers have established a controlled disbursement Deposit Account with Agent (or any of its Affiliates), then the presentation for payment of any check or other item of payment drawn on such Deposit Account at a time when there are insufficient funds on deposit therein to pay the same shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate Loans or, to the extent provided in Section  1.5(h) , an LIR Loan on the date of such presentation in the amount of the checks and such other Payment Items presented for payment. The proceeds of such Loans may be disbursed directly to the controlled disbursement Deposit Account or other appropriate Deposit Account.

(c) Fundings by Lenders . Except for Borrowings which Swingline Lender elects to make as Swingline Loans, Agent shall endeavor to notify Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing (or deemed request for a Borrowing) by 1:00 on the requested funding date for Base Rate Loans and LIR Loans or by 3:00 p.m. at least two Business Days before any requested funding of LIBOR Rate Loans. Each Lender shall fund to Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each requested Borrowing to the account specified by Agent in immediately available funds no later than 2:00 p.m. on the requested funding date, unless Agent’s notice is received after the times provided above, in which case each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata Share by 12:00 noon on the next Business Day. Subject to its receipt of such amounts from Lenders, Agent shall disburse the proceeds of the Loans in the lawful manner directed by Borrower Agent. Unless Agent shall have received (in sufficient time to act) written notice from a Lender that it does not intend to fund its Pro Rata Share of a Borrowing, Agent may assume that such Lender has deposited or promptly will deposit its Pro Rata Share with Agent, and Agent may disburse a corresponding amount to Borrowers. If all or a portion of a Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing is not in fact received by Agent after Agent has advanced such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing, then Borrowers agree to repay to Agent on demand the amount of any deficiency, together with interest thereon from the date disbursed until repaid, at the rate applicable to such Borrowing.

1.9 Defaulting Lender .

(a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by any Requirement of Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section  9.1 .

 

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(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts (other than fees which any Defaulting Lender is not entitled to receive pursuant to Section  1.9(a)(iii) ) received by Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, as a scheduled payment or by prepayment, at maturity, pursuant to Section  7.2 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section  9.11 ), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to LC Issuer or the Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section  1.13 ; fourth, as Borrower Agent may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Agent; fifth, if so determined by Agent and Borrower Agent to be held in a non-interest bearing Deposit Account and released in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize LC Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section  1.13 ; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, LC Issuer or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, LC Issuer or the Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to Borrowers, or any of them, as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Borrower or Borrowers against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided , that, if (A) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Obligations in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (B) such Loans or LC Obligations were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section  2.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to the pay the Loans of, and LC Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in LC Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders, Pro Rata in accordance with their Revolving Commitments without giving effect to Section  1.9(a)(iv) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section  1.9(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to (and the underlying obligations satisfied to the extent of such payment) and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii) Certain Fees .

(A) Such Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee, any fees with respect to Letters of Credit (except as provided in clause (b) below) or any other fees hereunder for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and Borrowers shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees with respect to Letters of Credit for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Pro Rata Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section  1.13 .

(C) With respect to any fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, Borrowers shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LC Obligations or Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to LC Issuer or Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to LC Issuer’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv) Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure . All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LC Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that (A) the conditions set forth in Section  2.2 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless Borrowers shall have otherwise notified Agent at such time, Borrowers shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (B) such reallocation does not cause such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure at such time to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v) Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans . If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to them hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders’ Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section  1.4 .

 

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(b) Defaulting Lender Cure . If Borrower Agent, Agent, Swingline Lender and LC Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held Pro Rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Revolving Commitments (without giving effect to Section  1.9(a)(iv) ), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c) New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit . So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan, and (ii) LC Issuer shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

1.10 Borrower Agent . Each Borrower hereby designates Charah (“ Borrower Agent ”) as its representative and agent for all purposes under the Loan Documents, including requests for Loans and Letters of Credit, designation of interest rates and Interest Periods, delivery or receipt of communications (including any Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion/Continuation, any electronic mail notice or request for a Borrowing or the conversion, or continuation of any Loan, or any request for the issuance of any Letter of Credit), preparation and delivery of Borrowing Base Certificates and all attachments thereto, financial reports and Compliance Certificates, receipt and payment of Obligations, requests for waivers, amendments, or other accommodations, actions under the Loan Documents (including in respect of compliance with covenants), and all other dealings with Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender. Borrower Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent, LC Issuer, and the Lenders may give any notice to, or communication with, a Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document to or with Borrower Agent on behalf of such Credit Party. Each Credit Party agrees that any notice, election, communication, representation, agreement, or undertaking made on its behalf by Borrower Agent shall be binding upon and enforceable against it. Agent, LC Issuer, and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, the terms of this Section  1.10 , provided that nothing contained herein shall limit the effectiveness of, or the right of Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender to rely upon, any notice (including without limitation a borrowing or conversion notice), instrument, document, certificate, acknowledgment, consent, direction, certification or any other action delivered by any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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1.11 One Obligation . The Loans, LC Obligations, and other Obligations shall constitute one general, joint and several obligation of Credit Parties and (unless otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document) shall be secured by Agent’s Lien upon all Collateral (subject at all times to the Initial Intercreditor Agreement and any other Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement); provided , however , that Agent and each Lender shall be deemed to be a creditor of, and the holder of a separate claim against, each Credit Party to the extent of any Obligations jointly or severally owed by such Credit Party.

1.12 Effect of Termination . On the Commitment Termination Date, all Obligations shall be immediately due and payable, in full, and each Lender may terminate its and its Affiliates’ Bank Products (including, but only with the consent of Agent, any Treasury Services). All undertakings of all Credit Parties contained in the Loan Documents shall survive any termination, and Agent shall retain its Liens in the Collateral and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents, until Payment in Full of all Obligations. Sections 12.2 , 9.6 , and 9.20 , 9.31 , Article VIII , and Article X , this section, the obligation of each Credit Party and each Lender with respect to each indemnity given by it in any Loan Document, and each other term, provision, or section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which states as much, shall survive Payment in Full of the Obligations and any release or termination relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or the credit facility established hereunder or thereunder.

1.13 Cash Collateral . At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of Agent or LC Issuer (with a copy to Agent) Borrowers shall Cash Collateralize LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in an amount sufficient to cover the applicable Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section  1.9(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). Borrowers, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of LC Issuer, and agrees to maintain, a perfected first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of LC Obligations, to be applied in the manner set forth below. If at any time Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than Agent and LC Issuer as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure, Borrowers will, promptly upon written demand by Agent, pay or provide to Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to Section  1.9(a) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section  1.13 or Section  1.9 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of LC Obligations (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section  1.13 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by

 

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Agent and LC Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided , however , (A) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Credit Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section  1.13 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section  1.17 ) but shall be released upon the waiver of such Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (B) the Person providing Cash Collateral and LC Issuer or Swingline Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other Obligations.

1.14 General Payment Provisions . All payments of Obligations shall be made in Dollars, without right of offset, counterclaim, discount, charge back or other defense of any kind, free of (and without deduction for) any Taxes, and in immediately available funds, not later than 2:00 p.m. on the due date to the applicable Lending Office of the Agent, the LC Issuer, the Lenders or other obligee. Any payment after such time shall be deemed made on the next Business Day. Any payment of a LIBOR Rate Loan before the end of its Interest Period shall be accompanied by all amounts due under Section  10.4 . Any prepayment of Loans shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans or, to the extent provided in Section  1.5(h) , LIR Loans, and then to LIBOR Rate Loans.

1.15 Repayment of Loans .

(a) Commitment Termination Date . Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Commitment Termination Date.

(b) Collection Account . During a Cash Dominion Period, the collected balance in the main Collection Account as of the end of each Business Day may, at the election of Agent, or shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders (which election or direction need be made or given only once during any given Cash Dominion Period), at the beginning of the next Business Day, be applied, first, to the payment of any Swingline Loans; second, to all other Loans which are Base Rate Loans or LIR Loans; and third, to any Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans (unless such funds are otherwise required to be applied to some other portion of the Obligations in accordance with this Agreement) and then, to other Obligations which are then due and payable, as determined by Agent. If, as a result of such application, a credit balance exists, the balance shall not accrue interest in favor of Borrowers and shall be made available to Borrowers as long as no Event of Default exists. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, each Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any payments or Proceeds of Collateral, and agrees that Agent shall have the continuing, exclusive right to apply, reverse and reapply the same against the Obligations, in such order or manner as Agent deems advisable. Any of the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent may charge back to any Collection Account (or any other account of a Borrower maintained with Agent) a Payment Item which is returned for inability to collect, plus accrued interest during the period of Agent’s provisional credit for such item before receiving notice of dishonor. Agent and Lenders assume no responsibility to Borrowers for any lockbox arrangement or Collection Account, including any claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to any Payment Items accepted by any bank.

 

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(c) Other Payments . Borrowers shall also pay the Loans to the extent otherwise required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(d) Mandatory Prepayments . Subject to Section  1.1(d) and Section  1.1(e) , if at any time the Aggregate Revolving Obligations exceed the Line Cap, Borrowers shall, within one Business Day, make a payment in respect of the Obligations in the amount of such excess, which payment shall be applied as set forth below. Except as set forth in Section  1.17 , any payment made under this Section  1.15(d) shall be applied, first, to the payment of any Swingline Loans; second, to all other Loans which are Base Rate Loans or LIR Loans; third, to any Loans which are LIBOR Rate Loans; and, fourth, to Cash Collateralize the LC Obligations.

1.16 Payment of Other Obligations . Obligations other than Loans (including LC Obligations), shall be paid by Borrowers as provided in the Loan Documents or, if no payment date is specified, on the earlier to occur of the Commitment Termination Date and the date which 10 days after Agent delivers demand therefor to Borrower Agent (subject to the terms of the Initial Intercreditor Agreement and any other Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement).

1.17 Post-Default Allocation of Payments .

(a) Allocation . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, but subject at all times to the Initial Intercreditor Agreement and any other Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, (x) during an Event of Default, if so directed by the Required Lenders or at Agent’s discretion, (y) at all times after the occurrence of an Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a), (f), and (g), at all times after the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, and at all times after the Commitment Termination Date monies to be applied to the Obligations, whether arising from payments by Credit Parties, realization on Collateral, setoff, or otherwise, shall be allocated as follows:

(i) first , to all fees, including fees payable pursuant to the Fee Letter, and all costs and expenses, including Attorney Costs, of the Agent payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents;

(ii) second , to all costs and expenses reimbursable by Borrowers owing to LC Issuer and the Lenders;

(iii) third , to all amounts owing to Swingline Lender on Swingline Loans (including principal and interest);

(iv) fourth , to all amounts owing to LC Issuer with respect to that portion of the LC Obligations which constitutes unreimbursed draws under Letters of Credit;

(v) fifth , to all Obligations constituting fees to the extent not already paid above (other than Bank Product Obligations);

 

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(vi) sixth , to all Obligations constituting interest to the extent not already paid above (other than Bank Product Obligations);

(vii) seventh , to (A) all Loans, (B) LC Obligations (including the Cash Collateralization of that portion of the LC Obligations constituting undrawn amounts under outstanding Letters of Credit), (C) Bank Product Obligations provided by Agent or its Affiliates, and (D) other Bank Product Obligations, if and to the extent that the applicable Bank Product Provider thereof has delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to Agent, up to the amount of Bank Product Reserves then being imposed by Agent in regard thereto;

(viii) eighth , to all other Bank Product Obligations described in sub-clause (C) of clause (vii) above, to the extent not already paid;

(ix) ninth , to all other Obligations, including Bank Product Obligations, if and to the extent not already paid; and

(x) lastly , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been Paid in Full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required under any applicable Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement (for so long as such Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement remains in full force and effect) or Requirements of Law.

Amounts shall be applied to each of the foregoing categories of Obligations in the order presented above before being applied to the following category. Where applicable, all amounts to be applied to a given category will be applied on a pro rata basis among those entitled to payment in such category. In determining the amount to be applied to Obligations within any given category, the pro rata share of each Bank Product Provider shall be based on the lesser of (i) the amount presented in the most recent Secured Party Designation Notice from such Bank Product Provider to Agent and (ii) the actual amount of such Obligations, calculated in accordance with a methodology presented to and approved by Agent by such Bank Product Provider to Agent, but, in any event, in the case of the foregoing clause (vii)(D), limited to the amount of any Bank Product Reserve then being imposed by Agent in regard thereto. Agent has no duty to investigate the actual amount of any such Obligations and, instead, is entitled to rely in all respects on the Bank Product Provider’s reasonably detailed written accounting thereof. If such Bank Product Provider does not submit such accounting of its own accord and in a timely manner, Agent, may instead rely on any prior accounting thereof. No Secured Party Designation Notice (including any to increase the maximum dollar amount thereof) shall be effective if received by Agent during the existence of an Event of Default (until such Event of Default is waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) or to the extent a Reserve equal to such amount (if instituted by Agent after giving effect thereto) would cause an Overadvance. The allocations set forth in this Section are solely to determine the rights and priorities of the Secured Parties among themselves and may be changed by agreement among them without the consent of any Credit Party. No Credit Party is entitled to any benefit under this Section or has any standing to enforce this Section. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Credit Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Credit Party or such Credit Party’s assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Credit Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section  1.17 .

 

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(b) Erroneous Application . Agent shall not be liable for any application of amounts made by it in good faith and, if any such application is subsequently determined to have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender or other Person to which such amount ought to have been made shall be to recover the amount from the Person which actually received it (and, if such amount was received by any Secured Party, then such Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of this Agreement, agrees to return it).

1.18 Sharing of Payments . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff, charge back or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other Obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such Obligations greater than its Pro Rata Share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify Agent of such fact and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable (as determined by Agent in its commercially reasonable judgment), so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided , however , 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;

(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by a Credit Party pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Revolving Commitments, Loans, or participations in Swingline Loans or LC Obligations to any actual or potential assignee, participant or other Person acquiring an interest in any Obligations; and

(iii) no Lender or Participant may exercise any right of setoff except as provided in Section  9.11 .

1.19 Nature and Extent of each Borrower’s Liability.

(a) Joint and Several Liability . Each Borrower agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Agent, LC Issuer and the Lenders the prompt payment and performance of, all Obligations and all agreements under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligations hereunder constitute a continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged until Payment in Full of the Obligations, and that such obligations are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of (i) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability, subordination, or any future modification of, or

 

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change in, any Obligations or Loan Document, or any other document, instrument, or agreement to which any Credit Party is or may become a party or be bound; (ii) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section) or any other Loan Document, or any waiver, consent, or indulgence of any kind by Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender with respect thereto; (iii) the existence, value, or condition of, or failure to perfect a Lien, or to preserve rights against, any security or guaranty for the Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender in respect thereof (including the release of any security or guaranty); (iv) the insolvency of any Credit Party; (v) any election by Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender in an Insolvency Proceeding for the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) any borrowing or grant of a Lien by any other Credit Party, as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; (vii) the disallowance of any claims of Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender against any Credit Party for the repayment of any Obligations under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; or (viii) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, except Payment in Full of all Obligations.

(b) Waivers .

(i) Each Borrower expressly waives all rights that it may have now or in the future under any statute, at common law, in equity or otherwise, to compel Agent or any other Secured Party to marshal assets or to proceed against any Credit Party, other Person, or security for the payment or performance of any Obligations before, or as a condition to, proceeding against such Borrower. Each Borrower waives all defenses available to a surety, guarantor, or accommodation co-obligor other than Payment in Full of all Obligations. It is agreed among each Borrower, Agent, LC Issuer and the Lenders that the provisions of this Section  1.19 are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such provisions, Agent, LC Issuer, and the Lenders would decline to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit. Each Borrower acknowledges that its guaranty pursuant to this Section is necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business and can be expected to benefit such business.

(ii) Agent and Lenders may, in their discretion, pursue such rights and remedies as they deem appropriate, including realization upon Collateral by judicial foreclosure or non-judicial sale or enforcement, without affecting any rights and remedies under this Section  1.19 . If, in taking any action in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies, Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender shall forfeit any other rights or remedies, including the right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Credit Party or other Person, whether because of any Requirement of Law pertaining to “election of remedies” or otherwise, each Borrower consents to such action and waives any claim based upon it, even if the action may result in loss of any rights of subrogation that any Credit Party might otherwise have had. Any election of remedies that results in denial or impairment of the right of Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against any Credit Party shall not impair any Borrower’s obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses arising

 

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out of an election of remedies, such as non-judicial foreclosure with respect to any security for the Obligations, even though that election of remedies destroys such Borrower’s rights of subrogation against any other Person.

(c) Extent of Liability; Contribution .

(i) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Borrower’s liability under this Section  1.19 shall be limited to the greater of (A) all amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable, as described below and (B) such Borrower’s Allocable Amount.

(ii) If any Borrower makes a payment under this Section  1.19 of any Obligations (other than amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable) (a “ Co-Borrower Payment ”) that, taking into account all other Co-Borrower Payments previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate Obligations satisfied by such Co-Borrower Payments in the same proportion that such Borrower’s Allocable Amount bore to the total Allocable Amounts of all Borrowers, then such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and to be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately before such Co-Borrower Payment. The “ Allocable Amount ” for any Borrower shall be the maximum amount that could then be recovered from such Borrower under this Section  1.19 without rendering such payment voidable under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable Debtor Relief Law.

(iii) Nothing contained in this Section  1.19 shall limit the liability of any Borrower to pay Loans made directly or indirectly to that Borrower (including Loans advanced to any other Borrower and then remade or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower), LC Obligations relating to Letters of Credit issued to support such Borrower’s business, and all accrued interest, fees, expenses, and other related Obligations with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all purposes hereunder. Agent and Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their discretion, to condition Loans and Letters of Credit upon a separate calculation of Availability for each Borrower and to restrict the disbursement and use of such Loans and Letters of Credit to such Borrower.

(d) Joint Enterprise . Each Borrower has requested that Agent, LC Issuer and the Lenders make this credit facility available to Borrowers on a combined basis, to finance Borrowers’ business most efficiently and economically. Borrowers’ business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and Borrowers believe that combination of their credit facilities will enhance the borrowing power of each Borrower and ease the administration of their relationship with credit providers (including Agent, LC Issuer, and the Lenders), all to the mutual advantage of Borrowers. Borrowers acknowledge and agree that Agent, LC Issuer, and Lenders’ willingness to extend credit to Borrowers and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis, as set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at Borrowers’ request.

 

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(e) Keepwell . Borrowers hereby agree to cause each Qualified ECP Guarantor to jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertake to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Credit Party to honor all of such Credit Party’s obligations under its guaranty and the Security Documents in respect of Swap Obligations ( provided , however , that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under its undertaking pursuant to this Section  1.19(e) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under its guaranty, voidable under the Bankruptcy Code and other applicable Debtor Relief Laws, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section  1.19(e) shall remain in full force and effect until Payment in Full of the Obligations. Each Borrower, for itself and on behalf of each Qualified ECP Guarantor, intends that this Section  1.19(e) (and any corresponding provision of any applicable guaranty) constitute, and this Section  1.19(e) (and any corresponding provision of any applicable guaranty) shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Credit Party for all purposes of Section 1a (18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE II

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

2.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Extensions of Credit . The obligation of each Lender and the LC Issuer to make its extensions of credit under this Agreement on the Closing Date is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner satisfactory to the Agent:

(a) Loan Documents . The Agent shall have received executed copies of each of the following, each dated as of the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of government officials, a recent date before the Closing Date):

(i) duly executed counterparts of this Agreement, the Initial Intercreditor Agreement, the Perfection Certificate, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, and each other Collateral Document to be entered into on the Closing Date;

(ii) a Revolving Note duly executed by the Borrowers in favor of each Lender and a Swingline Note executed by the Borrowers in favor of the Swingline Lender, in each case, to the extent such Lender or Swingline Lender shall have requested a Revolving Note or Swingline Note, as applicable;

(iii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party dated the Closing Date, certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of each Organization Document of such Credit Party and, with respect to the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation (or similar document), certified (to the

 

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extent applicable) as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of its organization, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors or managers (or equivalent governing body) of such Credit Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrowers, the Borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate, and (C) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer or authorized person executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party (together with a certificate of another officer or authorized person as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the officer or authorized person executing the certificate in this clause (iii));

(iv) to the extent applicable, a certificate as to the good standing of each Credit Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State (or other applicable Governmental Authority) of its jurisdiction of organization;

(v) executed legal opinions of (A) Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, (B) Kaplan & Partners LLP, Kentucky counsel to the Credit Parties, and (C) Moore & Van Allen PLLC, North Carolina counsel to the Credit Parties, in each case, addressed to the Agent and each Lender and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the foregoing;

(vi) duly executed copies of the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and all “Collateral Documents” (as defined therein) (in each case, together with all schedules, exhibits, annexes, appendices, and other attachments thereto) to be entered into on the Closing Date, certified by the Borrower Agent as being true and complete; and

(vii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying as to the matters described in clauses (c), (e), (i), and (m) of this Section  2.1 .

(b) Repayment of Prior Indebtedness . The Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent that, or shall otherwise be satisfied that, concurrently with the funding of the Loans or Swingline Loans to be made on the Closing Date, the Borrowers shall have repaid in full all Prior Indebtedness (and, to the extent backstop letters of credit have not been issued for the Charah Letters of Credit) shall have Cash Collateralized the Charah Letters of Credit and all Guarantees related thereto granted by any of the Credit Parties, and all Liens upon any of the Property of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in connection therewith shall be released and terminated immediately upon such payment, and as of the Closing Date after giving effect thereto, none of Parents, the Borrowers or any Parent’s Restricted Subsidiaries shall have any third party Indebtedness for borrowed money other than the Loans or Swingline Loans to be made on the Closing Date, the Existing Letters of Credit, and Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 5.5 .

 

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(c) Related Transactions . The Initial Term Loan Documents shall have become fully effective, and loans and commitments thereunder shall be available in an aggregate principal amount not less than $250,000,000.

(d) Solvency . The Agent shall have received a solvency certificate duly signed by the chief financial officer or other officer performing the customary duties of a chief financial officer of each Borrower in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(d) .

(e) Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2016, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Payment of Fees . The Borrowers shall have paid the fees required to be paid on the Closing Date in the respective amounts specified in Section  1.9 (including the fees specified in the Fee Letter), and shall have paid all other fees, costs and expenses due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Commitment Letter for which invoices have been presented no later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(g) Financial Statements . The Agent shall have received (i) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of Charah for the Fiscal Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016, (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of Charah for each fiscal quarter of such Borrower (other than the fourth fiscal quarter) ended after the close of its most recent fiscal year and at least 45 days prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows of each Borrower as of and for the 12-month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed four-fiscal quarter period ended at least 45 days (or 90 days in case such period is the end of such Borrower’s fiscal year) prior to the Closing Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred at the beginning of such period.

(h) Patriot Act . So long as requested by the Agent at least 10 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Agent shall have received, at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information with respect to the Credit Parties that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “ know your customer ” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

(i) Representations and Warranties; No Default . (i) The representations and warranty by the Credit Parties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date or period (in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately after the proposed Borrowing or the use of proceeds thereof.

 

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(j) Creation and Perfection of Security Interests . All actions necessary to establish that the Agent will have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in the Collateral under the Loan Documents shall have been taken, in each case, subject to Section  4.20 .

(k) Insurance . The Agent shall have received certificates from the applicable Credit Party’s insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section  4.6(a) is in full force and effect.

(l) Searches . The Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien, federal tax lien, judgment and litigation search in each of the jurisdictions or offices (including, without limitation, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office) in which UCC financing statement or other filings or recordations should be made to evidence or perfect security interests in all assets of the Credit Parties (or would have been made at any time during the five years immediately preceding the Closing Date to evidence or perfect Liens on all assets of the Credit Parties), and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Credit Parties except for Permitted Liens or Liens to be terminated on the Closing Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(m) Approvals . Each Credit Party shall have obtained each order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any Governmental Authority, as is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document and (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any such Loan Document, to the extent such approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings are required to be obtained pursuant to Section  3.3 .

(n) Notice of Borrowing . If applicable, the Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing with respect to the initial funding of Loans, and the LC Issuer shall have received an LC Request with respect to the issuance of each Letter of Credit to be issued on the Closing Date.

(o) Borrowing Base Certificate . Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate (and all supporting reports as Agent may require) prepared as of September 30, 2017, and upon giving effect to the initial funding of Loans and issuance of Letters of Credit and the payment by Borrowers of all fees and expenses incurred in connection herewith on the Closing Date, Availability shall equal or exceed the sum of (i) $20,000,000, plus (ii) the aggregate face amount of all of Borrowers’ and the Subsidiaries’ accounts payable which are more than 30 days past invoice due date unless such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which stay the enforcement of any Lien and for which adequate reserves, if required in accordance with GAAP, are being maintained by Borrowers.

For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section  2.1 , each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder or thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

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2.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit . The obligation of each Lender to fund any Loan (other than an Overadvance Loan or Protective Advance), the Swingline Lender to make any Swingline Loan, or the LC Issuer to issue any Letter of Credit, in each case, on any date (including the Closing Date), is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner satisfactory to Agent:

(a) the representations and warranty by the Credit Parties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date or period (in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period);

(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately after the proposed Borrowing or the use of proceeds thereof;

(c) Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing and, as applicable, the LC Issuer shall have received and LC Request, each in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

(d) All conditions precedent set forth in Section  1.1(a) , Section  1.3(a) , and Section  1.9(c) , if applicable, to this Agreement shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

(e) Solely with respect to issuance of any Letter of Credit, each of the LC Conditions shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

The request by the Borrowers and acceptance by the Borrowers of the proceeds of any Loan or, as applicable, the issuance of any Letter of Credit, shall be deemed to constitute, as of the date thereof, a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions in this Section  2.2 have been satisfied or waived in writing in accordance with this Agreement, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Credit Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Agent, LC Issuer, and each Lender as follows on and as of each date applicable pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 , respectively:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Power . Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries:

(a) is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable;

(b) has the power and authority to own its assets, carry on its business, and execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and

(d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law,

except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Parents and the Borrowers), (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties party hereto of this Agreement and by each Credit Party of any other Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not:

(a) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents;

(b) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) violate or result in a default under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon such Person or its property or to which any such Person or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except to the extent such violation, default, or payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents, Liens created by the Initial Term Loan Documents, and Permitted Liens securing Permitted Term Indebtedness; or

(e) violate any material Requirement of Law, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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3.3 Governmental and Third-Party Authorization . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party party to this Agreement, any other Loan Document to which such Credit Party is a party except for (i) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Agent under the Collateral Documents, (ii) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) those required in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4 Binding Effect . This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Credit Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Credit Party, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Person which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.5 Litigation . There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party or any of their respective businesses, properties or rights that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.6 No Default . No Default or Event of Default is continuing or would result immediately thereafter from the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party or the grant or perfection of the Agent’s Liens on the Collateral.

3.7 ERISA Compliance . Except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each Benefit Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Requirements of Law, (b) there are no existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal course), actions, lawsuits or proceedings or investigations by any Governmental Authority involving any Benefit Plan to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has or would reasonably be expected to have an obligation or any Liability, and (c) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.

3.8 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely for the purposes permitted by Section  4.10 . No Credit Party and no Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party is engaged, either principally or in the ordinary course of its business, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. None of the proceeds from the Loans have been or will be used directly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock, or for any other purpose which would cause any of the Loans to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U or X of the Federal Reserve Board, in each case in violation of such Regulation U or X.

 

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3.9 Ownership of Property; Liens . Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Material Subsidiaries is the lawful owner of, has good title to or has valid leasehold interests in, all properties and other assets (real or personal, tangible, intangible or mixed), in each instance, (a) material to their respective businesses and necessary for the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses and (b) subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens; except to the extent that the failure to have such title, possession or interest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that the representations and warranties in this Section  3.9 shall not apply to Intellectual Property, the treatment of which is separately handled in Section  3.16 .

3.10 Taxes . All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been timely filed, except where failure to so file would not be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges payable by or on behalf of or required to be withheld and paid over by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been paid (other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges which are not delinquent), except those (a) not delinquent by more than 30 days or (b) if more than 30 days delinquent, (i) those that are being contested in good faith and by proper legal proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP or (ii) those the nonpayment of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.11 Financial Condition .

(a) Each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Charah and its Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and the related audited consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year ended on that date and (ii) subject to the absence of footnote disclosure and year-end audit adjustments, the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of Charah and its Subsidiaries dated June 30, 2017 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal month then ended, copies of which have already been provided to the Agent, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and for the periods indicated.

(b) Except as set forth in the financial statements set forth in clause (a) above, there are no material liabilities of Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which would reasonably be expected to result in such a liability.

(c) Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

(d) All financial performance projections delivered to the Agent and the Lenders, including the Projections, have been prepared in good faith and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrowers to be reasonable in light of current market conditions at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed by the Agent and the Lenders that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial

 

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performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the Borrowers’ control, that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material).

3.12 Environmental Matters . Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the operations of each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party are and have been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required by any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, and no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Credit Parties, no real property currently or previously owned, leased, subleased or operated by or for any such Person is subject to or the subject of, any Contractual Obligation or any pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing) order, action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute or notice of violation or of potential liability or similar notice relating in any manner to any Environmental Law, (c) no real estate currently or previously owned, leased, subleased or operated by or for any Credit Party is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property, (d) there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the knowledge of the Credit Parties, on any property previously owned or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) no Lien securing, in whole or in part, any Environmental Liability has attached to any Property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist that would reasonably be expected to result in any such Lien attaching to any such Property, (f) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur a Release of Hazardous Materials at, to or from any real property currently or previously owned, leased or operated by such Credit Party, (g) all real property currently (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party is free of contamination by any Hazardous Materials and there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any real estate currently owned, leased, or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and (h) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) is or has been engaged in or has permitted any current or former tenant to engage in, operations in violation of any Environmental Law or (ii) knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions that would reasonably be expected to result in a violation of any Environmental Law by any Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party or otherwise result in imposition of any Environmental Liability, including, but not limited to, receipt of any information request or notice of potential responsibility under CERCLA or similar Environmental Laws.

3.13 Regulated Entities . Neither any Credit Party nor any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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3.14 Solvency . On and as of the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to (a) the incurrence of the Loans made on the Closing Date and the issuance of any Letters of Credit on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds of such Loans to or as directed by the Borrowers, (b) the payment on the Closing Date by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries of all of their transaction costs in connection with the Loan Documents and the Initial Term Loan Documents and (c) the consummation of the Transactions (including all Indebtedness being incurred or assumed and Liens created by the Credit Parties in connection therewith on the Closing Date), each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent, and, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and on a combined basis, are Solvent.

3.15 Labor Relations . There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) against or involving any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 , (a) there is no collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union, labor organization, works council or similar representative covering any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (b) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no petition for certification or election of any such representative is existing or pending with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (c) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no such representative has sought certification or recognition with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

3.16 Intellectual Property . Each Credit Party and each Material Subsidiary of each Credit Party owns, possesses, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted, except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Credit Party, except as, in each case, would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person, (b) all registered and issued Intellectual Property rights owned by each Credit Party and each Material Subsidiary of each Credit Party are valid and enforceable, and (c) no other Person has contested any right, title or interest of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party in, or relating to, any Intellectual Property.

3.17 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock .

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 , as of the Closing Date, no Credit Party and no Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) has any Subsidiaries or (ii) has an investment in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person or outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments of any nature to which such Credit Party is a party relating to any Stock of such Subsidiaries, and there are no other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Capital Stock pledged by (or purported to be pledged) under the Collateral Documents.

 

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(b) Schedule  3.17 sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each direct and indirect subsidiary of Parents.

3.18 Insurance . Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective Properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrowers, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are required by Section 4.6 and as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Credit Party or their respective Subsidiary operates.

3.19 Collateral Documents .

(a) The Guaranty and Security Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) is delivered to the Agent, the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in such Pledged Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Permitted Liens), (ii) when the financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate jurisdictions (which, on the Closing Date, shall be the jurisdictions specified on Schedule 2 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement) and (iii) when Control Agreements are entered into by all parties thereto, the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral described in such statements (other than Intellectual Property) in which a security interest may be perfected by taking possession of such Pledged Collateral, by such filing or by entering into such Control Agreements, as applicable, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

(b) Upon the recordation of each short-form security agreement (in the form of Annex 2 to the Guaranty and Security Agreement) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, together with the financing statements in appropriate form filed in the appropriate jurisdictions (which, on the Closing Date, shall be the jurisdictions specified on Schedule 2 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement), the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by filing in the United States and its territories and possessions, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Credit Parties after the Closing Date).

 

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(c) Each Mortgage is effective to create in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on all of the applicable Credit Party’s right, title and interest in and to the mortgaged property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgage is filed in the appropriate offices (if any), such Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of such Credit Party in such mortgaged property and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

(d) Each Collateral Document, other than any Collateral Document referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section  3.19 , upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto and the making of the filings and taking of the other actions provided for therein, will be effective under applicable law to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral subject thereto in which a security interest may be perfected by such filings or actions, and will constitute a fully perfected security interest in all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral subject thereto, prior and superior to the rights of any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

3.20 Senior Indebtedness; Subordination . All Obligations and other Secured Obligations are within the definition of “Senior Debt” (or any comparable term) and “Designated Senior Debt” (or any comparable term), to the extent applicable, under and as defined in any documentation governing Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Obligations or the Secured Obligations, if any.

3.21 Full Disclosure . All written information (other than projections, other forward-looking information and general economic or industry-specific information) furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party to the Agent and the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, when taken as a whole, when furnished, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made (after giving effect to all supplements and updates thereto from time to time). All projections that are part of such information (including those set forth in any projections delivered subsequent to the Closing Date) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Credit Parties’ control, that actual results may differ from projected results, and that such differences may be material).

 

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3.22 OFAC; Sanctions; Anti-Corruption; Related Matters .

(a) Enemy Act . No Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended. To its knowledge, no Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the PATRIOT Act. No Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a Sanctioned Person (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any Sanctioned Person.

(b) OFAC . Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Sanctions, and such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of such Credit Party, its directors and agents, are in compliance with applicable Sanctions and are not engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Credit Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of the Credit Parties, their Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates is in violation of any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC that are described or referenced at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/ or as otherwise published from time to time.

(c) Sanctions . None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of each Credit Party or its Subsidiaries, any of their respective directors, officers, employees or Affiliates (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has any of its assets located in a Sanctioned Country, or (iii) derives any of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons. The proceeds of any Loan, Letter of Credit, credit extension or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document have not been used (x) in violation of any Sanctions, (y) to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (z) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including Agent, LC Issuer, the Lenders or any other Person making, issuing or participating in such Loans, Letters of Credit, other credit extensions or other transactions whether as an underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

(d) Anti-Corruption Laws . Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, each of their respective directors, officers, employees and Affiliates, is in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws. None of the Credit Parties or their respective Subsidiaries has made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (a) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (b) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or

 

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any candidate for foreign political office, and (c) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or to any other Person, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law. No part of the proceeds of any Loans, Letters of Credit, other credit extension or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document will violate Anti-Corruption Laws.

(e) PATRIOT Act. To the extent applicable, each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the PATRIOT Act.

3.23 Borrowing Base Certificate . At the time of delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate, each Account reflected therein as eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base is an Eligible Account and the inventory reflected therein as eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base constitutes Eligible Inventory.

ARTICLE IV

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, until Payment in Full:

4.1 Financial Statements . The Borrowers shall deliver to Agent (which shall make the same available to the LC Issuer and the Lenders) by Electronic Transmission:

(a) not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (x) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, (y) the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the pendency of the Stated Commitment Termination Date or (B) any prospective default of any financial maintenance covenants (including any covenant to maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or any financial covenant under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness Document) on a future date or in a future period) and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Lead Borrower including a breakdown of revenues and assets;

 

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(b) not later than 45 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (60 days with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited consolidated balance sheet of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by (x) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures and (y) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Lead Borrower including a breakdown of revenues and assets;

(c) not later than 30 days after the end of any Fiscal Month ending during a Financial Covenant Testing Period, a copy of the internally prepared unaudited consolidated balance sheet of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures; and

(d) commencing with respect to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrowers shall conduct a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been, or will be, delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) or (c)  as applicable, at a date and time to be reasonably determined by the Borrowers and the Agent; provided, however, that this clause (d) shall not apply unless and until there is more than one Lender hereunder.

4.2 Borrowing Base Reporting; Other Information . The Borrowers shall furnish to Agent (which shall make the same available to the Lenders) by Electronic Transmission:

(a) Borrowing Base Certificate . Borrower Agent shall deliver a fully completed and executed Borrowing Base Certificate to Agent no later than the 20th day of each Fiscal Month, prepared as of the end of the immediately preceding Fiscal Month. Borrower Agent shall attach the following to each Borrowing Base Certificate, each of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent and certified by Borrower Agent’s Responsible Officer to be complete and accurate and in compliance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents:

 

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(i) Accounts Receivable Reports . A report (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion) listing (A) all of Borrowers’ Accounts and Eligible Accounts as of the last Business Day of the applicable reporting period; (B) the amount, age, invoice date and due date of each Account on an original invoice and due date aging basis and showing all discounts, allowances, credits, authorized returns, and disputes; (C) the name and (if requested by Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion) mailing address of each Account Debtor; (D) if requested by Agent from time to time, copies of all or a portion of the documents underlying or relating to Borrowers’ Accounts; and (E) such other information regarding Borrowers’ Accounts which Agent may request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion (each, an “ Accounts Receivable Report ”);

(ii) Inventory Reports . A report (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion) listing (A) all of Borrowers’ Inventory and Eligible Inventory as of the last Business Day of the applicable reporting period; (B) the type, cost, and location of all such Inventory; (C) all of such Inventory which constitutes raw materials, work-in-process, and finished Goods or returned or repossessed Goods; (D) all Inventory which has not been timely sold in the ordinary course of business; (E) all Inventory which is not located at Property owned or leased by a Borrower or that is in possession of any Person other than a Borrower and a description of the reason why such Inventory is so located or in the possession of such other Person; and (F) such other information regarding Borrowers’ Inventory as Agent may request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion (each, an “ Inventory Report ”); provided , however , that Borrowers shall not be required to deliver any Inventory Report unless the Inventory Inclusion Date has occurred;

(iii) Accounts Payable Reports . A report (in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion) listing (A) each Borrower’s accounts payable; (B) the number of days which have elapsed since the original date of invoice of such account payable; (C) the name and (if requested by Agent from time to time) address of each Person to whom such account payable is owed; and (D) such other information concerning Borrowers’ accounts payable as Agent may request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion (each, an “ Accounts Payable Report ”);

(iv) Other Reports . Such other reports (each of which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent in its Permitted Discretion) as Agent may request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion, each prepared with respect to such periods and with respect to such information and reporting as Agent may request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion.

 

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(b) together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) or 4.1(b) , comparisons with the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year;

(c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a duly completed certificate in the form of Exhibit 4.2(c) (a “ Compliance Certificate ”) certified on behalf of Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower (and including, among other things, a calculation of the Financial Covenant, even if no Financial Covenant Testing Period exists);

(d) promptly after the same are sent but without duplication of any other deliveries required to be made to the Agent and the Lenders hereunder, copies of all financial statements and regular, periodic or special filings which such Person makes to, or files with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority;

(e) not later than 90 days after the last day of each Fiscal Year of each Borrower (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), an annual budget and projections of each Lead Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial performance for the then-current Fiscal Year on a quarter-by-quarter basis; and

(f) Promptly (and in any event within 15 days) after Agent’s request from time to time in its Permitted Discretion, Borrowers shall provide Agent with a listing of all of Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries’ customers’ names and (if requested by Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion) addresses as of the end of the then most recently ended Fiscal Quarter or as of such earlier date requested by Agent;

(g) promptly following the Agent’s written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties, such additional financial information related to this Section  4.2 or Section  4.3 regarding the Credit Parties as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing;

(h) a copy of any and all material written communications or reports with respect to (1) any Environmental Liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (2) any Release by the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(i) promptly upon reasonable request of the Agent or the Required Lenders, a copy of the most recent compliance certificate delivered or furnished to the holders of any Permitted Term Indebtedness (or any Senior Representative on their behalf) in connection with any Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents.

 

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4.3 Notices . The Borrowers shall notify Agent (and Agent shall promptly forward such notices to the Lenders) promptly (and in no event later than five Business Days) after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of each of the following:

(a) the occurrence or existence of any (i) Default or Event of Default and (ii) “Default” or “Event of Default” (as defined in any Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents) or receipt by any Credit Party of a notice to that effect from a Term Loan Agent or any holder of any Permitted Term Indebtedness;

(b) together with each delivery of the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(b) and substantially concurrently with the use by any Credit Party of the Available Equity Amount, a written calculation of the Available Equity Amount;

(c) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time between any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority which would reasonably be expected to result, in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) (i) the commencement of any litigation or proceeding affecting any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party or its respective property that (A) would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) relates to ABL Priority Collateral having a value of more than $5,000,000 or (ii) any development in any such litigation, which development would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) (i) the receipt by any Credit Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability or similar notice under Environmental Law, (ii)(A) unpermitted Releases, (B) the existence of any condition that would reasonably be expected to result in violations of, or Liabilities under, any Environmental Law or (C) the commencement of, or any material change to, any action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand or dispute alleging a violation of or Liability under any Environmental Law, (iii) the receipt by any Credit Party of notification that any Property of any Credit Party is subject to any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities and (iv) any proposed acquisition or lease of Real Estate which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(f) (i) any filing by any ERISA Affiliate of any notice of any reportable event under Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) or intent to terminate any Title IV Plan, and shall include a copy of such notice, (ii) that a request for a minimum funding waiver under Section 412 of the Code has been filed with respect to any Title IV Plan, or receipt by any ERISA Affiliate of notice of the filing of any such request with respect to a Multiemployer Plan, and shall include in such notice a description of such waiver request and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC or the IRS pertaining thereto, and (iii) that an ERISA Event will or has occurred, and shall

 

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include in such notice a description of such ERISA Event, and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notices received by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate from or filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC, IRS, or any Multiemployer Plan pertaining thereto, which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(g) the occurrence or existence of any Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and, if relevant, stating what action the Borrowers or other Person proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time.

4.4 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, except as (i) permitted by Section  5.2 or 5.3 , or (ii) other than in the case of Parents and the Borrowers, as could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except as (i) permitted by Section  5.2 or 5.3 , or (ii) as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Maintenance of Property . Each Credit Party shall maintain and preserve, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all easements, leasehold and other property interests, and all utility and other services (including, to the extent applicable, gas, electrical, water and sewage services), means of transportation, facilities, other materials and other rights and all its material tangible Property which are necessary to its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, shall make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof and maintain all material permits, licenses, approvals, privileges, franchises and governmental authorizations necessary for the operation of its business except (a) as permitted by Section  5.2 or 5.3 , (b) to the extent that any such Properties are obsolete, are being replaced or, in the good faith judgment of such Credit Party, are no longer useful or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties, or (c) where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.6 Insurance .

(a) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain with insurance companies that such Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties

 

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and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as Parents and the Restricted Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, and will furnish to the Lenders, upon reasonable written request from the Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Subject to the terms of any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, each such policy of property and casualty or general liability insurance shall, as appropriate, (i) name the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, (ii) provide for at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy (or, to the extent commercially available, 10 days’ prior written notice in the case of the failure to pay any premiums thereunder), or (iii) in the case of each property and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as a loss payee thereunder. Notwithstanding the requirement in clause (i) above or any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, Federal Flood Insurance shall not be required (x) to the extent that no improvements upon the real Property are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or (y) to the extent that the real Property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area in a community that does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default resulting from the failure of any Borrower to provide the Agent with evidence of the insurance coverage required by this Agreement, the Agent may purchase insurance at such Borrower’s expense to protect the Agent’s interests solely with respect to any real property improvements of the Credit Parties located in any Special Flood Hazard Area in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and subject to a Mortgage; provided that the Agent shall request in writing that such Borrower provide evidence of such insurance and shall, thereafter, only purchase such insurance if such evidence has not been provided within 30 days following such Borrower’s receipt of such written request; and provided , further , (i) the Agent shall procure such insurance in consultation with such Borrower and through such Borrower’s existing insurance broker or agency or such other insurance broker or agency reasonably acceptable to such Borrower and the Agent and (ii) the Agent shall only purchase insurance coverage to the extent of the deficiency, as determined in its reasonable judgment, as compared to the insurance coverage required by this Agreement. The Borrowers may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Agent, but only after providing the Agent with evidence that the Borrowers have obtained insurance as required by this Agreement. If the Agent purchases insurance for the Collateral, to the fullest extent provided by law, the Borrowers will be jointly and severally responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and other charges imposed by the Agent in connection with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance shall be added to the Obligations and the Secured Obligations. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries are able to obtain on their own.

 

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4.7 Payment of Taxes . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, pay, discharge and perform, before the same shall become delinquent or in default (giving effect to any applicable periods of grace), all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its Property, unless (a) the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which stay the enforcement of any Lien and for which adequate reserves, if required in accordance with GAAP, are being maintained by such Person or (b) the failure to pay, discharge or perform the same, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.8 Compliance with Laws . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Requirements of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9 Inspection of Property and Books and Records . Each Credit Party shall maintain and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, books of record and account, in such a manner as to permit it to report its financial transactions and matters involving the assets or business of such Person in accordance with GAAP in all material respects consistently applied; provided that such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary may estimate GAAP results in good faith if the financial statements with respect to a Permitted Acquisition are not maintained in accordance with GAAP, and may make such further adjustments as are reasonably necessary in connection with consolidation of such financial statements with those of the Credit Parties.

Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, with respect to each real property owned or leased by it, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice: (a) provide access to such property for inspection by the Agent and any of its Related Persons and (b) permit the Agent and any of its Related Persons to conduct (i) field examinations of any Credit Party’s or Subsidiary’s books and records or any other financial or Collateral matters as the Agent deems appropriate and (ii) appraisals of Inventory. Borrowers shall reimburse Agent for all costs and expenses of (a) one field examination during each calendar year; plus (b) one additional field examination during each calendar year if commenced during any Increased Field Exam Period; plus (c) one additional field examination during each calendar year if commenced during any Cash Dominion Period; plus (d) each field examination commenced during the existence of an Event of Default. Borrowers shall reimburse Agent for all costs and expenses of two inventory appraisals during each calendar year, plus each inventory appraisal commenced during the existence of an Event of Default. Subject to and without limiting the foregoing, Borrowers specifically agree to pay the standard charges of the Agent’s internal field examination group (including the Agent’s then standard per-person charges for each day that an employee or agent of the Agent or its Affiliates is engaged in any field examination activities).

 

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4.10 Use of Proceeds . The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit solely for working capital and general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, restricted payments, and any other transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents).

4.11 [Reserved] .

4.12 Compliance with ERISA . The Borrowers shall not and shall not allow any ERISA Affiliate to, cause or suffer to exist (a) any event that would result immediately thereafter in the imposition of a Lien that primes the Liens securing the Secured Obligations on any asset of a Credit Party with respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (b) any other ERISA Event that would, in the aggregate for clauses (a) and (b), have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.13 Further Assurances .

(a) Promptly following the written request by the Agent, the Credit Parties shall take such additional actions and execute such documents as the Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order to perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Liens to the extent required by the Collateral Documents in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, except to the extent that a security interest in any Intellectual Property owned by a Credit Party cannot be perfected or maintained by the filing of a financing statement in a United States jurisdiction or a security agreement with the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office, as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, the Credit Parties shall cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to Guarantee the Secured Obligations and to cause each such Guarantor to grant to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Collateral Documents, such Domestic Subsidiary’s Property on which a Lien is required to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Excluded Property) to secure such Guarantee, in each case, within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the later of the date that such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, each Credit Party shall, upon becoming a Credit Party or, if later, within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the date such Credit Party acquires such Stock and Stock Equivalents, pledge all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of its direct Domestic Subsidiaries and First Tier Foreign Subsidiaries ( provided that with respect to the pledge of any voting Stock and voting Stock Equivalents of any Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary and any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, such pledge shall be limited to 65% of such Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary’s or such Foreign Subsidiary’s, as applicable, outstanding voting Stock and voting Stock Equivalents, in each instance), to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations. The Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, if reasonably requested by the Agent, customary resolutions, secretary certificates and certified Organization Documents and, if reasonably requested by the Agent, customary legal opinions relating to the matters described in this Section  4.13(b) (which opinions shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the

 

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Agent and, to the extent applicable, substantially similar to the opinions delivered on the Closing Date), in the case of opinions, with respect to each Credit Party formed or acquired after the Closing Date in connection with or pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition with Total Consideration or other acquisitions of assets with a fair market value, in each case, in excess of $30,000,000 as determined in good faith by the Borrowers on the date of acquisition. In connection with each required pledge of Stock and Stock Equivalents, the Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, irrevocable proxies and stock powers and/or assignments, as applicable, duly executed in blank. In the event any Credit Party acquires any fee-owned real property located within the United States with a fair market value in excess of $2,500,000 (as determined in good faith by the Borrowers as of the date of the acquisition), within 60 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the later of (A) the date of such acquisition and (B) the date such Person becomes a Credit Party, such Person shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to the Agent, in each case, to the extent reasonably requested by the Agent, (v) an appraisal complying with FIRREA to the extent such appraisal is necessary for the Agent or any Lender to comply with FIRREA, (w) within 45 days of receipt of notice from the Agent that Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Flood Insurance as required by Section  4.6(a) , (x) a fully executed Mortgage, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent together with an A.L.T.A. lender’s title insurance policy (including endorsements thereto as reasonably requested by the Agent) insuring that the Mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on the respective Property, subject only to Permitted Liens, (y) A.L.T.A. surveys, certified to the Agent by a licensed surveyor sufficient to allow the issuer of the lender’s title insurance policy to provide all reasonably required survey coverage and survey endorsements, (z) customary opinions of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) with respect to the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the Mortgages and (aa) to the extent prepared, an environmental site assessment, not including invasive sampling, prepared by a qualified firm, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. In addition to the obligations set forth in Sections 4.6(a) and 4.13(b) , within 45 days after written notice from the Agent to the Credit Parties that any fee owned real property of the Credit Parties subject to a Mortgage is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the Credit Parties shall, if such requirements have not already been satisfied, satisfy the Flood Insurance requirements of Section  4.6(a) with respect to such fee-owned real property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, nothing in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document shall require any Credit Party to (A) make any filings or take any actions to record or to perfect the Agent’s security interest in any non-United States jurisdiction including, without limitation, (I) any Intellectual Property other than in the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office, (II) any non-United States Intellectual Property, or (III) any fee owned real property located outside of the United States, or (B) obtain any mortgagee waivers or leasehold mortgages.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section  4.13 , to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain the continuing priority of the Lien of any existing Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations in connection with the incurrence of an Revolving Commitment Increase, as determined by the Agent in its

 

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reasonable discretion, the applicable Credit Party to any Mortgages shall within 90 days of such funding or incurrence (or such later date as agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) (i) enter into and deliver to the Agent, at the direction and in the reasonable discretion of the Agent, a mortgage modification or new Mortgage in proper form for recording in the relevant jurisdiction and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (ii) cause to be delivered to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties an endorsement to the title insurance policy, date down(s) or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent insuring that the priority of the Lien of the Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations has not changed and confirming and/or insuring that since the issuance of the title insurance policy there has been no change in the condition of title and there are no intervening liens or encumbrances which may then or thereafter take priority over the Lien of the Mortgages (other than those expressly permitted by Section  5.1(a) ) and (iii) deliver, at the request of the Agent, to the Agent and/or all other relevant third parties, all other items reasonably necessary to maintain the continuing priority of the Lien of the Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations.

(c) In the event the Agent reasonably determines that obtaining appraisals is necessary in order for the Agent or any Lender to comply with applicable laws or regulations (including any appraisals required to comply with FIRREA), the Agent may, or may require the Borrowers to, in either case at the Borrowers’ expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain appraisals in form and substance and from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent stating the then current fair market value or such other value as determined by the Agent (for example, replacement cost for purposes of Flood Insurance) of any Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party that is subject to a Mortgage.

4.14 Environmental Matters . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with, and maintain Real Estate under its control, whether owned, leased, or subleased (or any other real property otherwise operated or occupied by it), in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws or that is required by orders and directives of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Credit Party, Subsidiary or Real Estate, except where the failure to comply with such Environmental Law, order or directive would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. If an Event of Default caused by reason of breach of any representation set forth in Section  3.12 or breach of this Section  4.14 or Section  4.15 is continuing for more than 45 days without the Credit Parties commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default in accordance with Environmental Laws, then each Credit Party shall, promptly upon receipt of written request from the Agent, cause the performance of, and allow the Agent and its Related Persons access to such Real Estate during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice for the purpose of conducting, such environmental audits and assessments, including subsurface sampling of soil and groundwater, and cause the preparation of such reports, in each case as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request. Such audits, assessments and reports, to the extent not conducted by the Agent or any of its Related Persons, shall be conducted and prepared by reputable environmental consulting firms reasonably acceptable to the Agent and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

 

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4.15 Hazardous Materials.

(a) Each Credit Party shall not allow or cause, and each Credit Party shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to allow or cause, any Release of any Hazardous Material at, to or from any Real Estate owned or leased by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary of a Credit Party that would violate any Environmental Law, or form the basis for any Environmental Liabilities, other than such violations and Environmental Liabilities that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) At the request of the Required Lenders, to the extent that the Agent or any of the Required Lenders has a reasonable belief that a breach of Section 4.14 or Section 4.15(a) or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provide to the Lenders within 60 days after such request, at the expense of the Borrowers, an environmental assessment report for any Real Estate owned, leased or operated by it described in such request, prepared by an environmental consulting firm acceptable to the Agent, indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials or non-compliance with Environmental Law and the estimated cost of any compliance, response or other corrective action to address any Hazardous Materials on such properties (the scope of such assessment shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent and shall not include invasive testing or taking of samples of any environmental media unless reasonably determined to be necessary to evaluate a potential Release or other event or condition that could lead to imposition of Environmental Liability); without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Agent determines at any time that a material risk exists that any such report will not be provided within the time referred to above, the Agent may retain an environmental consulting firm to prepare such report at the expense of the Borrowers, and the Borrowers hereby grant and agree to cause any Restricted Subsidiary that owns or leases any property described in such request to grant the Agent, the Lenders, such firm and any agents or representatives thereof an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants or necessary consent of landlords, to enter onto their respective properties to undertake such an assessment.

4.16 Status of Parents . Each Parent shall only engage in business activities and own Property in connection with or consisting of (a) ownership of Stock and Stock Equivalents of, and other Investments in, Borrowers, and Subsidiaries other than the Borrowers that will be contributed to the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, and Parent Intercompany Advances, in each case, to the extent permitted hereunder, (b) ownership of cash and Cash Equivalents, (c) creation of Permitted Liens, (d) activities and contractual rights incidental to the maintenance of its legal existence (including, without limitation, the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses necessary to such maintenance), (e) the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents, the Initial Term Loan Documents, and any other Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents to which it is a party, and any financing activities, the issuance of Stock, performance of obligations under equityholder agreements, payment of dividends and other Restricted Payments, making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries and guaranteeing the obligations of its Subsidiaries and making Investments, in each such case solely to the extent permitted under this Agreement, (f) participating in Tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of a consolidated, unitary, affiliated or other similar group of companies, (g) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments permitted under Section  5.11 pending application thereof, (h) providing fees, expenses and indemnification to officers, directors, managers and employees and (i) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (h).

 

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4.17 Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Compliance with Requirements of Law .

(a) The Borrowers will not, directly or knowingly indirectly use all or any portion of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit (i) to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or for any other purpose which might constitute a “purpose credit” under Regulation U, or in any manner or for any other purpose that causes or might cause a violation of, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time or any other regulation thereof, or violation of the Exchange Act, (ii) to finance (or refinance) any commercial paper, including, without limitation, any issued by a Credit Party, or any other Indebtedness, except for Indebtedness that such Credit Party incurred for general corporate or working capital purposes, if and to the extent that the financing (and refinancing) thereof are expressly permitted herein, (iii) 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, or (iv) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or, in any event, in violation of any applicable Sanctions

(b) The Borrowers and the other Credit Parties will comply, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to comply in all respects, with the Patriot Act (to the extent applicable), applicable anti money-laundering laws, and all applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and all applicable trade and economic sanctions laws promulgated by the U.S. Government, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority. Each Credit Party will maintain, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to maintain, in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, such Subsidiaries and the respective directors, officers, employees and agents of each of the foregoing with applicable Trade Controls, including those administered by OFAC, and all applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, including the FCPA.

(c) The Borrowers and the other Credit Parties are in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except such non compliance with such other Requirements of Law that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has complied, and its Properties and business operations are in compliance, with all Requirements of Law, except where any failure to so comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Governmental Authority has issued or, to the best of Credit Parties’ knowledge, threatened to issue to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries any citation, notice, or order asserting or alleging any material non-compliance with, or material violation of, any Requirement of Law.

 

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4.18 [Reserved] .

4.19 Cash Management; Deposit Accounts . Each Credit Party shall:

(a) Collections . Within 90 days after the Closing Date (or such longer period of time agreed to by Agent in its Permitted Discretion), (i) establish one or more Collection Accounts and, thereafter, maintain each such Collection Account and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to direct all of Credit Parties’ Account Debtors to make all payments on Accounts to a Collection Account (if made electronically) or to any Borrower (with respect to tangible Payment Items);

(b) Making Deposits . At all times during a Cash Dominion Period, hold in trust for the Agent and promptly (but, in any event, on the Business Day immediately following its receipt thereof) deposit into a Collection Account all tangible Payment Items (which may be made via a remote deposit capture system established and maintained with Agent) and cash such Credit Party receives on account of the payment of any of such Credit Party’s Accounts or as Proceeds of any Inventory or, subject to each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, other Collateral; and

(c) Maintenance of Accounts . Not establish or maintain any Deposit Accounts other than Deposit Accounts (i) listed on Schedule 7 to the Guarantee and Security Agreement; (ii) maintained at the Agent; (iii) maintained at any bank other than the Agent but subject to a Control Agreement executed and delivered within the time periods provided in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and Section  4.20 ; and (iv) Excluded Accounts.

4.20 Post-Closing Matters . Satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 4.20 on or before the date specified for such requirements.

ARTICLE V

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, until Payment in Full:

5.1 Limitation on Liens . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following (“ Permitted Liens ”):

(a) any Lien existing on the Property of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.1 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to any additional property other than after-acquired property that is affixed to or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased; provided further that, in each case, individual financings provided by one such lender or lessor (other than lessors of real property) may be cross-collateralized to other outstanding financings provided by such purchase money lender or lessor (or their respective affiliates);

 

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(b) any Lien created under any Loan Document or otherwise in favor of the Agent, LC Issuer, Bank Product Providers, or any Lender or other Secured Party and securing any of the Secured Obligations;

(c) Liens for Taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges or levies (i) which are not delinquent (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) or remain payable without penalty, (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves if required in accordance with GAAP are being maintained or (iii) the non-payment of which is permitted by Section  4.7 ;

(d) (i) Liens in respect of property of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party imposed by Requirements of Law or contract, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness, and (ii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, laborer’s or supplier’s Liens or other similar Liens securing obligations and liabilities with respect to which the failure to make payment would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) Liens, other than Liens imposed by ERISA or resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) imposed by Requirements of Law; or (ii) consisting of pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business, in the case of clause (i)  and clause (ii) , in connection with workers’ compensation, employment insurance and other social security legislation or to secure the performance of or obligations with respect to tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeals bonds, bids, leases, governmental contract, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds, completion guarantees and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(f) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens (other than for payment of Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) that do not result in an Event of Default under Section  7.1(h) or securing appeal or other surety bonds relating to such a judgment;

(g) survey exceptions and title exceptions (including, without limitation, any title exceptions listed on a title policy), easements, servitudes, covenants, licenses, encroachments, protrusions, rights of way, zoning and other restrictions, minor defects or other irregularities in title, and other similar encumbrances and Liens securing obligations under operating reciprocal easement or similar agreements with respect to Real Estate which do not, in any case, interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the applicable Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(h) Liens on any Property acquired or held by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness (and Permitted Refinancings of such Indebtedness) incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing such Property and permitted under Section  5.5(d) , Section  5.5(j) , or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(v) ; provided that (i) any such Lien attaches to such Property concurrently with or within 270 days after such incurrence or assumption, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the Property so acquired, repaired, improved, subject to installation or designed and the proceeds thereof, and (iii) the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured thereby (excluding any increase in principal as a result of interest paid in kind and capitalized interest) does not exceed 100% of the cost of such Property; provided that, in each case, individual financings provided by one such lender or lessor (other than lessors of real property) may be cross-collateralized to other outstanding financings provided by such purchase money lender or lessor (or their respective affiliates);

(i) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted under Section  5.5(d) or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(v) ;

(j) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense permitted by this Agreement and all encumbrances and Liens on the title of any lessor or sublessor thereof;

(k) Liens arising from the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements with respect to any lease, license, sublease or sublicense permitted by this Agreement or any consignment of goods;

(l) licenses and sublicenses (or grant of any other right with respect to Intellectual Property) granted by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, and leases or subleases (by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary as lessor or sublessor) to third parties, in each case that, in the reasonable business judgment of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary, is not materially interfering with the business of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries;

(m) Liens in favor of collecting banks arising by operation of law;

(n) Liens (including the right of set-off) in favor of a bank or other depository institution (i) arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary deposit account agreements and other similar agreements, in each case, encumbering deposits, and (ii) on cash deposits to secure ACH/EDI transactions in the ordinary course of business and (iii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens arising out of consignment, conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(q) Liens arising under applicable Requirements of Law that are unregistered and secure amounts that are not yet delinquent;

 

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(r) Liens arising out of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition permitted by Section  5.2 , solely to the extent such permitted disposition would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(s) Liens on the Stock of any joint venture entity in the form of a transfer restriction, purchase option, call or similar right in connection with a third party joint venture;

(t) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary are located;

(u) Liens on insurance proceeds and the unearned portion of insurance premiums incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;

(v) security given to a public or private utility incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w) (i) zoning, building, entitlement and other land use regulations by Governmental Authorities, and (ii) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property;

(x) Liens consisting of earnest money deposits of cash or Cash Equivalents made by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to an Acquisition or other Investment or other transition permitted hereunder;

(y) Liens consisting of customary security deposits under operating leases entered into by the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(z) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired in an Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder or merged with or into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries (and not created in anticipation or contemplation thereof) in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, and any modification, replacement, renewal, or extension thereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to property not subject to such Liens at the time of such Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidated or amalgamation (other than improvements thereon);

(aa) Liens on, or rights of set-off against, credit balances (or other amounts owing by such credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors to any) of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors in the ordinary course of business to secure the obligations of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to such credit or debit card issuers and credit or debit card processors as a result of fees or chargebacks;

 

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(bb) (i) Liens on Collateral securing the obligations under the Initial Term Loan Documents subject to the Initial Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) Liens securing other Permitted Term Indebtedness, so long as such Liens described in this clause (ii) are subject to the terms of an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement;

(cc) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business;

(dd) Liens on the assets of Non-Credit Parties that secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section  5.5(s) or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(w) (and related obligations);

(ee) Liens (other than Liens on Borrowing Base Assets) securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) at any time outstanding;

(ff) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section  5.5(t) so long as the relevant primary Indebtedness is also secured by Liens otherwise constituting Permitted Liens;

(gg) [reserved];

(hh) Liens on assets (other than Borrowing Base Assets) disposed (or purported to have been disposed) in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction in accordance with Section  5.2(p) ;

(ii) Liens granted by a Non-Credit Party in favor of any Credit Party; and

(jj) [reserved];

(kk) Liens on cash and Cash Equivalents that secure Indebtedness incurred for letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit), bank guarantees or back acceptances not exceeding the greater of (x) $1,000,000 and (y) 1.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) at any time outstanding; and

(ll) Liens in favor of Duke Energy consisting of Duke Energy’s purchase option of the Sanford Property and Brickhaven Property contained in Section 7.3 of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

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5.2 Disposition of Assets . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, assign, lease, license, convey, transfer, abandon, dedicate to the public, or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any Property (including the Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether in a public or private offering or otherwise, and accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse), except:

(a) (i) dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) dispositions of worn-out, obsolete or surplus personal property, or any property no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for fair market value; provided that (i) at the time of any disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition and (ii) to the extent the purchase price therefor for all such dispositions in the aggregate is in excess of the greater of (x) $7,000,000 and (y) 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction), not less than 75% of the aggregate sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash, Cash Equivalents (or marketable securities or other Property that is converted to cash or Cash Equivalents within 45 days of receipt thereof) or Designated Non-Cash Consideration to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of all such Designated Non-Cash Consideration does not exceed the greater of (x) $3,000,000 and (y) 4.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured as of the time received);

(c) (i) dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not independently permit any Investment, any transaction with any Affiliate, or any Restricted Payment which is otherwise prohibited hereunder by Sections 5.4 , 5.6 or 5.11 and (ii) conversions of Cash Equivalents into cash or other Cash Equivalents;

(d) transactions permitted under Section  5.1 , 5.3 , 5.11 or 5.17 ;

(e) dispositions of Property to the extent that (i) such Property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement Property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement Property;

(f) sales, discounting or forgiveness of Accounts (other than Eligible Accounts) in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(g) the abandonment, cancellation, lapse, or other disposition of Intellectual Property that is no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries;

(h) leases or subleases in the ordinary course of business

(i) non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(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 joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(k) (i) any disposition by any Credit Party to any other Credit Party, (ii) any disposition by any Non-Credit Party to any other Non-Credit Party or any Credit Party and (iii) dispositions by any Credit Party to a Non-Credit Party not exceeding in the aggregate for all such dispositions pursuant to this clause (iii) $2,000,000 in any Fiscal Year;

(l) [reserved];

(m) dispositions of any Non-Core Assets acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment in compliance with Section  5.4 ;

(n) the termination or unwinding of any Swap Agreements;

(o) dispositions as a direct result of an Event of Loss and the disposition of Property damaged as a result thereof;

(p) Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions with an aggregate consideration not in excess of the greater of (i) $7,000,000 and (ii) 10% of Combined EBITDA of (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for all such transactions during the term of this Agreement;

(q) dispositions made in order to comply with an order of any Governmental Authority or any applicable Requirement of Law not exceeding the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) during the term of this Agreement;

(r) any other disposition in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $15,000,000 and (y) 20.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for all such transactions or series of transactions during the term of this Agreement; and

(s) Disposition of the Sanford Property and/or Brickhaven Property after payment of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract Termination Fee by Duke Energy.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, with respect to any disposition of (1) Borrowing Base Assets, (2) any of the Stock of Allied or any Subsidiary of Allied which is a Borrower, (3) more than 50% of the Stock of Allied Parent (to any Person which is not a Permitted Holder), or (4) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Allied Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, otherwise permitted by the terms of Section 5.2(b), (d), (e), (k)(iii), (m) or (r): (i) the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied of time of such disposition, (ii) the Borrowers shall have delivered to Agent an updated Borrowing Base Certificate giving effect

 

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to such disposition no more than five Business Days before such disposition if more than 5% of the assets included in the most recent calculation of the Borrowing Base are being disposed of (directly or indirectly (including, by way of example, any disposition of Stock of any Person having Borrowing Base Assets)) pursuant to such disposition (or any series of related dispositions), (iii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be equal to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00 for the four Fiscal Quarter period most recently ended for which financial statements are required to have been delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section  4.1 (calculated on a Pro Forma basis giving effect to such disposition as if such disposition had been consummated on the first day of such four Fiscal Quarter period); and (iv) the Borrowers shall have delivered to Agent, no less than five Business Days before such disposition, Projections of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for the 12 Fiscal Months following the date of such disposition, prepared on a month-to-month basis an demonstrating (on a Pro Forma basis giving effect to such disposition) (A) compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section  6.1 as of the end of each such Fiscal Month (regardless of whether a Financial Covenant Testing Period then exists) and (B) Availability as of the end of each such Fiscal Month.

5.3 Fundamental Changes . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except (1) in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder, (2) any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, the Borrowers or any Guarantor other than Parents) may merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into, the Borrowers or any of their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries which are Domestic Subsidiaries, provided that the Borrowers or such Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries which are Domestic Subsidiaries shall be the continuing or surviving entities, (3) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into another Foreign Subsidiary, (4) any Non-Credit Party may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into another Non-Credit Party or any Credit Party, (5) any Credit Party (other than Parents) may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into any other Credit Party (other than Parents); provided that if any Borrower is a party to such transaction, such Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity of such transaction, and (6) transactions permitted by Sections 5.2 and 5.4 ; provided, further , that with respect to clauses (1), (2), (4), and (5) above, (w) if a Parent is a party to such transaction, either the Charah Parent or the Allied Parent shall be the surviving or continuing entity, (x) if a Borrower is a party to such transaction, then a Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity and (y) if a Credit Party (other than a Parent or a Borrower) is a party to such transaction, then a Credit Party shall be the surviving or continuing entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the foregoing events in clauses (1) through (6) results in the occurrence of a change described in Section  5.14 , then the Borrowers shall provide notice to the Agent within the time period specified in Section  5.14 .

5.4 Loans and Investments . No Credit Party shall and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) purchase or acquire any Stock or Stock Equivalents, or any debt instruments or other debt securities of, or any equity interest in, another Person, including through the establishment or creation of a Subsidiary, or (ii) make any Acquisitions, or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, or of any business or division of any Person, including without limitation, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination or (iii) make or purchase any advance, loan,

extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, another Person including the Borrowers and any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Borrower (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are referred to as “ Investments ”) except for:

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

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(b) Investments by (i) Parents in Credit Parties, (ii) any Credit Party (other than Parents) to or in any other Credit Party (other than Parents), (iii) the Borrowers or any other Credit Party (other than Parents) to or in any Non-Credit Parties (including, without limitation, Investments in Persons that, upon such Investment, become Subsidiaries), which all such Investments in the aggregate shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding for all such Investments under this clause (iii); provided , however , that the aggregate amount attributed at any time to the Investment in Non-Credit Parties pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be offset to reflect any amounts advanced by such Non-Credit Parties to the Credit Parties, including distributions, dividends and other payments of any kind; provided, further , if the Investments described in foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are evidenced by notes issued to any Credit Party, such notes shall be pledged to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties to the extent required by the Collateral Documents, (iv) any Foreign Subsidiaries in any Foreign Subsidiaries (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (v) any Non-Credit Parties in any Non-Credit Parties (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (vi) Credit Parties in Domestic Subsidiaries of Foreign Subsidiaries; provided that such Domestic Subsidiary becomes a direct Subsidiary of such Credit Party, (vii) Parents or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the form of the establishment or creation of a Subsidiary and for de minimis contribution to the equity or capital thereof in connection therewith or in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment otherwise permitted under this Agreement and (viii) any Non-Credit Parties to any Credit Party ( provided that any such Investment in the form of a loan or advance by any Non-Credit Party to any Credit Party shall be subordinated to the same extent as set forth in that certain subordinated intercompany note dated as of the Closing Date among the Credit Parties from time to time party thereto, or such other subordination agreement or terms of subordination, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent);

(c) loans and advances to officers, directors, managers, employees, members of management and consultants of Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary course business purposes and (ii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) not exceeding in the aggregate the greater of (x) $2,000,000 and (y) 3.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding;

(d) Investments received as the non-cash portion of consideration received in connection with transactions permitted pursuant to Section  5.2(b) ;

 

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(e) Investments accepted (in the reasonable business judgment of the applicable Credit Party) in connection with the settlement or enforcement of delinquent Accounts or disputes with suppliers or customers or in connection with the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of suppliers or customers or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(f) (i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of a Credit Party or its Restricted Subsidiaries which are used by such Persons to purchase simultaneously Stock or Stock Equivalents of any Parent or a direct or indirect parent thereof and (ii) cash loans and advances to officers, directors, employees, members of management and consultants of Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries to fund purchases of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Parents (or their direct or indirect parent entities); provided that the loans and advances pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $4,000,000 and (y) 6.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding;

(g) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.4 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment or as otherwise permitted by this Section;

(h) (i) Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) in the case of any such Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment permitted under this Section  5.4 by a Non-Credit Party, intercompany loans and advances to such Non-Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to fund such Permitted Acquisition or other Investment so long as the Payment Conditions shall have been satisfied with respect to each such loan or advance;

(i) advances to suppliers and service providers in the ordinary course of business; provided that, with respect to any such advance to an Affiliate, such advance shall be subject to Section  5.6 ;

(j) Investments consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit and (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers; provided that any such arrangement with an Affiliate shall be subject to Section  5.6 ;

(k) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

(l) advances of payroll payments to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(m) (i) Investments in deposit accounts and securities accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Investments relative to Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5(1) ;

(n) deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of (i) operating leases and (ii) other contractual obligations (including, without limitation, utility services, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and performance bonds);

(o) Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder, to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition;

(p) earnest money deposits, cash advances and escrows of property made in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement not prohibited hereunder;

(q) Investments to the extent payment therefor is made substantially contemporaneously with the receipt of, and funded entirely with the, proceeds of the sale or issuance of Stock of, or an equity contribution to, any Parent; provided that to the extent such Investment is made in connection with an Acquisition, such Acquisition shall not be hostile;

(r) Parent Intercompany Advances to the extent any such Parent Intercompany Advance (i) is made in lieu of a Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Section  5.11 and (ii) if made as a Restricted Payment, would be permitted pursuant to Section  5.11 ;

(s) Investments in Swap Agreements entered into for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation;

(t) Investments in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $13,000,000 and (y) 18.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction);

(u) transactions constituting an Investment which are permitted by Section  5.3 ;

(v) Investments consisting of guarantees permitted by Section  5.5(m) ;

(w) (i) Investments using the Available Equity Amount; provided that as of the date such Investment is made, the amount of such Investment does not exceed the Available Equity Amount as of such date and no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom and (ii) other Investments so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect to each such Investment;

 

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(x) to the extent constituting Investments, advances in respect of transfer pricing and cost-sharing arrangements by and among Parents and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as such arrangements are made pursuant to policies in place on the Closing Date or approved by the applicable Borrower’s board of directors and reviewed by an independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing that is either (i) a member of the “Big Four” or (ii) reasonably acceptable to the Agent (such approval not to be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed); and

(y) Investments by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with reorganizations and other related corporate activities of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries made for Tax planning purposes, so long as (x) the Borrower Agent provides to the Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to the Agent that, after giving effect to such Investments, (i) the granting, perfection, validity and priority of the security interest of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, the value of the assets that constitute the Collateral and the value of the assets of the Credit Parties, in each case taken as a whole, is not impaired in any material respect by such Investments and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately therefrom and (y) after giving effect to such Investments, the Credit Parties are in compliance with Section  4.13 (subject to the applicable time periods set forth therein);

provided , for purposes of this Section  5.4 , that the amount of any Investments (other than Permitted Acquisitions) shall be determined net of all actual after-Tax cash returns on such Investments, whether as principal, interest, dividends, distributions, proceeds or otherwise, to the extent not so included in the determination of the Available Equity Amount. Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents to the contrary, in no event shall any Foreign Subsidiary or any Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary create or acquire any Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Disregarded Domestic Subsidiaries) following the date such Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, other than as a result of an Acquisition permitted hereunder; provided , that (x) a Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary shall only acquire a Domestic Subsidiary in connection with the Acquisition of a foreign Person that is the direct or indirect parent of such Domestic Subsidiary and (y) such Domestic Subsidiary is not created in contemplation of such Acquisition.

5.5 Limitation on Indebtedness . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness constituting the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of the type described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness of a Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that, if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Agent and the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

 

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(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.5 and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(d) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $40,000,000 and (y) 20.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, consisting of (i) Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing Property, and Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section  5.1(h) and (ii) Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(e) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness to the extent the corresponding Investment is permitted pursuant to Section  5.4 ;

(f) Initial Term Loans and Permitted Refinancings thereof ( provided that all such Initial Term Loans and Permitted Refinancings thereof are at all times subject to the other provisions of the Initial Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor terms in favor of the Agent that are consistent with the intercreditor terms in the Initial Intercreditor Agreement);

(g) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist in connection with agreements providing for indemnification, purchase price adjustments and similar obligations in connection with Investments, Permitted Acquisitions and Dispositions permitted hereunder;

(h) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, deferred compensation and similar obligations to current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(i) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations with respect to cash management services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case in connection with deposit accounts;

(j) Swap Agreements entered into for bona fide hedging purposes, not for speculation and in the ordinary course of business;

(k) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(l) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument or payment item drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(m) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of financing such acquisition) otherwise permitted hereunder;

(n) Indebtedness which may exist or be deemed to exist pursuant to or in connection with bid, performance, statutory, surety, stay, customs, appeal or similar bonds, completion guaranties or other similar obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Indebtedness in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, purchase cards (including so-called “procurement cards” or “P-cards”) or other similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(p) unsecured Indebtedness owing to future, current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the repurchase or redemption of Stock that has been issued to such Persons, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed the greater of (x) $7,000,000 and (y) 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(q) unsecured Indebtedness, earn-outs and holdbacks owing to sellers of assets or Stock to any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries that is incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments permitted hereunder so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness, earn-outs and holdbacks at any one time outstanding do not exceed the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 45.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid-in-kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in accordance with the subordination provisions applicable thereto) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, in each case subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations in a manner and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

 

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(r) unsecured (except for Liens granted to customers on customer deposits) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to customer deposits and, solely to the extent constituting Indebtedness, other unsecured current liabilities not the result of borrowing and not evidenced by any note or other evidence of Indebtedness;

(s) Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at any time outstanding (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(ff) and 5.5(gg) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(t) Guarantees by (i) Credit Parties in respect of Indebtedness of other Credit Parties otherwise permitted under this Section  5.5 , and (ii) Subsidiaries of any Parent which are not Credit Parties in respect of Indebtedness of any of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of other Subsidiaries of any Parent otherwise permitted under this Section  5.5 ;

(u) [reserved];

(v) at any time outstanding due to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements;

(w) Indebtedness with a principal amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $21,000,000 and (y) 30.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time (up to the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time of which amount, together with any other Indebtedness or other obligations secured by Liens permitted under Section  5.1(ee) , may be secured Indebtedness) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid-in-kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in respect of Indebtedness originally permitted to be incurred pursuant to this subsection (v) ) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

(x) contingent obligations under Guarantees (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(y) Indebtedness supported by a Letter of Credit in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed the face amount of such Letter of Credit;

(z) Indebtedness subject to Liens permitted under Section  5.1(ee) ;

 

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(aa) solely to the extent constituting Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), (i) unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent that they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable Requirements of Law and (ii) Indebtedness incurred or created in the ordinary course of business in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits, salary, wages or other compensation or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claim (it being understood that the Borrowers may use proceeds of Permitted Term Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.2(f) to pay the expenses specified in subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (aa));

(bb) [Reserved];

(cc) Indebtedness substantially similar to the Indebtedness described in Section  5.5(d) incurred in respect of Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted pursuant to Section  5.2(o) ;

(dd) Indebtedness consisting of any increase in the principal amount of any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (bb) of this Section  5.5 resulting from interest paid-in-kind or continuously capitalized interest;

(ee) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (cc) of this Section  5.5 ;

(ff) Permitted Term Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness contemplated by clause (f) above); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (ff) by Non-Credit Parties (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(s) and 5.5(gg) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(gg) Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition or any other similar Investment permitted hereunder; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date the definitive agreement for such Acquisition or Investment is executed, (ii) if such Indebtedness is assumed, such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred in contemplation of such Acquisition or Investment and (iii) if such Indebtedness is secured (A) the Payment Conditions are met on a Pro Forma Basis and (B) to the extent such liens are on Collateral securing the Obligations (1) the beneficiaries thereof (or an agent on their behalf) shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (2) if such Indebtedness is a credit facility that could have been incurred as an Incremental Facility pursuant to Section  1.1(b) , the Borrowers shall have been permitted to incur such Indebtedness pursuant to, and such indebtedness shall be deemed

 

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to be incurred in reliance on, Section  1.1(b) and (3) such Indebtedness is subject to the same requirements as govern the Revolving Commitment Increases (including Section  1.1(b)(iv) ); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (gg) by Non-Credit Parties (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(s) and 5.5(ff) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(hh) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, advances to Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of transfer pricing and cost-sharing arrangements by and among Parents and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries so long as such arrangements are made pursuant to policies in place on the Closing Date or approved by the applicable Borrower’s board of directors and reviewed by an independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing that is either (i) a member of the “Big Four” or (ii) reasonably acceptable to the Agent (such approval not to be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed); and

(ii) letters of credit, bank guarantees, or bank acceptances that are issued by an unaffiliated third-party issuer whose senior unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness is rated at least A3 by Moody’s and A- by S&P and are unsecured or secured pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section  5.1(kk ); provided that the aggregate stated amount of all such letters of credit, bank guarantees, or bank acceptances shall not exceed $1,000,000.

5.6 Transactions with Affiliates . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate involving aggregate consideration in excess of the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for any transaction or series of related transactions, except:

(a) transactions with Affiliates otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including without limitation the Transactions);

(b) transactions of the type described on Schedule 5.6 ;

(c) (i) transactions between or among Credit Parties, (ii) transactions between or among Non-Credit Parties and (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of business or between or among Credit Parties and Non-Credit Parties;

(d) employment and severance arrangements between the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, managers, officers and employees and transactions pursuant to stock option plans and employee benefit plans and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(e) the payment of customary fees, compensation, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, managers, officers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the operation of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries;

(f) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary (as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in good faith);

(g) licenses of Intellectual Property on a non-exclusive basis in the ordinary course of business to direct and indirect parent entities of any Parent in connection with their ownership of such Parent;

(h) deferrals in the ordinary course of business of payments due from Foreign Subsidiaries under Intellectual Property licenses, in connection with the funding of Acquisitions by such Foreign Subsidiaries;

(i) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by any Credit Party is Qualified Stock of any Parent;

(j) (x) payment of or reimbursement for indemnification claims and reimbursement for reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses to, the Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to or in connection with services rendered pursuant to a Management Agreement and (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, payment of fees to Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to a Management Agreement; provided that, with respect to this clause (y), any fees the payment of which are blocked pursuant to this clause (y) may be paid after the Closing Date upon the cure or waiver of such Default or Event of Default; and

(k) issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents by any Parent.

5.7 Management Fees and Compensation . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay any management, consulting or similar fees (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include salaries or periodic wages or employee benefits but shall in any event include fees and other compensation pursuant to any Management Agreement) to any Affiliate of any Credit Party except:

(a) payment of compensation and benefits (including customary indemnities) to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants and other service providers of the Credit Parties for actual services rendered to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(b) payment of directors’ and managers’ fees and reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board of director and manager meetings and related actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses and other actual out-of-pocket travel expenses, not exceeding in the aggregate, with respect to fees paid to directors that are not outside directors, the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in any Fiscal Year of the Borrowers; and

 

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(c) payment of amounts permitted under Section  5.6 .

5.8 [Reserved] .

5.9 Voluntary Prepayments of Permitted Term Indebtedness . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any voluntary prepayment of principal in respect of any Permitted Term Indebtedness unless the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect to such voluntary prepayment; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section  5.9 shall not restrict, or otherwise impair or limit, any Permitted Refinancing of the Initial Term Loans or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness or any mandatory prepayment or scheduled payment under the Initial Term Loan Agreement.

5.10 Issuance or Repurchase of Stock . Each Credit Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) issue any Stock (whether for value or otherwise) to any Person other than (i) in the case of any Credit Party, to any other Credit Party, (ii) in the case of any Domestic Subsidiary or First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, to any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary which is not a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, to any Credit Party or another wholly-owned Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (iii) as otherwise permitted by Article V hereof or (b) become liable in respect of any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire or make any other payment in respect of any Stock of any Credit Party or Subsidiary of any Credit Party, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Stock other than as otherwise permitted by Article V hereof; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Parents may issue Stock to their respective equityholders or any other Person so long as such Stock is Qualified Stock or is otherwise permitted pursuant to Article V hereof and does not result in a Change of Control.

5.11 Restricted Payments . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents, (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents now or hereafter outstanding or (iii) make any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, interest, fees, redemption, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, Junior Indebtedness (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above are referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”) except that any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower may make Restricted Payments to such Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower may make Restricted Payments to any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower, and except that:

(a) the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in their respective Stock or Stock Equivalents;

 

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(b) the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make (and may make distributions to the applicable Parent or any direct or indirect parent of such Parent to permit such Parent or such parent to make), and Parents may use cash on hand to make, payments and distributions to future, current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) on account of redemptions of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons and (ii) in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons on account of purchases of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons, so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect to each such distribution or payment;

(c) (i) The Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to or on behalf of the applicable Parent (and any entity that owns directly or indirectly 100% of the equity interests in any Parent) in an amount sufficient to permit such Parent (or such other entity, as applicable) to pay its licensing fees, franchise Taxes and other similar fees, Taxes and expenses, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business to maintain its legal existence and, without duplication, (ii) in the event any of the Credit Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries file a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar income Tax return with the applicable Parent (or any other direct or indirect parent of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries), the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to or on behalf of such Parent (or such other direct or indirect parent, as applicable) to pay or to permit the payment of income Taxes then due and payable in respect of such Tax return; provided that the aggregate amount of all such payments permitted by this clause (ii) shall not exceed the amount of such Taxes attributable to the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries that file such a Tax return with such Parent (or such other direct or indirect parent, as applicable); (iii) without duplication for payments provided under clause (ii), with respect to any taxable period ending after the Closing Date for which any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (ii)), such Credit Parties and Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to their respective direct or indirect owners in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent to pay or to make a pro rata distribution to its owners in an amount not to exceed the aggregate taxable income of such Credit Party (calculated with regard to tax deductible amortization or depreciation resulting from any increase in basis under Sections 743(b) and 734(b) of the Code (and any equivalent provisions of applicable tax laws)) multiplied by the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any individual or corporate taxpayer, whichever is higher, resident of New York (taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon) and prior year losses (to the extent not previously taken into account pursuant to this clause and taking into account any limitations on the utilization thereof) and without duplication, for the avoidance of doubt, of any amount of such taxes actually paid by such Credit Party and/or any of its Subsidiaries to the relevant taxing authority); provided that any payment with respect to taxable income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent of cash distributions by such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(d) payments to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may be made to permit such direct or indirect parent to make payments that would then be permitted to be made by the Credit Parties pursuant to Section  5.7 ; provided that such payments shall be made in lieu of, and not in addition to, such payments pursuant to Section  5.7 ;

(e) payments by the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent entities may be made in an amount sufficient to pay out-of-pocket legal, administrative, accounting and filing costs and other expenses in the nature of overhead in the ordinary course of business of such direct or indirect parent entities; provided , the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year;

(f) [reserved];

(g) each Borrower may make distributions to its applicable Parent which are immediately used by such Parent (or paid by such Parent to permit any direct or indirect parent entities of such Parent) to make cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Stock of such Parent (or any direct or indirect parent entities of such Parent), in an aggregate amount for all such distributions to any Parent not exceeding the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction);

(h) each Borrower may make distributions to its applicable Parent which are immediately used by such Parent to finance any Investment otherwise specifically permitted to be made by such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section  5.4 ; provided that (i) such distribution shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (ii) such Parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (A) all property acquired (whether assets or capital stock) to be contributed to such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) the merger (to the extent specifically permitted herein) of the Person formed or acquired into such Borrower or a Credit Party other than such Parent in order to consummate such Permitted Acquisition;

(i) Restricted Payments (other than Restricted Payments by any Parent) payable on or in respect of any class, series or tranche of Stock or Stock Equivalents issued by a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may be made so long as a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Parent receives at least its pro rata share of such Restricted Payment in accordance with its Stock or Stock Equivalents in such class, series or tranche;

(j) the Credit Parties may make the one-time cash distribution to the Borrowers’ respective equityholders in connection with the Transactions in an aggregate amount not exceeding $120,000,000;

(k) [reserved];

 

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(l) so long as no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) or Section  7.1(g) has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom, the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments out of the Available Equity Amount;

(m) Restricted Payments payable solely in Qualified Stock and Stock Equivalents in respect of Qualified Stock may be made;

(n) so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect thereto, Restricted Payments in respect of Junior Indebtedness constituting (without duplication) (i) regularly scheduled interest payments (including, without limitation, non-cash payments of interest in kind or otherwise through additions to principal and payments due at maturity) and payment of fees, expenses and indemnification obligations, (ii) Permitted Refinancings, (iii) payments with, or conversions to, common Stock or Qualified Stock (or Stock of any direct or indirect parent entities of any Parent), (iv) payments as part of an “AHYDO catch-up payment”, (v) payments permitted by any subordination terms applicable to the relevant Junior Indebtedness, (vi) payment of earn-outs obligations and holdbacks permitted to be incurred under Section  5.5(q) and (vii) payments or repurchases not to exceed the Available Equity Amount as of the applicable date of such Restricted Payment; and

(o) other Restricted Payments, so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied with respect to each such prepayment.

5.12 Change in Business . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any line of business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by it on the Closing Date, other than lines of business ancillary, complementary, incidental or related thereto and reasonable extensions of such lines of business.

5.13 Amendments to Organizational Documents . Except as expressly permitted under Section  5.3 , no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend any of its Organization Documents in any manner materially adverse to the Agent or Lenders in their capacities as such.

5.14 Changes in Accounting, Fiscal Year, Name and Jurisdiction of Organization . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP or, subject to Section  12.3 , as required or recommended by the Credit Parties’ external accountants, (ii) change the Fiscal Year or method for determining Fiscal Quarters of any Credit Party or of any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (other than (x) to conform to that of the Borrowers or (y) with the prior written consent of the Agent), (iii) change its legal name as it appears in official filings in its jurisdiction of organization, (iv) change its jurisdiction of organization, (v) change its location from that referred to in Section 4.4(a), or (vi) change its organizational identification number, if any, or corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other organizational structure to such an extent that any financing statement filed in connection with the Loan Documents would become misleading; provided that, in the case of clauses (iii) through (vi), the Borrowers shall provide notice to the Agent within 10 Business Days of taking such action.

 

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5.15 Amendments to Permitted Term Indebtedness . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, after the Closing Date, change or amend the terms of any (a) Initial Term Loan Document except to the extent permitted by the Initial Intercreditor Agreement, (b) other Permitted Term Indebtedness Document or any Permitted Term Indebtedness except to the extent permitted by the applicable Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement; provided , that no change or amendment to the terms of any Permitted Term Indebtedness Document or any Permitted Term Indebtedness (including any Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Initial Term Loans) shall (A) modify or add any direct restriction on the payment of the Loans that would otherwise be permitted under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement, (B) shorten the maturity date or any other date upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness, (C) add mandatory prepayments not contemplated under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement (it being understood that customary change of control offers and asset sale offers shall be permitted), or (D) contravene the provisions of the applicable Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, (c) Junior Indebtedness except to the extent permitted by any subordination agreement or other terms of any subordination applicable thereto; or (d) Junior Indebtedness not subject to a subordination agreement if the effect of such change or amendment to such Junior Indebtedness not subject to a subordination agreement is to (i) shorten the dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness, (ii) add or change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties (or which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) any event of default or add or make more restrictive any covenant with respect to such Indebtedness, (iii) change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties (or which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) the prepayment provisions of such Indebtedness, (iv) change the subordination provisions thereof (or the subordination terms of any guaranty thereof) in a manner adverse to the Credit Parties, the Agent or Lenders, or (v) restrict the amount of Obligations which may be incurred under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Credit Party’s right to make voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayments of the Obligations if such restriction is more onerous than the terms and conditions set forth in the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Initial Intercreditor Agreement as in effect on the date hereof.

5.16 No Negative Pledges . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual restriction or encumbrance of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Credit Party’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalents or to pay fees, including management fees, or make other payments and distributions to the Borrowers or any other Credit Party or (ii) enter into, assume or become subject to any Contractual Obligation prohibiting or otherwise restricting the existence of any Lien upon any of its assets in favor of the Agent, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the following: (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Initial Term Loan Documents, and any Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents, (2) in connection with any document or instrument governing Liens permitted pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) , 5.1(h) , 5.1(i) , 5.1(r) , 5.1(s) , 5.1(x) , 5.1(y) , 5.1(z) , 5.1(aa) , 5.1(dd), 5.1(ee) or 5.1(kk) ; provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such permitted Liens, (3) any other

 

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agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the Obligations and does not require the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Credit Party to secure the Obligations or (4) any prohibition or limitation that (a) exists pursuant to applicable Requirements of Law, (b) consists of customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the disposition of any property permitted under Section  5.2 pending the consummation of such disposition, (c) restricts subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party or (d) is imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (3); provided that such amendments and refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions and limitations than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section  5.16 shall not prohibit restrictions, encumbrances, and prohibitions existing under or by reason of (i) Requirements of Law, (ii) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) the documentation for any Permitted Refinancing, (iv) the Initial Term Loan Documents or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents, (v) documentation for any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties permitted hereunder, (vi) the documentation for any Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5(d) , 5.5(j) , 5.5(q) or 5.5(v) , (vii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party, (viii) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) any holder of a Permitted Lien restricting the transfer or assignment of the property subject thereto, (x) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to a disposition permitted by Section  5.2 pending the consummation of such disposition, (xi) any obligations binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (xii) customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements and other Organization Documents, joint venture agreements, asset sale and stock sale agreements and other similar agreements, leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or similar Person, (xiii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (xiv) any instrument governing Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties of any Person, other than the Person or the properties of the Person so acquired or the properties so acquired, (xv) documentation existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 5.16 or (xvi) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (ix) or (xiv) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

 

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5.17 Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

(a) Designate any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the (x) Credit Parties shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenant, recomputed on the last day of the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 4.1(a), (b), or (c), as if such designation occurred on the first day of such period (and regardless of whether a Financial Covenant Testing Period then exists) and (y) Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 3.65:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered and (iii) such Subsidiary is also designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary for the purposes of any Permitted Term Indebtedness. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date shall constitute an Investment by the Borrowers therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Borrowers’ Investment therein.

(b) Designate any Subsidiary as a “Restricted Subsidiary” under and as defined in any Permitted Term Indebtedness Document without designating such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Subsidiary previously designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary may be re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary

ARTICLE VI

FINANCIAL COVENANTS

6.1 Financial Covenants . Until Payment in Full of the Obligations and termination of the Revolving Commitments, Credit Parties shall comply, or cause compliance with, each of the following covenants:

(a) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . As of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter ending during a Financial Covenant Testing Period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the 4 Fiscal Quarters then ending shall equal or exceed 1.00 to 1.00.

6.2 Equity Cure .

(a) In the event the Credit Parties fail to comply with the Financial Covenant as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter , any cash equity contribution to the Borrowers (funded with proceeds of common equity issued by Parents or Qualified Stock (or other equity issued by Parents having terms reasonably acceptable to the Agent)) made after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter and on or prior to the day that is ten Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter (the “ Anticipated Cure Deadline ”) will, at the irrevocable election of the Borrowers and to the extent the proceeds of which have not been utilized under Sections 5.4(w) or 5.11(l) as of the date such proceeds are applied for purposes of this Section 6.2, be included in the calculation of Combined EBITDA solely for the purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenant at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and any subsequent period that includes such Fiscal Quarter (any such equity contribution so included in the calculation of Combined EBITDA, a “ Specified Equity Contribution ”).

 

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(b) If, after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contribution, the Credit Parties shall then be in compliance with the Financial Covenant, the Credit Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied the Financial Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of such covenants that had occurred shall be deemed cured for purposes of this Agreement.

(c) Upon receipt by the Agent of written notice from the Borrowers on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline of its intent to effectuate a Specified Equity Contribution in respect of such Fiscal Quarter until the day that is ten Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any right to accelerate any Loans held by them or to exercise any other rights or remedies available under the Loan Documents or applicable law against the Collateral (including, without limitation, any right to foreclose on or take possession of Collateral) solely on the basis of an allegation of an Event of Default having occurred and being continuing under Section 7.1 due to failure by the Credit Parties to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless such failure is not cured pursuant to the Specified Equity Contribution on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline; it being understood and agreed that the LC Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit, and the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make any Loan, until the Specified Equity Contribution has actually been received by the Borrowers.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each consecutive four Fiscal Quarter period there will be at least two Fiscal Quarters in which no Specified Equity Contribution is made, (ii) the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution will be no greater than the amount required to cause the Credit Parties to be in compliance with the Financial Covenant, (iii) all Specified Equity Contributions will be counted solely for purposes of the calculation of Combined EBITDA as it relates to the Financial Covenant and shall not be included for all other purposes, including calculating basket levels, pricing and other items governed by reference to Combined EBITDA, (iv) there shall be no more than five Specified Equity Contributions made in the aggregate after the Closing Date and (v) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness (by netting or otherwise) with the proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution for determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the Fiscal Quarter for which a Specified Equity Contribution is deemed applied.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1 Event of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default ”:

(a) Non-Payment . Any Credit Party fails (i) to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, including after maturity of the Loans, (ii) to pay within five Business Days after the date due, interest on any Loan, and any regularly scheduled fee or (iii) to pay within 30 days after the date due, any other amount payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document;

 

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(b) Representation or Warranty . Any representation, warranty or certification by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made herein, in any other Loan Document or in any certificate required to be delivered under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by such Person, or their respective Responsible Officers, in each case, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of other materiality qualifiers contained therein) on or as of the date made;

(c) Specific Defaults . Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section  4.1(a) , Section  4.1(b) , Section  4.1(c) , Section  4.2(a) , Section  4.2(c) (subject, in the case of each of Section  4.1(a) , Section  4.1(b) , Section  4.1(c) , Section  4.2(a) and Section  4.2(c) to a grace period of five Business Days), Section  4.3(a) , Section  4.10 , Section  4.17(a)(iv) , Section  4.19 , Section  4.20 , Article V , or Article VI hereof (provided that an Event of Default arising under this clause (c) due to a breach of the Financial Covenant is subject to cure pursuant to Section  6.2 );

(d) Other Defaults . Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrowers by Agent or Required Lenders;

(e) Cross-Default; Cross-Acceleration to Permitted Term Indebtedness .

(i) Other than with respect to Permitted Term Indebtedness, any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness (other than (1) Indebtedness owing by any Credit Party or such Subsidiary to any other Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries and (2) the Obligations) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount or net exposure of more than $15,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) (it being understood and agreed that, for the avoidance of doubt, separate tranches of debt documented under a single credit agreement, loan agreement or other similar agreement shall be treated as a single facility) and such failure continues unremedied after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to terminate the document relating to such Indebtedness or cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity (other than as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, as a result of a casualty or condemnation event or other Event of Loss) of an asset securing such Indebtedness) after giving effect to all applicable grace or notice periods (without regard to any subordination terms with respect thereto);

 

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(ii) with respect to Permitted Term Indebtedness, any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment in respect of Permitted Term Indebtedness when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues unremedied after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (B) fails to perform or observe any financial covenant therein (including, without limitation, the financial covenant in Section 6.1 of the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof), and such failure continues unremedied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(iii) with respect to any Permitted Term Indebtedness, any event or condition occurs that results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness;

(f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings . Any Parent, any Borrower, or any Material Subsidiary: (i) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (ii) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing;

(g) Involuntary Proceedings . (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is commenced or filed against any Parent, any Borrower, or any Material Subsidiary, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against a substantial part of any such Person’s Property, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall not be released, dismissed, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) any Parent, any Borrower, or any Material Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) any Parent, any Borrower, or any Material Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business;

(h) Monetary Judgments . One or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards, in each case, for the payment of money, shall be entered against any one or more of the Credit Parties involving an amount of $15,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by (i) insurance to the extent the relevant independent third-party insurer has not denied coverage therefor in writing or (ii) other third-party indemnities), and the same shall remain undischarged, unsatisfied, unvacated, unstayed and unbounded pending appeal for a period of 60 consecutive days after the entry thereof;

(i) ERISA . Any ERISA Event occurs that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred after the Closing Date, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

(j) Collateral . (i) Any guaranty or other material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Credit Party party thereto or any Credit Party shall so state in writing or bring an action to limit its obligations or liabilities

 

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thereunder, deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by the Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall contest the validity or perfection of any Lien on any Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or (ii) this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or Payment in Full) or shall be declared null and void, or any Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to create a valid, perfected, first-priority security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason (other than (x) the taking of any action by the Agent, or any Lender or the failure of the Agent or any Lender to take any action, in each case within its control, or (y) any such loss fully covered by a title insurance policy regarding real property owned in fee benefiting the Agent or the Secured Parties) cease to be a perfected (to the extent perfection is required pursuant to the terms thereof) security interest with the priority required thereby subject only to Permitted Liens (and the qualifications with respect to perfection set forth in the Loan Documents);

(k) Change of Control . A Change of Control occurs; or

(l) Invalidity of Subordination Provisions . The provisions of any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement or the intercreditor or subordination provisions of any agreement or instrument governing any Permitted Term Indebtedness shall for any reason (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or as otherwise agreed to by the parties thereto) be revoked or invalidated, or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect, or any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof shall contest in any manner the validity or enforceability thereof or, to the extent purported to be bound, deny that it has any further liability or obligation thereunder (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto) or the Secured Obligations, for any reason shall not have the priority required by such subordination provisions (in each case, other than in accordance with its terms or as otherwise agreed to by the parties thereto).

7.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Agent may, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, and shall, at the written request of the Required Lenders:

(a) (i) refuse to make Loans, cause the issuance of any Letters of Credit, make any other extensions of credit or grant any other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of any Credit Parties; (ii) terminate, reduce, or condition any Revolving Commitment; (iii) make any adjustment to the Borrowing Base (including by instituting additional Reserves); and (iv) require Credit Parties to Cash Collateralize LC Obligations, Bank Product Obligations, and other Obligations that are contingent or not yet due and payable (and, if Credit Parties do not, for whatever reason, promptly provide such Cash Collateral, Agent may provide such Cash Collateral with the proceeds of a Loan and each Lender shall fund its Pro Rata Share thereof regardless of whether an Overadvance exists or would result therefrom or any condition precedent to the making of any such Loan has not been satisfied);

 

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(b) declare all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Obligations to be immediately due and payable (other than Bank Product Obligations or Swap Obligations, which shall be due and payable in accordance with the documents, instruments, and agreements governing such Bank Product Obligations and Swap Obligations), without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and/or

(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies which may be available to it under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and agreements relating to Bank Products, or Requirements of Law (including the rights of a secured party under the UCC), all of which shall be cumulative.

Any of the foregoing provisions of this Section  7.2 to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 7.1(f) or (g) (in the case of clause (i) of Section 7.1(g) upon the expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), in addition to the remedies set forth above, the Revolving Commitments shall, automatically and without notice to any Person, terminate and the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), inclusive of the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents, shall, automatically and without notice to any Person, become and be immediately due and payable and the Credit Parties shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party party hereto.

7.3 Rights Not Exclusive . The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

ARTICLE VIII

AGENT

8.1 Appointment, Authority, and Duties of the Agent; Professionals .

(a) Appointment and Authority . Each Lender, LC Issuer and other Secured Party hereby irrevocably appoints Regions Bank to act on its behalf as the Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Agent to (i) take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto and (ii) enter into all Loan Documents to which the Agent is intended to be a party and accept all Security Documents for the Agent’s benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, all of which shall be binding upon the Secured Parties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall have the sole and exclusive authority to (i) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for the Lenders and the Secured

 

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Parties, as applicable, with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents; (ii) execute and deliver as the Agent each Loan Document, including any intercreditor or subordination agreement, and accept delivery of each Loan Document from any Borrower or other Person; (iii) act as collateral agent for the Secured Parties for purposes of perfecting and administering Liens under the Loan Documents, and for all other purposes stated therein; (iv) manage, supervise, or otherwise deal with Collateral; and (v) take any enforcement action or otherwise exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral under the Loan Documents, Requirements of Law, or otherwise. Subject to Section  9.1(a)(iv)(C) , the Agent alone shall be authorized to determine whether any Accounts or Inventory constitute Eligible Accounts, or Eligible Inventory or whether to impose or release any Reserve, which determinations and judgments, if exercised in good faith, shall exonerate the Agent from liability to any other Secured Party or other Person for any error in judgment. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any other similar nomenclature) herein or in any other Loan Documents with reference to the Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Requirement of Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

(b) Duties; Delegation . The duties of the Agent shall be ministerial and administrative in nature, and the Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. The Agent shall not have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender, LC Issuer, Secured Party, Participant or other Person, whether by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any transaction relating hereto or thereto or otherwise, and regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default exists. The conferral upon the Agent of any right shall not imply a duty on the Agent’s part to exercise such right, unless instructed to do so by Required Lenders in accordance with this Agreement. the Agent may perform its duties through agents and employees and may consult with and employ the Agent Parties and shall be entitled to act upon (or refrain from acting), and shall be fully protected in any action taken (or omitted to be taken) in good faith reliance upon, any advice given by any Agent Party. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents, employees or the Agent Parties selected by it. Except as otherwise may be expressly set forth herein or in any of the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for any failure to disclose, any information relating to any Credit Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Agent or any of its agents, employees or the Agent Parties in any capacity.

(c) Instructions of Required Lenders . The rights and remedies conferred upon the Agent under the Loan Documents may be exercised without the necessity of joinder of any other party, unless required by Requirements of Law. The Agent may request instructions from Required Lenders with respect to any act (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and may seek assurances to its satisfaction from Lenders of their indemnification obligations under Section  8.5 against all Liabilities which could be incurred by the Agent in connection with any act (or failure to act). The Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act until it has received

 

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such instructions or assurances, and the Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Instructions of the Required Lenders shall be binding upon all Lenders, and no Lender or any other Person shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent’s acting or refraining from acting in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, instructions by and consent of all Lenders (except any Defaulting Lender) shall be required in the circumstances described in Section  9.1(a)(iv) . The Required Lenders, without the prior written consent of each Lender, may not direct the Agent to accelerate and demand payment of Loans held by one Lender without accelerating and demanding payment of all other Loans or terminate the Revolving Commitments of one Lender without terminating the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders. The Agent shall not be required to take any action which, in its opinion, or in the opinion of its legal counsel, is contrary to Requirements of Law or any Loan Document or could subject Agent or any of its Related Persons to liability, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law.

8.2 Agreements Regarding Guarantors, Collateral and Field Examination Reports .

(a) Lien Releases ; Release of Guarantors; Care of Collateral . Each Secured Party agrees that (i) any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower shall be automatically released from its Guarantee of any Obligation (x) if all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by any Credit Party are sold or transferred (other than to another Credit Party) or such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise ceases to be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of any Parent, in each case, in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent), (y) upon written notice by the Borrowers to the Agent if such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Domestic Subsidiary, in each case, in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent), or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a waiver or consent) and (z) upon Payment in Full (subject to Section 8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement); provided that no such release shall occur if such Restricted Subsidiary continues to be a guarantor in respect of any Permitted Term Indebtedness and (ii) any Lien held by the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or otherwise against (v) any Property that is sold, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of by a Credit Party to a Person that is not a Credit Party in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent) shall be automatically released upon consummation of such disposition, (w) any Property subject to a Lien permitted hereunder in reliance upon Section  5.1(h) , 5.1(i) , 5.1(x) , 5.1(y) , 5.1(z) or 5.1(hh) shall be released or subordinated (in the manner necessary and reasonably requested by the Borrowers) upon the written request of the Borrowers to the Agent, (x) all of the Collateral and all Credit Parties shall be automatically released upon Payment in Full (subject to Section 8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement), (y) any Property if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Lenders in accordance with the requirements of Section  9.1 shall be automatically released upon the effectiveness of such

 

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writing, and (z) any Property owned by a Restricted Subsidiary shall be automatically released upon release of such Restricted Subsidiary from its Guarantee of Obligations pursuant to clause (a)(i) above. The Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any Lenders to assure that any Collateral exists or is owned by an Credit Party or any other Person, or is cared for, protected, insured or encumbered, nor to assure that the Agent’s Liens have been properly created, perfected or enforced, or are entitled to any particular priority, nor to exercise any duty of care with respect to any Collateral. Each Lender hereby directs the Agent to, and the Agent shall, upon the request of the Borrowers, execute and deliver or file such documents and perform such other actions reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by the Borrowers to evidence or effect the release and/or subordination of Guarantees and Liens in accordance with this Section  8.2(a) . Upon request by the Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document pursuant to this Section  8.2(a) .

(b) Possession of Collateral . The Agent and the Lenders appoint each Lender as agent (for the benefit of Secured Parties) for the purpose of perfecting Liens in any Collateral held by such Lender or over which such Lender has “control” (as defined under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code), to the extent such Liens are perfected by possession or such control. If any Lender obtains possession or control of any Collateral, it shall notify the Agent thereof and, promptly upon the Agent’s request, deliver such Collateral to the Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Agent’s instructions.

(c) Reports . The Agent shall promptly forward to LC Issuer and each Lender (upon any such Person’s request therefor), when complete, copies of any field audit, field examination, or appraisal report prepared by or for the Agent with respect to any Credit Party or Subsidiary or any Collateral (each, a “ Report ”). LC Issuer and each Lender agrees (i) that neither Regions Bank nor the Agent makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any Report and shall not be liable for any information contained in or omitted from any Report; (ii) that the Reports are not intended to be comprehensive audits or examinations of any Person, thing, or matter and that the Agent or any other Person performing any such audit, examination, or appraisal will inspect only specific information regarding the subject matter thereof and will rely significantly upon the books and records, as well as upon representations of, the Persons (and their officers and employees) subject to such audit, examination, or appraisal; and (iii) to keep all Reports confidential and strictly for LC Issuer’s or such Lender’s internal use and not to distribute any Report (or the contents thereof) to any Person (except to such Person’s Participants, attorneys, and accountants) or use any Report in any manner other than administration of the Loans and other Obligations. Each of LC Issuer and the Lenders agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent and any other Person preparing a Report (excepting therefrom any Credit Party) from any action LC Issuer or such Lender may take as a result of or any conclusion it may draw from any Report, as well as from any Liabilities arising in connection with any third parties that obtain any information contained in a Report through LC Issuer or such Lender.

 

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(d) Rights of Individual Secured Parties . Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the Credit Parties, the Agent and each other Secured Party hereby acknowledge and agree that (i) no Secured Party except the Agent shall have any power, right or remedy hereunder individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce this Agreement or any other Loan Document, it being understood and agreed that all such powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by the Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Agent or any other Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Agent, as agent for and representative of the Secured Parties (but not any of the other Secured Parties in their respective individual capacities) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Agent at such sale or other disposition.

(e) Binding Effect . Each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, agrees that (i) any action taken by the Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if expressly required hereby, a greater proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, (ii) any action taken by the Agent in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents in reliance upon the instructions of Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion of the Lenders) and (iii) the exercise by the Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion of the Lenders) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Secured Parties.

8.3 Reliance By Agent . The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document, or other writing (including any electronic message, facsimile, Internet or intranet website posting, or other distribution), or any statement made to it orally or by telephone believed by it to be genuine and to have been made, signed, sent, or otherwise authenticated, as applicable, by the proper Person. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or LC Issuer, the Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or LC Issuer unless the Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or LC Issuer in accordance with Section  9.2 before the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrowers), independent accountants and other Agent Parties 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.

8.4 Action Upon Default . The Agent shall be entitled to assume that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless, in its capacity as a Lender it has actual knowledge thereof, or it has received written notice from any other Lender or any Credit Party specifying

 

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the occurrence and nature thereof. If any Lender acquires knowledge of a Default or Event of Default, it shall promptly notify the Agent and the other Lenders thereof in writing specifying in detail the nature thereof. Each Lender agrees that, except with the written consent of the Agent and Required Lenders, it will not take any enforcement action, accelerate Obligations under any Loan Documents, or exercise any right that it might otherwise have under Requirements of Law to credit bid at foreclosure sales, UCC sales, or other similar dispositions of Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, a Lender may take action to preserve or enforce its rights against a Borrower where a deadline or limitation period is applicable that would, absent such action, bar enforcement of Obligations held by such Lender, including the filing of proofs of claim in an Insolvency Proceeding.

8.5 Indemnification of the Agent and its Related Persons . EACH LENDER SHALL INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS AGENT AND ITS RELATED PERSON, TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY CREDIT PARTIES (BUT WITHOUT LIMITING THE INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS OF CREDIT PARTIES UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS), ON A PRO RATA BASIS, AGAINST ALL LIABILITIES THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PERSONS, PROVIDED SUCH CLAIM RELATES TO OR ARISES FROM AGENT’S OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PERSON’S ACTING AS OR FOR AGENT (IN ITS CAPACITY AS AGENT). In the Agent’s discretion, it may reserve from the proceeds of any Collateral for any such Liabilities made against Agent or any of its Related Persons and may satisfy any judgment, order, or settlement relating thereto, from proceeds of Collateral before making any distribution of Collateral proceeds to any other Secured Parties. If Agent is sued by any receiver, bankruptcy trustee, debtor-in-possession, or other Person for any alleged preference or fraudulent transfer, then any monies paid by the Agent in settlement or satisfaction of such proceeding, together with all interest, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in the defense of same, shall be reimbursed to the Agent by each Lender to the extent of its Pro Rata Share. All payment obligations under this Section  8.5 shall be due and payable ON DEMAND.

8.6 Limitation on Responsibilities of the Agent . The Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under any Loan Document (a) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section  9.1 ) or (b) in the absence of its own bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment. The Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by any Credit Party or any Secured Party of any obligations under the Loan Documents. The Agent does not make to Lenders any express or implied warranty, representation, or guarantee with respect to any Obligations, Collateral, Loan Documents, or Borrower. Nether Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall be responsible to any Secured Party for (a) any recitals, statements, information, representations, or warranties contained in any Loan Documents; (b) the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness, or enforceability of any Loan Documents; (c) the genuineness, enforceability, collectibility, value, sufficiency, location, or existence of any Collateral, or the validity, extent, perfection or priority of any Lien therein; (d) the validity, enforceability or collectibility of any Obligations; or (e) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness, or legal status of any Credit Party or Account Debtor. Neither Agent nor any of its Related Persons shall have any obligation

 

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to any Secured Party to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article II or elsewhere herein or in any other Loan Document. The Agent shall have no liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition “Adjusted LIBOR Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

8.7 Resignation; Successor Agent . Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, the Agent may resign at any time by giving at least thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof to Lenders and Borrowers. Upon receipt of such notice, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent which shall be (i) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender (in each case excluding Defaulting Lenders) or (ii) a commercial bank that is organized under the laws of the United States or any state or district thereof with a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000 (or as otherwise agreed by the Borrower), or an Affiliate of such bank, and, unless an Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a), (f) or (g) is continuing, for which the Borrower has provided its prior written consent. If no successor agent is appointed before the effective date of the resignation of the Agent, then the Agent may appoint a successor agent meeting the qualifications set forth above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Borrower shall have provided its prior written consent unless an Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a), (f) or (g) is continuing), provided that if the Agent shall notify Borrowers and Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Collateral security held by Agent on behalf of the Lenders or LC Issuer under any of the Loan Documents the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such Collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications, and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and LC Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon acceptance by a successor Agent of an appointment to serve as the Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the powers and duties of the retiring Agent without further act, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph) but shall continue to have the benefits of the indemnification set forth in Sections 8.5 , 9.5 , and 9.6 . Notwithstanding the Agent’s resignation, the provisions of this Article VIII shall continue in effect for its benefit with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while the Agent. Any successor to Regions Bank by merger or acquisition of Stock or its Loans hereunder shall continue to be the Agent hereunder without further act on the part of the parties hereto, unless such successor resigns as provided above. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Person serving as the Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law by notice in writing to the

 

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Borrower Agent and such Person remove such Person as the Agent and, in consultation with the Borrowers, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders (the “ Removal Effective Date ”)), then, such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date and the Required Lenders instituting such removal shall continue thereafter as co- Agents unless and until a successor Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment.

8.8 Separate Collateral Agent . It is the intent of the parties that there shall be no violation of any Requirement of Law denying or restricting the right of financial institutions to transact business in any jurisdiction. If the Agent believes that it may be limited in the exercise of any rights or remedies under the Loan Documents due to any Requirement of Law, the Agent may appoint an additional Person who is not so limited, as a separate collateral agent or co-collateral agent. If the Agent so appoints a collateral agent or co-collateral agent, each right and remedy intended to be available to the Agent under the Loan Documents shall also be vested in such separate agent. Every covenant and obligation necessary to the exercise thereof by such agent shall run to and be enforceable by it as well as the Agent. Lenders shall execute and deliver such documents as the Agent deems appropriate to vest any rights or remedies in such agent. If any collateral agent or co-collateral agent shall die or dissolve, become incapable of acting, resign, or be removed, then all the rights and remedies of such agent, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Agent until appointment of a new agent.

8.9 Due Diligence and Non-Reliance . Each Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Secured Party, and based upon such documents, information, and analyses as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of each Credit Party and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to fund Loans, issue Letters of Credit, participate in LC Obligations hereunder, make or participate in other credit extensions to Credit Parties hereunder and grant other financial accommodations to or on behalf of any Credit Party pursuant hereto. Each Secured Party has made such inquiries concerning the Loan Documents, the Collateral and each Credit Party as such Lender believes necessary. Each Secured Party further acknowledges and agrees that the other Secured Parties, including the Agent, have made no representations or warranties concerning any Credit Party or Subsidiary, any Collateral, or the legality, validity, sufficiency, or enforceability of any Loan Documents or Obligations. Each Secured Party will, independently and without reliance upon the other Secured Parties, including the Agent, and based upon such financial statements, documents, and information as it deems appropriate at the time, continue to make and rely upon its own credit decisions in making Loans, issuing Letters of Credit, participating in LC Obligations, making or participating in other credit extensions to Credit Parties and granting other financial accommodations to or on behalf of any Credit Party and in taking or refraining from any action under any Loan Documents. Except as expressly required hereby and except for notices, reports, and other information expressly requested by a LC Issuer or any Lender, the Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide LC Issuer, any Lender or any other Secured Party with any notices, reports, or certificates furnished to the Agent by any Credit Party or Subsidiary or any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, business, or Properties of any Credit Party or Subsidiary which may come into possession of the Agent or any of its Affiliates.

 

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8.10 Remittance of Payments.

(a) Remittances Generally . All payments by any Lender to the Agent shall be made by the time and on the day set forth in this Agreement, in immediately available funds. If no time for payment is specified or if payment is due on demand by the Agent and request for payment is made by the Agent by 12:00 noon on a Business Day, payment shall be made by such Lender not later than 3:00 p.m. on such day, and if request is made after 12:00 noon, then payment shall be made by 12:00 noon on the next Business Day. Payment by the Agent to any Lender shall be made by wire transfer, in the type of funds received by the Agent. Any such payment shall be subject to the Agent’s right of offset for any amounts due from such Lender under the Loan Documents.

(b) Failure to Pay . If any Lender fails to pay any amount when due by it to the Agent pursuant to the terms hereof, such amount shall bear interest from the due date until paid at the rate determined by the Agent as customary in the banking industry for interbank compensation. In no event shall Borrowers be entitled to receive credit for any interest paid by a Lender to the Agent.

(c) Recovery of Payments . If the Agent pays any amount to a Secured Party in the expectation that a related payment will be received by the Agent from a Credit Party and such related payment is not received, then the Agent may recover such amount from each Secured Party that received it. If the Agent determines at any time that an amount received under any Loan Document must be returned to an Credit Party or paid to any other Person pursuant to Requirements of Law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term of any Loan Document, the Agent shall not be required to distribute such amount to any Secured Party. If any amounts received and applied by the Agent to any Obligations are later required to be returned by the Agent pursuant to Requirements of Law, each Lender shall pay to the Agent, on demand, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the amounts required to be returned.

8.11 Agent in its Individual Capacity . As a Lender, the Agent shall have the same rights and remedies under the other Loan Documents as any other Lender, and the terms “Lenders,” “Required Lenders,” or any similar term, as and when used herein or in any other Loan Document, unless otherwise expressly provided, shall include the Agent in its capacity as a Lender. Each of the Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, maintain deposits or credit balances for, invest in, lend money to, be a Bank Product Provider to, act as trustee under indentures of, serve as financial or other advisor to, and generally engage in any kind of business with, Borrowers and their Affiliates, as if the Agent were any other bank, without any duty to account therefor (including any fees or other consideration received in connection therewith) to the other Lenders. In their individual capacity, the Agent and its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrowers, their Affiliates and their Account Debtors (including information subject to confidentiality obligations), and each Lender agrees that the Agent and its Affiliates shall be under no obligation to provide such information to Lenders if acquired in such individual capacity and not as the Agent hereunder.

 

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8.12 Agent Titles . Each Lender, other than the Agent, that is designated (on the cover page of this Agreement or otherwise) by the Agent as an “Sole Lead Arranger,” “Documentation Agent,” or “Syndication Agent” or words of similar type or effect shall not have any right, power, responsibility, or duty under any Loan Documents other than those applicable to all Lenders and shall in no event be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any other Lender or Secured Party.

8.13 Bank Product Providers . Each Bank Product Provider (in its capacity as a Bank Product Provider and as a Secured Party) which is not a party to this Agreement agrees to be bound to Sections 1.17, 8.1, 8.2, 8.5, 8.6, 8.9, 8.10(c), 8.13, 8.14, 9.3, and 9.7 of this Agreement, in each case, solely to the extent of the Bank Products provided by such Bank Product Provider. Each holder of Bank Product Obligations shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent and its Related Persons, to the extent not reimbursed by Credit Parties, against all Liabilities that may be incurred by or asserted against any the Agent and its Related Persons to the extent arising directly and solely in connection with such provider’s Bank Product Obligations, except to the extent arising from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Agent or its Related Persons as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable order. Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, no Bank Product Provider will create (or be deemed to have created) in its favor any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral, any of the Obligations of Borrowers or any other Credit Party under the Loan Documents, or the establishment or maintenance of any Bank Product Reserve or other Reserve, except, in each case, as otherwise may be expressly provided herein or in the other Loan Documents. Furthermore, it is understood and agreed that each Bank Product Provider, in its capacity as such, shall not have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral, or to any notice of or consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the other Loan Documents) other than in its capacity (if any) as a Lender or Agent and, in any case, only as expressly provided herein or therein.

8.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Article VIII is an agreement solely among the Agent, LC Issuer, Lenders and the other Secured Parties and shall survive Payment in Full of the Obligations. This Article VIII does not confer any rights or benefits upon Credit Parties, any Credit Party or any other Person, and no Credit Party, Credit Party or other Person shall have any standing to enforce this Article VIII. As between Credit Parties and the Agent, any action that the Agent may take under any Loan Documents or with respect to any Obligations shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized and directed by LC Issuer, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, as applicable.

8.15 Certifications From Lenders and Participants; PATRIOT Act; No Reliance .

(a)  PATRIOT Act Certifications . Each Lender or assignee or Participant of a Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof (and is not excepted from the certification requirement contained in Section 313 of the PATRIOT Act and the applicable regulations because it is both (i) an affiliate of a depository institution or foreign bank that maintains a physical presence in the United States or foreign country, and (ii) subject to supervision by a banking authority regulating

 

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such affiliated depository institution or foreign bank) shall deliver to the Agent the certification, or, if applicable, recertification, certifying that such Lender, assignee or Participant is not a “shell” and certifying to other matters as required by Section 313 of the PATRIOT Act and the applicable regulations: (1) within ten (10) days after the Closing Date, and (2) as such other times as are required under the PATRIOT Act.

(b) No Reliance . Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its Affiliates, Participants or assignees, may rely on the Agent to carry out such Lender’s, Affiliate’s, Participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 CFR 1020.220 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Credit Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Loan Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (i) any identity verification procedures, (ii) any recordkeeping, (iii) comparisons with government lists, (iv) customer notices or (v) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Anti-Terrorism Laws.

8.16 Bankruptcy .

(a) Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise: (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Lenders, LC Issuer and the Agent (including any claim for compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Lenders, LC Issuer and the Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due Lenders, LC Issuer and the Agent arising hereunder) allowed in such Insolvency Proceeding; and (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and LC Issuer to make such payments directly to the Agent and, in the event that the Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders and/or LC Issuer, to pay to the Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agent hereunder.

(b) Credit Bids . The holders of the Obligations hereby irrevocably authorize the Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of all or some of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure, strict foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more

 

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acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 thereof, or any similar Requirement of Law in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, or (b) at any sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent of, or at the direction of) the Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any Requirement of Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the holders thereof shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle(s) used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such credit bid (i) the Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle(s) ( provided that any actions by the Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle(s), including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement), and (iii) to the extent that any Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (whether as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt which is credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the holders of the Obligations pro rata and the equity interests or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled without the need for any Lender or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1(c) , 9.1(e) and 9.1(f) hereof, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless, in the case of this Agreement, the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Borrowers, or in the case of any other Loan Document, the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Credit Party or Credit Parties party thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, and then such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby (or by the Agent with the consent of all the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby), and the Borrowers, do any of the following; provided , further , that in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below, the consent of any other Lender or the Required Lenders shall not be required:

 

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(i) increase or extend the Revolving Commitment of such Lender (it being understood that no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any condition precedent, covenant or Default shall constitute an increase in the Revolving Commitment of any Lender);

(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed for, or reduce or waive, any scheduled installment of principal or any payment of interest (other than interest at the Default Rate), or fees due to such Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Document (for the avoidance of doubt, mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section  1.15(d) may be postponed, delayed, reduced, waived or modified with the consent of Required Lenders);

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein (it being agreed that waiver of the default interest margin shall only require the consent of Required Lenders) herein on any Loan, or of any fees payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in each case owing to such Lender; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amount at the Default Rate and such waiver shall not constitute a reduction of interest hereunder;

(iv) amend, waive, or alter the application of payments or obligations of the Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender under Sections 1.17 or 1.18 (except to the extent provided in Section  1.9) or any other provision in any Loan Document that provides for the pro rata nature of disbursements by or payments to the Lenders;

(v) amend this Section  9.1(a) or, subject to the terms of this Agreement, reduce the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders”, “Super-Majority Lenders” or any provision providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;

(vi) (A) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release Guarantors from their Guarantees if the effect would be to release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee, except as otherwise may be provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (B) contractually subordinate any of the Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or subordinate the payment of any Obligations (other than, in each case, pursuant to the terms of an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, the Initial Intercreditor Agreement, or any other intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrowers);

 

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(vii) impose modification or restrictions on assignments and participation that are more restrictive that, or in addition to, those set forth in Section  9.9 ;

it being agreed that all Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) shall be deemed to be directly affected by an amendment or waiver of the type described in the preceding clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii).

(b) In addition to the requirements of Section  9.1(a) , no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent, in addition to the Required Lenders or all Lenders directly adversely affected thereby, as the case may be (or by the Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders or all the Lenders directly adversely affected thereby, as the case may be), affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(c) No amendment, waiver or consent shall, without the prior written consent of the Super-Majority Lenders (except a Defaulting Lender), increase the advance rates or amend the definition of “Borrowing Base” (or any defined term used in such definition) if the effect of such amendment is to increase borrowing availability;

(d) No modification shall be effective with respect to any LC Obligations, the definitions of “LC Conditions” or “Defaulting Lender” (except to be more inclusive of the facts and circumstances which cause a Lender to become a Defaulting Lender) or the terms of Sections 1.4 and 2.2(f) or which constitutes a waiver of any LC Condition or the condition precedent set forth in Section  2.2(f) (to the extent it relates to the issuance of a Letter of Credit) without the prior written consent of LC Issuer and the Agent.

(e) The Fee Letter and any agreement relating to a Bank Product may be amended, modified, supplemented or changed, or the rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  9.1(e) shall supersede any provision of Section  9.1 to the contrary.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section  9.1 , (i) the Agent may amend Schedule 1.1 to reflect a Revolving Commitment Increase entered into pursuant to Section  1.1(f) and (ii) the Agent and the Borrowers may amend or modify this Agreement and any other Loan Document to (1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein, (2) grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties, extend an existing Lien over additional Property for the benefit of the Secured Parties or join additional Persons as Credit Parties (3) add one or more Revolving Commitment Increases to this Agreement pursuant to Section 1.1(b) and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  9.1(f) shall supersede any provision of Section  9.1 to the contrary.

 

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(g) [Reserved];

(h) No Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement (i) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Initial Term Loans or other Permitted Term Indebtedness (or a Senior Representative with respect thereto) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of such applicable Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement or such other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement, as applicable (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the applicable intercreditor agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing; provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders), or (ii) that is expressly contemplated by this Agreement or such Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement; provided , further , that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Agent.

(i) [Reserved].

9.2 Notices .

(a) Addresses . All notices and other communications required or expressly authorized to be made by this Agreement shall be given in writing, unless otherwise expressly specified herein, and, as applicable, (i) addressed to the address set forth on the applicable signature page hereto, (ii) posted to any E-System approved by or set up by or at the direction of the Agent or (iii) addressed to such other address as shall be notified in writing (A) in the case of the Borrowers and the Agent, to the other parties hereto and (B) in the case of all other parties, to the Borrowers and the Agent. Transmissions made by electronic mail or E-Fax to the Agent or any Credit Party shall be effective only (x) for notices where such transmission is specifically authorized by this Agreement, (y) if such transmission is delivered in compliance with procedures of the Agent or such Credit Parties, as the case may be, applicable at the time and previously communicated to the Borrowers or the Agent, as applicable, and (z) if receipt of such transmission is acknowledged by the Agent or such Credit Party, as the case may be.

(b) Effectiveness . All communications described in clause (a) above and all other notices, demands, requests and other communications made in connection with this Agreement shall be effective and be deemed to have been received (i) if delivered by hand, upon personal delivery, (ii) if delivered by overnight courier service, one Business Day after delivery to such courier service, (iii) if delivered by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the mail, (iv) if delivered by facsimile (other than to post to an E-System pursuant to clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above), upon sender’s receipt of confirmation of proper transmission, (v) if delivered by posting to any E-System, on the later of the Business Day of such posting and the Business Day access to such posting is given to the recipient thereof in accordance with the standard procedures applicable to such E-System

 

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and (vi) if given by electronic mail or E-Fax, upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by a “return request” function or other written acknowledgment); provided , however , that no communications to the Agent pursuant to Article I shall be effective until received by the Agent.

(c) Each Lender and LC Issuer shall notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to such Lender should be directed, of addresses of its Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

9.3 Electronic Transmissions .

(a) Authorization . Subject to the provisions of Section  9.2(a) , each of the Agent, the Lenders, each Credit Party and each of their Related Persons, is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. Each Credit Party and each Secured Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions.

(b) Signatures . Subject to the provisions of Section  9.2(a) , (i)(A) no posting to any E-System shall be denied legal effect merely because it is made electronically, (B) each E-Signature on any such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “signature” and (C) each such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “writing”, in each case including pursuant to any Loan Document, any applicable provision of any UCC, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any state law based on or similar to the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any substantive or procedural Requirement of Law governing such subject matter, (ii) each such posting that is not readily capable of bearing either a signature or a reproduction of a signature may be signed, and shall be deemed signed, by attaching to, or logically associating with such posting, an E-Signature, upon which the Agent, each other Secured Party and each Credit Party may rely and assume the authenticity thereof, (iii) each such posting containing a signature, a reproduction of a signature or an E-Signature shall, for all intents and purposes, have the same effect and weight as a signed paper original and (iv) each party hereto or beneficiary hereto agrees not to contest the validity or enforceability of any posting on any E-System or E-Signature on any such posting under the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law requiring certain documents to be in writing or signed; provided , however , that nothing herein shall limit such party’s or beneficiary’s right to contest whether any posting to any E-System or E-Signature has been altered after transmission.

 

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(c) Separate Agreements . All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to Section  9.2 and this Section  9.3 , the separate terms, conditions and privacy policy posted or referenced in such E-System (or such terms, conditions and privacy policy as may be updated from time to time, including on such E-System) and as otherwise agreed in writing by the Agent and Credit Parties in connection with the use of such E-System.

(d) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . ALL E-SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NONE OF THE AGENT, LC ISSUER, ANY LENDER OR ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS WARRANTS THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THEREIN. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY AGENT, LC ISSUER, ANY LENDER OR (WITHOUT LIMITING THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS) ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN RESPECT OF ANY E-SYSTEMS MAINTAINED BY AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. Each Borrower, each other Credit Party executing this Agreement and each Secured Party agrees that none of the Agent, any Secured Party nor any Credit Party has any responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System.

9.4 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. No course of dealing between any Credit Party, any Affiliate of any Credit Party, the Agent or any Lender shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

9.5 Costs and Expenses . Any action taken by any Credit Party under or with respect to any Loan Document, even if required under any Loan Document or at the request of the Agent or Required Lenders, shall be at the expense of such Credit Party (unless otherwise specified hereunder), and neither the Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required under any Loan Document to reimburse any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party therefor, except as expressly provided in any Loan Document. In addition, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay or reimburse within 30 days following written demand therefor together with a customary invoice supporting such reimbursement (a) each of the Agent, its Related Persons and the Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner for all reasonable and

 

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documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Person, in connection with the syndication, preparation, negotiation, execution, or administration of, any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of or termination of, any Loan Document, any commitment letter therefor, any other document prepared in connection therewith or the consummation and administration of any transaction contemplated therein, in each case including Attorney Costs of the Agent ( provided that reimbursement for Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of one counsel to the Agent and its Affiliates in each relevant jurisdiction, taken as a whole) (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Agent and its Affiliates, taken as a whole, in any relevant jurisdiction), (b) [reserved], (c) each of the Agent, its Related Persons and the Lenders for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work-out”, (ii) the enforcement or preservation of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, any Secured Obligation, with respect to the Collateral or any other related right or remedy, including documentary taxes, or (iii) the commencement, defense, conduct of, intervention in, or the taking of any other action with respect to, any proceeding (including any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) related to any Credit Party, any Loan Document or any Secured Obligation or the funding of any distribution on the Closing Date or any other Transaction (including without limitation, preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), including Attorney Costs; provided that in the case of clause (c), reimbursements for Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of one counsel to the Agent and its Related Persons, taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Agent and its Related Persons in each relevant jurisdiction, taken as a whole, in any relevant jurisdiction). The Agent agrees to endeavor to provide telephonic or email updates as to the estimated accrued amount of expenses from time to time at the Borrowers’ reasonable request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Indemnitee shall be obligated to refund and return any and all amounts paid by the Borrowers to such Indemnitee for fees, expenses or damages to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms hereof ( provided , that the Agent shall not be responsible for any reimbursement of any such amounts to the extent such amounts were received by Agent on behalf of another Indemnitee and paid by the Agent to such other Indemnitee).

9.6 Indemnity .

(a) Each Credit Party agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Agent, LC Issuer, each Lender and each of their respective Related Persons (each such Person being an “ Indemnitee ”) from and against all Liabilities (including brokerage commissions, fees and other compensation) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to those of one counsel to all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest among the Indemnitees, one additional counsel for such conflicted Indemnitees, taken as a whole, (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Indemnitees, taken as a whole, in each appropriate jurisdiction and one special counsel in each relevant specialty, as appropriate, in each case for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest among the Indemnitees, one additional local counsel for such conflicted Indemnitees, taken as a

 

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whole, in any such relevant jurisdiction and one additional special counsel, as applicable, to each group of similarly situated Indemnitees)) (i) any Loan Document any Secured Obligation (or the repayment thereof), the use or intended use of the proceeds of any Loan or any securities filing of, or with respect to, any Credit Party, including, but not limited to any Contractual Obligation entered into in connection with any E-Systems or other Electronic Transmissions, in each case, related to the management or administration of or used in connection with any of the foregoing or (ii) any actual or prospective investigation, litigation or other proceeding, whether or not brought by any such Indemnitee or any of its Related Persons, any holders of securities or creditors (and including Attorney Costs in any case, but subject to the limitations set forth above), whether or not any such Indemnitee, Related Person, holder or creditor is a party thereto, and whether or not based on any securities or commercial law or regulation or any other Requirement of Law or theory thereof, including common law, equity, contract, tort or otherwise in each case related to the Loan Documents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Matters ”) whether or not, in each case, the Indemnitee is a party; provided , however , that no Credit Party shall have any liability under this Section  9.6 to any Indemnitee with respect to any Indemnified Matter or any expenses, and no Indemnitee shall have any liability with respect to any Indemnified Matter or any expenses other than (to the extent otherwise liable), to the extent such liability (A) has resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order, (B) relates to any disputes solely among Indemnitees or any of their Related Persons or Affiliates, or (C) any settlement of an Indemnified Matter entered into without the Borrowers’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Furthermore, each of the Borrowers and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert against any Indemnitee, and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and not assert against any Indemnitee, any right of contribution with respect to any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Affiliate or Related Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Indemnitee shall be obligated to refund and return any and all amounts paid by the Borrowers to such Indemnitee for fees, expenses or damages to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms hereof.

(b) Without limiting the foregoing, “ Indemnified Matters ” includes all Environmental Liabilities imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising from, or otherwise involving, any Credit Party, any Property of any Credit Party or any actual, alleged or prospective damage to Property or natural resources or harm or injury alleged to have resulted from any Release of Hazardous Materials on, upon or into such Property or natural resource or any Property on or contiguous to any Real Estate of any Credit Party, whether or not, with respect to any such Environmental Liabilities, any Indemnitee is a mortgagee pursuant to any leasehold mortgage, a mortgagee in possession, the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party or the owner, lessee or operator of any Property of any Credit Party through any foreclosure action, in each case except to the extent such Environmental Liabilities (i) are incurred solely following foreclosure by the Agent or following the Agent or any Lender having become the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party and are attributable solely to acts of any Indemnitee, (ii) has resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee, as

 

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determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order, (iii) relates to any disputes solely among Indemnitees or any of their Related Persons or Affiliates or (iv) relates to any settlement of an Indemnified Matter entered into without the Borrowers’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(c) This Section  9.6 and Section  9.5 shall not apply to Taxes, which shall be governed by Sections 10.1 and 10.3 , other than any Taxes that represent Liabilities arising from any non-Tax claim.

9.7 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside . No Secured Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any Property in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any Secured Obligation. To the extent that any Secured Party receives a payment from the Borrowers, from any other Credit Party, from the proceeds of the Collateral, from the exercise of its rights of set-off, any enforcement action or otherwise, and such payment is subsequently, in whole or in part, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not occurred.

9.8 [Reserved] .

9.9 Successors and Assigns .

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that any assignment by any Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Section  9.9 , and provided further that the Borrowers may not assign or transfer any of their respective rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Agent and each Lender.

(b) Assignments by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments, Loans and obligations hereunder at the time owing to it) and the other Loan Documents; provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts .

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to any credit facility) or contemporaneous assignments to Approved Funds that equal at least to the amounts specified in subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

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(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments (which for this purpose includes Loans and Obligations in respect thereof outstanding thereunder) or, if any of the Revolving Commitments are not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and other Obligations of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $2,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of any Revolving Commitments and/or Loans, or $1,000,000, unless each of the Agent and, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing, the Borrower Agent otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Revolving Commitments and Loans assigned.

(iii) Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower Agent shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B) the consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect Revolving Commitments if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender;

(C) the consent of the LC Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of any Revolving Commitment; and

(D) the consent of the Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of any Revolving Commitment.

 

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(iv) Assignment . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500, unless waived, in whole or in part by the Agent in its discretion. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made by any Lender to (A) any Borrower or other Credit Party or any of a Borrower’s or a Credit Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B).

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons . No such assignment shall be made by any Lender to a natural person.

(vii) Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower Agent and the Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Agent, each LC Issuer, each Swingline Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Pro Rata Share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under Requirement of Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Agent pursuant to subsection (c)  of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment, 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, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment 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 10.1 , 10.3 , and 9.6 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided , that except to the extent expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder

 

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arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. The Borrowers will execute and deliver on request, at their own expense, Revolving Notes to the assignee evidencing the interests taken by way of assignment hereunder. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d)  of this Section.

(c) Register . The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States, a copy of each Assignment delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans are registered obligations, the right, title and interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register and no assignment thereof shall be effective until recorded therein and any consents necessary hereunder have been obtained. This Section  9.9(c) shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(d) Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, any Borrower or the Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person or a Borrower or other Credit Party or any of a Borrower’s or other Credit Party’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrowers, the Agent, the LC Issuer and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section  9.6 with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s). 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 (iii) and (iv) of Section  10.3 ) that affects such Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 10.1, 10.3 , and 10.4 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section  10.1 (it being understood that the

 

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documentation required under Section  10.1 shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section  9.22 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 10.1 or 10.3 , 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 Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section  9.22 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section  9.11 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section  1.18 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the 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 the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. This section shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. Any participation made in violation of this Section  9.9(f) shall be void ab initio .

(e) Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, or any promissory notes evidencing its interests hereunder, to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

9.10 Non-Public Information; Confidentiality .

(a) Non-Public Information . The Agent, LC Issuer, and each Lender each acknowledges and agrees that it may receive material non-public information (“ MNPI ”) hereunder concerning the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and agrees to use such information in compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and applicable Requirements of Laws (including United States federal and state securities laws and regulations).

 

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(b) Confidential Information . The Agent, LC Issuer, and each Lender each shall treat confidentially all information obtained by it pursuant to any Loan Document, except that such information may be disclosed (i) with the Borrowers’ consent, (ii) to Related Persons of such Lender or the Agent, as the case may be, on a “need to know” basis solely in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are or have been advised of their obligation to keep information of this type confidential (and the Agent and such Lender each agrees to remain liable for their breach thereof), (iii) to the extent such information presently is or hereafter becomes (A) publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section  9.10 or (B) available to such Lender or the Agent or to any of their Related Persons, as the case may be, on a non-confidential basis from a source other than any Credit Party and not in violation of any confidentiality agreement or obligation owed to any Credit Party or its respective Affiliates, (iv) to the extent disclosure is required by applicable Requirements of Law in any legal process or requested or demanded by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Agent or such Lender, in each such case under this clause (iv), such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers in advance of such disclosure, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment, (v) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party or their respective Affiliates (in which case (y) other than in connection with a routine audit or examination by bank accountants or the Small Business Administration, such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers, in advance, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law and (z) in all instances, such Person shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment), (vi) subject to the prior review and written consent of the Borrowers, to the extent necessary or customary for inclusion in league table measurements, (vii) to current or prospective Lenders or participants, prospective Bank Product Providers, direct or contractual counterparties to any Swap Agreements and their respective Related Persons for the purposes of evaluating the relevant transaction, in each case to the extent such assignees, investors, participants, counterparties or Related Persons agree to be bound by provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section  9.10 (and such Person may disclose information to their respective Related Persons in accordance with clause (ii) above), (viii) to any other party hereto, (ix) in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy under any Loan Document (in which case such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers in advance of such disclosure, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law) and (x) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating Parents, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary or the Loans or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities or market data collectors, similar services, providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agent in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the Loan Documents; provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall disclosure of such

 

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information referred to above be made to any Disqualified Lender ( provided that the list of Disqualified Lenders has been made available to such party). In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section  9.10 and those of any other Contractual Obligation entered into with any Credit Party (whether or not a Loan Document), the terms of this Section  9.10 shall govern. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the foregoing, the Fee Letter may not be disclosed to Lenders without the prior written consent of the Borrowers and the Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Agent shall not be responsible for compliance with this Section  9.10(b) by any Lender or any of its Related Persons.

(c) Tombstones . None of the Agent, LC Issuer, nor any Lender shall, and none of the Agent, LC Issuer, nor any Lender shall permit any of its Affiliates to, publish any press releases, tombstones, advertising or other promotional materials (including, without limitation, via any Electronic Transmission) referring to any Credit Party or of any of their respective Affiliates, the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated therein to which a Credit Party is party without the prior written consent of the Borrowers except (x) to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law and then, only after consulting with the Borrowers (if legally permitted to do so) and (y) customary press releases in connection with the closing of the Transactions, which press releases shall be provided in draft form to the Borrowers for review, comment and approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) prior to the publication thereof.

(d) Press Release and Related Matters . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or other public disclosure (other than any document filed with any Governmental Authority relating to a public offering of securities of any Credit Party) using the name, logo or otherwise referring to the Agent or of any of its Affiliates, without the prior written consent of the Agent except (x) to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law and then, only after consulting with the Agent (if legally permitted to do so) and (y) customary press releases in connection with the closing of the Transactions, which press releases shall be provided in draft form to the Agent for review, comment and approval prior to the publication thereof (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(e) Distribution of Materials to Lenders . The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the Loan Documents and all reports, notices, communications and other information or materials provided or delivered by, or on behalf of, the Credit Parties hereunder (collectively, the “ Borrower Materials ”) may be, but is not required to be, disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Agent, and made available, to the Lenders by posting such Borrower Materials on an E-System (subject to recipients’ agreements to be bound by the foregoing confidentiality undertakings via “click-through” agreements) (the “ Platform ”). The Credit Parties authorize Agent to download copies of their logos from its website and post copies thereof on an E-System. The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available”. The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications (as defined below). No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-

 

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party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any the Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Agent or any of its Related Persons (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to any Parent, any Borrower, any other Credit Party, any Lender or any other Person 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 Credit Party’s or the Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Credit Party provides to the Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section  9.10(e) , including through the Platform.

(f) Material Non-Public Information . The Credit Parties hereby acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders ( i.e. , Lenders that do not wish to receive MNPI with respect to any of the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates or their securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”). Each of Credit Parties agrees that (i) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean: that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”, each of Credit Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material information with respect to any Credit Party or any of their Affiliates or securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws other than information that is of a type that would be publicly available if any Parent or Borrower were a public reporting company; (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor”; and (iv) the Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Borrower Materials shall be marked “PUBLIC”, unless the Borrowers notify the Agent promptly that any such document contains material information of a type that would not be publicly available if any Parent or Borrower were a public reporting company: (A) the Loan Documents and (B) notification of changes in the terms of the Loans, (C) the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) and 4.2(a) and (D) the Compliance Certificate. Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain MNPI with respect to the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates or securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

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9.11 Set-off; Sharing of Payments .

(a) Right of Set-off . Each of the Agent, LC Issuer, each Lender and each Affiliate (including each branch office thereof) of any of them is hereby authorized, without notice or demand (each of which is hereby waived by each Credit Party), at any time and from time to time during the continuance of any Event of Default and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law (but in the case of each Lender and each Affiliate, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Agent), to set off and apply any and all deposits (whether general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but not including Excluded Accounts) at any time held and other Indebtedness, claims or other obligations at any time owing by the Agent, LC Issuer, such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party against any Obligation of any Credit Party then due and owing. None of any Lender nor LC Issuer shall exercise any such right of set-off without the prior consent of the Agent or Required Lenders. Each of the Agent, LC Issuer, and each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrowers and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender or its Affiliates; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights under this Section  9.11 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that the Agent, the Lenders, their respective Affiliates and the other Secured Parties, may have. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of set-off, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section  1.9 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Agent, LC Issuer, Swingline Lender and the other Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of set-off.

(b) Sharing of Payments, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, including pursuant to discounted purchases of open market purchases or otherwise, if any Lender, directly or through an Affiliate or branch office thereof, obtains any payment of any principal or interest Obligation of any Credit Party (whether voluntary, involuntary or through the exercise of any right of set-off or the receipt of any Collateral or “proceeds” (as defined under the applicable UCC) of Collateral) other than pursuant to Section  9.9 or Article X or otherwise in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement and such payment exceeds the amount such Lender would have been entitled to receive if all payments had gone to, and been distributed by, the Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, such Lender shall purchase for cash from other Lenders such participations in their Obligations as necessary for such Lender to share such excess payment with such Lenders to ensure such payment is applied as though it had been received by the Agent and applied in accordance with this Agreement (or, if such application would then be at the discretion of the Borrowers, applied to repay the Obligations in accordance herewith); provided , however , that (i) if such payment is rescinded or otherwise recovered from such Lender in whole or in part, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price therefor shall be returned to such Lender without interest and (ii) such Lender shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be able to exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the applicable Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

 

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9.12 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or Electronic Transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.13 Severability . The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

9.14 Captions . The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

9.15 Independence of Provisions . The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

9.16 Interpretation . This Agreement is the result of negotiations among and has been reviewed by counsel to Credit Parties, the Agent, each Lender and other parties hereto, and is the product of all parties hereto. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be construed against the Lenders (or any of them) or the Agent merely because of the Agent’s or the Lenders’ involvement in the preparation of such documents and agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto has had the advice of counsel with respect to Sections 9.18 and 9.19 .

9.17 No Third Parties Benefited . This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Agent and, subject to the provisions of Section  8.13 , each other Secured Party, and their permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to any Person not a party to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

9.18 Governing Law and Jurisdiction .

(a) Governing Law . The laws of the State of New York shall govern all matters arising out of, in connection with or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement (including, without limitation, any claims based in contract or tort law arising out of the subject matter hereof and any determinations with respect to post-judgment interest).

 

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(b) Submission to Jurisdiction . Any legal action or proceeding with respect to any Loan Document shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the State of New York located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Borrower, each other Credit Party and each other party hereto hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its Property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of any party to commence any proceeding in any court of any other jurisdiction to the extent such party determines that such action is necessary or appropriate to exercise its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto (and, to the extent set forth in any other Loan Document, each other Credit Party) hereby irrevocably waive any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, that any of them may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such jurisdictions.

(c) Service of Process . Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and other documents and other service of process of any kind and consents to such service in any suit, action or proceeding brought in the United States of America with respect to or otherwise arising out of or in connection with any Loan Document by any means permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, including by the mailing thereof (by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) to the address of such party specified herein (and shall be effective when such mailing shall be effective, as provided therein). Each party 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.

(d) Non-Exclusive Jurisdiction . Nothing contained in this Section  9.18 shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Requirements of Law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any party hereto in any other jurisdiction.

9.19 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.

9.20 Entire Agreement; Release .

(a) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF AND ANY PRIOR LETTER OF INTEREST, COMMITMENT LETTER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND SIMILAR AGREEMENTS INVOLVING ANY CREDIT PARTY AND ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES

 

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RELATING TO A FINANCING OF SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM, PURPOSE OR EFFECT OTHER THAN THE FEE LETTER. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN (UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR SUCH TERMS OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, IN WHICH CASE SUCH TERMS SHALL GOVERN TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO COMPLY THEREWITH).

(b) In no event shall any Indemnitee or any Credit Party be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings); provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Credit Parties’ indemnification obligations as set forth in Section 9.6 to the extent damages are included in any third party claim in connection with which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under the Loan Documents.

(c) Each party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (and shall cause each of its Related Persons to waive, release and agree) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

(d) (i) Any indemnification or other protection provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  9.20 , Sections 9.5 (Costs and Expenses), and 9.6 (Indemnity), and Article VIII (Agent) and Article X (Taxes, Yield Protection and Illegality), and (ii) the provisions of Section  8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, in each case, shall (x) survive the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the payment in full of all other Obligations and (y) with respect to clause (i) above, inure to the benefit of any Person that at any time held a right thereunder (as an Indemnitee or otherwise) and, thereafter, its successors and permitted assigns.

9.21 Patriot Act . Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

9.22 Replacement of Lender . After: (i) receipt by the Borrowers of written notice and demand from any Lender (an “ Affected Lender ”) for any payment provided in Sections 10.1 , 10.3 and/or 10.6 ; or (ii) any failure by any Lender to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to any Loan Document in which the consent of each Lender (or each Lender directly affected thereby, as applicable) is required with respect thereto ( provided , in the event such non-consenting Lender is the Agent or an Affiliate of the Agent, the Borrowers shall have given five Business Days prior written notice to the Agent of the Borrowers’ intention to remove the Agent or such Affiliate pursuant to this Section  9.22 ; provided , further , that the Agent shall have the right, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section  8.7 , to resign as the Agent hereunder effective upon the consummation of the replacement of such Lender pursuant to

 

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this Section  9.22 ), the Borrowers may, at their option, notify the Agent and such Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender) of the Borrowers’ intention to obtain, at the Borrowers’ expense, a replacement Lender (the “ Replacement Lender ”) for such Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender). In the event the Borrowers obtain a Replacement Lender, the Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender) shall sell and assign its Loans to such Replacement Lender, at par; provided that the Borrowers have reimbursed such Affected Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment. In the event that a replaced Lender does not execute an Assignment pursuant to Section  9.9 within five Business Days after receipt by such replaced Lender of notice of replacement pursuant to this Section  9.22 and presentation to such replaced Lender of an Assignment evidencing an assignment pursuant to this Section  9.22 , the Borrowers shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute such an Assignment on behalf of such replaced Lender, and any such Assignment so executed by each Borrower, the Replacement Lender and the Agent, shall be effective for purposes of this Section  9.22 and Section  9.9 . Upon any such assignment and payment and compliance with the other provisions of Section  9.9 , such replaced Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided that any rights of such replaced Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  9.22 , the Borrowers shall be permitted to purchase and immediately cancel a non-consenting Lender’s Loans, at par, with proceeds of an equity contribution to the Borrowers; provided that the Borrowers have reimbursed such non-consenting Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale.

9.23 Joint and Several . The obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are joint and several.

9.24 Creditor-Debtor Relationship . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that (a) (i) the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement and any related arranging or other services by the Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between Credit Parties and such Persons; (ii) Credit Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory, and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) Credit Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and do understand and accept, the terms, risks, and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) each of the Agent, LC Issuer, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal in connection with this credit facility, is not the financial advisor, agent, or fiduciary of, to, or for any Credit Party or any of their Affiliates or any other Person and has no obligation with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein; and (c) the Agent, LC Issuer, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and have no obligation to disclose any of such interests to any Credit Party or any such Affiliate. To the fullest extent permitted by all Requirements of Law, each Credit Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agent, LC Issuer, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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9.25 Intercreditor Agreement . Each Lender, LC Issuer, and Swingline Lender hereunder (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of Initial Intercreditor Agreement, (b) consents to the terms of each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, (c) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement and (d) authorizes and instructs the Agent to enter into each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement as the Agent and on behalf of such Lender, and any documents relating thereto and (e) agrees that no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of any action taken by the Agent pursuant to this Section or any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby further irrevocably authorizes and directs the Agent (i) to take such actions as shall be required to release Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms of any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement and (ii) to enter into such amendments, supplements or other modifications to any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement in connection with any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Obligations, any Term Loan Obligations (as defined in the Initial Intercreditor Agreement) and any Permitted Term Indebtedness as are reasonably acceptable to the Agent to give effect thereto, in each case on behalf of such Lender and without any further consent, authorization or other action by and on behalf of such Lender.

9.26 Collateral and Guarantee Requirements . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, (a) the Collateral will exclude (i) any fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $2,500,000 (as determined in good faith by the Borrowers on the date of acquisition) and all leasehold, sub-leasehold and other similar interests in real property (with no requirement to obtain leasehold mortgages, landlord waivers, consents, estoppels, or collateral access letters; provided , however , that in the event any actions are taken to create and/or perfect security interests in such assets or property for the benefit of any secured parties under any Permitted Term Indebtedness with respect to Collateral Access Agreements, such actions shall also be taken to perfect such security interests for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents), (ii) pledges and security interests currently prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation (including any requirement to obtain the consent of any governmental authority or third party, unless such consent has been obtained) (to the extent such law, rule or regulation is effective under applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC), other than proceeds and receivables thereof; (iii) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in each case, other than with respect to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in existence on the Closing Date or upon the Acquisition of the relevant Subsidiary party thereto, to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrowers or a Guarantor) or otherwise require consent thereunder, unless such consent has been obtained after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable law, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition, and other than proceeds and receivables thereof, (iv) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations to the extent creation of a security interest thereon is prohibited or restricted thereby (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provision of the UCC) (but not proceeds of the foregoing), for so long as the applicable franchise, charter, or authorization prohibits the creation of a security interest therein, (v) any intent-to-use Trademark

 

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application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, but solely to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration issuing from such intent-to-use trademark application under applicable federal law ( provided that upon filing with, and acceptance by, the United States Patent and Trademark Office of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(c) or a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(d) (or any successor provisions), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral); (vi) those assets as to which the Agent and the Borrowers reasonably agree (1) a security interest over which would reasonably be expected to result in material adverse Tax consequences or (2) that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby; (vii) any assets owned by any Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary; (viii) interests in joint ventures and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries which cannot be pledged without the consent of unaffiliated third parties (other than the Borrowers or a Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable law; (ix) [reserved], and (x) any non-U.S. assets or assets that require action under the law of any non-U.S. jurisdiction to create or perfect a security interest in such assets, including any Intellectual Property owned or registered in any non-U.S. jurisdiction (and no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required) ( provided that the foregoing shall not operate to exclude any such asset to the extent that such asset is otherwise included in the definition of “Collateral” and a security interest in such asset may be created and perfected under the laws of the State of New York (or any other applicable state of the United States) for the purposes of determinations under such laws by the filing of a UCC financing statement (it being understood that there will be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction)) (collectively, the “ Excluded Assets ”; provided , however , that “Excluded Assets” shall not include any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets under the definition thereof)) and (b) no perfection actions shall be required with respect to (i) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title with a value of less than $1,000,000 individually and (ii) letter of credit rights (other than those that constitute supporting obligations as to included Collateral and/or to the extent that perfection can be accomplished through the filing of a UCC financing statement) with a value of less than $1,000,000 and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $1,000,000.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

9.28 Judgment Currency . If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or under any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with the normal banking procedures the Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrowers in respect of any such sum due from them to the Agent, LC Issuer, or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Agent, LC Issuer, or the relevant Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Agent, LC Issuer, or the relevant Lender may in accordance with the normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Agent, LC Issuer, or such Lender from the Borrowers in the Agreement Currency, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to jointly and severally indemnify the Agent, or the Person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to Agent or such Lender in such currency, the Agent or such Lender agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrowers (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

9.29 Certain ERISA Matters . (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of the Agent, and the Sole Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Employee Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Revolving Commitments,

 

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(ii) the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from the prohibitions of ERISA Section 406 and Code Section 4975, such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement.

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of the Agent, and the Sole Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that:

(i) none of the Agent, or the Sole Lead Arranger or their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

 

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(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Agent, or the Sole Lead Arranger or any of its Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Revolving Commitments or this Agreement.

(c) The Agent and the Sole Lead Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Revolving Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Revolving Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Revolving Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

9.30 Relationship with Lenders . The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Revolving Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by the Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. Amounts payable hereunder by the Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender, on the one hand, to any other of such Persons,

 

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on the other hand, shall be separate and independent debts and obligations, and claims by one of such Persons against any other of such Persons may proceed between such Persons without requiring the joinder of the Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender as an additional party. Nothing in this Agreement and no action of the Agent, LC Issuer or Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents shall cause the Agent, LC Issuer and the Lenders, or any of them, to be deemed a partnership, association, joint venture, or any other kind of entity with each other or with any Credit Party, or to have any Control of each other or any Credit Party.

9.31 Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of the making of any Loan or the issuance, extension, or renewal of any Letter of Credit, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

9.32 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations . If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by or on behalf of any Credit Party or the transfer to the Agent, LC Issuer, or any Lender of any Property (including through setoff) should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any Debtor Relief Law, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of Property (collectively, a “ Voidable Transfer ”), and if the Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender, or any of them, is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such Persons, or any of them, is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such Persons related thereto, the liability of all affected Credit Parties automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

ARTICLE X

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

10.1 Taxes .

(a) Except as otherwise required by any Requirement of Law, each payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any Taxes.

(b) If any Taxes shall be required by any Requirement of Law to be deducted from or in respect of any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document (i) if such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, the amount payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary to ensure that, after all

 

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required deductions for Indemnified Taxes are made (including deductions applicable to any amounts payable under this Section  10.1 ), the applicable Secured Party receives the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the relevant Credit Party or the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions and (iii) the relevant Credit Party or the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law.

(c) In addition, the Credit Parties shall pay, and authorize the Agent to pay in their name, any stamp, documentary, excise or property Tax, charges or similar levies imposed by any applicable Requirement of Law or Governmental Authority and all Liabilities with respect thereto (including by reason of any delay in payment thereof), in each case arising 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 or any transaction contemplated therein, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section  9.22 ) (collectively, “ Other Taxes ”).

(d) Without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to Section  10.1(b) or (c), the Credit Parties shall reimburse and jointly and severally indemnify, within 30 days after receipt of written demand therefor (with copy to the Agent), each Secured Party for all Indemnified Taxes (including any Indemnified Taxes imposed on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section  10.1 ) paid or payable by such Secured Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Secured Party and any Liabilities arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. A certificate of the Secured Party (or of the Agent on behalf of such Secured Party) claiming any compensation under this clause (d), setting forth the amounts to be paid thereunder and delivered to the Borrowers with copy to the Agent, shall be conclusive, binding and final for all purposes, absent demonstrable error.

(e) Each Secured Party (other than the Agent) shall severally indemnify the Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Secured Party (but only to the extent that the Credit Parties have not already indemnified the Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Secured Party’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section  9.9(f) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Secured Party, in each case, that are payable or paid by the 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 Secured Party by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Secured Party hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Secured Party under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Agent to the Secured Party from any other source against any amount due to the Agent under this paragraph (e).

 

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(f) Within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) after the date of any payment of Taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Other Taxes) by any Credit Party pursuant to this Section  10.1 , such Credit Party shall furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to in Section  9.2 , the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(g) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section  10.1 shall use its reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and Requirements of Law) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such a change or assignment would reduce any such additional amounts (or any similar amount that may thereafter accrue) and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to jointly and severally pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(h) Each Secured Party 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 Borrowers and the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), at the time or times prescribed by applicable laws and reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrowers and the Agent or the relevant Lender, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to withholding Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Secured Party’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable withholding Taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Secured Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise to establish such Secured Party’s status for withholding Tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. In addition, any Secured Party, if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) as will enable the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) to determine whether or not such Secured Party 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 Sections 10.1(h)(i) , (h)(ii) and (h)(iv) below) shall not be required if in the Secured Party’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Secured Party to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Secured Party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

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(i) Each Non-U.S. Lender Party shall (w) on or prior to the date such Non-U.S. Lender Party becomes a “Non-U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (x) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (y) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (i) and (z) from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), provide the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, with two duly executed originals of each of the following, as applicable (or promptly notify the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) in writing of its legal inability to do so): (A) Forms W-8ECI (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding Tax because the income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (claiming exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. withholding Tax under an income Tax treaty, if any) and/or W-8IMY (together with appropriate forms, certifications and supporting statements) or any successor forms, (B) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender Party claiming exemption under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding Tax under the portfolio interest exemption) or any successor form and a certificate in form and substance acceptable to the Agent and the Borrowers that such Non-U.S. Lender Party is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrowers within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code or (C) any other applicable document prescribed by the IRS certifying as to the entitlement of such Non-U.S. Lender Party to such exemption from or reduction in United States withholding Tax with respect to all payments to be made to such Non-U.S. Lender Party under the Loan Documents. Unless the Borrowers and the Agent have received forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Non-U.S. Lender Party are not subject to United States withholding Tax or are subject to such Tax at a rate reduced by an applicable Tax treaty, the Credit Parties and the Agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable Requirements of Law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

(ii) Each U.S. Lender Party shall (A) on or prior to the date such U.S. Lender Party becomes a “U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (B) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (C) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (h)  and (D) from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender), provide the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) with two duly executed originals of Form W-9 (certifying that such U.S. Lender Party is not subject to U.S. backup withholding Tax) or any successor form.

(iii) Each Lender having sold a participation in any of its Obligations shall collect from such participant the documents described in this clause (h) (including, without limitation, any documents described in the first three sentences of this clause (h) ).

 

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(iv) If a payment made to a Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party under any Loan Document would be subject to withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party were to fail to comply with the applicable requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party shall deliver to the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Agent or the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) 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 Agent or the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) as may be necessary for the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party has complied with its obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Secured Party, Non-U.S. Lender Party and U.S. Lender Party 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 Borrowers and the Agent (or, in the case of a participant, the relevant Lender) in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(i) If any Secured Party determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund (whether in cash or in direct credit in lieu of a cash refund) of Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Credit Parties or with respect to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section  10.1 , it shall without unreasonable delay pay over such refund to the Credit Parties (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Credit Parties under this Section  10.1 giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such Secured Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). The Credit Parties, upon the request of such Secured Party, shall repay to such Secured Party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section  10.1(i) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Secured Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  10.1(i) , in no event shall the Secured Party be required to pay any amount to a Credit Party pursuant to this Section  10.1(i) the payment of which would place the Secured Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Secured 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 with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any Secured Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Credit Parties or any other Person.

 

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(j) Each party’s obligations under this Section  10.1 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

10.2 Illegality . If after the Closing Date any Lender shall reasonably determine that the introduction of any Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, has made it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Agent, the obligation of that Lender to make LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans shall be suspended until such Lender shall have notified the Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exists. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it.

(a) Subject to clause (c) below, if any Lender shall determine that it is unlawful to maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan, the Borrowers shall prepay in full, together with all interest thereon, or convert to Base Rate Loans, all LIBOR Rate Loans and LIR Loans of such Lender then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans and or LIR Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans.

(b) If the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans has been terminated, the Borrowers may elect, by giving notice to such Lender through the Agent that all Loans which would otherwise be made by any such Lender as LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans.

(c) Before giving any notice to the Agent pursuant to this Section  10.2 , the affected Lender shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its LIBOR Rate Loans and or LIR Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice or making such demand and will not, in the judgment of the Lender, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Lender.

10.3 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return .

(a) If any Lender or the Agent shall determine that, due to either (i) the introduction of, or any change in, or change in the interpretation of, any Requirement of Law or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) subsequent to the Closing Date, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender or the Agent of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any

 

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Loans or any reduction in any amount received or receivable by such Lender or the Agent under any Loan Document, then the Borrowers shall be jointly and severally liable for, and shall from time to time, within 30 days of demand therefor by such Lender or the Agent (with a copy of such demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Lender or the Agent, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Agent for such increased costs; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate any Lender or the Agent pursuant to this Section  10.3(a) for any increased costs incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Agent notifies the Borrowers, in writing of the increased costs and of such Lender’s or the Agent’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided , further , that if the circumstance giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that:

(i) the introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof; or

(iv) compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) or any entity controlling the Lender with any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any entity controlling such Lender and (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such entity’s policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender’s desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its Revolving Commitment(s), loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, within 30 days of demand of such Lender (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender (or the entity controlling the Lender) for such increase; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to this Section  10.3(b) for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrowers, in writing of the amounts and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided , further , that if the event giving rise to such increase is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(c) It is understood and agreed that (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all rules and regulations in connection therewith, all guidelines and directives in connection therewith and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (ii) all requests,

 

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rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case in respect of this clause (ii) pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the Closing Date other than any such rules, regulations, guidelines or directives with which the Lenders, as applicable, are required to comply as of the Closing Date.

(d) This Section  10.3 shall not apply to Taxes described in (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes, Connection Income Taxes, Other Taxes or Taxes indemnifiable pursuant to Section  10.1(d) .

10.4 Funding Losses . The Borrowers agrees to jointly and severally reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any actual loss or expense (excluding loss of profit) which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

(a) the failure of the Borrowers to make any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan (including payments made after any acceleration thereof);

(b) the failure of the Borrowers to borrow, continue or convert a Loan after the Borrowers have given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

(c) the failure of the Borrowers to make any prepayment after the Borrowers have given a notice in accordance with Section  1.5(e) ;

(d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section  1.15 ) of a LIBOR Rate Loan LIR Loan on a day which is not the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto; or

(e) the conversion pursuant to Section  1.5(e) of any LIBOR Rate Loan LIR Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period;

(f) including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans hereunder or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained; provided that, with respect to the expenses described in clauses (d) and (e) above, such Lender shall have notified Agent of any such expense within two Business Days of the date on which such expense was incurred. Solely for purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section  10.4 and under Section  10.3(a) : each LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan made by a Lender (and each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the interest rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank Eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan is in fact so funded.

 

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10.5 Inability to Determine Rates . If the Agent shall have determined in good faith that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan or that the LIBOR applicable pursuant to Section  1.5 for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding or maintaining such Loan, the Agent will forthwith give notice of such determination to the Borrowers and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Borrowers do not revoke such notice, the Lenders shall make, convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by the Borrowers, in the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Borrowers, but such Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate Loans.

10.6 Certificates of Lenders . Any Lender or the Agent claiming reimbursement or compensation pursuant to this Article X shall deliver to the Borrowers (in the case of a Lender, with a copy to the Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lender or the Agent hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error.

ARTICLE XI

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XII

DEFINITIONS

12.1 Defined Terms . The following terms have the following meanings:

ABL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning given such term in the Initial Intercreditor Agreement or, as applicable, any other Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement.

Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement ” means, (a) with respect to the Initial Term Loan Documents and the Liens created or purported to be created by the Initial Term Loan Documents, the Initial Intercreditor Agreement, and (b) with respect to any other Permitted Term Indebtedness and any Liens attaching to any Collateral and securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness, any intercreditor or subordination agreement which (in the case of this clause (b) only) (i) is by and among or between the Agent and all other Persons in whose favor any of such Liens are or are to be granted (or a Senior Representative on their behalf); (ii) provides for, among other things, (A) to the extent the Liens securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness attach to any ABL Priority Collateral, the subordination of such Liens to the Agent’s Liens on the ABL Priority Collateral; (B) the subordination of the Agent’s Liens on the Term Loan Priority Collateral to such Liens securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness (to the extent the Liens securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness are designated by Borrower Agent to be senior to the Agent’s Liens on such Term Loan Priority Collateral) or (C) the subordination of the Liens securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness to the Agent’s Liens on such Term Loan Priority

 

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Collateral (to the extent the Liens securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness are designated by Borrower Agent to be junior to the Agent’s Liens on such Term Loan Priority Collateral); and (iii) is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, in each case, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

Account means, as at any date of determination, all “accounts” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the unpaid portion of the obligation of a customer of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Inventory purchased by and shipped to such customer and/or the rendition of services by any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, as stated on the respective invoice of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed to such customer.

Accounts Payable Report ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.2(a)(iii) .

Accounts Receivable Report ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.2(a)(i) .

ACH ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Bank Products.”

Acquired EBITDA has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Combined EBITDA.

Acquired Entity or Business has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Combined EBITDA.

Acquisition means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Person or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person.

Adjusted LIBOR Rate ” means, for any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (a) (i) the rate per annum (rounded upward to the next whole multiple of one sixteenth of one percent (1/16 of 1%)) equal to the LIBOR or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Agent, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Agent from time to time) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, or (ii) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (i) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the next whole multiple of one sixteenth of one percent (1/16 of 1%)) equal to the rate determined by the Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays an average settlement rate for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, or (iii) in the event

 

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the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are not available, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the next whole multiple of one sixteenth of one percent (1/16 of 1%)) equal to the quotation rate (or the arithmetic mean of rates) offered to first class banks in the London interbank market for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) in Dollars of amounts in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Loan of Regions Bank or any other Lender selected by the Agent, for which the Adjusted LIBOR Rate is then being determined with maturities comparable to such period as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, by (b) an amount equal to the number one minus the Applicable Reserve Requirement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, as so determined, is ever less than 0.00%, then, the Adjusted Libor Rate shall be deemed to be 0.00%.

Administrative Agent ” means the Agent.

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire provided by the Lenders in a form supplied by the Agent.

Affected Lender has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.22 .

Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided , however , that no Secured Party shall be an Affiliate of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Loan Documents. For purposes of this definition, “ control means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Agent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Agent Parties ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(e) .

Aggregate Revolving Obligations ” means, at any time of determination, the sum (without duplication) of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and (b) the outstanding amount of all LC Obligations.

Agreement has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allied has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allied Parent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allocable Amount ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.19(c)(ii) .

Anti-Corruption Laws ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  3.24 .

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” means any laws relating to the prevention of terrorism or money laundering, including the PATRIOT Act and all OFAC rules and regulations, including Executive Order 13224.

 

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Anticipated Cure Deadline ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.2.

Applicable Margin ” means, for any date of determination, (a) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans, 2.00% per annum and (b) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 1.00% per annum.

Applicable Reserve Requirement ” means, at any time, for any LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan, the maximum rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including any basic marginal, special, supplemental, emergency or other reserves) are required to be maintained with respect thereto against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time) under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board or other applicable banking regulator. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Applicable Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to (a) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the LIBOR Index Rate is to be determined, or (b) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include LIBOR Rate Loans or LIR Loans. LIBOR Rate Loans and LIR Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefit of credit for pro ration, exception or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on LIBOR Rate Loans and LIR Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

Approved Bank ” has the meaning given to such term in the definition of “Cash Equivalents.”

Approved Fund means, with respect to any Lender, any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) (i) is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business or (ii) temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any Person described in clause (i) above and (b) is administered or managed by (i) such Lender, (ii) any Affiliate of such Lender or (iii) any Person (other than an individual) or any Affiliate of any Person (other than an individual) that administers or manages such Lender.

Assignment means an assignment agreement entered into by a Lender, as assignor, and any Person, as assignee, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section  9.9 (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section  9.9 ), accepted by the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(a) or any other form approved by the Agent and Borrowers.

Attorney Costs means and includes all reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

Availability ” means, at any time of determination, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Line Cap exceeds (b) the Aggregate Revolving Obligations.

 

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Available Equity Amount ” means, with respect to any transaction for which the Available Equity Amount is to be utilized, the net cash proceeds (other than Specified Equity Contributions) from (x) any capital contribution to the Parents, (y) any sale of Stock or Stock Equivalents (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Parents or (z) any issuance of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock by the Parents or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has been converted into Qualified Stock of the Borrowers or the Parents, in each case, to the extent such cash proceeds are (A) not received from a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (B) received substantially concurrently with the transaction for which the Available Equity Amount is to be utilized.

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.

Bank Product Agreement ” means any agreement between one or more Credit Parties and a Bank Product Provider evidencing the making available of any Bank Product by such Bank Product Provider to such Credit Party.

Bank Product Obligations ” means Indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of any Credit Party to any Bank Product Provider arising under, pursuant to or in connection with Bank Products.

Bank Product Provider ” means (a) any Person which, at the time it enters into any Bank Product Agreement, is the Agent or a Lender or an Affiliate thereof and (b) any Person which (i) at the time it enters into any Bank Product constituting an interest rate Swap Agreement, is a lender, agent, arranger, or bookrunner under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement or an Affiliate thereof; (ii) has been identified by Borrower Agent in a writing delivered to Agent as being a Bank Product Provider in respect of such Swap Agreement; and (iii) executed and delivered to the Agent a Secured Party Designation Notice within 90 Business Days after such Swap Agreement became effective.

Bank Product Reserve ” means an amount determined from time to time by the Agent in its discretion as a reserve for Bank Product Obligations.

Bank Products ” means all bank, banking, financial, and other similar or related products, services, and facilities offered or provided by any Bank Product Provider to any Credit Party, including (a) merchant card services, credit or stored value cards and corporate purchasing cards; (b) cash management, treasury, and related products and services, including depository and checking services, Deposit Accounts (whether operating, money market, investment, collections, payroll, trust, disbursement, or other Deposit Accounts), automated clearinghouse (“ ACH ”) transfers of funds and any other ACH services, remote deposit capture, lockboxes, account reconciliation and information reporting, controlled disbursements, wire and other electronic funds transfers, e-payable, overdraft protection, stop payment services and fraud protection services (all of the products and services described in this clause (b), collectively, “ Treasury Services ”); and (c) bankers’ acceptances, drafts, documentary services, foreign currency exchange services; (d) Swap Agreements; (e) supply chain finance arrangements; and (f) leases and other banking products or services, other than Letters of Credit.

 

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Bankruptcy Code means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) 1.0%; (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus  1 2 of 1%; (c) the Prime Rate in effect on such day; and (d) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for an Interest Period of one-month, as determined monthly on the first Business Day of each month, plus 1.00%. If for any reason the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable, after due inquiry, to ascertain either the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or both such rates, for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in regard to such rate(s) in accordance with the terms hereof, the Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) and/or clause (d) of the first sentence of this definition until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate, or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, respectively, automatically and without notice to any Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the Base Rate, as so determined, is ever less than 0.00% per annum, then, the Base Rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% per annum.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan which bears interest at a rate based on the Base Rate.

Benefit Plan means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether governed by the laws of the United States or otherwise) to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, excluding Multiemployer Plans, Title IV plans and any employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by any foreign, federal, state or local governments or agencies.

Borrower and “ Borrowers have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Borrower Agent ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.10 .

Borrower Materials has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(e) .

Borrowing means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans made to or for the benefit of the Borrowers on the same day by the Lenders pursuant to Article I .

Borrowing Base ” means, on any date of determination, an amount, calculated in Dollars, equal to:

(a) 85% of the total amount of Eligible Accounts; plus

(b) the lesser of (i) the Inventory Advance Rate of the total amount of Eligible Inventory and (ii) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of Eligible Inventory; minus

(c) Reserves.

 

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Borrowing Base Assets ” means Accounts and Inventory and the proceeds thereof.

Borrowing Base Certificate ” means a borrowing base certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(b) or such other form as may be acceptable to the Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion.

Brickhaven Property ” means the approximately 334 acre site known as the “Brickhaven Clay Mine” located at 1315 Moncure-Flatwood Road, in the Town of Moncure, Chatham County, North Carolina.

Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York City, New York, except that, when used in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan or LIR Loan, “Business Day” shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollars between banks may be carried on in London, England.

Capital Adequacy Regulation means any guideline, request or directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy of any Lender or of any corporation controlling a Lender.

Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person for any fiscal period, the aggregate amount of all expenditures incurred by any Person to acquire or repair and maintain fixed assets, plant, and equipment (including renewals and replacements) during such period, which would be required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP; provided that the term “Capital Expenditures” shall not include:

 

  (i) expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets to the extent financed from insurance proceeds or compensation awards paid on account of a casualty event,

 

  (ii) the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment to the extent that the gross amount of such purchase price is reduced by the credit granted by the seller of such equipment for the equipment being traded in at such time,

 

  (iii) the purchase of plant, property or equipment to the extent financed with the proceeds of sales, transfers or other dispositions outside the ordinary course of business,

 

  (iv) expenditures that are accounted for as capital expenditures by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary and that actually are paid for by a Person other than the Borrowers or any Subsidiary and for which neither the Borrowers nor any Subsidiary has provided or is required to provide or incur, directly or indirectly, any consideration or obligation to such Person or any other Person (whether before, during or after such period, it being understood, however, that only the amount of expenditures actually provided or incurred by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary in such period and not the amount required to be provided or incurred in any future period shall constitute “Capital Expenditures” in the applicable period),

 

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  (v) the book value of any asset owned by the Borrowers or any Subsidiary prior to or during such period to the extent that such book value is included as a capital expenditure during such period as a result of such Person reusing or beginning to reuse such asset during such period without a corresponding expenditure actually having been made in such period; provided that (x) any expenditure necessary in order to permit such asset to be reused shall be included as a Capital Expenditure during the period in which such expenditure actually is made and (y) such book value shall have been included in Capital Expenditures when such asset was originally acquired,

 

  (vi) any expenditures that constitute Permitted Acquisitions (or similar investment) and expenditures made in connection with the Transactions,

 

  (vii) expenditures made with proceeds of the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents of, or a cash capital contribution to, the Borrowers after the Closing Date;

 

  (viii) any capitalized interest expense reflected as additions to property, plant or equipment in the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries for such period; or

 

  (ix) any rental expenses of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries for real or personal property (including in connection with Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions).

Capital Lease means, with respect to any Person, any lease of, or other arrangement conveying the right to use, any Property by such Person as lessee that has been or is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligations all monetary obligations of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party under any Capital Lease.

Cash Collateral ” has the meaning given to such term in the definition of “Cash Collateralize.”

Cash Collateralize ” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Agent, LC Issuer or Swingline Lender, as applicable, as collateral for the LC Obligations or Swingline Loans, as applicable, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect thereof, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Agent, LC Issuer or Swingline Lender, as applicable, may agree, each in its sole discretion, other credit support (including, without limitation, backstop letters of credit), in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance, and in an amount (but not less than 105% of the obligated amount), in each case, satisfactory to the Agent, such LC Issuer and/or Swingline Lender, as applicable, in its or their sole discretion. “ Cash Collateral ” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such Cash Collateral and other credit support including any cash and any interest or other income earned thereon.

 

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Cash Dominion Period ” means each period (a) commencing on each date on which (i) Availability is less than the greater of (A) 15% of the Line Cap and (B) $6,750,000 for five consecutive Business Days or (ii) a Specified Event of Default and (b) ending on the first date thereafter on which (i) Availability has been greater than the greater of (A) 15% of the Line Cap and (B) $6,750,000 for 45 consecutive calendar days and (ii) no Specified Event of Default is continuing.

Cash Equivalents means (a) any readily-marketable securities (i) issued by, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States federal government or (ii) issued by any agency or instrumentality of the United States federal government the obligations of which are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United States federal government, (b) any readily-marketable direct obligations issued by any other agency of the United States federal government, any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia or any political subdivision of any such territory, commonwealth or state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case having a rating of at least “A-l” from S&P or at least “P-l” from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrowers), (c) any commercial paper or fixed or variable notes which are rated at least “A-l” by S&P or “P-l” by Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrowers) and issued by any Person organized under the laws of any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia, (d) any Dollar-denominated time deposit, insured certificate of deposit, overnight bank deposit or bankers’ acceptance issued or accepted by (i) any Lender or (ii) any commercial bank that (A) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state, territory or commonwealth thereof or the District of Columbia or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of any of the foregoing or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank, (B) is “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulators) and (C) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) in excess of $250,000,000 (each such bank, an “ Approved Bank ”), (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Approved Bank, (f) obligations of other Persons with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, rated at least AA by S&P and Aa2 by Moody’s, (g) Investments in any United States money market fund that (i) has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above with maturities as set forth in the proviso below and (ii) has net assets in excess of $500,000,000; provided , however , that the maturities of all obligations specified in any of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above shall not exceed 366 days and (h) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, short-term Investments that are customarily used for cash management purposes in any country in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates.

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

CERCLIS ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

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Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) (i) prior to the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, the Permitted Holders shall cease to beneficially and of record own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then issued and outstanding Stock having ordinary voting (or equivalent) power for the election or appointment of directors (or comparable managers) of the Charah Parent (measured by voting or appointment power rather than number of shares) (“ Voting Stock ”) and (ii) upon and after the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (x) the Permitted Holders, (y) any employee benefit plan of the Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any employee benefit plan of the Charah Parent or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Holders and (z) any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders ( provided that in the case of any such “group,” the Permitted Holders hold at least a majority of the then issued and outstanding Voting Stock of such “group”), is or becomes the beneficial or record owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of issued and outstanding Voting Stock representing both (A) more than 35% of such Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) and (B) more than the percentage of such Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) that is beneficially and of record owned (as such term is defined in Rules 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders and if applicable, any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders, (b) Charah Parent shall cease to own and control legally, beneficially and of record all of the economic and voting rights associated with ownership of all outstanding Stock of Charah, or (c) a “change of control” (howsoever defined) under any Permitted Term Indebtedness Document.

Charah has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Charah Credit Agreement ” means that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2017, among Charah Parent, Charah, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (as the same may have been amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time before the date hereof).

Charah Letters of Credit ” means letters of credit issued pursuant to the Charah Credit Agreement (and listed on Schedule 11.3 hereto).

Charah Parent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Closing Date means October 25, 2017.

Co-Borrower Payment ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.19(c)(ii) .

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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Collateral means all Property and interests in Property and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party (other than Excluded Property), in or upon which a mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, lien or other security interest is granted in favor of the Agent on behalf of itself, Lenders and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Collateral Document, in each case, to secure the Obligations; provided that in no event shall (i) more than 65% of the outstanding Voting Stock of a Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary or a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary be included in Collateral, (ii) any Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary be included in Collateral and (iii) any asset of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary be included in Collateral.

Collateral Access Agreement ” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter or acknowledgment agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, mortgagee, customs broker or other Person (other than any Credit Party) in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in the inventory (or any books or records relating thereto) of any Credit Party, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

Collateral Agent ” means the Agent.

Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Control Agreements, and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, patent and trademark security agreements, Guarantees and other similar agreements, and all amendments, restatements, modifications or supplements thereof or thereto, by or between any one or more of any Credit Party, and any Lender or the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties granting a lien on Collateral to secure or Guarantee the payment of the Obligations now or hereafter delivered to the Lenders or the Agent pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the UCC or comparable law) against any such Person as debtor in favor of any Lender or the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, as secured party, as any of the foregoing may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Collection Account ” means one or more Deposit Accounts established or maintained by a Borrower at Regions Bank or another bank acceptable to the Agent, which Deposit Accounts shall be utilized solely for purposes of receiving or collecting payments made by such Borrower’s Account Debtors and other Proceeds of Collateral and over which the Agent shall, during a Cash Dominion Period, have exclusive control to withdraw or otherwise direct the disposition of funds on deposit therein.

Combined Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Capital Expenditures of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Capital Expenditures of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Combined Cash Taxes Paid ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

 

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Combined EBITDA ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the Consolidated EBITDA of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated EBITDA of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of determining Combined EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, Combined EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $15,321,980, $12,077,417, $17,260,157 and $23,793,420, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clauses (a)(xii) and (a)(xiii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

Combined Interest Paid ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Interest Paid of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Interest Paid of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respect Restricted Subsidiaries as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive Fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Combined Unfinanced Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to the Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Commitment Letter ” means the Commitment Letter, dated October 6, 2017, by and among Charah, Allied, Regions Bank, and Regions Capital markets, a division of Regions Bank.

Commitment Termination Date ” means the earliest to occur of the following: (a) the Stated Commitment Termination Date; (b) the date on which Borrowers terminate the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section  1.1(c) ; and (c) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section  7.2 .

Communications ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(e) .

Compliance Certificate has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.2(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.

Consolidated Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person, for any fiscal period and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with any Requirement of Law and GAAP consistently applied, the aggregate amount of all Capital Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries made during such period.

 

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Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid ” means, with respect to any Person, for any fiscal period and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with any Requirement of Law and GAAP consistently applied, the sum of all income taxes paid in cash by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period (net of all income tax refunds and credits received in cash by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period), which number for the applicable period of computation shall not be less than zero.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense (including the amortization of deferred financing fees or costs and the amortization of OID resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

(a) increased (without duplication, including for purposes of determining Consolidated Net Income) by the following, in each case (other than clauses (xii) and (xiii)) to the extent deducted (and not added back or excluded) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, provincial, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period (including penalties, interest, costs and expenses related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations or Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section  5.11(c) ); plus

(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iv) any out-of-pocket fees, payments, expenses (including legal, tax, shareholder litigation, structuring and other costs and expenses) or charges (including expenses in connection with the Transactions but excluding depreciation or amortization expense) related to: (a) the Transactions, including any payments and expenses, or any amortization thereof, related to the Transactions that are established after the Closing Date and (b) any proposed or actual equity offering, Investment, acquisition (including costs and expenses in connection with the de-listing of public targets and compliance with public company requirements) disposition, dividend, restricted payment or recapitalization or the incurrence and/or repayment of Indebtedness (including any incremental facility, any refinancing of any such Indebtedness, any letter of credit fees

 

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and/or breakage costs) (in each of the foregoing whether or not consummated successful), including (1) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Loans, the Loan Documents, the Initial Term Loans, the Initial Term Loan Documents or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness, (2) any amendment, restatement, extension, increase or other modification of the Loans, the Loan Documents, the Initial Term Loans, the Initial Term Loan Documents or any Permitted Term Indebtedness, (3) any charges, non-recurring acquisition costs or contingent transaction costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction and (4) one-time expenses related to enhanced accounting function or other transaction costs, including those associated with becoming standalone entity or public company; plus

(v) restructuring charges, integration charges, transition costs, retention, recruiting, relocation and signing bonuses, costs and expenses, stay bonuses, stock option and other equity-based compensation expenses and the amounts of payments made to option holders in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders, the amount (together with any fees, expenses or other charges in connection therewith) of any out-of-pocket deferred compensation, severance costs (including, without limitation, costs in management retention agreements), curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefits, costs incurred in connection with any non-recurring strategic initiatives and intellectual property development, project startup costs, business optimization expenses and carve-out related items, including, without limitation, any one-time expense relating to enhanced accounting function or other transaction costs, including those associated with becoming a standalone entity or a public company, costs associated with establishing new facilities or reserves and any other one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities in the good faith determination of the applicable Borrower and as certified by such Borrower’s chief financial officer, chief executive officer, controller or other comparable executive; plus

(vi) expenses of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred during such period to the extent (x) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income and (y) reimbursed in cash by any person (other than any of Parents, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries) during such period (or reasonably expected to be so reimbursed within 365 days of the end of such period to the extent not accrued) pursuant to an indemnity or guaranty or any other reimbursement agreement in favor of such Parent, such Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such reimbursement has not been accrued ( provided that, (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period); plus

(vii) [reserved]; plus

(viii) non-cash stock option and other equity-based compensation; plus

 

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(ix) (A) compensation and fees paid to directors of the applicable Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be paid pursuant to Section  5.7(b) , (B) expense reimbursements for travel and other expenses paid to directors of such Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted hereunder and (C) indemnifications of directors, officers and comparable managers of such Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted hereunder, plus

(x) to the extent covered by insurance or reimbursed, or, so long as the applicable Borrower has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer, losses or expenses with respect to liability or casualty event; provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased in any future period in which such reimbursement is actually received by the amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause (x); plus

(xi) the amount of any earn-out obligation which was reserved or paid during such period and deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period, to the extent such earn-out obligations are permitted hereunder; plus

(xii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and synergies related to the Transactions, which are (w) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after the Closing Date or (x) determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities; provided that such amounts pursuant to this clause (a)(xii) and clause (a)(xiii) of Consolidated EBITDA, together with any amounts pursuant to clauses (A) through (C) of the definition of “Pro Forma Basis”, shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (determined prior to giving effect to this clause (a)(xii) and clause (a)(xiii) below); provided , further , that all such aforementioned adjustments shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if the adjustments in this clause (a)(xii) and clause (a)(xiii) below had occurred on the first day of the applicable calculation period; plus

(xiii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and synergies related to acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring, cost savings initiatives and other similar initiatives, in each case which are either (x) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after such transaction or initiative is initiated or (y) determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency); provided that such amounts pursuant to this clause this clause (a)(xiii), together with any amounts pursuant to clauses (A) through (C) of the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” and clause (a)(xii) above, shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (determined prior to giving effect to this clause (a)(xiii) and clause (a)(xii) above); provided , further , that all such aforementioned adjustments shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if the adjustments in this clause (a)(xiii) and clause (a)(xii) above had occurred on the first day of the applicable calculation period; plus

(xiv) cash or non-cash losses, costs and expenses arising from Swap Obligations or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as a Swap Agreement and the costs and expenses related to maintaining such hedging obligations; plus

 

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(xv) cash or non-cash losses, costs and expenses arising from a change in foreign exchange rates; plus

(xvi) [reserved]; plus

(xvii) all charges, losses, costs and expenses related to discontinued operations; plus

(xviii) any purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring and other non-recurring items or expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or any Permitted Acquisition (including any debt or equity issuance in connection therewith) or any non-recurring items or expenses incurred in connection with a Disposition; plus

(xix) (A) non-cash costs and 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 applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower for such period and (B) any costs or expense incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of such Parent or such Borrower or Net Proceeds of an issuance of equity interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Parent or such Borrower; plus

(xx) all costs or losses (whether cash or non-cash) (without duplication) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness; plus

(xxi) cash expenses of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred during such period to the extent reimbursed in cash by any person (other than such Parent, such Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or any owners, directly or indirectly, of equity interests, respectively, therein) during such period (or reasonably expected to be so reimbursed within 365 days of the end of such period to the extent not accrued) pursuant to an indemnity or guaranty or any other reimbursement agreement in favor of such Parent, such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such reimbursement has not been accrued ( provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary within such 365-day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or

 

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received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus

(xxii) to the extent deducted (and any reimbursement therefor not already added-back) in determining Consolidated Net Income, the aggregate amount of expenses or losses incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to business interruption to the extent covered by insurance and (x) actually reimbursed or otherwise paid to such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or (y) so long as such amount for any calculation period is reasonably expected to be received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent calculation period and within one year of the date of the underlying loss ( provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added-back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus

(xxiii) losses, charges and expenses attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of the applicable Parent from existing or former directors, officers or employees of such Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; plus

(xxiv) payments to employees, directors or officers of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid in connection with dividends that are otherwise permitted hereunder to the extent such payments are not made in lieu of, or as a substitution for, ordinary salary or ordinary payroll payments; plus

(xxv) (x) the aggregate amount of all other non-cash items, write-downs, non-cash expenses or losses (including (i) purchase accounting adjustments under ASC 805, (ii) deferred revenue which would reasonably have been included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, but for the application of purchase accounting rules, and (iii) all non-cash charges in connection with the granting of, or accretion on, options, warrants or other equity interests) otherwise reducing Consolidated Net Income (other than with respect to the preceding clause (ii) ) and excluding any such non-cash items, write-downs, expenses, or losses that are reasonably expected to result in, or require pursuant to GAAP, an accrual of a reserve for cash charge, costs and/or expenses in any future period, (y) net non-cash exchange, translation or performance losses relating

 

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to foreign currency transactions and currency fluctuations and (z) cash charges resulting from the application of ASC 805 (including with respect to earn-outs incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Permitted Acquisition permitted hereunder); plus

(xxvi) unamortized fees, costs and expenses paid in cash in connection with the repayment of Indebtedness to persons that are not Affiliates of any Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) increased (without duplication) by the amount of proceeds received by any Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries of business interruption insurance to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income;

(c) increased (without duplication) by the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution solely for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenant;

(d) decreased by the amount of all Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA;

(e) decreased (without duplication) to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, by non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and excluding any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in such prior period;

(f) decreased (without duplication) by gains related to hedging obligations;

(g) decreased (without duplication) by gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities;

(h) decreased (without duplication) by gains attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of the applicable Parent from existing or former directors, officers or employees of such Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; and

(i) decreased (without duplication) by any gains (whether cash or non-cash) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness.

For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis, and there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, on a Pro Forma Basis, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or any business unit, line of business or division of any Person acquired by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (but not the acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired), to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”) based on the actual and audited (if available) acquired EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition) (“ Acquired EBITDA ”).

 

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Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to interest rate swap obligations with respect to Indebtedness.

Consolidated Interest Paid ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with any Requirement of Law and GAAP consistently applied, all interest (including that attributable to the interest component or portion of Capital Leases) paid by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries in cash during such period.

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , that, without duplication (including for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA),

(a) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses, charges or expenses shall be excluded,

(b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded to the extent not otherwise reflected in a change to the Financial Covenant following such adoption or modification of accounting principles or policies,

(c) any after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,

(d) the net income for such period of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded to the extent such Person is prohibited by contract (including its Organization Documents) or governmental approval (which has not been obtained), from making dividends or distributions to the applicable Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid to the such Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof from a Person that is not such a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such period,

(e) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the applicable Lead Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and including the impact that the purchase accounting adjustments would have on subsequently reported results) in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets, in process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

 

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(f) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of obligations under any Swap Agreements or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(g) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,

(h) any (i) non-cash charge, expense or loss, including any write-offs or write- downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period and the impact of adjustments to earn-out estimates, and any such charge arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other similar rights and (ii) cash costs or expenses, incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the applicable Borrower or Net Proceeds of an issuance of equity interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Borrower or equity interests of any direct or indirect parent of such Borrower (other than amounts designated as excluded contributions) shall be excluded,

(i) the following items shall be excluded:

(i) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from obligations under any Swap Agreements in accordance with GAAP;

(ii) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses including those (x) related to currency re-measurements of Indebtedness and (y) resulting from Swap Agreements for currency exchange risk;

For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Total Debt means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of such Person of a type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Indebtedness, (b) all Indebtedness of such Person of a type described in clause (c) (solely to the extent of amounts that are drawn but not reimbursed) and clause (f) of the definition of Indebtedness, and (c) all Guarantees with respect to any such Indebtedness, in each case of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Consolidated Total Net Debt of any Person as of any date means an amount equal to (a) Consolidated Total Debt of such Person as of such date minus (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date.

 

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Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to any Person, for any fiscal period and determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with any Requirement of Law and GAAP consistently applied, all Consolidated Capital Expenditures made by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period which were not financed with the proceeds of (a) Indebtedness (other than Loans) or (b) the issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents.

Contractual Obligations means, as to any Person, any provision of any security (whether in the nature of Stock, Stock Equivalents or otherwise) issued by such Person or of any written agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement (other than a Loan Document) to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

Control Agreement ” has the meaning given such term in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Copyrights means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to copyrights, mask works, and database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, (b) all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, (c) all income, license fees, royalties, claims, damages, and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith, (d) all rights to sue or otherwise recover at law or in equity for any past, present and future infringement, violation or other impairment thereof, and (e) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Credit Parties means the Borrowers, each Parent and each other Guarantor.

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

Default means any event or circumstance that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both pursuant to Article VII hereof, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” means for any Obligation a rate per annum equal to (A) in the case of principal of or interest on any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided for in this Agreement or (B) in the case of all other Obligations, 2.00% plus the interest rate that would have applied had such amount, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Base Rate Loan.

Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section  1.9 (b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days after the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Agent and Borrower Agent

 

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in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable Default or Event of Default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Agent, LC Issuer, Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days after the date when due, (b) has notified Borrower Agent, the Agent, LC Issuer or Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable Default or Event of Default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Agent or Borrower Agent, to confirm in writing to the Agent and Borrower Agent that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c)  upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Agent and Borrower Agent), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of any Insolvency Proceeding, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) has become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a)  through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section  1.9(b) ) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to Borrower Agent, each LC Issuer, each Swingline Lender and each Lender.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the fair market value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrowers) of non-cash consideration received by Parents or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an asset sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each of Parents and the Borrowers furnished to the Agent, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent payment, redemption, retirement, sale or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section 5.2.

 

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Dilution Reserve ” means as of any date of determination, the amount, expressed as a percentage of the Borrowers’ average gross sales (on a combined basis), equal to the excess of (a) the average Dollar amount of non-cash reduction to Borrowers’ Accounts, including bad debt write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, rebates, credits, or other dilutive items during the most recently ended period of 12 Fiscal Months as established by the Borrowers’ records or by a field examination conducted by the Agent’s employees or representatives over (b) 5.0%.

Disposition means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of Property, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the sale of all outstanding Stock of Allied and/or its Subsidiaries, other than sales or other dispositions permitted under Sections 5.2(a) , 5.2(c) , 5.2(d) , 5.2(e) , 5.2(f) , 5.2(g) , 5.2(h) , 5.2(i) , 5.2(j) , 5.2(k)(i) , 5.2(k)(ii) , 5.2(n) and 5.2(o) .

Disqualified Lender means (a) those persons that are direct or indirect competitors of the Borrowers and their subsidiaries to the extent identified by the Sponsor to the Agent by name in writing from time to time (before any applicable date of determination), (b) those banks, financial institutions and other persons separately identified by Sponsor to the Agent in writing on or before the Closing Date or (c) solely in the case of clause (a) above, any of their Affiliates, other than bona fide debt funds, that are clearly identifiable as Affiliates solely on the basis of such Affiliate’s name; provided that the foregoing shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in any of the Obligations to the extent such party was not a Disqualified Lender at the time of the applicable assignment or participation, as the case may be; provided further that (x) the Agent shall have no obligation to carry out due diligence in order to identify such Affiliates and (y) the Agent may make available to any Lender, upon the request of such Lender, the list of Disqualified Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Credit Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is a Disqualified Lender and the Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment made, or any information made available, to a Disqualified Lender by any Lender in violation hereof.

Disqualified Stock means any Stock that is not Qualified Stock.

Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary means any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which (either directly or through one or more disregarded entities) consist of the equity (or of the equity and indebtedness) of one or more controlled foreign corporations (as defined in section 957 of the Code).

Dollars , dollars and “ $ ” each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary incorporated, organized or otherwise formed under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

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

 

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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.

Electronic Transmission means each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or any other equivalent service.

Eligible Account ” means, with respect only to each Borrower’s Accounts, the aggregate face amount thereof, net of any returns, rebates, discounts (calculated on the shortest terms), credits, or allowances (which have been or could be claimed by the Account Debtor or any other Person), Taxes (including sales, excise, or other taxes), finance or interest charges, or late payment charges, but excluding therefrom, without duplication, each Account (or, where expressly stated below, any portion thereof):

(a) which is not denominated in Dollars;

(b) which did not arise in the ordinary course of business from the sale of Inventory or, to the extent permitted by the Agent in writing, the rendering of services by such Borrower;

(c) which is not evidenced by a paper invoice or an electronic equivalent acceptable to the Agent;

(d) (i) which is not subject to a valid, duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of the Agent or (ii) which is subject to any other Lien other than (x) Permitted Liens in respect of Permitted Term Indebtedness and (y) Permitted Liens imposed by Requirements of Law;

(e) as to which any of (i) the covenants in this Agreement respecting such Accounts are in default or (ii) the representations and warranties in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents respecting Accounts shall be untrue or misleading in any material respect; provided , however , that this clause (e)  shall not (A) be deemed a waiver by the Required Lenders of any Default or Event of Default which occurs under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of any such representation or warranty being untrue or misleading in any material respect or any such covenant being in default or (B) limit the ability of the Agent to institute Reserves in its Permitted Discretion in connection therewith to the extent provided in this Agreement;

(f) which is outstanding for longer than (i) 105 days after the original invoice date or (ii) 60 days after the original due date, whichever is shorter;

 

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(g) owed by any Account Debtor if more than 50% of the Accounts (determined by value of the Accounts and not by their number) owed by such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to Borrowers are deemed ineligible pursuant to clause (f) ;

(h) owed by an Affiliate of any Credit Party or Subsidiary;

(i) owed by any creditor or vendor of a Credit Party or Subsidiary but only to the extent of such Credit Party’s or Subsidiary’s obligations to such Person;

(j) with respect to which the applicable Account Debtor disputes its liability therefor or is otherwise subject to any counterclaim, contra-account, volume or other rebate, cooperative advertising accrual, deposit, or setoff, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve, defense, chargeback, incentive, promotion, credit, or allowance, but only to the extent thereof;

(k) owing by any Account Debtor (and such Account Debtor’s Affiliates) whose aggregate Accounts exceed 20% of the total of Borrowers’ Accounts, but only in each case to the extent of such excess; provided , however , that the limitation in clause (k) shall not apply with respect to (i) Duke Energy Corporation and its affiliates so long as Duke Energy Corporation and its affiliates maintain a long-term credit rating from S&P equal to or better than BBB- (from S&P) or Baa3 (from Moody’s) ( provided , however , that if the long-term credit rating from either S&P or Moody’s drops below such ratings as to Duke Energy Corporation or its affiliates, then the Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, implement a concentration limit with respect to Duke Energy Corporation and its affiliates) and (ii) Exelon Corporation and its affiliates so long as Exelon Corporation and its affiliates maintain a long-term credit rating from S&P equal to or better than BBB- (from S&P) or Baa3 (from Moody’s) ( provided , however , that if the long-term credit rating from either S&P or Moody’s drops below such ratings as to Exelon Corporation or its affiliates, then the Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, implement a concentration limit with respect to Exelon Corporation and its affiliates)

(l) owing by any Account Debtor (i) as to which any Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against such Account Debtor; (ii) which has failed, has suspended or ceased doing business, is liquidating, dissolving, or winding up its affairs, or is not Solvent; (iii) against which the applicable Borrower is unable to bring suit or enforce remedies through judicial process; (iv) who is a natural person, if such Person has died or been declared incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (v) which is selling, assigning, or transferring all or substantially all of its assets, unless the obligations of such Account Debtor in respect of such Account are assumed by and assigned to such purchaser, assignee, or transferee;

(m) arising from a sale on a bill-and-hold, progress billing (unless the Account arose under a contract providing for multiple payments over time against completed performance where, (i) the work giving rise to such billing has been performed by the applicable Borrower, accepted by the applicable Account Debtor, and (if requested from time to time by Agent), the Agent has received evidence of such acceptance and such evidence is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and (ii) the billing giving rise to such Account is the permitted to be made under such contract), guaranteed sale, sale-or-return, sale-on-approval, Consignment, cash-on-delivery, or similar basis or terms;

 

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(n) owing by an Account Debtor which is (i) a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Country or (ii) organized or has its chief executive office, primary business delivery locations, payment centers, or substantially all of its assets outside the United States;

(o) owing by a Governmental Authority, unless (i) the Account Debtor is the United States or any of its political subdivisions; (ii) the Agent shall have specifically agreed to permit such Accounts to be considered for inclusion as Eligible Accounts; and (iii) the applicable Borrower shall have taken such actions under all applicable assignment of claims laws as the Agent shall have required and in a manner acceptable to the Agent to assign all claims in respect of such Account to the Agent;

(p) (i) as to which the Goods or services, giving rise thereto, as applicable (A) have not been delivered or provided to the Account Debtor or fully performed ( provided that subclause (A) shall not apply to any Account which arose under a contract providing for multiple payments over time against completed performance where, (1) the work giving rise to such billing has been performed by the applicable Borrower, accepted by the applicable Account Debtor, and (if requested from time to time by Agent), the Agent has received evidence of such acceptance and such evidence is in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and (2) the billing giving rise to such Account is the permitted to be made under such contract), (B) have not been accepted by the Account Debtor, (C) are subject to repurchase, (D) have been returned, rejected, repossessed, lost, or damaged or (E) are or are alleged to constitute infringing Goods or are or are alleged to have been manufactured or sold in a manner which violates the Intellectual Property rights of any Person; or (ii) which do not represent a final sale to the Account Debtor;

(q) evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any kind or has been reduced to judgment;

(r) as to which such Borrower or the Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, shall have determined the validity, collectibility, or amount thereof to be doubtful for any reason;

(s) with respect to which the Account Debtor is located in a state or jurisdiction (including New Jersey, Minnesota, and West Virginia) that requires, as a condition to access to the courts of such jurisdiction, that a creditor qualify to transact business, file a business activities report or other report or form, or take one or more other actions, unless (i) the applicable Borrower has so qualified, filed such reports or forms, or taken such actions and, in each case, paid any required fees or other charges, or (ii) such Borrower is permitted by the laws of such state or jurisdiction to qualify subsequently as a foreign entity authorized to transact business therein and gain access to such courts without incurring any cost or penalty determined by the Agent to be significant and such later qualification would, as determined by the Agent, cure any bar to access to such courts to enforce payment of such Account; or

(t) [reserved];

(u) which was acquired in an Acquisition or is originated by any line of business, division, or Person acquired pursuant to an Acquisition, unless and until Agent shall have conducted a field examination thereof (at the Borrowers’ expense and in addition to any other field examinations described in this Agreement, the costs of which any Credit Party is responsible) and found the results thereof satisfactory and, if required by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, implemented any Reserves in connection therewith;

 

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(v) which the Agent otherwise deems to be ineligible in its Permitted Discretion.

To the extent applicable, “Eligible Accounts” of an Account Debtor shall not include aged credit balances with respect to such Account Debtor outstanding for longer than (i) 90 days past the original invoice date; or (ii) 60 days past the original due date, whichever is shorter, but in all events aged credit balances may be eligible at any time only to the extent the obligor in respect thereof has Eligible Accounts outstanding at such time.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee of a Lender under Section  9.9 , subject to any consents and representations, if any, as may be required therein.

Eligible Inventory ” means, as to Inventory owned only by Borrowers, the value of such Inventory determined on the basis of the lower of its FIFO cost (excluding therefrom any portion of such cost attributable to intercompany profit among Borrowers and their Affiliates) and its market value, but excluding therefrom, without duplication, any Inventory:

(a) which constitutes raw materials or work-in-process or which does not constitute finished goods;

(b) which is not subject to a valid, duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of the Agent;

(c) as to which any of (i) the covenants in this Agreement respecting Inventory are in default or (ii) the representations, and warranties in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents respecting Inventory shall be untrue or misleading in any material respect; provided , however , that this clause (c)  shall not (A) be deemed a waiver by the Required Lenders of any Default or Event of Default which occurs under this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of any such representation or warranty being untrue or misleading in any material respect or any such covenant being in default or (B) limit the ability of the Agent in its Permitted Discretion to institute Reserves in connection therewith to the extent provided in this Agreement;

(d) which is on Consignment ( i.e. , where such Borrower is the Consignee) from any seller, vendor, or supplier or subject to any agreement whereby the seller, vendor, or supplier has retained any title to such Inventory or the right to repurchase such Inventory;

(e) which is on Consignment ( i.e. , where such Borrower is the Consignor) to any other Person;

(f) which (in each case, as determined by the Agent) (i) is not new; (ii) is not in good and saleable condition; (iii) is damaged, defective, unserviceable, or otherwise unmerchantable; (iv) constitutes returned or repossessed Goods; (v) constitutes obsolete or slow-moving Goods; (vi) as applicable, fails to meet standards of any Governmental Authority or any Requirement of Law regarding the storage, use, or sale of such Inventory, or (vii) has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person or Sanctioned Country;

 

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(g) which is subject to any negotiable Document;

(h) which is subject to any license with any Third Party which limits or restricts or is likely to limit or restrict any Borrower or the Agent’s right to sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory (unless such Third Party has entered into a licensor’s agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) or which constitute or are alleged to constitute infringing Goods or which have or are alleged to have been manufactured or sold in a manner which violates the Intellectual Property rights of any Person;

(i) which is not located at a Permitted Location in the continental United States;

(j) which is located at a Permitted Location not owned and controlled by such Borrower or another Credit Party, unless (i) the Agent has received from the Person owning or in control of such Permitted Location a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) if the Agent agrees to do so in lieu of a Collateral Access Agreement, the Agent has instituted a Rent and Charges Reserve in respect thereof;

(k) which constitutes in-transit Inventory;

(l) which consists of any packaging or shipping materials, supplies, spare parts, catalysts, catalogs, labels, samples, display items or floor models, tooling, or promotional materials;

(m) which was acquired in an Acquisition or is owned by any line of business, division, or Person acquired pursuant to an Acquisition, unless and until Agent shall have received a Qualified Appraisal thereof (at the Borrowers’ expense and in addition to any other appraisals described in this Agreement, the costs of which any Credit Party is responsible) and, if required by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, implemented any Reserves in connection therewith; or

(n) which the Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems not to be Eligible Inventory.

Any of the foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, no Inventory shall constitute Eligible Inventory unless and until the Inventory Inclusion Date shall have occurred.

Employee Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.”

Environmental Laws means all applicable Requirements of Law and Permits imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of the environment and natural resources, and including public notification requirements and environmental transfer of ownership, notification or approval statutes.

 

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Environmental Liabilities means all Liabilities (including costs of Remedial Actions, natural resource damages and costs and expenses of investigation and feasibility studies) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Credit Party as a result of, or related to, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law or otherwise, (a) non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (c) Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, (d) any investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring required under Environmental Laws or required by a Governmental Authority (including without limitation Governmental Authority oversight costs that the party conducting the investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring is required to reimburse) or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which, and to the extent, liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate means, collectively, any Credit Party and any Person under common control or treated as a single employer with, any Credit Party, within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely with respect to Section 412 of the Code, Section 414 (m) or (o) of the Code.

ERISA Event means any of the following: (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer,” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt by any Credit Party of notice from the Multiemployer Plan of the Multiemployer Plan’s filing of a notice of insolvency or termination (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (f) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan by the PBGC or the receipt by any Credit Party of notice of the institution of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (g) the failure of a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due and (h) the occurrence of any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or the receipt by any Credit Party of a notice of the occurrence of any such event with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of any material liability upon any Credit Party with respect to a Title IV Plan under Title IV of ERISA other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent.

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.

Event of Default has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  7.1 .

Event of Loss means, with respect to any Property, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such Property; or (b) any condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation of such Property or the requisition of the use of such Property by a Governmental Authority or pursuant to Requirements of Law.

 

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Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Accounts means (a) any zero balance disbursement account, (b) payroll accounts and accounts used for wage and benefit payments, (c) accounts, amounts on deposit in which do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate for a period of at least five consecutive Business Days, (d) accounts used exclusively for holding Trust Funds, (e) accounts holding solely cash collateral for a third party that constitutes a Permitted Lien and (f) accounts holding solely escrow funds with respect to any Permitted Acquisition.

Excluded Assets has the meaning in Section  9.26 .

Excluded Property has the meaning set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Excluded Subsidiary means any (a) direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of a direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, (b) Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, (c) Immaterial Subsidiary, (d) Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation from guaranteeing the Obligations or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a Guarantee unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received ( provided that such restriction shall not have been created in contemplation of this restriction), (e) Subsidiary whose provision of a Guarantee would constitute an investment in “United States property” by a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of sections 956 and 957 of the Code (or any similar law or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) or otherwise result in material adverse Tax consequences as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrowers and agreed to by the Agent, (f) Unrestricted Subsidiary, (g) Subsidiary that is prohibited by contract with an unaffiliated third party existing on the Closing Date, or on the date such entity became a Subsidiary, as applicable, from guaranteeing the Obligations ( provided that such restriction shall not have been created in contemplation of this restriction) and (h) Subsidiary to the extent the Agent and Borrowers mutually determine the cost and/or burden of obtaining a guaranty outweigh the benefit to the Lenders.

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Credit Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty of such Credit Party of, or the grant by such Credit Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Credit Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder (determined after giving effect to Section  2.25(h) and any other “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of such Credit Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act) at the time the guaranty of such Credit Party, or a grant by such Credit Party of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such

 

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Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guaranty or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

Excluded Tax means with respect to any Secured Party (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 Secured Party 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 political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, United States federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Revolving Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Revolving Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section  9.22) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section  10.1 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in such Loan or Revolving Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes that result from the failure (other than as a result of a change in any Requirement of Law that prevents such Secured Party from providing the relevant documentation) by any Secured Party to deliver the documentation required to be delivered pursuant to Section  10.1(h) ; and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

E-Fax means any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.

E-Signature means the process of attaching to or logically associating with an Electronic Transmission an electronic symbol, encryption, digital signature or process (including the name or an abbreviation of the name of the party transmitting the Electronic Transmission) with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such Electronic Transmission.

E-System means any electronic system approved by the Agent, including Intralinks® and ClearPar® and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Agent, any of its Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

Existing Letters of Credit ” means those letters of credit described on Schedule 11.2 to this Agreement.

FATCA means sections 1471, 1472, 1473 and 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, and any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code and any applicable official implementing guidance under any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

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FCPA means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1.

Federal Flood Insurance means federally backed Flood Insurance available under the National Flood Insurance Program to owners of real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one one-hundredth of one percent (1/100 of 1%)) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided , (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to Regions Bank or any other Lender selected by the Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Agent. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as so determined, is ever less than 0.00%, then, the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be deemed to be 0.00%.

Federal Reserve Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Fee Letter means the Fee Letter, dated as of October 25, 2017, by and among the Borrowers and the Agent.

FEMA means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the National Flood Insurance Program.

Financial Covenant ” means the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.1(a).

Financial Covenant Testing Period ” means each period (a) commencing with the last day of the then most recent Fiscal Quarter ending before the occurrence of a Financial Covenant Testing Trigger and (b) ending on the first date thereafter on which no Financial Covenant Testing Trigger has occurred for 45 consecutive days.

Financial Covenant Testing Trigger ” means that Availability is less than the greater of (a) 15% of the Line Cap and (b) $6,750,000.

FIRREA means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989.

First Tier Foreign Subsidiary means a Foreign Subsidiary held directly by a Credit Party.

“Fiscal Quarter means any of the quarterly accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.

 

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Fiscal Year means any of the annual accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on December 31 of each year.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means, at any time of determination and determined with respect to any fiscal period, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Combined EBITDA; minus (ii) Combined Unfinanced Capital Expenditures; minus (iii) Combined Cash Taxes Paid; minus (iv) Restricted Payments made in such period (other than Restricted Payments (A) made as part of the Transactions and (B) in the form of payments of Indebtedness); minus (v) any management consulting, or similar fees (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include salaries or periodic wages or employee benefits) paid during such period, to (b) the sum of (i) Combined Interest Paid for such period plus (ii) all regularly scheduled principal payments of Indebtedness (including the principal component of Capital Leases) made during such period.

Flood Insurance means, for any Real Estate located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Federal Flood Insurance or private insurance that (a) meets the requirements set forth by FEMA in its Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines and (b) shall have a coverage amount equal to the lesser of (i) the “replacement cost value” of the buildings and any personal property Collateral located on the Real Estate as determined under the National Flood Insurance Program or (ii) the maximum policy limits set under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Foreign Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary of such Person, which Subsidiary is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to LC Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of outstanding LC Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by LC Issuer other than LC Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of outstanding Swingline Loans made by Swingline Lender other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time, set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions and comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided , however , that if the Borrowers notify the Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP, the methodologies thereunder or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Agent notifies the Borrowers that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and it is agreed that such amendment to effectuate such changes shall not require the payment of any

 

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amendment or similar fee to the Agent or the Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrowers shall neither be deemed to be in compliance with any covenant hereunder nor out of compliance with any covenant hereunder if such state of compliance or noncompliance, as the case may be, would not exist but for the occurrence of a change in accounting principles after the Closing Date. Subject to Section 12.3 all references to “GAAP” shall be to GAAP consistently applied.

Governmental Authority means any nation, sovereign or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof and any entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, taxing, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any central bank, stock exchange, regulatory body, arbitrator, public sector entity, supra-national entity (including the European Union and the European Central Bank) and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person 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 such person, 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 of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (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 of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (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; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

Guarantors means each Parent and each Restricted Subsidiary of a Parent (other than a Borrower) that executes the Guaranty and Security Agreement and/or delivers a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section  4.13(b) and each other Person that from time to time delivers a guaranty of the Obligations in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or that Guarantees any Permitted Term Indebtedness; provided that in no event shall an Excluded Subsidiary be a Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything herein, in any other Loan Document or in any Permitted Term Indebtedness Document to the contrary, no Person shall be or become a borrower or guarantor of any Permitted Term Indebtedness unless such Person shall also be a Guarantor under the Loan Documents.

Guaranty and Security Agreement means that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, made by the Credit Parties in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Hazardous Material means any substance, material or waste that is classified or regulated under any Environmental Law as hazardous, toxic, a contaminant or a pollutant or by other words of similar meaning, including without limitation, petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive substances.

 

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Immaterial Subsidiary means a Subsidiary (other than the Borrowers) that, as of the relevant date of determination, meets all of the following criteria: the assets of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations) do not exceed an amount equal to 5% of the Combined EBITDA (giving effect to intercompany eliminations); provided that the aggregate Consolidated EBITDA of all Immaterial Subsidiaries may not exceed 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (and the Borrowers will designate in writing to the Agent from time to time as necessary the Subsidiaries that cease to be “Immaterial Subsidiaries” to comply with the foregoing limitation).

Increase Cap ” has the meaning given such term in Section  1.1(f) .

Increased Field Exam Period ” means each period (a) commencing on each date on which (i) Availability is less than 30% of the Line Cap or (ii) a Specified Event of Default occurs or (g) and (b) ending on the first date thereafter on which (i) Availability has been greater than 30% of the Line Cap for 45 consecutive calendar days and (ii) no Event of Default is continuing.

Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, any of the following, whether or not matured: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all reimbursement obligations with respect to amounts funded under (i) letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances or (ii) surety, customs, reclamation or performance bonds (in the case of each of (i) and (ii), not related to judgments or litigation or the purchase or sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business), (d) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (including earn-out obligations and holdbacks), other than trade payables and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (e) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property purchased by such Person, regardless of whether the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the unpaid principal amount of such Indebtedness and the fair market value of the relevant property, as determined in good faith by such Person, (f) all obligations under capital leases, (g) all obligations, whether or not contingent, to repay, mandatorily purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire for value (other than in exchange for Stock and except as a result of a change of control, asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default so long as such acquisition is subject to prior Payment in Full) any of its own Stock or Stock Equivalents (or any Stock or Stock Equivalent of a direct or indirect parent entity thereof) prior to the date that is 91 days following the Commitment Termination Date as of the date of issuance of such Stock or Stock Equivalents, valued at, in the case of redeemable preferred Stock, the greater of the voluntary liquidation preference and the involuntary liquidation preference of such Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (h) obligations under any derivative transaction or hedging agreement (valued at the Swap Termination Value thereof), and (i) all Guarantees for obligations of any other Person constituting Indebtedness of such other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above (the amount of which shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or, if less, the portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee

 

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obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith); provided , however, that the items above shall constitute “Indebtedness” of such Person solely to the extent (including, without limitation, Swap Agreements) (x) such Person is liable for any part of any such item, or (y) any such item is secured by a Lien on such Person’s property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness: (w) operating leases, (x) customary obligations under employment agreements and deferred compensation or severance, or non-compete or consulting obligations, (y) deferred revenue and deferred tax liabilities and (z) contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments.

Indemnified Matters has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.6(a) .

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 Credit Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.6(a) .

Initial Intercreditor Agreement ” means that certain intercreditor agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Agent, the Initial Term Loan Agent, and any other parties which may from time to time be party thereto, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.

Initial Public Offering means an underwritten initial public offering by any Parent or any direct or indirect parent thereof of its Stock in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering) or in a firm commitment underwritten offering (or series of related offerings of securities to the public pursuant to a final prospectus) made pursuant to the Securities Act.

Initial Term Loan Agent ” means Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as Agent under the Initial Term Loan Documents, together with any successor thereof.

Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement ” means that certain Term Loan Facility Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among Charah, Allied, the Parents, the Initial Term Loan Agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the Initial Intercreditor Agreement or any other Applicable Intercreditor Agreement.

Initial Term Loan Documents ” means the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and any other “Loan Documents” (or any comparable definition) under and as defined in the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement, in each case, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the Initial Intercreditor Agreement or any other Applicable Intercreditor Agreement.

Initial Term Loans ” means those extensions of credit made pursuant to the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement (including any “Incremental Facilities” thereunder).

 

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Insolvency Proceeding means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case in (a) and (b) above, undertaken under any applicable U.S. federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

Inspections has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.9 .

Intellectual Property means (a) all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property or industrial property arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, including, without limitation, all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including, without limitation, all Copyrights, Patents, Software, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets, IP Licenses (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present or future infringements, dilutions, misappropriations, or other violations or impairments thereof, and (d) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Interest Period ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.5(f) .

Interest Rate Determination Date ” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Internet Domain Name means all right, title and interest (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise in or relating to internet domain names.

Inventory means all of the “inventory” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, work-in-process and finished goods intended for sale, together with all the containers, packing, packaging, shipping and similar materials related thereto, and including such inventory as is temporarily out of a Credit Party’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s custody or possession, including inventory on the premises of others and items in transit.

Inventory Advance Rate ” means a percentage determined by the Agent from time to time in its Permitted Discretion, based on the results of field examinations and Inventory appraisals conducted from time to time.

Inventory Inclusion Date ” means a date occurring after the Closing Date, selected by the Agent in its sole discretion, and notified to Borrower Agent.

Inventory Report ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.2(a)(ii) .

 

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Inventory Reserve ” means an amount determined from time to time by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion as a reserve for changes in the merchantability of any Eligible Inventory in the ordinary course of business or such other factors that may negatively impact the value of Eligible Inventory, including changes in salability, obsolescence, seasonality, theft, shrinkage, imbalance, changes in composition or mix, markdowns, vendor chargebacks, damage, or, if such Inventory consists of Goods, the price of which is ascertainable from, published by, or quoted by one or more recognized exchanges, any decrease in any such exchange’s price therefor.

Investments has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.4 .

IP Ancillary Rights means, with respect to any Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisionals, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, restorations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property, and, in each case, all rights to obtain any of the foregoing, and all rights to claim priority therefrom.

IP License means (a) all Copyright Licenses, all Patent Licenses and all Trademark Licenses (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) and (b) all other Contractual Obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting to any Person any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property owed by another Person.

IRS means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and any successor thereto.

Judgment Currency has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.28 .

Junior Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of a Person that (w) consists of earn-out obligations or holdbacks, (x) by its terms (or by the terms of any applicable intercreditor or subordination agreement) is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents, (y) is secured by a security interest in the Collateral that is junior in priority to the Obligations under the Loan Documents (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, (1) the Initial Term Loans and (2) any other Permitted Term Indebtedness, unless (in the case of this clause (2) only) the Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement provides that the Lien securing such Permitted Term Indebtedness is junior to the Obligations on all Collateral (i.e., not any such Permitted Term Indebtedness with the same lien priority arrangement with the Obligations as the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement)) or (z) is unsecured (or that meets any combination of the foregoing criteria).

LC Application ” means an application by Borrower Agent to LC Issuer for issuance of a Letter of Credit, in form and substance satisfactory to LC Issuer and the Agent.

LC Conditions ” means each of the following conditions precedent with respect to the issuance of a Letter of Credit: (a) each of the conditions precedent to the issuance of such Letter of Credit set forth in Article II shall have been satisfied; (b) LC Issuer shall have received an LC Request, an LC Application, and such other instruments, documents, or agreements as LC Issuer customarily requires for the issuance of letters of credit of similar purpose and amount, in each case, at least eight (8) Business Days before the requested date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or such shorter period as LC Issuer may permit in writing in its discretion); (c) after

 

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giving effect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit, the LC Obligations shall not exceed the LC Sublimit and no Overadvance shall exist; (d) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit shall be (i) in the case of a standby Letter of Credit, no more than 365 days from issuance; (ii) in the case of a documentary Letter of Credit, no more than 120 days from issuance; and (iii) at least twenty (20) days before the Stated Commitment Termination Date; (e) the date on which such Letter of Credit is to be issued shall be at least 30 days before the Stated Commitment Termination Date; (f) such Letter of Credit and payments thereunder shall be denominated in Dollars; (g) the purpose and form of such Letter of Credit shall be acceptable to each of the Agent and LC Issuer in their respective discretion and (h) in the event that any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender, LC Issuer has entered into arrangements satisfactory to LC Issuer (in its discretion) with Borrowers or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate LC Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Lender (after giving effect to Section  1.9(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender), including by Cash Collateralizing such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding amount of LC Obligations in a manner satisfactory to the Agent in its discretion.

LC Documents ” means all documents, instruments, certificates and agreements (including LC Requests and LC Applications) delivered by any Borrower, Borrower Agent or any other Person to LC Issuer or the Agent in connection with the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of, or payment under, any Letter of Credit.

LC Issuer ” means any of Regions Bank or an Affiliate of Regions Bank, together with its successors and permitted assigns acting in such capacity.

LC Obligations ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the maximum amount available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements for drawings referenced therein, plus (b) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit that have not been reimbursed by the Borrowers in accordance herewith and with the LC Documents. For all purposes of this Agreement, (i) amounts available to be drawn under Letters of Credit will be calculated as provided in Section  1.4(a)(v) , and (ii) if a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

LC Request ” means each request for issuance of a Letter of Credit provided by Borrower Agent to the Agent and LC Issuer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and LC Issuer.

LC Sublimit ” means $20,000,000.

Lead Borrower ” means each of Charah and Allied.

Lenders ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement and, in any event, includes Swingline Lender in its capacity as a provider of Swingline Loans and any other Person who hereafter becomes a “Lender” pursuant to an Assignment.

Lending Office means, with respect to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender specified as its “Lending Office” in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may from time to time notify the Borrowers and the Agent.

 

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Letter of Credit ” means any standby or documentary letter of credit issued by LC Issuer for the account of a Borrower, and each Existing Letter of Credit.

Liabilities means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses (other than lost profits), liability, obligations, fines, penalties, sanctions, charges, disbursements and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation, those incurred upon any appeal or in connection with the preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants in connection therewith), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.

LIBOR ” means the London Interbank Offered Rate.

LIBOR Index Rate ,” for any LIR Loan, means a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate determined with respect to an Interest Period of one month, determined monthly on the first Business Day of each month and shall be increased or decreased, as applicable, automatically and without notice to any Person on the date of each such determination. Upon Borrower Agent’s request from time to time, the Agent will quote the current LIBOR Index Rate to Borrower Agent.

LIBOR Rate Loan ” means a Loan (other than a LIR Loan) which bears interest at a rate based on the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, and the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease, in each case, having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing), but, in each case, not including, with respect to the assets leased thereunder, the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.

Licensor ” means any Person from whom a Credit Party obtains the right to use any Intellectual Property.

Line Cap ” means, as of any date of determination, the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base then in effect and (ii) the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

LIR Loan ” means any Loan which bears interest at a rate based on the LIBOR Index Rate.

Loan means any loan made pursuant to Section  1.1 , and any Swingline Loan, Overadvance Loan, or Protective Advance.

 

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Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Revolving Notes, the Swingline Note, the Fee Letter, the Collateral Documents, each Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement, the Perfection Certificate, Borrowing Base Certificate, Collateral Access Agreements, Compliance Certificate, each LC Document, and all other agreements between or among the Agent and/or any Lender, on the one hand, and any Credit Party, on the other hand (or by any Credit Party in favor of the Agent and/or any Lender), in connection with any of the foregoing.

Management Agreement means any management services agreement in form and substance (including, without limitation, with respect to fees and other compensation thereunder) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent entered into between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsor or their advisors, if applicable, and the Borrower, relating to management services provided to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Margin Stock means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Master Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Swap Agreement.”

Material Adverse Effect means any event, change or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, (i) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, financial condition or operations of (a) Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (c) Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrowers and the Guarantors (taken as a whole) to fully and timely perform their payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any Borrower or any other Credit Party is a party or (iii) a material and adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents (other than due to the action or inaction of the Agent or any of the Lenders).

Material Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Borrowers or an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Maximum Rate has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7 .

MNPI has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(a) .

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

Mortgage means any deed of trust, mortgage, deed to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, modifications and other related security documents, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, creating a Lien on Real Estate or to secure the Obligations that is made by any of the Credit Parties in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties.

Multiemployer Plan means any “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.

 

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National Flood Insurance Program means the program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as revised by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, that mandates the purchase of flood insurance to cover real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in participating communities and provides protection to property owners through a federal insurance program.

Net Proceeds means proceeds in cash, checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments (including Cash Equivalents) as and when received by the Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party making a Disposition, as well as casualty insurance proceeds and condemnation and similar awards received by such Person on account of an Event of Loss, in each case, net of the sum of, without duplication: (i) the direct costs relating to such Disposition or Event of Loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and investment banking and advisory fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Disposition or Event of Loss and, in the case of an Event of Loss, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds and awards), in each case excluding amounts payable to a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party, (ii) Taxes (including, without limitation, sale, transfer, use or other transaction Taxes and deed or mortgage recording Taxes) paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a direct result thereof, and the amount of any distributions made to permit any direct or indirect parent entity of such Credit Party or Subsidiary to pay Taxes attributable to such Disposition or Event of Loss, (iii) principal, interest and premiums and penalties and other amounts required to be paid on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset which is the subject of such Disposition or Event of Loss, (iv) in the case of any Disposition or Event of Loss by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the pro-rata portion of the Net Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (iv)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of a Credit Party or Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary as a result thereof, (v) the amount of any reserve established in accordance with GAAP ( provided that such reserved amounts shall be Net Proceeds to the extent and at the time of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in a corresponding amount) of any such reserve), (vi) in the case of an Event of Loss, all money actually applied to repair, reconstruct or replace the lost, destroyed or damaged Property or Property affected by the condemnation, seizure or taking (other than with respect to Borrowing Base Assets), and (vii) in the case of an Event of Loss, any amounts retained by or paid to parties having superior rights to such proceeds or awards, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrowers.

NOLV ” means, as to any Property, the expected dollar amount to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale of such Property, net of all operating expenses, commissions and other liquidation expenses, as determined by the Agent from time to time based on the most recent Qualified Appraisal of such Property.

NOLV Percentage ” means, at any time of determination and with respect to any Inventory, the amount of the value of such Inventory, expressed as a percentage, expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale of such Inventory, net of all operating expenses, commissions and other liquidation expenses, as determined by Agent from time to time based on the most recent Qualified Appraisal stating the NOLV of such Inventory (it being recognized and agreed by Borrowers that individual types or kinds of Inventory may have different NOLV Percentages).

 

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Non-Core Assets ” shall mean, in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, non-core assets (excluding any Stock) acquired as part of such Permitted Acquisition or Investment to the extent (and only to the extent that) (a) the Total Consideration for such non-core assets does not exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of the Total Consideration for such Permitted Acquisition or Investment, (b) the Consolidated EBITDA associated with such non-core assets (“ Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA ”) does not exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for such Permitted Acquisition or Investment (as calculated as of the date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition) and (c) on or prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or Investment, the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer identifying in reasonable detail such non-core assets and certifying that such non-core assets comply with this definition (which certificate shall have attached thereto reasonably detailed backup data and calculations showing such compliance).

Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Non-Core Assets.”

Non-Credit Party means any Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not a Credit Party.

Non-U.S. Lender Party means each of the Agent, each Lender, the LC Issuer, and each participant, in each case that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Notice of Borrowing means a notice given by the Borrowers to the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(c) hereto.

Notice of Conversion/Continuation ” means a notice given by the Borrowers to the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 1.5(e) hereto.

Obligations means all Loans, and other Indebtedness, advances, fees, premium, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Credit Party to any Lender, the Agent, any LC Issuer, or any other Person required to be indemnified that arises under any Loan Document, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired (including any monetary obligations and interest accruing during the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) including, without limitation, (a) principal of and premium, if any, on the Loans; (b) LC Obligations and other obligations of the Credit Parties with respect to Letters of Credit; (c) interest, expenses, fees, and other sums payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including any interest on pre-petition Obligations accruing after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding by or against any Credit Party, whether or not allowable in such Insolvency Proceeding); and (d) obligations of the Credit Parties under any indemnity for Liabilities; provided , however , that the term “Obligations” shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations.

 

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OFAC ” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury or any successor thereto.

OID means original issue discount.

Organization Documents means, (a) for any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation, and any shareholder rights agreement, (b) for any partnership, the partnership agreement and, if applicable, certificate of limited partnership, (c) for any limited liability company, the operating agreement and articles or certificate of formation or organization or (d) any other document setting forth the manner of election or duties of the officers, directors, managers or other similar persons, or the designation, amount or relative rights, limitations and preference of the Stock of a Person.

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Secured Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Secured Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Secured Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  10.1(c) .

Overadvance ” means, at any time of determination, the amount, if any, by which (a) the Aggregate Revolving Obligations at such time exceed (b) the Line Cap at such time.

Overadvance Loan ” means a Base Rate Loan or, to the extent provided in Section  1.5(h) , an LIR Loan made when an Overadvance exists or is caused by the funding thereof.

Parent and “ Parents have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Parent Intercompany Advances means loans and advances made by (a) Charah or any of its Subsidiaries to any direct or indirect parent of Charah and (b) Allied or any of its Subsidiaries to any direct or indirect parent of Allied.

Participant has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.9(d) .

Participant Register has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.9(d) .

Patents means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor, (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, violation or other impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to the foregoing, including

 

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payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present or future infringements or other violations or impairments thereof and (f) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Patriot Act means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56.

Payment Conditions ” means, at the time of determination, with respect to the consummation of a Specified Transaction, that:

(a) no Specified Event of Default then exists or would arise as a result of the consummation of such Specified Transaction,

(b) either:

(i) Availability (A) at all times during the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the date of the consummation of such Specified Transaction, calculated on a pro forma basis as if the Specified Transaction was consummated on the first day of such period, and (B) after giving effect to such Specified Transaction, in each case, is not less than the greater of 20% of the Line Cap and $9,000,000; or

(ii) both (A) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00 for the four Fiscal Quarter period most recently ended for which financial statements are required to have been delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section  4.1 (calculated on a Pro Forma basis giving effect to such Specified Transaction as if such Specified Transaction had been consummated on the last day of such four Fiscal Quarter period), and (B) Availability (1) at all times during the 30 consecutive days immediately preceding the consummation of such Specified Transaction, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Specified Transaction was consummated on the first day of such period and (2) after giving effect to such Specified Transaction, in each case, is not less than the greater of 15% of the Line Cap and $6,750,000, and

(c) In connection with (i) any disposition described in the final paragraph of Section 5.2; (ii) the making of any loans or Investments permitted by Section 5.4(h) or Section 5.4(w)(ii); (iii) the incurrence of any Indebtedness permitted by Section 5.5(gg); (iv) the making of any voluntary prepayment of Permitted Term Indebtedness permitted by Section 5.9; or (v) the making of any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 5.11(n) (except to the extent consisting of earn-out obligations and holdbacks permitted under Section 5.5(q)) or 5.11(o), in each case, Borrower Agent has delivered a certificate to the Agent certifying that the conditions described in clauses (a) and (b) above have been satisfied.

Payment in Full and “ Paid in Full have the meanings ascribed thereto in Section 12.4.

Payment Item ” means each check, draft, or other item of payment payable to a Credit Party, including those constituting Proceeds of any Collateral.

 

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PBGC means the United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

Perfection Certificate ” means the perfection certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 11.1(f) .

Permits means, with respect to any Person, any permit, consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, certificate, concession, grant, franchise, variance or permission from, and any other Contractual Obligations with, any Governmental Authority, in each case to the extent having the force of law and applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Permitted Acquisition means (i) any Acquisition by a Credit Party (other than Parents) or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party of (A) substantially all of the assets of a Target or (B) at least a majority of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of a Target (including Acquisitions by merger), or (ii) merger or consolidation or any other combination with any Person, in each case, to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition (and the Disposition of any Non-Core Assets, if any), the Borrowers shall be engaged in, a business of the type that the Borrowers are permitted to be engaged in pursuant to Section  5.12 of this Agreement;

(b) if applicable, no later than two Business Days prior to the proposed date of consummation of the transaction (or such shorter period as determined by the Agent in its sole discretion), the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer with respect to any Non-Core Assets, that such transaction complies with the definition thereof;

(c) absent the consent of Required Lenders, no Event of Default shall then exist or would exist before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness assumed or incurred in connection therewith; provided , however , in respect of an Acquisition subject to “funds certain provisions”, in lieu of the foregoing provision in this clause (c), there shall be no Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a) , (f) and (g)  existing on the date the agreement for such Acquisition is executed;

(d) the Total Consideration for all Permitted Acquisitions consummated during the term of this Agreement for which a Target does not become a Credit Party hereunder shall not exceed the greater of (x) $21,000,000 and (y) 30.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate for all such Permitted Acquisitions;

(e) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (including any new Restricted Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver any agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section  4.13 or by any of the Collateral Documents, to the extent and when required by the terms thereof, subject to Section  9.26 ; and

 

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(f) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law and pursuant to the agreement for such Acquisition and other documents contemplated thereby.

Permitted Discretion ” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable business judgment (from the perspective of a secured, asset-based lender).

Permitted Holders means (i) the Sponsor, management of, and co-investors in, any Parent, and funds or partnerships managed by Sponsor or any of its Affiliates and (ii) each of the Parents’ respective equityholders on the Closing Date identified in writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date.

Permitted Liens has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.1 .

Permitted Location ” means, at any time of determination, any location at which a Credit Party is permitted to locate its inventory and is books and records under the terms of the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Permitted Refinancing means Indebtedness constituting a refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension of Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5 (other than Section  5.5(a) ), that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being refinanced, extended, renewed, replaced, except any amount equal to accrued and unpaid interest, premium, penalty thereon, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses and the amount of any existing unutilized commitments thereunder, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, extended, modified, renewed or replaced (excluding the effects of minimal amortization and any voluntary prepayments of Indebtedness), (c) is not entered into as part of a sale leaseback transaction, (d) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, modified, extended, renewed or extended, and (e) the obligors of which are the same as the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, replaced, modified, renewed or extended.

Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction means the sale or other disposition of any Real Estate owned in fee by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in which the following conditions are satisfied: (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such sale, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom, (b) such sale is for fair market value, (c) a Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary leases back such Real Estate at fair market value, (d) such sale is to a Person that is not an Affiliate of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary or if such sale is to a Person that is an Affiliate of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary, such sale is no less favorable, taken as a whole, to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate, and (e) with respect to any Real Estate subject to any Liens (other than Liens securing the Obligations), the cash consideration received by such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary is equal to or greater than the amount necessary to satisfy all such Liens on such Real Estate (or the buyer of such Real Estate is purchasing such Real Estate subject to all such Liens).

 

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Permitted Term Indebtedness ” means:

(a) the Initial Term Loans;

(b) additional term Indebtedness in the form of any “Incremental Equivalent Debt”, “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness,” “Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt,” “Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt,” and “Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt” (as this and other quoted terms used in this clause (b) are defined in the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement) (or such comparable terms under any then existing Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents), so long as, solely in the case of this clause (b):

(i) such Indebtedness is unsecured or secured pursuant to Section 5.1(bb) and Section 5.1(jj);

(ii) such Indebtedness has a final maturity date which is at least 91 days after the Stated Commitment Termination Date existing at the time such Indebtedness is incurred;

(iii) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral;

(iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than Credit Parties;

(v) such Indebtedness is subject to the terms of an Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement; and

(vi) the terms and conditions of the Permitted Term Indebtedness Documents evidencing such Indebtedness or executed and delivered in connection therewith, taken as a whole, are not materially more onerous to the Credit Parties party thereto than the terms and conditions of the Initial Term Loan Documents, taken as a whole; and

(c) any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing Indebtedness described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b).

Permitted Term Indebtedness Document ” means (a) the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Initial Term Loan Documents and (b) each other credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument, in each case, evidencing or governing the terms of any Permitted Term Indebtedness and any “Loan Documents” (or any comparable definition) executed and delivered in connection therewith and, in each of the foregoing cases, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with any Acceptable Intercreditor Agreement relating thereto.

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust and a public benefit corporation), joint stock company, estate, association, firm, enterprise, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint venture and any other entity or Governmental Authority.

 

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Platform ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(e) .

Prime Rate ” means that rate announced by Regions Bank from time to time as its “prime rate” of interest. Regions Bank’s prime rate is merely a reference rate and is not necessarily the lowest or best rate which Regions Bank makes loans or otherwise extends credit.

Prior Indebtedness means the Indebtedness and obligations specified on Schedule 11.1 hereto.

Pro Forma ” or “ Pro Forma Basis means, with respect to compliance with the Financial Covenant, any financial covenant or test hereunder that is by the terms hereof required to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”, that all Pro Forma Events (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions, but excluding any dispositions in the ordinary course of business) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement of such test or covenant and shall be determined subject to pro forma adjustments which are attributable to such event or events, which may include the amount of run rate cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from or relating to any Pro Forma Event (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been realized or are expected to be realized and for which the actions necessary to realize such cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies are taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken for realizing such cost savings and such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers) (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period and “run rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken for realizing such cost savings and such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (including any savings expected to result from the elimination of a public target’s compliance costs with public company requirements) net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, and any such adjustments shall be included (without duplication of any amounts that are otherwise added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA or any other components thereof) in the initial pro forma calculations of such financial ratios or tests and during any subsequent period in which the effects thereof are expected to be realized) relating to such Pro Forma Events; provided that such amounts (A) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after such transaction or initiative is initiated, (B) are determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities And Exchange Commission (or any successor agency), or (C) are recommended (in reasonable detail) by any due diligence quality of earnings report conducted by financial advisors (which financial advisors are reasonably acceptable to the Agent) retained by Borrowers; provided further , that

 

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such amounts pursuant to the preceding clauses (A) through (C), together with any addbacks made pursuant to clauses (xii) and (xiii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, prior to giving effect to the pro forma adjustments for such period. The Borrowers may estimate GAAP results in good faith if the financial statements with respect to a Permitted Acquisition are not maintained in accordance with GAAP, and Borrowers may make such further adjustments as reasonably necessary in connection with consolidation of such financial statements with those of the Credit Parties.

Pro Forma Event ” means (a) [reserved], (b) any Permitted Acquisition or similar Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (c) [reserved], (d) any Disposition, (e) any disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or all the equity interests of any Subsidiary of a Borrower (or any business unit, line of business or division of a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of a Borrower for which financial statements are available) not prohibited by this Agreement, (f) any designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (g) discontinued divisions or lines of business or operations, (h) any other similar events occurring or transactions consummated during the period (including any Indebtedness incurred, repaid or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, Investment, or Disposition), (i) any restructuring or (j) the Transactions.

Projections means the financial performance projections delivered by the Borrowers to the Agent on or prior to the Closing Date.

Pro Rata ” means, with respect to any Lender, a percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) determined (a) while Revolving Commitments are outstanding, by dividing the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment by the Revolving Commitments and (b) at any other time, by dividing the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and LC Obligations by the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans and LC Obligations. The initial Pro Rata shares of the Lenders are set forth on Schedule 1.1 .

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any amount and in reference to any Lender, the portion of such amount allocable to such Lender on a Pro Rata basis.

Property means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

Protective Advances ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(e) .

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Public Lender ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(f) .

Qualified Appraisal ” means, with respect to any Property, an appraisal of such Property conducted in a manner and with such scope and using such methods as are acceptable to the Agent by an appraiser selected by, or acceptable to, the Agent, the results of which are acceptable to the Agent in all respects.

 

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Qualified Stock means Stock that does not provide for required cash distributions or dividends or mandatory redemptions (other than (x) in exchange for other Qualified Stock or (y) as a result of a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition, Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default, so long as any rights of the holders thereof to require the redemption thereof upon the occurrence of such a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss are subject to the prior payment in full of the Loans or Payment in Full) prior to the 91 st day following the Commitment Termination Date as of the date of issuance of such Qualified Stock.

Real Estate means any real property owned, leased or subleased by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

Regions Bank ” means Regions Bank, an Alabama bank and its successors and assigns.

Register has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.9(c) .

Reimbursement Date ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.4(b) .

Related Persons means, with respect to any Person, each Affiliate of such Person and each director, officer, partner, shareholder, controlling person, employee, agent, trustee, representative, attorney, accountant and each insurance, environmental, legal, financial and other advisor (including those retained in connection with the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article II) and other consultants and agents of or to such Person or any of its Affiliates.

Releases means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material into or through the environment.

Remedial Action means all actions required under applicable Requirements of Law to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize any Release so that a Hazardous Material does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care with respect to any Hazardous Material.

Removal Effective Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  8.7 .

Rent and Charges Reserve ” means, without duplication, an amount determined from time to time by the Agent in its Permitted Discretion as a reserve for (a) rent, fees, royalties, charges, and other amounts owing by a Borrower to any Third Party, unless such Person has executed and delivered a Collateral Access Agreement, licensor’s agreement or other similar agreements (each, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent in its Permitted Discretion), and (b) the amount of all accrued but unpaid or past due rent, fees, royalties, charges, or other amounts owing by a Borrower to Third Parties.

Replacement Lender has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.22 .

 

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Report has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  8.2(c) .

Required Lenders ” means, subject to Section  1.9 , at least two (2) Lenders (unless there is only one (1) Lender, in which case, such Lender) having (a) Revolving Commitments in excess of 50% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (b) if the Revolving Commitments have terminated, Aggregate Revolving Obligations in excess of 50% of all outstanding Aggregate Revolving Obligations; provided , however , that the Revolving Commitments held by a Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.

Requirement of Law ” or “ Requirements of Law means, with respect to any Person, the common law and any federal, state, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, rules and regulations, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration thereof by, and other binding determinations, directives, requirements of, or requests of, any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case to the extent having the force of law and that are 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 the sum of (without duplication) (a) the Inventory Reserve; (b) the Rent and Charges Reserve; (c) the Bank Product Reserve; (d) reserves for Royalties; (e) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon any Collateral which are senior to the Agent’s Liens (but the imposition of any such reserve shall not waive a Default or an Event of Default arising therefrom); (f) the Dilution Reserve; and (g) such additional reserves, in such amounts and with respect to such matters, as Agent in its Permitted Discretion may elect to impose from time to time with respect to the Collateral or the Borrowing Base, in each case, without duplication of any reduction or eligibility exclusion applicable to Eligible Accounts, Eligible Inventory, or any other reserves.

Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, chairman, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, secretary, or vice president, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

Restricted Payments has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.11 .

Restricted Subsidiary ” with respect to any Person, means any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all references herein to a “Restricted Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of a Parent.

Revolving Commitment ” means, at any time of determination and with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s obligation to make Loans, participate in Swingline Loans, and participate in LC Obligations.

Revolving Commitment Increase ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(f) .

 

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Revolving Commitments ” means, at any time of determination, the aggregate amount of such commitments of all Lenders; provided that the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to be $0.00 for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender. The amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, if any, is set forth on Schedule 1.1 or in the applicable Assignment, subject to any increase, adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments as of the Closing Date is $45,000,000.

Revolving Credit Exposure ,” on any date, means, for each Lender, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of such Lender’s outstanding Loans and its participation in Swingline Loans (or in the case of Swingline Lender, its Swingline Loans (net of any participations therein by other Lenders)) and outstanding LC Obligations on such date.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender that has issued a Revolving Commitment or, at any time after the Revolving Commitments have been terminated or have expired, that holds any Loan or LC Obligation.

Revolving Note ” means a promissory note executed by Borrowers in favor of a Lender in the form of Exhibit 11.1(e) which note shall be in the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and shall evidence the Loans made by such Lender.

Riverbend/Sutton Contract ” means that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323, dated November 12, 2014, between Duke Energy Business Services LLC, as agent for and on behalf of Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, Inc., and the Borrower, as amended by (a) that certain Amendment Number 1 to eMax Master Contract Agreement Contract No. 8323, dated as of January 7, 2015, (b) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Revision No. 2, dated as of May 4, 2015, (c) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 25, 2015, (d) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Amendment No. 4 dated as of August 20, 2015, and (e) as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

Riverbend/Sutton Contract Termination Fee ” means the “Prorated Costs” (as defined in the Riverbend/Sutton Contract) payable by Duke Energy to the Borrower under Section 7.3 of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract.

S&P means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.

Sanctioned Country ” means (a) a country, territory or a government of a country or territory, (b) an agency of the government of a country or territory, or (c) an organization directly or indirectly owned or Controlled by a country, territory or its government, that is subject to Sanctions.

Sanctioned Person ” means (a) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals” or any other Sanctions related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (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).

 

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Sanctions ” means 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 OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union, (d) any European Union member state, (e) Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or (f) any other relevant sanctions authority.

Sanford Property ” means the approximately 410 acre property known as the “Sanford Clay Mine”, located at the intersection of Colon Road and Brickyard Road, Town of Sanford, Lee County, North Carolina.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Secured Party means the Agent, each Lender, each LC Issuer, each Bank Product Provider, each other Indemnitee and each other holder of any Secured Obligation.

Secured Party Designation Notice ” means a notice in the form of Exhibit 11.1(d) , executed and delivered by a Bank Product Provider (or a Person which will, upon the execution and delivery of such notice, become a Bank Product Provider) to Agent and acknowledged by Borrower Agent.

Securities Act means Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Senior Representative means, with respect to any Permitted Term Indebtedness, the trustee, the Agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Settlement Report ” means a report delivered by the Agent to the Lenders summarizing the Loans and participations in LC Obligations outstanding as of a given settlement date, allocated among the Lenders on a Pro Rata basis.

Software means (a) all software and computer programs, including source code and object code versions, (b) all data, databases and compilations of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) all documentation, training materials and configurations related to any of the foregoing, and (d) all intellectual property rights therein.

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner means Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, in its capacity as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner hereunder.

Solvent means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that, as of such date, (i) the sum of the liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not exceed the present fair saleable value (on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the capital of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small in relation to the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, contemplated as of such date; (iii) the present fair salable value of the assets (on a going concern basis) of such Person and its

 

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Subsidiaries is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries as they become absolute and matured and (iv) such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not incurred, do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, liabilities including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such liabilities as they mature in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

Special Flood Hazard Area means an area that FEMA’s current flood maps indicate has at least a 1% chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year.

Specified Equity Contribution ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.2.

Specified Event of Default ” means an Event of Default (after giving effect to any grace periods applicable thereto) under Section 7.1(a), Section 7.1(c) (solely with respect to Section 4.1(a), Section 4.1(b), Section 4.1(c), Section 4.2(a), Section 4.2(c), Section 4.19, Article V, Article VI), Section 7.1(f) or Section 7.1(g).

Specified Transaction ” means, any disposition of assets, Investment, prepayment of Indebtedness or Restricted Payment (or declaration of any prepayment or Restricted Payment).

Sponsor means Bernhard Capital Partners Management LP and its controlled investment affiliates.

Sponsor Fund Affiliate means a bona fide debt fund that is an Affiliate of the Sponsor, and that is primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, notes, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course of its business and whose managers have fiduciary duties to the investors thereof independent of or in addition to their duties to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates and who does not, directly or indirectly, possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the investment policies of the Sponsor.

Stated Commitment Termination Date ” means October 25, 2022.

Statutory Reserves ” 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 percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) established by the Federal Reserve Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board). LIBOR Rate Loans and LIR Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities 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. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

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Stock means all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting.

Stock Equivalents means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock or any other Stock Equivalent and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Stock or any other Stock Equivalent, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity, the management of which is, directly or indirectly, controlled by, or of which an aggregate of more than 50% of the voting Stock is, at the time, owned or controlled directly or indirectly by, such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries shall be a reference to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrowers.

Super-Majority Lenders ” means Revolving Lenders having (a) Revolving Commitments, collectively, in excess of 66-2/3% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (b) if the Revolving Commitments have terminated, Revolving Credit Exposure, collectively, in excess of 66-2/3% of the Aggregate Revolving Obligations; provided , however , that the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure held by a Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded for purposes of determining Super-Majority Lenders.

Swap Agreement ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options or warrants to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by, or otherwise subject to, any master agreement or any netting agreement, and (b) any and all transactions or arrangements of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement (or similar documentation) published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any “International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement”, or any other master agreement (any such agreement or documentation, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

Swap Obligation ” means with respect to any Credit Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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

Swingline Lender ” means Regions Bank, together with its successors and assigns.

Swingline Loan ” means any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or LIR Loans funded with Swingline Lender’s funds pursuant to Section  1.3 , until such Borrowing is settled among Lenders pursuant to Section  1.3(b) .

Swingline Note ” means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(g) , attached hereto.

Target means any Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in an Acquisition after the Closing Date.

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

Term Loan Agent ” means (a) the Initial Term Loan Agent in respect of the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement and (b) any Senior Representative of any holder of any other Permitted Term Indebtedness (or, in cases where no such Senior Representative exists, the holder or holders of such Permitted Term Indebtedness), together, in each case, with its successors and assigns in such capacities.

Term Loan Priority Collateral ” has the meaning specified in the Initial Intercreditor Agreement as in effect on the hereof.

Third Party ” means any (a) lessor, mortgagee, mechanic or repairman, warehouse operator or warehouseman, processor, packager, Consignee, shipper, customs broker, freight forwarder, bailee, or other third party which may have possession of any Collateral or lienholders’ enforcement rights against any Collateral or (b) Licensor whose rights in or with respect to any Collateral limit or restrict or may, in the Agent’s determination, limit or restrict Credit Parties’ or the Agent’s rights to sell or otherwise dispose of such Collateral.

Title IV Plan means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.

 

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Total Consideration means (without duplication), with respect to a Permitted Acquisition, the sum of (a) cash paid as consideration to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, plus (b) indebtedness payable to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (excluding earn-out payments), plus (c) the present value of future payments which are required to be made over a period of time and are not contingent upon the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries meeting financial performance objectives (exclusive of salaries paid in the ordinary course of business) (discounted at the Base Rate), plus (d) the amount of Indebtedness assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition pursuant to Section  5.5(gg) minus (e) the aggregate principal amount of equity contributions made to Parents the proceeds of which are used substantially contemporaneously with such contribution to fund all or a portion of the cash purchase price (including deferred payments) of such Permitted Acquisition minus (f) any cash and Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the Acquired Entity or Business (immediately prior to its acquisition) acquired as part of the applicable Permitted Acquisition (to the extent such Acquired Entity or Business becomes a Credit Party and complies with the requirements of Section  4.13 ); provided that Total Consideration shall not include any consideration or payment (x) paid by Parents or their Subsidiaries directly in the form of equity interests of Parents or the entity consummating an initial public offering (other than Disqualified Stock) or (y) funded by cash and Cash Equivalents generated by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary. If any cash on the balance sheet of a foreign Acquired Entity or Business is paid or distributed to its direct or indirect shareholders, in part, as acquisition consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, then the amount that is included in the calculation of the Total Consideration shall be reduced by such cash amount distributed or paid.

Trade Controls ” means all applicable U.S. laws, Executive Orders, and implementing regulations pertaining to export controls or trade or economic sanctions.

Trade Secrets means (a) all right, title and interest (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to trade secrets, (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future misappropriation, violation or other impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future misappropriations violations or other impairments thereof, and (d) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Trademark means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill of the business symbolized thereby or associated therewith, (b) all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith (c) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation or other impairment thereof, (d) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements, dilutions, violations or other impairments thereof, and (e) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

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Transactions ” means, collectively, (a) the entering into the Loan Documents by the Credit Parties, the Borrowings hereunder on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) the entering into the Initial Term Loan Documents by the Credit Parties on the Closing Date, the borrowings thereunder on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated thereby, (c) the repayment in full and termination of all Prior Indebtedness, (d) the making of a one-time cash distribution to the Borrowers’ respective equityholders on the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not exceeding $120,000,000 and (e) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

Treasury Services ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Bank Products.”

Trust Funds means funds (a) for payroll and payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of a Credit Party’s or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, managers and employees, (b) for taxes required to be collected, remitted or withheld (including, without limitation, federal and state withholding taxes (including the employer’s share thereof)) or (c) which any Credit Party or their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (i) holds on behalf of another Person and (ii) holds as an escrow or fiduciary for such Person.

U.S. Lender Party means each of the Agent, the LC Issuer, and each Lender and each participant, in each case that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction in effect from time to time and, if the applicable jurisdiction shall not have any Uniform Commercial Code, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

United States and “ U.S. each means the United States of America.

Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents means (a) any unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents as stated on the balance sheet and (b) cash and Cash Equivalents that are restricted solely as a result of the Loan Documents, the Initial Term Loan Documents, or any documents, instruments, or agreements evidencing Permitted Term Indebtedness.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of a Parent (other than a Borrower) designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section  5.17 .

Voidable Transfer ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.32 .

Voting Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Change of Control.”

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) are owned by such Person, either directly or through one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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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.

12.2 Other Interpretive Provisions .

(a) Defined Terms . Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms defined in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meanings of defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein described, including “Account Debtor,” “Chattel Paper,” “Commercial Tort Claim,” “Commodities Account,” “Consignee,” “Consignment,” “Consignor,” “Deposit Account,” “Document,” “Electronic Chattel Paper,” “Equipment,” “Farm Products,” “Fixtures,” “General Intangibles,” “Goods,” “Instrument,” “Investment Property,” “Letter-of-Credit Right,” “Payment Intangible,” “Proceeds,” and “Securities Account.”

(b) The Agreement . The words “ hereof ”, herein ”, hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document; and Section, section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents unless otherwise specified.

(c) Certain Common Terms . The term “ documents includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced. The term “ including is not limiting and means “including without limitation.” All references to “knowledge” in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refers to the actual knowledge (after reasonable inquiry) of such Responsible Officer or other Person making such certification.

(d) Performance; Time . Whenever any performance obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than a payment obligation) shall be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business Day. For the avoidance of doubt except as otherwise provided herein, initial payments of interest and fees relating to the Obligations (other than amounts due on the Closing Date) shall be due and paid no earlier than the last day of the first full Fiscal Quarter beginning at least 60 days following the Closing Date. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from means “from and including”; the words “ to and “ until each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “ through means “to and including”. If any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document refers to any action taken or to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action. All references herein and in any other Loan Document to time of day shall mean and refer to the time of day in New York, New York.

 

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(e) Contracts . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, references to agreements and other contractual instruments, including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments thereto, restatements and substitutions thereof and other modifications and supplements thereto which are in effect from time to time, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document.

(f) Laws . References to any statute or regulation may be made by using either the common or public name thereof or a specific cite reference and, except as otherwise provided with respect to FATCA, are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions related thereto or consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

12.3 Accounting Terms and Principles . All accounting determinations required to be made pursuant hereto and all terms of an accounting or financial nature (including, without limitation, the Financial Covenant and the term “cash”) shall, unless expressly otherwise provided herein, be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to in Article V shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party at “fair value” and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, any obligations of a Person under a lease that is not (or would not be) required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP as in effect as of the Closing Date shall not be treated as a capitalized lease as a result of the adoption of changes in GAAP or changes in the application of GAAP.

12.4 Payments . The Agent may round up or down, and may set up appropriate mechanisms to round up or down, any amount owing hereunder to nearest higher or lower amounts and may determine reasonable de minimis payment thresholds. For all purposes hereunder, “ Payment in Full and “ Paid in Full shall mean, with respect to any Obligations, (a) the full and final cash payment thereof, including any interest, fees, and other charges and charges accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not allowed in the proceeding), other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement Obligations (in each case to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted); (b) if such Obligations are LC Obligations, the Cash Collateralization thereof (or delivery of a standby letter of credit acceptable to the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, in the amount of required Cash Collateral) or inchoate or contingent in nature for which a claim has been asserted thereof (or delivery of a standby letter of credit acceptable to the Agent in its Permitted Discretion, in an amount equal to 105% of the amount thereof (as estimated by the Agent in good faith in consultation with Borrower Agent)); (c) termination of the Revolving Commitments; and (d) if required by Agent, the posting of cash collateral with the Agent in an amount not to exceed 105% of the amount of all Payment Items which have been applied provisionally to the Obligations but which have not been collected or cleared.

- Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature pages follow -

 

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

 

BORROWERS:
CHARAH, LLC, as Borrower
By:   /s/ Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
FEIN:   [                ]

 

ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC, as Borrower
By:   /s/ Dorsey R. McCall
Name:   Dorsey R. McCall
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
FEIN:   [                ]

 

ALLIED POWER SERVICES, LLC, as Borrower
By:   /s/ Dorsey R. McCall
Name:   Dorsey R. McCall
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
FEIN:   [                ]

 

Address for notices for each Borrower:

[                      ]

[                      ]

Attn:   [                      ]
Facsimile:   [                      ]

Address for wire transfers for each Borrower:

     
     
     
     

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


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

 

PARENTS:
CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC, as a Parent and a Guarantor
By:   /s/ Mark Spender
Name:   Mark Spender
Title:   President
FEIN:   [                ]

 

ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, as a Parent and a Guarantor
By:   /s/ Dorsey R. McCall
Name:   Dorsey R. McCall
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
FEIN:   [                ]

 

Address for notices for each Parent:
[                      ]
[                      ]
Attn:   [                      ]
Facsimile:   [                      ]

Address for wire transfers for each Parent:

     
     
     
     

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


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

 

REGIONS BANK, as the Agent and as a Lender
By:   /s/ Aaron A. Wade
Name:   Aaron A. Wade
Title:   Its Duly Authorized Signatory

 

Notices to the Agent:
Regions Bank
Attn: Loan Operations
1180 West Peachtree Street NW
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: [                      ]
Facsimile: [                      ]
Email: [                      ]
Address for Notices:
Regions Bank
Attn: Loan Operations
1180 West Peachtree Street NW
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: [                      ]
Facsimile: [                      ]
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[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 10.4

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of April 27, 2018 (this “ Amendment ”), is entered into by and among CHARAH, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“ Charah ”), ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied ” and together with Charah, each a “ Borrower ”, and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Charah Parent ”), ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Parent ” and together with Charah Parent, each a “ Parent ”, and collectively, “ Parents ”), each of the other GUARANTORS party hereto, each of the LENDERS party hereto and CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement referred to below.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the parties hereto are party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2017 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, he “ Credit Agreement ”, and as amended by this Amendment, the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , the Borrowers have requested that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as provided in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Lenders constituting at least Required Lenders are willing to agree to such amendments to the Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1.1     Section 4.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a)    not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), a copy of the audited combined balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (w) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (x) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to


eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, (y) the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the scheduled maturity date or the scheduled termination date of the Initial Loans or (B) any prospective default under Section  6.1 or any financial covenant under the ABL Credit Agreement) and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Borrowers (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);”.

1.2     Section 4.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(b)     not later than 45 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (60 days with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited combined balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of any Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by (x) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (y) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Borrower (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);”.

1.3     Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following at the end of the section thereof as follows:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section  4.1 , the obligations in Section  4.1(a) and Section  4.1(b) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of each Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries by furnishing Parent Entity’s or Combined Entity’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that (i) such filings must include all information required to be delivered as set forth in Sections 4.1(a)(x) , (y) and (z)  or Sections 4.1(b)(y) and (z) , as applicable, and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section  4.1(a) , such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion from

 

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Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (I) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (II) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the scheduled maturity date or the scheduled termination date of the Initial Loans or (B) any prospective default under Section  6.1 or any financial covenant under the ABL Credit Agreement) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of a Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, a Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided further that, to the extent that the business activities, properties or liabilities of a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, as the case may be, changes in any material respect (in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Borrowers determined in consultation with the Agent) from the business, activities, properties and liabilities of such Parent Entity or of such Combined Entity on the First Amendment Effective Date or include other material activities, properties or liabilities other than those relating to the ownership of Parents, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, upon written notice to Charah (in its capacity as the administrative borrower pursuant to Section  1.13(d) ), require that the Credit Parties provide, as the case may be, the financial statements, audit opinions, comparative figures, Compliance Certificate, budgets, projections and other documents and information described in Sections 4.1(a) , 4.1(b) , 4.2(a) , 4.2(b) and 4.2(d) for or of each Borrower (and not for or of Parent Entity or Combined Entity) no later than, (x) in the case of the financial statements and audit opinion described in Section  4.1(a) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section  4.2(a) and the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(b) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or other deliverables are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(a) , 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 90 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, in each case for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive fiscal years or other period, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and (y) in the case of the financial statements, other documents or information described in Sections 4.1(b) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section  4.2(a) , the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(b) and the other deliverables pursuant to Section  4.2(d) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or such other documents or information are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) , 4.2(a) , 4.2(b) or 4.2(d) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 30 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive periods, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which a Parent Entity, a Combined Entity or Charah posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Charah’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Parent Entity’s, Combined Entity’s or the Borrowers’ behalf on a Platform; provided that, Parent Entity, Combined Entity or Charah shall have notified the Agent in writing (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of such documents and shall have furnished to the Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.”.

 

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1.4     Section 4.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(c) commencing with respect to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrowers shall conduct a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been, or will be, delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) , at a date and time to be reasonably determined by the Borrowers and the Agent; provided that the obligations in this Section  4.1(c) may be satisfied by holding a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of any Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable.”.

1.5     Section 4.2(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a)    commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) , comparisons with the corresponding figures (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, be with respect to a Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) for the previous Fiscal Year;”.

1.6     Section 4.2(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(b)    commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a duly completed certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.2(b) (a “ Compliance Certificate ”), modified, in necessary, to account for delivery of financial statements and information with respect to a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, and certified on behalf of Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower;”.

1.7     Section 4.2(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(d)    not later than 90 days after the last day of each Fiscal Year of each Borrower (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), an annual budget and projections of each Borrower (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial performance for the then-current Fiscal Year on a quarter-by-quarter basis;”.

1.8     Section 4.2(f) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(f)    (i) promptly following the Agent’s written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable), such additional financial information related to this Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 regarding the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing, and (ii) promptly following the Agent’s or any Lender’s written request therefor, all documentation and other information with respect to Parent Entity or Combined Entity (as applicable) that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act;”.

 

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1.9     Section 12.1 is hereby revised by:

(a)    inserting the following new definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order therein:

Combined Entity ” means any Parent Entity (if applicable), the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries on a “combined” or “consolidated” basis.

First Amendment ” means that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2018, by and among the Borrowers, Parents, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Agent.

First Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the First Amendment.

Parent Entity ” means any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may or may not be organized as a partnership) of each Borrower.

(b)    amending and restating each of the following definitions set forth below as follows:

Combined EBITDA ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the Consolidated EBITDA of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated EBITDA of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) for purposes of determining Combined EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, Combined EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $15,321,980, $12,077,417, $17,260,157 and $23,793,420, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clauses (a)(xii) and (a)(xiii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” and (b) with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined EBITDA“ shall be defined as Consolidated EBITDA of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Net Income ” means, with respect to the Borrowers for any period, the sum of the Consolidated Net Income of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated Net Income of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined Net Income“ shall be defined as Consolidated Net Income such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (or Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable) as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Charah and

 

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its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (or, as applicable, Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of such date) to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (or Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable) as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (or, as applicable, Consolidated Total Net Debt of Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of such date) to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

 

  Section 2. EXECUTION OF THIS AMENDMENT; AUTHORIZATION

This Amendment is executed and shall be construed as a supplement to the Credit Agreement, and forms a part of the Credit Agreement. By its signature on this Amendment, each Lender party hereto (a) authorizes and consents to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver this Amendment.

 

  Section 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender party hereto to enter into this Amendment, each of the Borrowers, Parents and each other Credit Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender, as of the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), as follows:

3.1      Corporate Existence and Power . Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, (b) has the power and authority to own its assets, carry on its business, and execute and deliver this Amendment and perform its obligations under this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Parents and the Borrowers), (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2      Corporate Authorization; No Contravention . The execution and delivery of this Amendment and performance by each of the Credit Parties of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents, (b) conflict with or result in any

 

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material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) violate or result in a default under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon such Person or its property or to which any such Person or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except to the extent such violation, default, or payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens securing any ABL Facility, or (e) violate any material Requirement of Law, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.3      Governmental and Third-Party Authorization . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement except for (i) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents, (ii) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) those required in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4      Binding Effect . Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.7      No Default or Event of Default; No Material Adverse Effect . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

3.8      Other Representations and Warranties . Both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, all representations and warranties by the Credit Parties contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein), except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date or period (in which case, such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period).

 

  Section 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

The effectiveness of this Amendment is conditioned upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent (the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied being referred to herein as the “ First Amendment Effective Date ”):

4.1     The Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart signature page to this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, Parents, each other Credit Party, Lenders constituting the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

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4.2     The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of a duly executed amendment with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, effectuating corresponding amendments to the ABL Credit Agreement, and such amendment shall have become effective substantially concurrently with the First Amendment Effective Date..

4.3     (a) Each of the representations and warranties in (or incorporated by reference in) Section 3 hereof, and each of the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties under the Amended Credit Agreement and under the other Loan Documents, shall in each case be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date (or as of the respective date of for the respective period, as the case may be), (b) both before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, and (c) each Credit Party shall have obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying as to the matters set forth in this Section 4.2.

4.4     (a) The Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender party hereto on the First Amendment Effective Date, shall have received an amendment fee in an amount equal to 0.05% of the aggregate principal amount of each such Lender’s Loans outstanding on the First Amendment Effective Date, and (b) to the extent invoiced at least one business days prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and their respective Affiliates shall have received payment in full in Dollars in immediately available funds of all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) required to be paid in connection with this Amendment (including pursuant to any engagement letter entered into by the Borrowers in connection herewith), including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 9.4 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

  Section 5. REAFFIRMATION; LIENS UNIMPAIRED; INDEMNIFICATION

5.1      Reaffirmation . Each Credit Party acknowledges its receipt of a copy of this Amendment and confirms its review of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Amended Credit Agreement and consents to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement. Each Credit Party hereby (a) reaffirms and confirms its guarantees (including, without limitation, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations in each case referred to and defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement), pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, agreements and other undertakings under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, in each case, such agreements and undertakings as in effect immediately after giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, (b) acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document or instrument executed, delivered or furnished in connection herewith or therewith shall constitute (or be deemed to constitute) a novation, discharge, reduction, compromise, release or termination of the Obligations or of such Guaranteed Obligations or Secured Obligations and (c) agrees that (i) each Loan Document to which it is a party or otherwise bound (as amended by this Amendment) shall continue to be in full force and effect, and each such Loan Document and its obligations thereunder are hereby ratified, confirmed and reaffirmed in all respects, and (ii) all guarantees, pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, payment

 

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obligations, agreements and other obligations and undertakings by the Credit Parties shall continue to be in full force and effect, shall be valid and enforceable and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall not be affected, impaired, limited or discharged hereby or by the transactions contemplated in this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations, the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any obligation to inform any Guarantor of such matters in the future or to seek any Guarantor’s acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments, waivers or consents, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.

5.2      Liens Unimpaired . After giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, neither the modification of the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment nor the execution and delivery of this Amendment, performance of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, or effectiveness of this Amendment or the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Amended Credit Agreement (a) impair the validity, enforceability, perfection, effectiveness or priority of Liens and security interests granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens and security interests continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure the payment and performance in full of all Obligations, Secured Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred, including as amended or modified pursuant to this Amendment, or (b) require that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens.

5.3      Indemnification . Each Credit Party hereby confirms that the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 9.6 of the Credit Agreement and in any other Loan Document shall apply to this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement and to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (as more fully set forth therein as applicable) which may arise herefrom or therefrom or in connection herewith or therewith or otherwise relating to this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

  Section 6. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1      Reference to and Effect on Credit Agreement and Other Credit Documents .

(a)    Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement as it may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms.

(b)    Except as specifically amended or modified by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

(c)    The execution and delivery of this Amendment, and effectiveness and performance of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of, or otherwise affect or impair, any right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under any of the Loan Documents or any document, instrument or agreement executed, delivered or furnished in connection therewith, nor, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver or

 

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amendment of any provision of any of the Loan Documents or otherwise alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants, agreements or provisions contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are confirmed, ratified and reaffirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect and shall constitute and remain the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Credit Parties. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.

(d)    The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that: (i) this Amendment and any other document or instrument executed and delivered in connection herewith do not constitute, and shall in no event be deemed to constitute, a compromise, satisfaction, reinstatement, accord and satisfaction, novation, release or termination of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations as in effect prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, or of any of the Loan Documents or any rights or obligations thereunder, or a waiver by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party of any of their respective rights under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Amendment, at law or in equity; (ii) the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations are in all respects continuing with only the terms thereof being modified to the extent expressly provided in this Amendment; and (iii) the guarantees and the Liens and security interests as granted or purported to be granted under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents guaranteeing or securing (as applicable) the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations (as applicable) are in all respects continuing in full force and effect and secure the payment and performance thereof as provided therein.

(e)    Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes under the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

6.2      GOVERNING LAW . THIS AMENDMENT, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

6.3      Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . The provisions of Sections 9.18 and 9.19 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis , and shall apply with like effect to this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.

6.4      Severability . The provisions of this Amendment are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

6.5      Headings . Section and paragraph headings have been inserted in this Amendment as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such headings are not a part of this Amendment and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Amendment.

 

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6.6      Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be effective for purposes of binding the parties hereto, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic means shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

6.7      Successors and Assigns . This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the parties hereto and, subject to and in accordance with Section 9.8 of the Credit Agreement, their respective successors and assigns.

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective officers or representatives hereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

CHARAH,  LLC , a Kentucky limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
CHARAH SOLE MEMBER, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Mark Spender

Name:   Mark Spender
Title:   President
ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
ASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC , a Kentucky limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


GREEN  MEADOW,  LLC , a North Carolina limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Charah, LLC, its Manager
ALLIED  POWER  SERVICES,  LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
ALLIED  PLANT  SERVICES,  LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
ALLIED  POWER  RESOURCES,  LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
SCB  INTERNATIONAL  HOLDINGS,  LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary and Treasurer

 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


MERCURY CAPTURE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary and Treasurer
MERCURY CAPTURE BENEFICIATION, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary and Treasurer

 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH , as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
By  

/s/ Mikhail Faybusovich

  Name:   Mikhail Faybusovich
 

Title:

  Authorized Signatory
By  

/s/ Warren Van Heyst

  Name:   Warren Van Heyst
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

First Amendment to Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10.5

SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of April 27, 2018 (this “ Amendment ”), is entered into by and among CHARAH, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“ Charah ”); ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied ”); ALLIED POWER SERVICES, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Services ”; Charah, Allied, and Allied Services, each a “ Borrower ,” and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”); CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Charah Parent ”); ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Parent ” and together with Charah Parent, each a “ Parent ,” and collectively, “ Parents ”); each of the entities party hereto as a “Guarantor” (the “ Guarantors ”; each Parent, each Borrower, and each Guarantor, collectively, the “ Credit Parties ” and, each, a “ Credit Party ”); REGIONS BANK, an Alabama bank (“ Regions ”), as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (as defined below) (in such capacities, the “ Agent ”); and each of the Lenders party hereto. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement referred to below.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the parties hereto are party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2017, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 8, 2017 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ,” and as amended by this Amendment, the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , the Parents and the Borrowers have requested that the Agent and the Lenders agree to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as provided in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Agent and Lenders constituting at least Required Lenders are willing to agree to such amendments to the Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

  Section 1. AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1.1     Section 4.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(a)    not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), a copy of the audited combined balance sheet of the Lead Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (w) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (x) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from


such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, (y) the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the pendency of the Stated Commitment Termination Date or (B) any prospective default of any financial maintenance covenants (including any covenant to maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or any financial covenant under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness Document) on a future date or in a future period) and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Lead Borrowers (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Lead Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);

1.2     Section 4.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(b)     not later than 45 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (60 days with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited combined balance sheet of the Lead Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of any Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by (x) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (y) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures, and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Lead Borrowers (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Lead Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);

1.3     Section 4.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(c)    not later than 30 days after the end of any Fiscal Month ending during a Financial Covenant Testing Period, a copy of the internally prepared unaudited combined balance sheets of the Lead Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of

 

2


any Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Month and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Lead Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures; and

1.4     Section 4.1(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(d) commencing with respect to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrowers shall conduct a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been, or will be, delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) or (c) , as applicable, at a date and time to be reasonably determined by the Borrowers and the Agent; provided that the obligations in this Section  4.1(d) may be satisfied by holding a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of any Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable; provided , further , that this clause (d) shall not apply unless and until there is more than one Lender hereunder.

1.5     Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following at the end of the section thereof as follows:

Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section  4.1 , the obligations in Section  4.1(a) and Section  4.1(b) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of each Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries by furnishing Parent Entity’s or Combined Entity’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that (i) such filings must include all information required to be delivered as set forth in Sections 4.1(a)(x) , (y) and (z)  or Sections 4.1(b)(y) and (z) , as applicable, and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section  4.1(a) , such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion from Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (I) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (II) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the pendency of the Stated Commitment Termination Date or (B) any prospective default of any financial maintenance covenants (including any covenant to maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or any financial covenant under the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement or any other Permitted Term Indebtedness Document) on a future date or in a future period to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of a Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, a Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided further that, to the extent that the business activities, properties or liabilities of a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, as the case may be, changes in any material respect

 

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(in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Borrowers determined in consultation with the Agent) from the business, activities, properties and liabilities of such Parent Entity or of such Combined Entity on the Second Amendment Effective Date or include other material activities, properties or liabilities other than those relating to the ownership of Parents, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, the Agent or the Required Lenders may, upon written notice to Charah (in its capacity as the administrative borrower pursuant to Section  1.13(d) ), require that the Credit Parties provide, as the case may be, the financial statements, audit opinions, comparative figures, Compliance Certificate, budgets, projections and other documents and information described in Sections 4.1(a) , 4.1(b) , 4.2(b) , 4.2(c) and 4.2(e) for or of each Borrower (and not for or of Parent Entity or Combined Entity) no later than, (x) in the case of the financial statements and audit opinion described in Section  4.1(a) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section  4.2(b) and the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(c) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or other deliverables are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(a) , 4.2(b) or 4.2(c) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 90 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, in each case for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive fiscal years or other periods, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and (y) in the case of the financial statements, other documents or information described in Section  4.1(b) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section  4.2(b) , the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(c) and the other deliverables pursuant to Section  4.2(e) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or such other documents or information are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) , 4.2(b) , 4.2(c) or 4.2(e) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 30 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive periods, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which a Parent Entity, a Combined Entity or Charah posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Charah’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Parent Entity’s, Combined Entity’s or the Borrowers’ behalf on a Platform; provided that, Parent Entity, Combined Entity or Charah shall have notified the Agent in writing (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of such documents and shall have furnished to the Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.

1.6     Section 4.2(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(b)    commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) or 4.1(b), comparisons with the corresponding figures (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, be with respect to a Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) for the previous Fiscal Year.

1.7     Section 4.2(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(c)    commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a duly completed certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.2(c)

 

4


(a “ Compliance Certificate ”) modified, as necessary, to account for delivery of financial statements and information with respect to a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, and certified on behalf of Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Lead Borrower (and including, among other things, a calculation of the Financial Covenant, even if no Financial Covenant Testing Period exists);

1.8     Section 4.2(e) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(e)    not later than 90 days after the last day of each Fiscal Year of each Borrower (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), an annual budget and projections of each Lead Borrower (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial performance for the then-current Fiscal Year on a quarter-by-quarter basis; and

1.9     Section 4.2(g) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

(g)    (i) promptly following the Agent’s written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable), such additional financial information related to this Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 regarding the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing, and (ii) promptly following the Agent’s or any Lender’s written request therefor, all documentation and other information with respect to Parent Entity or Combined Entity (as applicable) that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

1.10     Section 12.1 is hereby revised by:

(a)    inserting the following new definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order therein:

Combined Entity ” means any Parent Entity (if applicable) or the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries on a “combined” or “consolidated” basis.

Parent Entity ” means any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may or may not be organized as a partnership) of each Borrower.

Second Amendment ” means that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2018, by and among the Borrowers, Parents, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Agent.

Second Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Second Amendment.

 

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(b)    amending and restating each of the following definitions set forth below as follows:

Combined Cash Taxes Paid ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined Cash Taxes Paid” shall be defined as Consolidated Cash Taxes Paid of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined EBITDA ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the Consolidated EBITDA of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated EBITDA of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) for purposes of determining Combined EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, Combined EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $15,321,980, $12,077,417, $17,260,157 and $23,793,420, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clauses (a)(xii) and (a)(xiii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” and (b) with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined EBITDA” shall be defined as Consolidated EBITDA of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Interest Paid ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Interest Paid of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Interest Paid of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined Interest Paid” shall be defined as Consolidated Interest Paid of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (or Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable) as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (or, as applicable, Consolidated Total Net Debt of Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the

 

6


case may be, as of such date) to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Combined Unfinanced Capital Expenditures ” means, with respect to the Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any fiscal period, the sum of Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures of Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures of Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined Unfinanced Capital Expenditures” shall be defined as Consolidated Unfinanced Capital Expenditures of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

 

  Section 2. EXECUTION OF THIS AMENDMENT; AUTHORIZATION

This Amendment is executed and shall be construed as a supplement to the Credit Agreement, and forms a part of the Credit Agreement. By its signature on this Amendment, each Lender party hereto (a) authorizes and consents to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) authorizes and directs the Agent to execute and deliver this Amendment.

 

  Section 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Agent and each Lender party hereto to enter into this Amendment, each of the Borrowers, Parents and each other Credit Party represents and warrants to the Agent and each Lender, as of the Second Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), as follows:

3.1      Corporate Existence and Power . Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, (b) has the power and authority to own its assets, carry on its business, and execute and deliver this Amendment and perform its obligations under this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Parents and the Borrowers), (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2      Corporate Authorization; No Contravention . The execution and delivery of this Amendment and performance by each of the Credit Parties of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents, (b) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) violate or result in a default under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon such Person or its property or to

 

7


which any such Person or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except to the extent such violation, default, or payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens securing any Permitted Term Indebtedness, or (e) violate any material Requirement of Law, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.3      Governmental and Third-Party Authorization . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement except for (i) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Agent under the Collateral Documents, (ii) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) those required in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4      Binding Effect . Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.5      No Default or Event of Default; No Material Adverse Effect . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

3.6      Other Representations and Warranties . Both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, all representations and warranties by the Credit Parties contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein), except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date or period (in which case, such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period).

 

  Section 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

The effectiveness of this Amendment is conditioned upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent (the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied being referred to herein as the “ Second Amendment Effective Date ”):

4.1     The Agent shall have received a counterpart signature page to this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, Parents, each other Credit Party, Lenders constituting the Required Lenders and the Agent.

4.2     The Agent shall have received a copy of a duly executed amendment with respect to the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, effectuating corresponding amendments to the Initial Term Loan Credit Agreement, and such amendment shall have become effective substantially concurrently with the Second Amendment Effective Date.

4.3     (a) Each of the representations and warranties in (or incorporated by reference in) Section 3 hereof, and each of the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties under the Amended Credit Agreement and under the other Loan Documents, shall in each case be true and correct in all

 

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material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) on and as of the Second Amendment Effective Date (or as of the respective date of for the respective period, as the case may be), (b) both before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, and (c) each Credit Party shall have obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement. The Agent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying as to the matters set forth in this Section 4.3.

4.4     To the extent invoiced at least one business days prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Agent and its Affiliates shall have received payment in full in Dollars in immediately available funds of all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) required to be paid in connection with this Amendment (including pursuant to any engagement letter entered into by the Borrowers in connection herewith), including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 9.5 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

  Section 5. REAFFIRMATION; LIENS UNIMPAIRED; INDEMNIFICATION

5.1      Reaffirmation . Each Credit Party acknowledges its receipt of a copy of this Amendment and confirms its review of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Amended Credit Agreement and consents to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement. Each Credit Party hereby (a) reaffirms and confirms its guarantees (including, without limitation, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations in each case referred to and defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement), pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, agreements and other undertakings under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, in each case, such agreements and undertakings as in effect immediately after giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, (b) acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document or instrument executed, delivered or furnished in connection herewith or therewith shall constitute (or be deemed to constitute) a novation, discharge, reduction, compromise, release or termination of the Obligations or of such Guaranteed Obligations or Secured Obligations and (c) agrees that (i) each Loan Document to which it is a party or otherwise bound (as amended by this Amendment) shall continue to be in full force and effect, and each such Loan Document and its obligations thereunder are hereby ratified, confirmed and reaffirmed in all respects, and (ii) all guarantees, pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, payment obligations, agreements and other obligations and undertakings by the Credit Parties shall continue to be in full force and effect, shall be valid and enforceable and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall not be affected, impaired, limited or discharged hereby or by the transactions contemplated in this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations, the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances, and neither the Agent nor any other Secured Party has any obligation to inform any Guarantor of such matters in the future or to seek any Guarantor’s acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments, waivers or consents, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.

5.2      Liens Unimpaired . After giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, neither the modification of the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment nor the execution and delivery of this Amendment, performance of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, or effectiveness of this Amendment

 

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or the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Amended Credit Agreement (a) impair the validity, enforceability, perfection, effectiveness or priority of Liens and security interests granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens and security interests continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure the payment and performance in full of all Obligations, Secured Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred, including as amended or modified pursuant to this Amendment, or (b) require that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens.

5.3      Indemnification . Each Credit Party hereby confirms that the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 9.6 of the Credit Agreement and in any other Loan Document shall apply to this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement and to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (as more fully set forth therein as applicable) which may arise herefrom or therefrom or in connection herewith or therewith or otherwise relating to this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

  Section 6. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1      Reference to and Effect on Credit Agreement and Other Credit Documents .

(a)    Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement,” “thereunder,” “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement as it may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms.

(b)    Except as specifically amended or modified by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

(c)    The execution and delivery of this Amendment, and effectiveness and performance of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of, or otherwise affect or impair, any right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under any of the Loan Documents or any document, instrument or agreement executed, delivered or furnished in connection therewith, nor, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver or amendment of any provision of any of the Loan Documents or otherwise alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants, agreements or provisions contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are confirmed, ratified and reaffirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect and shall constitute and remain the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Credit Parties. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.

(d)    The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that: (i) this Amendment and any other document or instrument executed and delivered in connection herewith do not constitute, and shall in no event be deemed to constitute, a compromise, satisfaction, reinstatement, accord and satisfaction, novation, release or termination of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations as in effect prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date, or of any of the Loan Documents or any rights or obligations thereunder, or a waiver by the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party of any of their respective rights

 

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under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Amendment, at law or in equity; (ii) the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations are in all respects continuing with only the terms thereof being modified to the extent expressly provided in this Amendment; and (iii) the guarantees and the Liens and security interests as granted or purported to be granted under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents guaranteeing or securing (as applicable) the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations (as applicable) are in all respects continuing in full force and effect and secure the payment and performance thereof as provided therein.

(e)    Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes under the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

6.2      GOVERNING LAW . THIS AMENDMENT, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

6.3      Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . The provisions of Sections 9.18 and 9.19 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis , and shall apply with like effect to this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.

6.4      Severability . The provisions of this Amendment are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

6.5     Headings. Section and paragraph headings have been inserted in this Amendment as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such headings are not a part of this Amendment and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Amendment.

6.6      Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be effective for purposes of binding the parties hereto, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic means shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

6.7      Successors and Assigns . This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the parties hereto and, subject to and in accordance with Section 9.9 of the Credit Agreement, their respective successors and assigns.

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective officers or representatives hereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWERS:   CHARAH, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

    Name:   Bruce Kramer
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC
    By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

    Name:   John Plumlee
    Title:   Chief Operating Officer
    ALLIED POWER SERVICES, LLC
    By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

    Name:   John Plumlee
    Title:   Chief Operating Officer
PARENTS AND GUARANTORS:     CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC
    By:  

/s/ Mark Spender

    Name:   Mark Spender
    Title:   President
    ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC
    By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

    Name:   John Plumlee
    Title:   Chief Operating Officer
    ASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC
    By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

    Name:   Bruce Kramer
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

[CHARAH—SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


GREEN MEADOW, LLC
By:  

/s/ Bruce Kramer

Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
  Charah, LLC, its Manager
ALLIED PLANT SERVICES, LLC
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer
ALLIED POWER RESOURCES, LLC
By:  

/s/ John Plumlee

Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

 

[CHARAH—SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]


AGENT AND LENDERS:     REGIONS BANK, as Agent and as a Lender
    By:  

/s/ Tom Floyd

    Name:   Tom Floyd
    Title:   Managing Director

 

[CHARAH—SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT]

Exhibit 10.6

CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (including all exhibits and schedules hereto, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of October 25, 2017, by and among Charah, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“ Charah ”), Allied Power Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied ” and together with Charah, each a “ Borrower ”, and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), Charah Sole Member LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Charah Parent ”), Allied Power Sole Member, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Parent ” and together with Charah Parent, each a “ Parent ”, and collectively, “ Parents ”), Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “ Collateral Agent ”) and the Lenders party hereto from time to time.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested, and the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrowers, credit in the form of the Initial Loans on the Closing Date upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement to (a) refinance the Prior Indebtedness, (b) pay fees, premiums, expenses and other transaction costs incurred in connection with the Transactions and (c) fund a one-time cash distribution to the Borrowers’ equityholders in an aggregate amount not exceeding $120,000,000;

WHEREAS, the Borrowers desire to secure all of their Obligations under the Loan Documents by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon substantially all of their respective Property, in each case upon the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

WHEREAS, each Subsidiary of the Borrowers (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) is willing to guarantee all of the Obligations and to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon substantially all of its Property to secure all Secured Obligations, in each case upon the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

WHEREAS, each of Charah Parent, the direct owner of 100% of the equity interests of Charah, and Allied Parent, the direct owner of 100% of the equity interests of Allied, is willing to guarantee all of the Obligations and to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and lien upon substantially all of its Property to secure all Secured Obligations, in each case upon the terms set forth in this Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

WHEREAS, in connection with the foregoing, on or after the Closing Date the Borrowers intend to enter into an ABL Credit Agreement and related ABL Documents, which shall provide for the availability of ABL Loans in an initial aggregate principal amount not exceeding $45,000,000 and shall be at all times subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE CREDITS

1.1 Amounts and Terms of Commitments .

(a) The Initial Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Lender with a Commitment, severally and not jointly, agrees to make Loans in Dollars to the Borrowers on the Closing Date in the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in Schedule 1.1(a) under the heading “Initial Commitment” (such amount being referred to herein as such Lender’s “ Initial Commitment ”). Amounts borrowed under this Section  1.1(a) are referred to individually as an “ Initial Loan ” and collectively as the “ Initial Loans ”. The Initial Loans and the Incremental Loans are sometimes referred to individually as a “ Loan and together as “ Loans ”. Amounts borrowed hereunder which are repaid or prepaid may not be re-borrowed. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Commitment equals $250,000,000.

(b) Incremental Facilities .

(i) Requests . The Borrowers may, at any time and from time to time, by written notice to the Agent (each, an “ Incremental Facility Request ”) request increases in the Commitments or one or more tranches of new term loans (each, an “ Incremental Loan Commitment and the term loans thereunder, an “ Incremental Loan ”; each Incremental Loan Commitment is sometimes referred to herein individually as an “ Incremental Facility ” and collectively as the “ Incremental Facilities ”) in Dollars in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Maximum Incremental Amount. No commitment of any Lender shall be increased without the consent of such Lender. Such notice shall set forth (A) the amount of the Incremental Loan Commitment being requested (which shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) and (B) the date (an “ Incremental Effective Date ”) on which such Incremental Facility is requested to become effective (which, unless otherwise agreed by the Agent, shall not be less than 10 Business Days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice).

(ii) Any Lender may (in its sole discretion) participate in any Incremental Facility with the consent of the Borrowers (in their sole discretion) and the Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), but no Lender shall have any obligation to do so. Subject to the approval of the Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) if such approval would be required under Section  9.9 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Additional Lender, the Borrowers may also invite Additional Lenders pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

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(iii) Conditions . No Incremental Facility shall become effective under this Section  1.1(b) unless, immediately after giving pro forma effect to such Incremental Facility, the Loans to be made thereunder on the effective date of such Incremental Facility, and the application of the proceeds therefrom, (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately thereafter result therefrom; except that in the case of an Incremental Loan incurred to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, no Default or Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) or Section  7.1(g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately therefrom on the date of execution of the acquisition agreement with respect to such Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment, (B) the representations and warranties set forth in Article III (subject, in the case of an Incremental Loan incurred to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, to customary “Sungard” limitations) shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) immediately prior to, and immediately after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Incremental Facility (although any representations and warranties which expressly relate to a given date or period shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of the respective date or for the respective period, as the case may be), (C) all fees and expenses owing and due and payable to the Agent and the Lenders in connection therewith shall have been paid and (D) if requested by Agent, the Borrowers shall have delivered a certificate, dated as of the date on which such Incremental Loan Commitment is to become effective, certifying that the Commitments, after giving effect to such Incremental Loan Commitment, does not violate any terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or exceed the Maximum Incremental Amount.

(iv) Terms . The final maturity date of any Incremental Loan shall be no earlier (but if under a separate tranche may be longer) than the maturity date of the Initial Loan and the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any such Incremental Loan shall not be shorter (but may be longer) than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Initial Loan (calculated without giving effect to any prepayments). With respect to any Incremental Loans, the Effective Yield (as defined below) on any such Incremental Loans shall not exceed the then-applicable Effective Yield on the Loans by more than 50 basis points (the amount of such excess above 50 basis points being referred to herein as the “ Yield Differential ”); provided that, in order to comply with this clause (iv) the Borrowers may increase the Applicable Margin on the Initial Loan by the Yield Differential, effective upon the making of such Incremental Loans (such adjustment, the “ MFN Adjustment ”). Except with respect to fees, pricing and final maturity as expressly set forth in this clause (iv), the terms, provisions and documentation for any Incremental Facility shall be substantially identical to the Initial Loans or otherwise shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

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(v) Required Amendments . Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Facility, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence of such Incremental Facility and the Loans and Commitments evidenced thereby, and any joinder agreement or amendment may without the consent of the other Lenders effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Borrowers, to effectuate the provisions of this Section  1.1(b) , and, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section  1.1(b) shall supersede any provisions in Section  9.1 . The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Agent to enter into amendments to the Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including but not limited to modifications to provisions regarding pro rata payments or sharing of payments) with the Credit Parties as may be necessary in order to establish any Incremental Facility and effect such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Borrowers in connection with the establishment of any Incremental Facility, in each case on terms consistent with this Section. From and after each Incremental Effective Date, the Loans and Commitments established pursuant to this Section  1.1(b) shall constitute Loans and Commitments under, and as provided in such amendment, shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guarantees and security interests created by the applicable Collateral Documents.

1.2 Evidence of Loans; Notes . The Initial Loan made by each Lender with an Initial Commitment is evidenced by this Agreement and, if requested by such Lender, a Note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns in an amount equal to the unpaid balance of the Initial Loan held by such Lender.

1.3 Interest .

(a) Subject to Sections 1.3(c) and 1.3(d) , each Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the date when made at a rate per annum equal to Adjusted LIBOR or the Base Rate, as the case may be, plus the Applicable Margin. Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and the Lenders in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error. All computations of fees and interest on Adjusted LIBOR Loans payable under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed. All computations of interest accruing on Base Rate Loans payable under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of a 365-day year (366 days in the case of a leap year) and actual days elapsed. Interest and fees shall accrue during each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to, but excluding, the last day thereof.

(b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any payment or prepayment of Loans.

 

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(c) At the Required Lenders’ option, while an Event of Default exists (or automatically while an Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) or Section  7.1(g) is continuing), the Borrowers shall pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on any principal of or interest on any Loan outstanding or on any premium, fees or other Obligations outstanding solely for so long as such Event of Default is continuing, at a rate per annum (the “ Default Rate ”) equal to (A) in the case of principal of or interest on any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided for in this Section or (B) in the case of all other Obligations, 2.00% plus the interest rate that would have applied had such amount, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Base Rate Loan. Such default interest shall be payable quarterly on the last date of each calendar quarter.

(d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that payments of interest shall not be required, for any period for which interest is computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for or receiving such payment by the respective Lender would be contrary to the provisions of any applicable Requirements of Law, and in such event the Borrowers shall pay such Lender interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (x) the then otherwise applicable interest rate hereunder and (y) the highest rate permitted by such applicable Requirements of Law (the “ Maximum Lawful Rate ”); provided , however , that if at any time thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less than the Maximum Lawful Rate, the Borrowers shall continue to pay interest hereunder at the Maximum Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by the Agent, on behalf of Lenders, is equal to the total interest that would have been received by the Agent, on behalf of Lenders, had the interest payable hereunder been (but for the operation of this paragraph) the interest rate payable since the Closing Date as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

1.4 Loan Accounts .

(a) The Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, shall record on its books and records the amount of each Loan made, the interest rate applicable, all payments of principal and interest thereon and the principal balance thereof from time to time outstanding. Upon the request of the Borrowers, the Agent shall deliver to the Borrowers a loan statement setting forth such record for the immediately preceding calendar month. Such record shall, absent manifest or demonstrable error, be conclusive evidence of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so, or any failure to deliver such loan statement shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrowers hereunder (and under any Note) to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans or provide the basis for any claim against the Agent.

(b) The Agent, acting as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers solely for Tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this Section  1.4(b) , shall establish and maintain at its address referred to in Section  9.2 (or at such other address as the Agent may notify the Borrowers in writing) (A) a record of ownership (the “ Register ”) in which the Agent agrees to register by book entry the interests (including any rights to receive payment hereunder) of the Agent and each Lender in the Loans and any assignment of any such interest or right and (B) accounts in the Register in accordance with its usual practice in which it shall record (1) the names and addresses of

 

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the Lenders (and each change thereto pursuant to Sections 9.9 and 9.22 ), (2) the amount of each Loan and each funding of any participation described in clause (A) above, and for LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (3) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or paid and (4) any other payment received by the Agent from or on behalf of a Credit Party and its application to the Obligations.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Loans (including any Notes evidencing such Loans) are registered obligations, the right, title and interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be transferable only upon notation of such transfer in the Register and no assignment thereof shall be effective until recorded therein and any consents necessary hereunder have been obtained. This Section  1.4 and Section  9.9 shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code.

(d) The Credit Parties, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register that has become a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including but not limited to, for the avoidance of doubt, after the obtaining of any necessary consents) as a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement. Information contained in the Register with respect to any Lender shall be available for access by the Borrowers, the Agent or such Lender during normal business hours and from time to time upon at least one Business Day’s prior notice. No Lender shall, in such capacity, have access to or be otherwise permitted to review any information in the Register other than information with respect to such Lender unless otherwise agreed by the Agent.

1.5 Borrowings .

(a) In order to make a Borrowing (other than Borrowings involving continuations or conversions of outstanding Loans, which shall be made pursuant to Section  1.6 ), the Borrowers shall give the Agent written notice no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date which is three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing date in the case of each LIBOR Rate Loan (or on the date which is one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing date in the case of each Base Rate Loan). Each such Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable (except as expressly provided in Section  1.5(d) below) and shall specify:

(i) the requested Borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day;

(ii) whether the Borrowing is to consist of LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans; and

(iii) if the Borrowing is to be LIBOR Rate Loans, the Interest Period applicable to such Loans;

(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing, the Agent will promptly notify each Lender of such Notice of Borrowing and of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing. Each Lender will make available to the

 

6


Agent an amount in Dollars and in immediately available funds, equal to the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m. on the requested Borrowing date.

(c) The proceeds of each requested Borrowing after the Closing Date will be made available to the Borrower by the Agent by wire transfer of such amount to the Borrower pursuant to the wire transfer instructions specified on the signature page hereto (or as directed by the Borrower in written directions from the Borrower to the Agent).

(d) Subject to the provisions of Section  7.4 , each Notice of Borrowing may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions permitted under this Agreement, in which case such Notice of Borrowing may be revoked by the Borrower (by written notice to the Administrative Agent) on or prior to the specified Borrowing date.

1.6 Conversion and Continuation Elections .

(a) The Borrowers shall have the option to (i) request that any Loan be made as a LIBOR Rate Loan, (ii) convert at any time all or any part of outstanding Loans from Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans, (iii) convert any LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan, subject to Section  10.4 if such conversion is made prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iv) continue all or any portion of any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan upon the expiration of the applicable Interest Period. Any Loan or group of Loans having the same proposed Interest Period to be made or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Rate Loan must be in a minimum amount of $500,000. Any such election must be made by the Borrowers by 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to (1) the end of each Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans to be continued as such, (2) the date on which the Borrowers wish to convert any Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan for an Interest Period designated by the Borrowers in such election and/or (3) the date on which the Borrowers wish to convert any LIBOR Rate Loan denominated in Dollars to Base Rate. If no election is received with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan by 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to the end of the Interest Period with respect thereto, that LIBOR Rate Loan shall be continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month. The Borrowers may make such election to the Agent in writing (including by Electronic Transmission) or by telephonic notice to the Agent followed promptly by a notice in writing, including by Electronic Transmission. In the case of any conversion or continuation, such election must be made pursuant to a written notice (a “ Notice of Conversion/Continuation ”) substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.6 or in writing in any other form reasonably acceptable to the Agent. No Loan shall be made, converted into or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such proposed funding, conversion or continuation.

(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof. In addition, the Agent will, with reasonable promptness, notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of each determination of LIBOR; provided that any failure to do so shall not relieve the Borrowers of any liability hereunder or provide the basis for any claim against the Agent. All conversions and continuations shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans held by each Lender with respect to which the notice was given.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, after giving effect to any Borrowing, or to any continuation or conversion of any Loans, there shall not be more than six different Interest Periods in effect.

1.7 Optional Prepayments .

(a) Optional Prepayments Generally . Subject to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the Borrowers may at any time and from time to time upon (x) in the case of Base Rate Loans, at least one Business Day’s prior written notice (or such shorter period as is reasonably acceptable to the Agent) and (y) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, at least two Business Days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as is reasonably acceptable to the Agent) to the Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable or conditioned pursuant to clause (c) below), prepay the Loans in whole or in part in an amount greater than or equal to $100,000 or if less, in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount thereof, in each instance, without penalty or premium except as provided in Section  1.9(b) and Section  10.4 . Optional partial prepayments of the Initial Loan and any Incremental Loans shall be applied as specified by the Borrowers in such notice of prepayment and, in the absence of such direction in direct order of maturity.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Notices . Notice of prepayment pursuant to clause (a) above shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrowers and the Agent will promptly notify each Lender thereof and of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such prepayment; provided that a notice of prepayment of outstanding Loans delivered by the Borrowers may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit or debt facilities or other refinancing arrangements or other conditions permitted under this Agreement, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrowers (by written notice to the Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. The payment amount specified in a notice of prepayment shall be due and payable on the date specified therein unless the Borrowers have provided the Agent with written notice that any condition to such prepayment or termination is not satisfied as provided for in the previous sentence. Together with each prepayment under this Section  1.7 , the Borrowers shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section  10.4 .

(d) Discounted Prepayments .

(i) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date a Discounted Prepayment (as defined below) is made (both before and after giving effect thereto), the Borrowers shall be permitted to make voluntary prepayments of the Loans (each, a “ Discounted Prepayment ”) during the term of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of this Section  1.7(d) ; provided that such Discounted Prepayment is not made directly with any proceeds of ABL Loans. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrowers shall not be permitted to make any Discounted Prepayment if after giving effect thereto the Affiliated Lenders would hold a greater aggregate principal amount of Loans than is permitted by Section  9.9 .

 

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(ii) In connection with any Discounted Prepayment, the Borrowers will notify the Agent and Lenders holding the Loans in writing (the “ Discounted Prepayment Notice ”) that the Borrowers desire to prepay the Term Loans on a specified Business Day, in a maximum aggregate amount (which amount shall be not less than $1,000,000) (the “ Discounted Prepayment Amount ”) at a discount to par (which shall be expressed as a range of percentages of par of the principal amount of the Loans) specified by the Borrowers with respect to each Discounted Prepayment, the “ Discount Price Range ”); provided that such notice shall be received by the Agent and Lenders no earlier than 10 Business Days and no later than three Business Days prior to the proposed date of such Discounted Prepayment. In connection with a Discounted Prepayment, the Borrowers will allow each Lender holding the Loans to specify a discount to par (which shall be expressed as a price equal to a percentage of par of the principal amount of the Loans held by such Lender, the “ Acceptable Discount Price ”) for a principal amount (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Agent) of the Loans held by such Lender at which such Lender is willing to permit such voluntary prepayment. Based on the Acceptable Discount Prices and principal amounts of the Loans specified by Lenders, the Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, will determine the applicable discount price (the “ Applicable Discount Price ”) for the applicable Discounted Prepayment, which will be the lower of (i) the lowest Acceptable Discount Price at which the Borrowers can complete the Discounted Prepayment for the Discounted Prepayment Amount and (ii) if the Lenders’ response is such that the Discounted Prepayment could not be completed for the full Discounted Prepayment Amount, the Acceptable Discount Price specified by the Lenders that is within the Discount Price Range specified by the Borrowers and then the next lowest Acceptable Discount Price specified by the Borrowers until all proposed Qualifying Loans have been repurchased. Notwithstanding any provision set forth in this clause (ii) or clause to the contrary, the Borrowers may also offer to purchase the Loans at a discount on the open market as provided in Section  9.9(h) .

(iii) The Borrowers shall prepay the Loans (or the respective portion thereof) offered by Lenders at the Acceptable Discount Prices specified by each such Lender that are equal to or less than the Applicable Discount Price (“ Qualifying Loans ”) at the Applicable Discount Price; provided that if the aggregate proceeds required to prepay Qualifying Loans (disregarding any interest payable under this Section  1.7(d) ) would exceed the Discounted Prepayment Amount for such Discounted Prepayment, the Borrowers shall prepay such Qualifying Loans at the Applicable Discount Price ratably based on the respective principal amounts of such Qualifying Loans (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Agent). The portion of the Loans prepaid by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section  1.7(d) shall be accompanied by payment of accrued and unpaid interest, but based on the actual par principal amount being

 

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prepaid to, but not including, the date of prepayment. The equivalent par principal amount of the Loans prepaid at the Applicable Discount Price pursuant to this Section  1.7(d) shall be applied to reduce the remaining installments of the respective Term Loans owing to the Lenders so prepaid pro rata against all such scheduled installments based upon the respective amounts thereof (without affecting the amount of the installment payments owing to the Lenders not prepaid pursuant to this Section  1.7(d) ). The equivalent par principal amount of the Loans prepaid at the Applicable Discount Price pursuant to this Section  1.7(d) shall be deemed immediately cancelled upon payment of the applicable Discounted Prepayment.

(iv) The Lenders hereby consent to the transactions described in this Section  1.7(d) (including Section  9.9(h) ) and waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that might otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default as a result of a Discounted Prepayment.

(v) Each Discounted Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to procedures (including, without limitation, as to timing, rounding and minimum amounts, type and Interest Periods of accepted Loans, conditions for terminating a Discounted Prepayment or rescinding an acceptance of prepayment, forms of other notices (including notices of offer and acceptance) by the Borrowers and Lenders and determination of Applicable Discount Price) agreed between the Agent and the Borrower. The making of a Discounted Prepayment shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that all conditions precedent to such Discounted Prepayment set forth in this Section  1.7(d) were satisfied in all respects.

1.8 Mandatory Prepayments of Loans .

(a) Scheduled Initial Loan Payments . The principal amount of the Initial Loan shall be paid in installments on the dates and in the respective amounts shown below (in each case, as adjusted by any amounts prepaid and applied to such installments, whether pursuant to Section  1.7(a) , Section  1.8(f) , Section  9.9(h) or otherwise), or if any such date is not a Business Day on the immediately preceding Business Day:

 

Date of Payment

   Amount of Initial Term
Loan Payment
 

March 31, 2018

   $ 4,687,500  

June 30, 2018

   $ 4,687,500  

September 30, 2018

   $ 4,687,500  

December 31, 2018

   $ 4,687,500  

March 31, 2019

   $ 4,687,500  

June 30, 2019

   $ 4,687,500  

September 30, 2019

   $ 4,687,500  

December 31, 2019

   $ 4,687,500  

March 31, 2020

   $ 4,687,500  

June 30, 2020

   $ 4,687,500  

September 30, 2020

   $ 4,687,500  

 

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December 31, 2020

   $    4,687,500
   $    4,687,500

March 31, 2021

   $    4,687,500

June 30, 2021

   $    4,687,500

September 30, 2021

   $    4,687,500

December 31, 2021

   $    4,687,500

March 31, 2022

   $    4,687,500

June 30, 2022

   $    4,687,500

September 30, 2022

   $    4,687,500

December 31, 2022

   $    4,687,500

March 31, 2023

   $    4,687,500

June 30, 2023

   $    4,687,500

September 30, 2023

   $    4,687,500

December 31, 2023

   $    4,687,500

March 31, 2024

   $    4,687,500

June 30, 2024

   $    4,687,500

September 30, 2024

   $    4,687,500

Maturity Date

   Aggregate outstanding balance of
Loans

The final scheduled installment of Loans shall, in any event, be due and payable on the Maturity Date and in an amount equal to the entire remaining principal balance thereof.

(b) [Reserved].

(c) Asset Dispositions; Events of Loss . Subject to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement with respect to Dispositions and Events of Loss in respect of ABL Priority Collateral, if a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time or from time to time:

(i) make a Disposition; or

(ii) suffer an Event of Loss,

and the aggregate amount of the Net Proceeds received by the Credit Parties in connection with such Disposition or Event of Loss (or series of related Dispositions or Events of Loss) exceeds $5,000,000 in any Fiscal Year in the aggregate together with the aggregate amount of Net Proceeds received by the Credit Parties in connection with each other Disposition and Event of Loss during such Fiscal Year, then within five Business Days following receipt by a Credit Party of the Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Event of Loss, the Borrowers shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, such excess Net Proceeds to the Agent for distribution to the Lenders as a prepayment of the Loans, which prepayment shall be applied in accordance with Section  1.8(f) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such prepayment shall not be required to the extent a Credit Party reinvests the Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Event of Loss in assets of a kind then used or usable in the business of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries, within 365 days after the date of receipt of Net Proceeds with respect to such Disposition or Event of Loss, or enters into a binding commitment thereof within said 365-day period and

 

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subsequently makes such reinvestment within 180 days thereafter; provided that the Borrowers notify the Agent within five Business Days following receipt by a Credit Party of such Net Proceeds of such Credit Party’s intent to reinvest such Net Proceeds; provided, however, that (a) if the time period set forth in this sentence expires without such Credit Party having reinvested such Net Proceeds, the Borrowers shall within two Business Days following the expiration of such period prepay the Loans in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds not so reinvested within such time period or (b) if the applicable Credit Party does not designate a portion of such Net Proceeds as intended for reinvestment, then the Borrowers shall within two Business Days following such notice of reinvestment prepay the Loans in an amount equal to such portion of Net Proceeds not so designated for reinvestment. Solely in the event that any ABL Facility is then outstanding and until the later of (x) the Discharge of ABL Obligations (as defined in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement) and (y) termination of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement shall have occurred, all such Net Proceeds received by any Credit Party (or any Subsidiary thereof), including pending any reinvestment (or repayment) pursuant to this Section  1.8(c) , to the extent arising from or in connection with a Disposition or Event of Loss involving Term Loan Priority Collateral, shall be deposited in the Term Loan Collateral Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any proceeds of other Term Loan Priority Collateral are not sent or deposited directly to the Term Loan Collateral Account but are instead received by any Credit Party, such Credit Party will hold such proceeds in trust for the benefit of Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to an express trust created hereby and promptly remit, in the form received, all such proceeds to the Term Loan Collateral Account; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, at no time shall proceeds of any Term Loan Priority Collateral be placed in any deposit account, securities account or other account constituting ABL Priority Collateral.

(d) Incurrence of Indebtedness . Immediately upon the receipt by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party of Net Incurrence Proceeds from the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Net Incurrence Proceeds from the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted hereunder other than Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness), the Borrowers shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent an amount equal to such Net Incurrence Proceeds, for application to the Loans in accordance with Section  1.8(f) .

(e) Excess Cash Flow . Within 10 Business Days after the later of (x) 120 days after the end of the relevant Fiscal Year of the Borrowers and (y) the date on which annual financial statements of the Borrowers for the relevant Fiscal Year are required to be delivered hereunder (the “ Excess Cash Flow Prepayment Date ”), commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Agent, for distribution to the Lenders, an amount equal to the ECF Percentage of Excess Cash Flow for such Fiscal Year; provided , however , that at the option of the Borrowers, the amount of such mandatory prepayment hereunder shall be reduced dollar-for-dollar by voluntary prepayments of the Loans under Section  1.7(a) or (d) (for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to voluntary prepayments under Section  1.7(d) , such mandatory prepayment hereunder will be reduced by the actual amount of dollars utilized to effectuate such voluntary prepayment made by the Borrowers and not by the amount of the Indebtedness so purchased by the Borrowers) of the Loans, any Incremental Loan and, to the extent

 

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accompanied by a permanent reduction of the aggregate commitment thereunder, the ABL Loans, without duplication of any such prepayments from prior periods, prior to any Excess Cash Flow Prepayment Date except to the extent financed with a Specified Equity Contribution or long-term Indebtedness (other than ABL Loans).

(f) Application of Prepayments . Subject to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, any prepayments pursuant to Section  1.8(c) , 1.8(d) or 1.8(e) shall be applied to prepay the Initial Loans, any Incremental Loan and any Other Loans under any Refinancing Amendment on a pro rata basis based on the outstanding principal balances thereof in accordance with Section  1.10(b) , subject to any additional restrictions affecting any such Other Loans under any applicable Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor or subordination agreement; provided , further , that any prepayment of the Loans with the Net Proceeds of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied solely to the applicable Refinanced Debt. To the extent permitted by the foregoing sentence, amounts prepaid shall be applied first to any Base Rate Loans then outstanding and then to outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans with the shortest Interest Periods remaining; provided that, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such prepayment, the Borrowers may elect that, for a period not to exceed 30 days, the remainder of such prepayments not applied to prepay Base Rate Loans be deposited in a non-interest-bearing collateral account pledged to, and under the exclusive control of, the Agent to secure the Obligations and applied thereafter to prepay the LIBOR Rate Loans until the last day of the next expiring Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loans so prepaid ( provided that (x) interest shall continue to accrue on such LIBOR Rate Loans in respect of which such deposit was made at the rate otherwise applicable under this Agreement to such LIBOR Rate Loans until such deposit is applied to prepay such LIBOR Rate Loans, and (y) immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amounts may, without any further action or notice of any kind, be removed from such account by the Agent and immediately used by the Agent to prepay the LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the relevant terms of this Agreement). Together with each prepayment under this Section  1.8 , the Borrowers shall pay any amounts required pursuant to Section  10.4 hereof. Any Lender may elect not to accept its pro rata portion of any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section  1.8(c) or Section  1.8(e) above. Any such prepayment amount declined by a Lender (a “ Declined Amount ”) may be retained by the Borrowers.

(g) In connection with any mandatory prepayments by the Borrowers of the Loans pursuant to this Section  1.8 , such prepayments shall be applied on a pro rata basis to the then outstanding Loans being prepaid irrespective of whether such outstanding Loans are Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans; provided that the amount of such mandatory prepayment shall be applied first to Loans that are Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans in a manner that minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the Borrowers pursuant to Section  10.4 .

(h) No Implied Consent . Provisions contained in this Section  1.8 for the application of proceeds of certain transactions shall not be deemed to constitute consent of the Lenders to transactions that are not otherwise permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents.

 

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(i) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section  1.8 , with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, all prepayments referred to in Sections 1.8(c) , (d) and (e)  above are subject to there being no material adverse Tax consequences (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes, but is not limited to, any prepayment whereby in doing so any Parent, any Borrower, any of their Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates and/or their direct or indirect equity owners would incur a material Tax liability, including a material Tax dividend, material deemed dividend pursuant to Section 956 of the Code or a material withholding Tax) and to permissibility under local law ( e.g. , without limitation, financial assistance, corporate benefit, restrictions on upstreaming of cash intra-group and the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors (or the equivalents) of the relevant Restricted Subsidiaries) and material constituent document restrictions (including as a result of minority ownership) and other material agreements (in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrowers), with Excess Cash Flow being allocated among Restricted Subsidiaries in various jurisdictions in a manner to be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Borrowers (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any reduction from interest and payments hereunder, in respect of the Foreign Subsidiaries’ Excess Cash Flow); provided that the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to reduce Excess Cash Flow pursuant to this sentence by the Foreign Subsidiaries’ portion of Excess Cash Flow in any Fiscal Year. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a Default or an Event of Default, and such amounts shall be available for working capital and general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries. Parents, the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries will undertake to use commercially reasonable efforts to overcome or eliminate any such restrictions to make the relevant prepayment and if such restriction no longer exists (even if such cash is not repatriated), an amount equal to the prepayment otherwise subject to such restrictions that could be repatriated without any material adverse Tax consequences will be promptly (and in any event not more than five Business Days after such repatriation is or such repatriation could be accomplished) applied to the repayment of the Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prepayments required after application of the above provision shall be net of any costs, expenses or Taxes incurred by Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Affiliates and owners and arising as a result of compliance with the preceding sentence (without duplication of any amount already taken into account in determining the amount of such prepayment), and Parents, the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to make, directly or indirectly, a dividend or distribution to their respective Affiliates in an amount sufficient to cover such Tax liability, costs or expenses, which dividend or distribution shall reduce the amount of any such prepayment.

1.9 Fees .

(a) Fees . The Borrowers shall pay the fees in the amounts and at the times set forth in the Fee Letter. In addition, the Borrowers shall pay on the Closing Date to each Lender party to this Agreement on the Closing Date, as fee compensation for the funding of such Lender’s Loans on the Closing Date, a closing fee (the “ Closing Fee ”) in an amount equal to 2.00% of the stated principal amount of such Lender’s Loans made on the Closing Date, as the case may be. Such Closing Fee will be in all respects fully

 

14


earned, due and payable on the Closing Date and non-refundable and non-creditable thereafter and, at the election of the Borrowers, such Closing Fee shall be netted against Loans made by such Lender. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the parties hereto agree to treat the Closing Fee as OID.

(b) Prepayment Fee . In the event that all or any portion of any Term Loan is subject to a Repricing Event (as defined below) on or prior to the date that is 24 months following the Closing Date, the Borrowers shall pay a prepayment premium in connection with any such Repricing Event in an amount equal to 1.0% of the portion of the Term Loans subject to such Repricing Event. The term “ Repricing Event ” shall mean (i) any prepayment, repayment or purchase of a Term Loan with the proceeds of, or any conversion of such loans into, any new or replacement tranche of term loans the primary purpose of which is to obtain an Effective Yield that is less than the Effective Yield applicable to such Term Loan (as such comparative rates are determined by the Agent in consultation with the Borrowers in accordance with the definition of Effective Yield), (ii) any amendment to any Term Loans the primary purpose of which is to reduce the Effective Yield applicable to a Term Loan and (iii) an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan held by a Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to Section  9. 22 as a result of its failure to consent to any such amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification of the Loan Documents; provided that, in no event shall any such prepayment, repayment, refinancing, substitution, replacement, amendment, waiver or other modification in connection with (x) an Initial Public Offering, (y) a Change of Control or (z) a Transformative Acquisition constitute a Repricing Transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, any Lender that is forced to assign any Term Loan following the failure of such Lender to consent to any Repricing Event shall be entitled to receive such prepayment premium upon the effectiveness of such Repricing Event.

1.10 Payments by the Borrower s .

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, including Article X , all payments (including prepayments) to be made by each Credit Party on account of principal, interest, fees and other amounts required hereunder shall be made without set-off, recoupment, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, shall, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, be made to the Agent (for the ratable account of the Persons entitled thereto) at the address specified on the signature page hereof for notices to the Administrative Agent (or such other address as the Agent may from time to time specify), including payments utilizing the ACH system, and shall be made in Dollars and by wire transfer or ACH transfer in immediately available funds (which shall be the exclusive means of payment hereunder), no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date due. Any Dollar payment which is received by the Agent later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) may in the Agent’s discretion be deemed to have been received on the immediately succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. The Borrowers and each other Credit Party hereby irrevocably waive the right to direct the application of any and all payments in respect of any Obligation and any proceeds of Collateral during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) .

 

15


(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, including in the definition of “Interest Period” herein, if any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as the case may be. So long as no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) has occurred and is continuing and the Obligations shall not have been accelerated, subject to the provisions of Section  1.7(a) , any and all voluntary prepayments received by the Agent in respect of any Obligation shall be applied to the Obligations to reduce the remaining scheduled amortization payments of the Loans as directed by the Borrowers and absent such direction, in direct order of maturity. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, all amounts collected or received by the Agent after any or all of the Obligations have been accelerated (so long as such acceleration has not been rescinded) or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default arising as a result of the failure of Payment in Full to occur on or following the stated maturity date of the Loans, including, in each case, proceeds of Collateral, shall be applied as follows:

first , to payment of costs and expenses, including Attorney Costs, of the Agent payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents;

second , to payment of Attorney Costs of Lenders payable or reimbursable by the Borrowers under this Agreement;

third , to payment of all accrued unpaid interest on the Obligations and fees owed to the Agent and the Lenders;

fourth , to payment of any other amounts owing constituting Secured Obligations then due and payable; and

fifth , the balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, to the Borrowers or as otherwise required under the ABL Intercreditor Agreement (for so long as the ABL Intercreditor Agreement remains in full force and effect) or the applicable Credit Parties or whomever may be lawfully entitled thereto.

In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category and (ii) each of the Lenders or other Persons entitled to payment shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses third and fourth above.

1.11 Payments by the Lenders to the Agent; Settlement .

(a) The Agent may, on behalf of Lenders, disburse funds to the Borrowers for Loans requested. Each Lender shall reimburse the Agent on demand for all funds disbursed on its behalf by the Agent, or if the Agent so requests, each Lender will remit to the Agent its Commitment Percentage of any Loan before the Agent disburses same to the Borrowers. If the Agent elects to require that each Lender make funds available to the

 

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Agent prior to disbursement by the Agent to the Borrowers, the Agent shall advise each Lender by telephone or fax of the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Loan requested by the Borrowers no later than the Business Day prior to the scheduled Borrowing date applicable thereto, and each such Lender shall pay the Agent such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such requested Loan, in same day funds, by wire transfer to the Agent’s account, as set forth on the Agent’s signature page hereto, no later than noon (or, in the case of a same day Borrowing, 2:00 p.m.) (New York time) on such scheduled Borrowing date. Nothing in this Section  1.11(a) or elsewhere in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, including the remaining provisions of Section  1.11 , shall be deemed to require the Agent to advance funds on behalf of any Lender or to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Agent any Lender or the Borrowers may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) [Reserved]

(d) Return of Payments .

(i) If the Agent pays an amount to a Lender under this Agreement in the belief or expectation that a related payment has been or will be received by the Agent from the Borrowers and such related payment is not received by the Agent, then the Agent will be entitled to recover such amount from such Lender on demand without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

(ii) If the Agent determines at any time that any amount received by the Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be returned to any Credit Party or paid to any other Person pursuant to any insolvency law or otherwise, then, notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Agent will not be required to distribute any portion thereof to any Lender. In addition, each Lender will repay to the Agent on demand any portion of such amount that the Agent has distributed to such Lender, together with interest at such rate, if any, as the Agent is required to pay to the Borrowers or such other Person, without set-off, counterclaim or deduction of any kind, and the Agent will be entitled to set-off against future distributions to such Lender any such amounts (with interest) that are not repaid on demand.

(e) [Reserved].

(f) Procedures . The Agent is hereby authorized by each Credit Party and each other Secured Party to establish procedures (and to amend such procedures from time to time) to facilitate administration and servicing of the Loans and other matters incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent is hereby authorized to establish procedures to make available or deliver, or to accept, notices, documents and similar items, by posting to or submitting and/or completion, on E-Systems.

 

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1.12 Refinancing Amendments . After the Closing Date, the Borrowers may obtain from any Lender or, subject to the restrictions set forth below, any Additional Lender, Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of all or any portion of the Loans then outstanding under this Agreement pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (i) shall be unsecured or, to the extent secured, shall rank pari passu or junior in right of payment and security with the other Loans hereunder and (ii) will, to the extent permitted by the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”, have such pricing, interest rate margins, rate floors, discounts, fees, premiums and prepayment or redemption provisions and terms as may be agreed by the Borrowers and the Lenders thereof; provided , further , that the terms and conditions (excluding pricing, interest rate margins, rate floors, discounts, fees and optional prepayment or redemption provisions to the extent permitted by the definition of “Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness”) of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment shall not be materially more favorable (when taken as a whole) to the lenders providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness than the corresponding terms of the Loans being replaced, as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in good faith (it being understood and agreed that this limitation shall not restrict the addition of any financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness to the extent such financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions, as the case may be, shall be added to the Loans remaining in the applicable Refinancing Amendment hereto). The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 2.2 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Agent, receipt by the Agent of customary legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 2.1 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Agent). The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans subject thereto as Other Loans). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Borrowers, to effect the provisions of this Section 1.12 . This Section 1.12 shall supersede any provisions in Section 9.1 or 9.11 to the contrary. It is understood that (w) any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of a Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (it being understood that there is no obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Other Loan or commitments in respect thereof), (x) the Agent’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) shall be required with respect to any Person’s providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness if such consent would be required under Section 9.9 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Person and (y) any Affiliated Lender providing an Other Loan (or commitment in respect thereof) shall be subject to the same restrictions set forth in Section 9.9(g) as it would otherwise be subject to with respect to any purchase by or assignment of Loans to such Affiliated Lender.

 

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1.13 Co-Borrowers .

(a) Joint and Several Liability . Each Borrower agrees that it is jointly and severally liable for, and absolutely and unconditionally guarantees to Agent and the Lenders the prompt payment and performance of, all Obligations and all agreements under the Loan Documents. Each Borrower agrees that its guaranty obligations hereunder constitute a continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection, that such obligations shall not be discharged until Payment in Full of the Obligations, and that such obligations are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of (i) the genuineness, validity, regularity, enforceability, subordination, or any future modification of, or change in, any Obligations or Loan Document, or any other document, instrument, or agreement to which any Credit Party is or may become a party or be bound; (ii) the absence of any action to enforce this Agreement (including this Section) or any other Loan Document, or any waiver, consent, or indulgence of any kind by Agent or any Lender with respect thereto; (iii) the existence, value, or condition of, or failure to perfect a Lien, or to preserve rights against, any security or guaranty for the Obligations or any action, or the absence of any action, by Agent or any Lender in respect thereof (including the release of any security or guaranty); (iv) the insolvency of any Credit Party; (v) any election by Agent or any Lender in an Insolvency Proceeding for the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any provision of comparable state law; (vi) any borrowing or grant of a Lien by any other Credit Party, as debtor-in-possession under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; (vii) the disallowance of any claims of Agent or any Lender against any Credit Party for the repayment of any Obligations under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; or (viii) any other action or circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, except Payment in Full of all Obligations.

(b) Waivers .

(i) Each Borrower expressly waives all rights that it may have now or in the future under any statute, at common law, in equity or otherwise, to compel the Agent or any other Secured Party to marshal assets or to proceed against any Credit Party, other Person, or security for the payment or performance of any Obligations before, or as a condition to, proceeding against such Borrower. Each Borrower waives all defenses available to a surety, guarantor, or accommodation co-obligor other than Payment in Full of all Obligations. It is agreed among each Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders that the provisions of this Section  1.13 are of the essence of the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents and that, but for such provisions, the Agent and the Lenders would decline to make Loans. Each Borrower acknowledges that its guaranty pursuant to this Section is necessary to the conduct and promotion of its business and can be expected to benefit such business.

(ii) Agent and Lenders may, in their discretion, pursue such rights and remedies as they deem appropriate, including realization upon Collateral by judicial foreclosure or non-judicial sale or enforcement, without affecting any rights and remedies under this Section  1.13 . If, in taking any action in connection with the exercise of any rights or remedies, the Agent or any Lender shall forfeit any other rights or remedies, including the right to enter a deficiency judgment against any Credit Party or other Person, whether because of any Requirement of Law pertaining to “election of remedies” or otherwise, each Borrower consents to such action and waives any claim based upon it, even if the action may result in

 

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loss of any rights of subrogation that any Credit Party might otherwise have had. Any election of remedies that results in denial or impairment of the right of Agent or any Lender to seek a deficiency judgment against any Credit Party shall not impair any Borrower’s obligation to pay the full amount of the Obligations. Each Borrower waives all rights and defenses arising out of an election of remedies, such as non-judicial foreclosure with respect to any security for the Obligations, even though that election of remedies destroys such Borrower’s rights of subrogation against any other Person.

(b) Extent of Liability; Contribution .

(i) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Borrower’s liability under this Section  1.13 shall be limited to the greater of (A) all amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable, as described below and (B) such Borrower’s Allocable Amount.

(ii) If any Borrower makes a payment under this Section  1.13 of any Obligations (other than amounts for which such Borrower is primarily liable) (a “ Co-Borrower Payment ”) that, taking into account all other Co-Borrower Payments previously or concurrently made by any other Borrower, exceeds the amount that such Borrower would otherwise have paid if each Borrower had paid the aggregate Obligations satisfied by such Co-Borrower Payments in the same proportion that such Borrower’s Allocable Amount bore to the total Allocable Amounts of all Borrowers, then such Borrower shall be entitled to receive contribution and indemnification payments from, and to be reimbursed by, each other Borrower for the amount of such excess, pro rata based upon their respective Allocable Amounts in effect immediately before such Co-Borrower Payment. The “ Allocable Amount ” for any Borrower shall be the maximum amount that could then be recovered from such Borrower under this Section  1.13 without rendering such payment voidable under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable Debtor Relief Law.

(iii) Nothing contained in this Section  1.13 shall limit the liability of any Borrower to pay Loans made directly or indirectly to that Borrower (including Loans advanced to any other Borrower and then remade or otherwise transferred to, or for the benefit of, such Borrower) and all accrued interest, fees, expenses, and other related Obligations with respect thereto, for which such Borrower shall be primarily liable for all purposes hereunder. The Agent and Lenders shall have the right, at any time in their discretion, to condition Loans and to restrict the disbursement and use of such Loans to such Borrower.

(c) Joint Enterprise . Each Borrower has requested that the Agent and the Lenders make this credit facility available to Borrowers on a combined basis, to finance Borrowers’ business most efficiently and economically. Borrowers’ business is a mutual and collective enterprise, and Borrowers believe that combination of their credit facilities will enhance the borrowing power of each Borrower and ease the administration of their relationship with credit providers (including the Agent and the Lenders), all to the mutual advantage of Borrowers. Borrowers acknowledge and agree that Agent and Lenders’ willingness to extend credit to Borrowers and to administer the Collateral on a combined basis, as set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Borrowers and at Borrowers’ request.

 

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(d) Administrative Borrower; Allocation of Loans . Allied hereby appoints Charah as its agent, attorney-in-fact and representative for all purposes under the Loan Documents, including for (i) making any borrowing requests or other requests required under this Agreement, (ii) the giving and receipt of notices by and to the Borrowers under this Agreement, (iii) the delivery of all documents, reports, financial statements and written materials required to be delivered by the Borrowers under this Agreement, and (iv) all other purposes incidental to any of the foregoing. Charah hereby accepts such appointment. Allied and each other Credit Party (other than Charah) agrees that any action taken by Charah as the agent, attorney-in-fact and representative of Allied shall be binding upon Allied and each such other Credit Party to the same extent as if directly taken by any of them. The Agent and the Lenders may give any notice to, or communication with, a Credit Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document to or with Charah on behalf of such Credit Party. Each Credit Party agrees that any notice, election, communication, representation, agreement, or undertaking made on its behalf by Charah shall be binding upon and enforceable against it. The Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, the terms of this Section  1.10 ; provided that nothing contained herein shall limit the effectiveness of, or the right of the Agent or any Lender to rely upon, any notice (including without limitation a borrowing or conversion notice), instrument, document, certificate, acknowledgment, consent, direction, certification or any other action delivered by any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Loans shall be made to Charah as borrower unless a different allocation of the Loans as between Charah and Allied with respect to any borrowing hereunder is included in the applicable borrowing notice delivered pursuant to Section  2.1 or 2.2 hereof.

(e) Obligations Absolute . Each Borrower hereby waives, for the benefit of Agent and Lenders: (a) any right to require the Agent or any other Secured Party, as a condition of payment or performance by such Borrower, to (i) proceed against any other Borrower, any other Credit Party or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any other Borrower, any other Credit Party or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Agent, the ABL Agent or any lender under any ABL Facility, any Lender or any Secured Party in favor of any other Borrower or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of Agent or any other Secured Party whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of any other Borrower or any other Credit Party including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of any other Borrower or any other Credit Party from any cause other than payment in full of the Obligations; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon the Agent’s or any other Secured Party’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct; (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Borrower’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Borrower’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to

 

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set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that Agent or any other Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to any Borrower and notices of any of the matters referred to in the Guaranty and Security Agreement and any right to consent to any thereof; and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms hereof.

ARTICLE II

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

2.1 Conditions of Initial Loans . The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Loans hereunder on the Closing Date is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner satisfactory to the Agent:

(a) Loan Documents . The Agent shall have received executed copies of each of the following, each dated as of the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of government officials, a recent date before the Closing Date):

(i) duly executed counterparts of this Agreement, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the Perfection Certificate, the Guaranty and Security Agreement and each other Collateral Document to be entered into on the Closing Date;

(ii) a Note or Notes duly executed by the Borrowers in favor of each Lender requesting the same;

(iii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Credit Party dated the Closing Date, certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of each Organization Document of such Credit Party and, with respect to the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation (or similar document), certified (to the extent applicable) as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of its organization, (B) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors or managers (or equivalent governing body) of such Credit Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such person is a party and, in the case of the Borrowers, the Borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate, and (C) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer or authorized person executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Credit Party (together with a certificate of another officer or authorized person as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the officer or authorized person executing the certificate in this clause (iii));

 

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(iv) to the extent applicable, a certificate as to the good standing of each Credit Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State (or other applicable Governmental Authority) of its jurisdiction of organization;

(v) executed legal opinions of (A) Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel to the Credit Parties, (B) Kaplan & Partners LLP, Kentucky counsel to the Credit Parties, and (C) Moore & Van Allen PLLC, North Carolina counsel to the Credit Parties, in each case, addressed to the Agent and each Lender and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the foregoing;

(vi) copies of the ABL Credit Agreement and each other ABL Document then in effect, certified by the Borrowers as being true, complete and correct and in full force and effect; and

(vii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying as to the matters described in clauses (c), (e), (i) and (m) of this Section  2.1 .

(b) Repayment of Prior Indebtedness . The Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent that, concurrently with the funding of the Initial Loans on the Closing Date, the Borrowers shall have repaid in full all Prior Indebtedness (and, to the extent backstop letters of credit have not been issued for any existing letters of credit, shall have cash collateralized all such letters of credit in a manner satisfactory to the issuers thereunder) and all Guarantees related thereto granted by any of the Credit Parties, and all Liens upon any of the Property of the Credit Parties or any of their Subsidiaries in connection therewith shall be released and terminated immediately upon such payment, and as of the Closing Date after giving effect thereto, none of Parents, the Borrowers or any Parent’s Restricted Subsidiaries shall have any third party Indebtedness for borrowed money other than the Initial Loans and Indebtedness set forth in Schedule 5.5 .

(c) Related Transactions . The ABL Documents shall have become fully effective, and loans and commitments thereunder shall be available in an initial aggregate principal amount not exceeding $45,000,000.

(d) Solvency . The Agent shall have received a solvency certificate duly signed by the chief financial officer or other officer performing the customary duties of a chief financial officer of each Borrower in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1(f) .

(e) Material Adverse Effect . Since December 31, 2016, there shall not have occurred and be continuing any Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Payment of Fees . The Borrowers shall have paid the fees required to be paid on the Closing Date in the respective amounts specified in Section  1.9 (including the fees specified in the Fee Letter), and shall have paid all other fees, costs and expenses due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to the Engagement Letter for which invoices have been presented no later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(g) Financial Statements . The Agent shall have received (i) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of Charah for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016, (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income and cash flows of Charah for each fiscal quarter of such Borrower (other than the fourth fiscal quarter) ended after the close of its most recent fiscal year and at least 45 days prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and cash flows of each Borrower as of and for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed four-fiscal quarter period ended at least 45 days (or 90 days in case such period is the end of such Borrower’s fiscal year) prior to the Closing Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred at the beginning of such period.

(h) Patriot Act . So long as requested by the Agent at least 10 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Agent shall have received, at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information with respect to the Credit Parties that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “ know your customer ” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

(i) Representations and Warranties; No Default . (i) The representations and warranty by the Credit Parties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date or period (in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately after the proposed Borrowing or the use of proceeds thereof.

(j) Creation and Perfection of Security Interests . All actions necessary to establish that the Agent will have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in the Collateral under the Loan Documents shall have been taken, in each case, subject to Section  4.18 .

(k) Insurance . The Agent shall have received certificates from the applicable Credit Party’s insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section  4.6(a) is in full force and effect.

(l) Searches . The Agent shall have received the results of a recent lien, federal tax lien, judgment and litigation search in each of the jurisdictions or offices (including, without limitation, in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office) in which UCC financing statement or other filings or recordations should be made to evidence or perfect security interests in all assets of the Credit Parties (or would have been made at any time during the five years immediately preceding the Closing Date to evidence or perfect Liens on all assets of the Credit Parties), and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Credit Parties except for Permitted Liens or Liens to be terminated on the Closing Date pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

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(m) Approvals . Each Credit Party shall have obtained each order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any Governmental Authority, as is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document and (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any such Loan Document, to the extent such approvals, consents, exemptions, authorizations or other actions, notices or filings are required to be obtained pursuant to Section  3.3 .

(n) Notice of Borrowing . The Agent shall have received a customary notice of borrowing in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section  2.1 , each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required hereunder or thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

2.2 Conditions to Subsequent Borrowings . In addition, the obligation of each Lender to fund any Loan after the Closing Date is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(a) the representations and warranty by the Credit Parties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such date, except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date or period (in which event such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period);

(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately after the proposed Borrowing or the use of proceeds thereof; and

(c) the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

The request by the Borrowers and acceptance by the Borrowers of the proceeds of any Loan shall be deemed to constitute, as of the date thereof, a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that the conditions in this Section  2.2 have been satisfied or waived in writing in accordance with this Agreement, as applicable.

 

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ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Credit Parties, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Agent and each Lender as follows on and as of each date applicable pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 , respectively:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Power . Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries:

(a) is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable;

(b) has the power and authority to own its assets, carry on its business, and execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; and

(d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law,

except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Parents and the Borrowers), (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention . The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Credit Parties party hereto of this Agreement and by each Credit Party of any other Loan Document to which such Person is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not:

(a) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents;

(b) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) violate or result in a default under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon such Person or its property or to which any such Person or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except to the extent such violation, default, or payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens securing any ABL Facility; or

(e) violate any material Requirement of Law, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.3 Governmental and Third-Party Authorization . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party party to this Agreement, any other Loan Document to which such Credit Party is a party except for (i) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Agent under the Collateral Documents, (ii) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) those required in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4 Binding Effect . This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Credit Party is a party, when executed and delivered by such Credit Party, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each such Person which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.5 Litigation . There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing against or affecting any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of any Credit Party or any of their respective businesses, properties or rights that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.6 No Default . No Default or Event of Default is continuing or would result immediately thereafter from the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party or the grant or perfection of the Agent’s Liens on the Collateral.

3.7 ERISA Compliance . Except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each Benefit Plan is in compliance with applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Requirements of Law, (b) there are no existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the normal course), actions, lawsuits or proceedings or investigations by any Governmental Authority involving any Benefit Plan to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has or would reasonably be expected to have an obligation or any Liability, and (c) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.

3.8 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . The proceeds of the Loans shall be used solely for the purposes permitted by Section 4.10 . No Credit Party and no Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party is engaged, either principally or in the ordinary course of its business, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. None of the

 

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proceeds from the Loans have been or will be used directly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock, or for any other purpose which would cause any of the Loans to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meaning of Regulation U or X of the Federal Reserve Board, in each case in violation of such Regulation U or X.

3.9 Ownership of Property; Liens . Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Material Subsidiaries is the lawful owner of, has good title to or has valid leasehold interests in, all properties and other assets (real or personal, tangible, intangible or mixed), in each instance, (a) material to their respective businesses and necessary for the ordinary conduct of their respective businesses and (b) subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens; except to the extent that the failure to have such title, possession or interest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided , however , that the representations and warranties in this Section 3.9 shall not apply to Intellectual Property, the treatment of which is separately handled in Section 3.16.

3.10 Taxes . All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been timely filed, except where failure to so file would not be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges payable by or on behalf of or required to be withheld and paid over by or on behalf of each Credit Party have been paid (other than Taxes, assessments and other governmental charges which are not delinquent), except those (a) not delinquent by more than 30 days or (b) if more than 30 days delinquent, (i) those that are being contested in good faith and by proper legal proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves have been provided for in accordance with GAAP or (ii) those the nonpayment of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

3.11 Financial Condition .

(a) Each of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of Charah and its Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and the related audited consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Year ended on that date and (ii) subject to the absence of footnote disclosure and year-end audit adjustments, the unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of Charah and its Subsidiaries dated June 30, 2017 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal month then ended, copies of which have already been provided to the Agent, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and for the periods indicated.

(b) Except as set forth in the financial statements set forth in clause (a) above, there are no material liabilities of Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any kind, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which would reasonably be expected to result in such a liability.

(c) Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d) All financial performance projections delivered to the Agents and the Lenders, including the Projections, have been prepared in good faith and are based on assumptions believed by the Borrowers to be reasonable in light of current market conditions at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed by the Agent and the Lenders that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the Borrowers’ control, that the actual results during the period or periods covered by such projections may differ from the projected results and that such differences may be material).

3.12 Environmental Matters . Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the operations of each Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party are and have been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Permits required by any applicable Environmental Law, (b) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party is party to, and no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Credit Parties, no real property currently or previously owned, leased, subleased or operated by or for any such Person is subject to or the subject of, any Contractual Obligation or any pending (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened in writing) order, action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand, dispute or notice of violation or of potential liability or similar notice relating in any manner to any Environmental Law, (c) no real estate currently or previously owned, leased, subleased or operated by or for any Credit Party is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property, (d) there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best of the knowledge of the Credit Parties, on any property previously owned or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) no Lien securing, in whole or in part, any Environmental Liability has attached to any Property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of any Credit Party and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no facts, circumstances or conditions exist that would reasonably be expected to result in any such Lien attaching to any such Property, (f) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party has caused or suffered to occur a Release of Hazardous Materials at, to or from any real property currently or previously owned, leased or operated by such Credit Party, (g) all real property currently (or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, previously) owned, leased, subleased, operated or otherwise occupied by or for any such Credit Party and each Subsidiary of each Credit Party is free of contamination by any Hazardous Materials and there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any real estate currently owned, leased or operated by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and (h) no Credit Party and no Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) is or has been engaged in, or has permitted any current or former tenant to engage in, operations in violation of any Environmental Law or (ii) knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions that would reasonably be expected to result in a violation of any Environmental Law by any Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party or otherwise result in imposition of any Environmental Liability, including, but not limited to, receipt of any information request or notice of potential responsibility under CERCLA or similar Environmental Laws.

 

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3.13 Regulated Entities . Neither any Credit Party nor any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party is required to be registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

3.14 Solvency . On and as of the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to (a) the incurrence of the Loans made and the application of the proceeds of such Loans to or as directed by the Borrowers, (b) the payment on the Closing Date by the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries of all of their transaction costs in connection with the Loan Documents and the ABL Documents and (c) the consummation of the Transactions (including all Indebtedness being incurred or assumed and Liens created by the Credit Parties in connection therewith on the Closing Date), each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are Solvent, and, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and on a combined basis, are Solvent.

3.15 Labor Relations . There are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts existing or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, pending (or threatened in writing) against or involving any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party, except for those that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 , (a) there is no collective bargaining or similar agreement with any union, labor organization, works council or similar representative covering any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party, (b) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no petition for certification or election of any such representative is existing or pending with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (c) to the knowledge of any Credit Party, no such representative has sought certification or recognition with respect to any employee of any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

3.16 Intellectual Property . Each Credit Party and each Material Subsidiary of each Credit Party owns, possesses, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted, except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of each Credit Party, except as, in each case, would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (a) the conduct and operations of the businesses of each Credit Party and each Restricted Subsidiary of each Credit Party do not infringe, misappropriate, dilute, violate or otherwise impair any Intellectual Property owned by any other Person, (b) all registered and issued Intellectual Property rights owned by each Credit Party and each Material Subsidiary of each Credit Party are valid and enforceable, and (c) no other Person has contested any right, title or interest of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party in, or relating to, any Intellectual Property.

3.17 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock .

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 , as of the Closing Date, no Credit Party and no Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party (i) has any Subsidiaries or (ii) has an investment in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person or outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments of any nature to which such Credit Party is a party relating to any Stock of such Subsidiaries, and there are no other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Stock pledged by (or purported to be pledged) under the Collateral Documents.

 

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(b) Schedule  3.17 sets forth as of the Closing Date the name and jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization of each direct and indirect subsidiary of Parents.

3.18 Insurance . Each of the Credit Parties and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective Properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Borrowers, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are required by Section 4.6 and as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Credit Party or their respective Subsidiary operates.

3.19 Collateral Documents .

(a) The Guaranty and Security Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement) is delivered to the Agent, the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in such Pledged Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Permitted Liens), (ii) when the financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate jurisdictions (which, on the Closing Date, shall be the jurisdictions specified on Schedule 2 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement) and (iii) when Control Agreements are entered into by all parties thereto, the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral described in such statements (other than Intellectual Property) in which a security interest may be perfected by taking possession of such Pledged Collateral, by such filing or by entering into such Control Agreements, as applicable, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

(b) Upon the recordation of each short-form security agreement (in the form of Annex 2 to the Guaranty and Security Agreement) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, together with the financing statements in appropriate form filed in the appropriate jurisdictions (which, on the Closing Date, shall be the jurisdictions specified on Schedule 2 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement), the Lien created under the Guaranty and Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Intellectual Property in which a security interest may be perfected by filing in the United States and its territories and possessions, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Credit Parties after the Closing Date).

 

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(c) Each Mortgage is effective to create in favor of the Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on all of the applicable Credit Party’s right, title and interest in and to the mortgaged property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgage is filed in the appropriate offices (if any), such Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of such Credit Party in such mortgaged property and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

(d) Each Collateral Document, other than any Collateral Document referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section  3.19 , upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto and the making of the filings and taking of the other actions provided for therein, will be effective under applicable law to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral subject thereto in which a security interest may be perfected by such filings or actions, and will constitute a fully perfected security interest in all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Collateral subject thereto, prior and superior to the rights of any other Person, other than with respect to Permitted Liens.

3.20 Senior Indebtedness; Subordination . All Obligations and other Secured Obligations are within the definition of “Senior Debt” (or any comparable term) and “Designated Senior Debt” (or any comparable term), to the extent applicable, under and as defined in any documentation governing Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Obligations or the Secured Obligations, if any.

3.21 Full Disclosure . The Confidential Information Memorandum and all other written information (other than projections, other forward-looking information and general economic or industry-specific information) furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, when taken as a whole, when furnished, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made (after giving effect to all supplements and updates thereto from time to time). All projections that are part of such information (including those set forth in any projections delivered subsequent to the Closing Date) have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of preparation thereof (it being understood and agreed that projections are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of financial performance, are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Credit Parties’ control, that actual results may differ from projected results, and that such differences may be material).

 

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3.22 OFAC; Sanctions; Anti-Corruption; Related Matters .

(a) Enemy Act . No Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended. To its knowledge, no Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the PATRIOT Act. No Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is a Sanctioned Person (ii) to the best of its knowledge, engages in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any Sanctioned Person.

(b) OFAC . Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Sanctions, and such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries, their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents are in compliance with applicable Sanctions and are not engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Credit Party being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of the Credit Parties, their Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates is in violation of any of the country or list based economic and trade sanctions administered and enforced by OFAC that are described or referenced at http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/ or as otherwise published from time to time.

(c) Sanctions . None of the Credit Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or Affiliates (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) is located in, organized under the laws or, or has any of its assets located in a Sanctioned Country, or (iii) derives any of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Countries or Sanctioned Persons. The proceeds of any Loan, credit extension or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document have not been and will not be used (x) in violation of any Sanctions, (y) to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (z) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including the Agent, the Lenders or any other Person making, issuing or participating in such Loans, other credit extensions or other transactions whether as an underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

(d) Anti-Corruption Laws . Each of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries, their respective directors, officers, and employees and, to the knowledge of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, each of their respective agents and Affiliates, is in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws. Each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws. None of the Credit Parties or their respective Subsidiaries, any of their respective directors, officers, or employees, or to the knowledge of each Credit Party or its Subsidiaries, any agent, has made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any Person, including any Public Official, for the purpose of (a) improperly influencing any official act or decision of such Person, (b) inducing the recipient to do or omit to do any act in violation of a lawful duty, or (c) securing any improper benefit or favor for such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law. No part of the proceeds of any Loans, other credit extension or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document will violate Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

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(e) PATRIOT Act . To the extent applicable, each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the PATRIOT Act.

ARTICLE IV

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, until Payment in Full:

4.1 Financial Statements . The Borrowers shall deliver to the Agent (which shall make the same available to the Lenders) by Electronic Transmission:

(a) not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (x) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, (y) the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the scheduled maturity date or the scheduled termination date of the Initial Loans or (B) any prospective default under Section  6.1 or any financial covenant under the ABL Credit Agreement) and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Borrower including a breakdown of revenues and assets;

(b) not later than 45 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (60 days with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited consolidated balance sheet of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by (x) the related consolidating financial statements reflecting the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments

 

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and absence of footnote disclosures and (y) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Borrower including a breakdown of revenues and assets; and

(c) commencing with respect to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrowers shall conduct a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been, or will be, delivered pursuant to Section  4.1(b) , at a date and time to be reasonably determined by the Borrowers and the Agent.

4.2 Certificates; Other Information . The Borrowers shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall make the same available to the Lenders) by Electronic Transmission:

(a) commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) , comparisons with the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year;

(b) commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a duly completed certificate in the form of Exhibit 4.2(b) (a “ Compliance Certificate ”) certified on behalf of Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower;

(c) promptly after the same are sent but without duplication of any other deliveries required to be made to the Agent and the Lenders hereunder, copies of all financial statements and regular, periodic or special filings which such Person makes to, or files with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority;

(d) not later than 90 days after the last day of each Fiscal Year of each Borrower (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), an annual budget and projections of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial performance for the then-current Fiscal Year on a quarter-by-quarter basis;

(e) a copy of any and all material written communications or reports with respect to (1) any Environmental Liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (2) any Release by the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(f) promptly following the Agent’s written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties, such additional financial information related to this Section  4.2 or Section  4.3 regarding the Credit Parties as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing; and

 

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(g) promptly upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, a copy of the most recent borrowing base certificate and most recent compliance certificate delivered or furnished to the ABL Agent in connection with the ABL Credit Agreement or any other ABL Facility (if a financial covenant is then in effect under any such ABL Facility).

4.3 Notices . The Borrowers shall notify the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent shall promptly forward such notices to the Lenders) promptly (and in no event later than five Business Days) after a Responsible Officer becomes aware of each of the following:

(a) the occurrence or existence of any (i) Default or Event of Default and (ii) “Default” or “Event of Default” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) or receipt by any Credit Party of a notice to that effect from the ABL Agent or any lender or agent under an ABL Facility;

(b) together with each delivery of the Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section  4.2(b) and substantially concurrently with the use by any Credit Party of the Available Amount, a written calculation of the Available Amount;

(c) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time between any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party and any Governmental Authority which would reasonably be expected to result, in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) the commencement of any litigation or proceeding affecting any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary of any Credit Party or its respective property that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or any development in any such litigation, which development would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) (i) the receipt by any Credit Party of any notice of violation of or potential liability or similar notice under Environmental Law, (ii)(A) unpermitted Releases, (B) the existence of any condition that would reasonably be expected to result in violations of, or Liabilities under, any Environmental Law or (C) the commencement of, or any material change to, any action, investigation, suit, proceeding, audit, claim, demand or dispute alleging a violation of or Liability under any Environmental Law, (iii) the receipt by any Credit Party of notification that any Property of any Credit Party is subject to any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority securing, in whole or in part, Environmental Liabilities and (iv) any proposed acquisition or lease of Real Estate which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(f) (i) any filing by any ERISA Affiliate of any notice of any reportable event under Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) or intent to terminate any Title IV Plan, and shall include a copy of such notice, (ii) that a request for a minimum funding waiver under Section 412 of the Code has been filed with respect to any Title IV Plan, or receipt by any ERISA Affiliate of notice of the filing of any such request with respect to a Multiemployer Plan, and shall include in such notice a description of such waiver request and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notice filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC or the IRS pertaining thereto, and (iii) that an ERISA Event will or has occurred, and shall include in such notice a description of such ERISA Event, and any action that any ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of any notices received by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate from or filed by a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate with the PBGC, IRS, or any Multiemployer Plan pertaining thereto, which, in each case with respect to clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) above, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(g) any borrowing, other credit extension, commitment or exposure under any ABL Facility that would reduce the amount set forth in clause (a) of the definition of “Maximum Incremental Amount”, together with the amount of such borrowing, other credit extension, commitment or exposure; and

(h) the occurrence or existence of any Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a statement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and, if relevant, stating what action the Borrowers or other Person proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time.

4.4 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

(a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its organizational existence and good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, except as (i) permitted by Section  5.2 or 5.3 , or (ii) other than in the case of Parents and the Borrowers, as could not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and

(b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business, except as (i) permitted by Section  5.2 or 5.3 , or (ii) as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Maintenance of Property . Each Credit Party shall maintain and preserve, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, all easements, leasehold and other property interests, and all utility and other services (including, to the extent applicable, gas, electrical, water and sewage services), means of transportation, facilities, other materials and other rights and all its material tangible Property which are necessary to its business in good

 

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working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, shall make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof and maintain all material permits, licenses, approvals, privileges, franchises and governmental authorizations necessary for the operation of its business except (a) as permitted by Section 5.2 or 5.3, (b) to the extent that any such Properties are obsolete, are being replaced or, in the good faith judgment of such Credit Party, are no longer useful or desirable in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties, or (c) where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.6 Insurance .

(a) Each Borrower will, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, maintain with insurance companies that such Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary believes (in the good faith judgment of its management) are financially sound and reputable at the time the relevant coverage is placed or renewed, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as Parents and the Restricted Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, and will furnish to the Lenders, upon reasonable written request from the Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried. Subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, each such policy of property and casualty or general liability insurance shall, as appropriate, (i) name the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, (ii) provide for at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy (or, to the extent commercially available, 10 days’ prior written notice in the case of the failure to pay any premiums thereunder), or (iii) in the case of each property and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as a loss payee thereunder. Notwithstanding the requirement in clause (i) above or any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, Federal Flood Insurance shall not be required (x) to the extent that no improvements upon the real Property are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or (y) to the extent that the real Property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area in a community that does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default resulting from the failure of any Borrower to provide the Agent with evidence of the insurance coverage required by this Agreement, the Agent may purchase insurance at such Borrower’s expense to protect the Agent’s interests solely with respect to any real property improvements of the Credit Parties located in any Special Flood Hazard Area in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and subject to a Mortgage; provided that the Agent shall request in writing that such Borrower provide evidence of such insurance and shall, thereafter, only purchase such insurance if such evidence has not been provided within 30 days following such Borrower’s receipt of such written request; and provided , further , (i) the Agent shall procure such insurance in

 

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consultation with such Borrower and through such Borrower’s existing insurance broker or agency or such other insurance broker or agency reasonably acceptable to such Borrower and the Agent and (ii) the Agent shall only purchase insurance coverage to the extent of the deficiency, as determined in its reasonable judgment, as compared to the insurance coverage required by this Agreement. The Borrowers may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Agent, but only after providing the Agent with evidence that the Borrowers have obtained insurance as required by this Agreement. If the Agent purchases insurance for the Collateral, to the fullest extent provided by law, the Borrowers will be jointly and severally responsible for the costs of that insurance, including interest and other charges imposed by the Agent in connection with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance shall be added to the Obligations and the Secured Obligations. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries are able to obtain on their own.

4.7 Payment of Taxes . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, pay, discharge and perform, before the same shall become delinquent or in default (giving effect to any applicable periods of grace), all Tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its Property, unless (a) the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which stay the enforcement of any Lien and for which adequate reserves, if required in accordance with GAAP, are being maintained by such Person or (b) the failure to pay, discharge or perform the same, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.8 Compliance with Laws . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable Requirements of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9 Inspection of Property and Books and Records . Each Credit Party shall maintain and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to maintain, books of record and account, in such a manner as to permit it to report its financial transactions and matters involving the assets or business of such Person in accordance with GAAP in all material respects consistently applied; provided that such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary may estimate GAAP results in good faith if the financial statements with respect to a Permitted Acquisition are not maintained in accordance with GAAP, and may make such further adjustments as are reasonably necessary in connection with consolidation of such financial statements with those of the Credit Parties. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, with respect to each real property owned or leased by it, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice: (a) provide access to such property for inspection by the Agent and any of its Related Persons and (b) permit the Agent and any of its Related Persons to review, inspect and make copies from all of such Credit Party’s books and records (collectively, “ Inspections ”) in each instance, at the Credit Parties’ expense; provided that the Agent shall be entitled to only one such Inspection per calendar year or more frequently if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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4.10 Use of Proceeds . The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of the Term Loans on the Closing Date solely for the purposes set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. The Borrowers shall use the proceeds of Incremental Loans for working capital and general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, restricted payments and any other transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any proceeds of Incremental Loans be used to repurchase, prepay, redeem or repay any Junior Indebtedness.

4.11 Ratings . The Borrowers will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain continuously in effect a public corporate rating for each Borrower from S&P and a public corporate family rating from Moody’s and a public rating of the credit facilities hereunder by each of S&P and Moody’s.

4.12 Compliance with ERISA . The Borrowers shall not and shall not allow any ERISA Affiliate to cause or suffer to exist (a) any event that would result immediately thereafter in the imposition of a Lien that primes the Liens securing the Secured Obligations on any asset of a Credit Party with respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or (b) any other ERISA Event that would, in the aggregate for clauses (a) and (b), have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.13 Further Assurances .

(a) Promptly following the written request by the Agent, the Credit Parties shall take such additional actions and execute such documents as the Agent may reasonably require from time to time in order to perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Liens to the extent required by the Collateral Documents in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law, except to the extent that a security interest in any Intellectual Property owned by a Credit Party cannot be perfected or maintained by the filing of a financing statement in a United States jurisdiction or a security agreement with the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office, as applicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, the Credit Parties shall cause each of their Restricted Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) to Guarantee the Secured Obligations and to cause each such Guarantor to grant to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, subject to the limitations set forth herein and in the Collateral Documents, such Domestic Subsidiary’s Property on which a Lien is required to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Excluded Property) to secure such Guarantee, in each case, within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the later of the date that such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary. Furthermore and except as otherwise approved in writing by Required Lenders, each Credit Party shall, upon becoming a Credit Party or, if later, within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the date such Credit Party acquires such Stock and Stock Equivalents, pledge all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of each of its direct Domestic Subsidiaries and First Tier Foreign Subsidiaries ( provided that with respect to the pledge of any voting Stock and voting Stock Equivalents of any Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary and any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, such pledge shall be limited to 65% of such Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary’s or such Foreign Subsidiary’s, as applicable, outstanding voting Stock and voting Stock Equivalents, in each instance), to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured

 

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Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations. The Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, if reasonably requested by the Agent, customary resolutions, secretary certificates and certified Organization Documents and, if reasonably requested by the Agent, customary legal opinions relating to the matters described in this Section  4.13(b) (which opinions shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent and, to the extent applicable, substantially similar to the opinions delivered on the Closing Date), in the case of opinions, with respect to each Credit Party formed or acquired after the Closing Date in connection with or pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition with Total Consideration or other acquisitions of assets with a fair market value, in each case, in excess of $30,000,000 as determined in good faith by the Borrowers on the date of acquisition. In connection with each required pledge of Stock and Stock Equivalents, the Credit Parties shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, irrevocable proxies and stock powers and/or assignments, as applicable, duly executed in blank. In the event any Credit Party acquires any fee-owned real property located within the United States with a fair market value in excess of $2,500,000 (as determined in good faith by the Borrowers as of the date of the acquisition), within 60 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) following the later of (A) the date of such acquisition and (B) the date such Person becomes a Credit Party, such Person shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to the Agent, in each case, to the extent reasonably requested by the Agent, (v) an appraisal complying with FIRREA to the extent such appraisal is necessary for the Agent or any Lender to comply with FIRREA, (w) within 45 days of receipt of notice from the Agent that Real Estate is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Flood Insurance as required by Section  4.6(a) , (x) a fully executed Mortgage, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent together with an A.L.T.A. lender’s title insurance policy (including endorsements thereto as reasonably requested by the Agent) insuring that the Mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on the respective Property, subject only to Permitted Liens, (y) A.L.T.A. surveys, certified to the Agent by a licensed surveyor sufficient to allow the issuer of the lender’s title insurance policy to provide all reasonably required survey coverage and survey endorsements, (z) customary opinions of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent) with respect to the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the Mortgages and (aa) to the extent prepared, an environmental site assessment, not including invasive sampling, prepared by a qualified firm, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. In addition to the obligations set forth in Sections 4.6(a) and 4.13(b) , within 45 days after written notice from the Agent to the Credit Parties that any fee owned real property of the Credit Parties subject to a Mortgage is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the Credit Parties shall, if such requirements have not already been satisfied, satisfy the Flood Insurance requirements of Section  4.6(a) with respect to such fee-owned real property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document, nothing in this Agreement or any other Collateral Document shall require any Credit Party to (A) make any filings or take any actions to record or to perfect the Agent’s security interest in any non-United States jurisdiction including, without limitation, (I) any Intellectual Property other than in the United States Copyright Office or United States Patent and Trademark Office, (II) any non-United States Intellectual Property, or (III) any fee owned real property located outside of the United States, or (B) obtain any mortgagee waivers or leasehold mortgages.

 

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(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section  4.13 , to the extent reasonably necessary to maintain the continuing priority of the Lien of any existing Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations in connection with the incurrence of an Incremental Facility, as determined by the Agent in its reasonable discretion, the applicable Credit Party to any Mortgages shall within 90 days of such funding or incurrence (or such later date as agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) (i) enter into and deliver to the Agent, at the direction and in the reasonable discretion of the Agent, a mortgage modification or new Mortgage in proper form for recording in the relevant jurisdiction and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (ii) cause to be delivered to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties an endorsement to the title insurance policy, date down(s) or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Agent insuring that the priority of the Lien of the Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations has not changed and confirming and/or insuring that since the issuance of the title insurance policy there has been no change in the condition of title and there are no intervening liens or encumbrances which may then or thereafter take priority over the Lien of the Mortgages (other than those expressly permitted by Section  5.1(a) ) and (iii) deliver, at the request of the Agent, to the Agent and/or all other relevant third parties, all other items reasonably necessary to maintain the continuing priority of the Lien of the Mortgages as security for the Secured Obligations.

(c) In the event the Agent reasonably determines that obtaining appraisals is necessary in order for the Agent or any Lender to comply with applicable laws or regulations (including any appraisals required to comply with FIRREA), the Agent may, or may require the Borrowers to, in either case at the Borrowers’ expense, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain appraisals in form and substance and from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Agent stating the then current fair market value or such other value as determined by the Agent (for example, replacement cost for purposes of Flood Insurance) of any Real Estate of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party that is subject to a Mortgage.

4.14 Environmental Matters . Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with, and maintain Real Estate under its control, whether owned, leased, or subleased (or any other real property otherwise operated or occupied by it), in compliance with, all applicable Environmental Laws or that is required by orders and directives of any Governmental Authority applicable to such Credit Party, Subsidiary or Real Estate, except where the failure to comply with such Environmental Law, order or directive would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. If an Event of Default caused by reason of breach of any representation set forth in Section  3.12 or breach of this Section  4.14 or Section  4.15 is continuing for more than 45 days without the Credit Parties commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default in accordance with Environmental Laws, then each Credit Party shall, promptly upon receipt of written request from the Agent, cause the performance of, and allow the Agent and its Related Persons access to such Real Estate during normal business hours and upon reasonable advance notice for the purpose of conducting, such environmental audits and assessments, including subsurface sampling of soil and groundwater, and cause the preparation of such reports, in each case as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request. Such audits, assessments and reports, to the extent not conducted by the Agent or any of its Related Persons, shall be conducted and prepared by reputable environmental consulting firms reasonably acceptable to the Agent and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

 

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4.15 Hazardous Materials .

(a) Each Credit Party shall not allow or cause, and each Credit Party shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to allow or cause, any Release of any Hazardous Material at, to or from any Real Estate owned or leased by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary of a Credit Party that would violate any Environmental Law, or form the basis for any Environmental Liabilities, other than such violations and Environmental Liabilities that would not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) At the request of the Required Lenders, to the extent that the Agent or any of the Required Lenders has a reasonable belief that a breach of Section  4.14 or Section  4.15(a) or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, provide to the Lenders within 60 days after such request, at the expense of the Borrowers, an environmental assessment report for any Real Estate owned, leased or operated by it described in such request, prepared by an environmental consulting firm acceptable to the Agent, indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials or non-compliance with Environmental Law and the estimated cost of any compliance, response or other corrective action to address any Hazardous Materials on such properties (the scope of such assessment shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent and shall not include invasive testing or taking of samples of any environmental media unless reasonably determined to be necessary to evaluate a potential Release or other event or condition that could lead to imposition of Environmental Liability); without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Agent determines at any time that a material risk exists that any such report will not be provided within the time referred to above, the Agent may retain an environmental consulting firm to prepare such report at the expense of the Borrowers, and the Borrowers hereby grant and agree to cause any Restricted Subsidiary that owns or leases any property described in such request to grant the Agent, the Lenders, such firm and any agents or representatives thereof an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants or necessary consent of landlords, to enter onto their respective properties to undertake such an assessment.

4.16 Status of Parents . Each Parent shall only engage in business activities and own Property in connection with or consisting of (a) ownership of Stock and Stock Equivalents of, and other Investments in, the Borrowers, and Subsidiaries other than the Borrowers that will be contributed to the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries, and Parent Intercompany Advances, in each case, to the extent permitted hereunder, (b) ownership of cash and Cash Equivalents, (c) creation of Permitted Liens, (d) activities and contractual rights incidental to the maintenance of its legal existence (including, without limitation, the ability to incur fees, costs and expenses necessary to such maintenance), (e) the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents and the ABL Documents to which it is a party, and any financing activities, the issuance of Stock, performance of obligations under equityholder agreements, payment of dividends and other Restricted Payments, making contributions to the capital of its Subsidiaries and guaranteeing the obligations of its Subsidiaries and making Investments, in each such case solely to the extent permitted under this Agreement, (f) participating in Tax, accounting and other administrative matters as a member of a consolidated, unitary, affiliated or other similar group of companies,

 

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(g) holding any cash or property received in connection with Restricted Payments permitted under Section 5.11 pending application thereof, (h) providing fees, expenses and indemnification to officers, directors, managers and employees and (i) activities incidental to the businesses or activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (h).

4.17 Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws ; Compliance with Requirements of Law.

(a) The Borrowers will not, directly or knowingly indirectly use all or any portion of the proceeds of any Loan (i) to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or for any other purpose which might constitute a “purpose credit” under Regulation U, or in any manner or for any other purpose that causes or might cause a violation of, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time or any other regulation thereof, or violation of the Exchange Act, (ii) to finance (or refinance) any commercial paper, including, without limitation, any issued by a Credit Party, or any other Indebtedness, except for Indebtedness that such Credit Party incurred for general corporate or working capital purposes, if and to the extent that the financing (and refinancing) thereof are expressly permitted herein, (iii) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, directly or indirectly to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, or (iv) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or, in any event, in violation of any applicable Sanctions

(b) The Borrowers and the other Credit Parties will comply, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to comply in all respects, with the Patriot Act (to the extent applicable), applicable anti money-laundering laws, and Anti-Corruption Laws and all applicable trade and economic sanctions laws promulgated by the U.S. Government, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority. Each Credit Party will maintain, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to maintain, in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by such Credit Party, such Subsidiaries and the respective directors, officers, employees and agents of each of the foregoing with applicable Trade Controls, including those administered by OFAC, and Anti-Corruption Laws.

(c) The Borrowers and the other Credit Parties are in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except such non-compliance with such other Requirements of Law that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries has complied, and its Properties and business operations are in compliance, with all Requirements of Law, except where any failure to so comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Governmental Authority has issued or, to the best of Credit Parties’ knowledge, threatened to issue to any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries any citation, notice, or order asserting or alleging any material non-compliance with, or material violation of, any Requirement of Law.

 

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4.18 Post-Closing Matters . Satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 4.18 on or before the date specified for such requirements.

ARTICLE V

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, until Payment in Full:

5.1 Limitation on Liens . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following (“ Permitted Liens ”) :

(a) any Lien existing on the Property of a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.1 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that (i) such Lien does not extend to any additional property other than after-acquired property that is affixed to or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased; provided further that, in each case, individual financings provided by one such lender or lessor (other than lessors of real property) may be cross-collateralized to other outstanding financings provided by such purchase money lender or lessor (or their respective affiliates;

(b) any Lien created under any Loan Document or otherwise in favor of the Agent or any Lender or other Secured Party and securing any of the Secured Obligations;

(c) Liens for Taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges or levies (i) which are not delinquent (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) or remain payable without penalty, (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves if required in accordance with GAAP are being maintained or (iii) the non-payment of which is permitted by Section  4.7 ;

(d) (i) Liens in respect of property of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party imposed by Requirements of Law or contract, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness, and (ii) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, laborer’s or supplier’s Liens or other similar Liens securing obligations and liabilities with respect to which the failure to make payment would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) Liens, other than Liens imposed by ERISA or resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) imposed by Requirements of Law; or (ii) consisting of pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business, in the case of clause (i)  and clause (ii) , in connection with workers’ compensation, employment insurance and other social security legislation or to secure the performance of or obligations with respect to tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeals bonds, bids, leases, governmental contract, trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds, completion guarantees and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money) or to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

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(f) Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens (other than for payment of Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges) that do not result in an Event of Default under Section  7.1(h) or securing appeal or other surety bonds relating to such a judgment;

(g) survey exceptions and title exceptions (including, without limitation, any title exceptions listed on a title policy), easements, servitudes, covenants, licenses, encroachments, protrusions, rights of way, zoning and other restrictions, minor defects or other irregularities in title, and other similar encumbrances and Liens securing obligations under operating reciprocal easement or similar agreements with respect to Real Estate which do not, in any case, interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the applicable Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary;

(h) Liens on any Property acquired or held by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness (and Permitted Refinancings of such Indebtedness) incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing such Property and permitted under Section  5.5(d) , Section  5.5(j) or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(v) ; provided that (i) any such Lien attaches to such Property concurrently with or within 270 days after such incurrence or assumption, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the Property so acquired, repaired, improved, subject to installation or designed and the proceeds thereof, and (iii) the principal amount of the debt secured thereby (excluding any increase in principal as a result of interest paid in kind and capitalized interest) does not exceed 100% of the cost of such Property; provided that, in each case, individual financings provided by one such lender or lessor (other than lessors of real property) may be cross-collateralized to other outstanding financings provided by such purchase money lender or lessor (or their respective affiliates);

(i) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations permitted under Section  5.5(d) or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(v) ;

(j) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensor or sublicensor under any lease, sublease, license or sublicense permitted by this Agreement and all encumbrances and Liens on the title of any lessor or sublessor thereof;

(k) Liens arising from the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements with respect to any lease, license, sublease or sublicense permitted by this Agreement or any consignment of goods;

(l) licenses and sublicenses (or grant of any other right with respect to Intellectual Property) granted by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, and leases or subleases (by a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary as lessor or sublessor) to third parties, in each case that, in the reasonable business judgment of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary, is not materially interfering with the business of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(m) Liens in favor of collecting banks arising by operation of law;

(n) Liens (including the right of set-off) in favor of a bank or other depository institution (i) arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary deposit account agreements and other similar agreements, in each case, encumbering deposits, (ii) on cash deposits to secure ACH/EDI transactions in the ordinary course of business and (iii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Liens arising out of consignment, conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law which secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

(q) Liens arising under applicable Requirements of Law that are unregistered and secure amounts that are not yet delinquent;

(r) Liens consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition permitted by Section  5.2 , solely to the extent such permitted disposition would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(s) Liens on the Stock of any joint venture entity in the form of a transfer restriction, purchase option, call or similar right in connection with a third party joint venture;

(t) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary are located;

(u) Liens on insurance proceeds and the unearned portion of insurance premiums incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the financing of insurance premiums;

(v) security given to a public or private utility incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w) (i) zoning, building, entitlement and other land use regulations by Governmental Authorities, and (ii) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property;

(x) Liens consisting of earnest money deposits of cash or Cash Equivalents made by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to an Acquisition or other Investment or other transition permitted hereunder;

 

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(y) Liens consisting of customary security deposits under operating leases entered into by the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(z) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired in an Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder or merged with or into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries (and not created in anticipation or contemplation thereof) in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to property not subject to such Liens at the time of such Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidated or amalgamation (other than improvements thereon);

(aa) Liens on, or rights of set-off against, credit balances (or other amounts owing by such credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors to any) of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in favor of credit or debit card issuers or credit or debit card processors in the ordinary course of business to secure the obligations of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to such credit or debit card issuers and credit or debit card processors as a result of fees or chargebacks;

(bb) Liens on the Collateral securing obligations in respect of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt and any Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing; provided that (x) any such Liens securing any Permitted Refinancing in respect of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt are subject to the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement and (y) any such Liens securing any Permitted Refinancing in respect of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt are subject to a Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement;

(cc) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers in the ordinary course of business;

(dd) Liens on the assets of Non-Credit Parties that secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section  5.5(s) or, subject to the limitations on such Liens set forth therein, Section  5.5(w) (and related obligations);

(ee) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) at any time outstanding;

(ff) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section  5.5(t) so long as the relevant primary Indebtedness is also secured by Liens otherwise constituting Permitted Liens;

(gg) Liens on Collateral securing the obligations under the ABL Documents subject to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement;

 

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(hh) Liens on assets disposed (or purported to have been disposed) in a Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction in accordance with Section  5.2(p) ;

(ii) Liens granted by a Non-Credit Party in favor of any Credit Party; and

(jj) Liens on the Collateral that are pari passu with, or junior to, the Liens securing the Secured Obligations, which Liens secure Incremental Equivalent Debt permitted by, and incurred in accordance with, Section  5.5(ff) , and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(kk) Liens on cash and Cash Equivalents that secure Indebtedness incurred for letters of credit, bank guarantees or back acceptances ( provided that none of the foregoing shall be incurred under or pursuant to any ABL Facility) not exceeding the greater of (x) $1,000,000 and (y) 1.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) at any time outstanding; and

(ll) Liens in favor of Duke Energy consisting of Duke Energy’s purchase option of the Sanford Property and Brickhaven Property contained in Section 7.3 of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract as in effect on the Closing Date.

5.2 Disposition of Assets . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, assign, lease, license, convey, transfer, abandon, dedicate to the public, or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of transactions) any Property (including the Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party, whether in a public or private offering or otherwise, and accounts and notes receivable, with or without recourse), except:

(a) (i) dispositions of Inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) dispositions of worn-out, obsolete or surplus personal property or any property no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for fair market value and the mandatory prepayment in the amount of the Net Proceeds of such disposition is made if and to the extent required by Section  1.8(c) ; provided that (i) at the time of any disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition, and (ii) to the extent the purchase price therefor for all such dispositions in the aggregate is in excess of the greater of (x) $7,000,000 and (y) 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction), not less than 75% of the aggregate sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash, Cash Equivalents (or marketable securities or other Property that is converted to cash or Cash Equivalents within 45 days of receipt thereof) or Designated Non-Cash Consideration to the extent that the aggregate fair market value of all such Designated Non-Cash Consideration does not exceed the greater of (x) $3,000,000 and (y) 4.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured as of the time received);

 

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(c) (i) dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (c) shall not independently permit any Investment, any transaction with any Affiliate, or any Restricted Payment which is otherwise prohibited hereunder by Sections 5.4 , 5.6 or 5.11 and (ii) conversions of Cash Equivalents into cash or other Cash Equivalents;

(d) transactions permitted under Section  5.1 , 5.3 or 5.11 ;

(e) dispositions of Property to the extent that (i) such Property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement Property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement Property;

(f) sales, discounting or forgiveness of Accounts in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(g) the abandonment, cancellation, lapse, or other disposition of Intellectual Property that is no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries;

(h) leases or subleases in the ordinary course of business;

(i) non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses in the ordinary course of business;

(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 joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(k) (i) any disposition by any Credit Party to any other Credit Party, (ii) any disposition by any Non-Credit Party to any other Non-Credit Party or any Credit Party and (iii) dispositions by any Credit Party to a Non-Credit Party not exceeding in the aggregate for all such dispositions pursuant to this clause (iii) $2,000,000 in any Fiscal Year;

(l) [reserved];

(m) dispositions of any Non-Core Assets acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment in compliance with Section  5.4 so long as the Net Proceeds of such disposition are applied as a mandatory prepayment of the Loans to the extent required by, and pursuant to the terms of, Section  1.8(c) ;

(n) the termination or unwinding of any Rate Contract;

(o) dispositions as a direct result of an Event of Loss and the disposition of Property damaged as a result thereof;

 

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(p) Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions with an aggregate consideration not in excess of the greater of (i) $7,000,000 and (ii) 10% of Combined EBITDA of (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for all such transactions during the term of this Agreement.

(q) dispositions made in order to comply with an order of any Governmental Authority or any applicable Requirement of Law not exceeding the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) during the term of this Agreement;

(r) any other disposition in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $15,000,000 and (y) 20.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for all such transactions or series of transactions during the term of this Agreement; and

(s) Disposition of the Sanford Property and/or Brickhaven Property after payment of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract Termination Fee by Duke Energy.

5.3 Fundamental Changes . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except (1) in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder, (2) any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, the Borrowers or any Guarantor other than Parents) may merge or amalgamate with, or dissolve or liquidate into, the Borrowers or any of their Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries which are Domestic Subsidiaries, provided that the Borrowers or such Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries which are Domestic Subsidiaries shall be the continuing or surviving entities, (3) any Foreign Subsidiary may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into another Foreign Subsidiary, (4) any Non-Credit Party may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into another Non-Credit Party or any Credit Party, (5) any Credit Party (other than Parents) may merge with or dissolve or liquidate into any other Credit Party (other than Parents); provided that if any Borrower is a party to such transaction, such Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity of such transaction, and (6) transactions permitted by Sections 5.2 and 5.4 ; provided, further , that with respect to clauses (1), (2), (4) and (5) above, (x) if a Parent is a party to such transaction, either the Charah Parent or the Allied Parent shall be the surviving or continuing entity, (y) if a Borrower is a party to such transaction, then a Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity (if being understood that, notwithstanding clause (x) above, if both a Parent and a Borrower is a party to such transaction, then a Borrower shall be the surviving or continuing entity) and (z) if a Credit Party (other than a Parent or a Borrower) is a party to such transaction, then a Credit Party shall be the surviving or continuing entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the foregoing events in clauses (1) through (6) results in the occurrence of a change described in Section  5.14 , then the Borrowers shall provide notice within the time period specified in Section  5.14 .

 

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5.4 Loans and Investments . No Credit Party shall and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) purchase or acquire any Stock or Stock Equivalents, or any debt instruments or other debt securities of, or any equity interest in, another Person, including through the establishment or creation of a Subsidiary, or (ii) make any Acquisitions, or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, or of any business or division of any Person, including without limitation, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other combination or (iii) make or purchase any advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to or any other investment in, another Person including the Borrowers and any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Borrower (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are referred to as “ Investments ”) except for:

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) Investments by (i) Parents in Credit Parties, (ii) any Credit Party (other than Parents) to or in any other Credit Party (other than Parents), (iii) the Borrowers or any other Credit Party (other than Parents) to or in any Non-Credit Parties (including, without limitation, Investments in Persons that, upon such Investment, become Subsidiaries), which all such Investments in the aggregate shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding for all such Investments under this clause (iii); provided , however , that the aggregate amount attributed at any time to the Investment in Non-Credit Parties pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be offset to reflect any amounts advanced by such Non-Credit Parties to the Credit Parties, including distributions, dividends and other payments of any kind; provided, further , if the Investments described in foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) are evidenced by notes issued to any Credit Party, such notes shall be pledged to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties to the extent required by the Collateral Documents, (iv) any Foreign Subsidiaries in any Foreign Subsidiaries (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (v) any Non-Credit Parties in any Non-Credit Parties (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (vi) Credit Parties in Domestic Subsidiaries of Foreign Subsidiaries; provided that such Domestic Subsidiary becomes a direct Subsidiary of such Credit Party, (vii) Parents or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the form of the establishment or creation of a Subsidiary and for de minimis contribution to the equity or capital thereof in connection therewith or in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment otherwise permitted under this Agreement and (viii) any Non-Credit Parties in any Credit Party ( provided that any such Investment in the form of a loan or advance by any Non-Credit Party to any Credit Party shall be subordinated to the same extent as set forth in that certain subordinated intercompany note dated as of the Closing Date among the Credit Parties from time to time party thereto, or such other subordination agreement or terms of subordination, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent);

(c) loans and advances to officers, directors, managers, employees, members of management and consultants of Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary course business purposes and (ii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clause (i) not exceeding in the aggregate the greater of (x) $2,000,000 and (y) 3.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding;

 

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(d) Investments received as the non-cash portion of consideration received in connection with transactions permitted pursuant to Section  5.2(b) ;

(e) Investments accepted (in the reasonable business judgment of the applicable Credit Party) in connection with the settlement or enforcement of delinquent Accounts or disputes with suppliers or customers or in connection with the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of suppliers or customers or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(f) (i) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of a Credit Party or its Restricted Subsidiaries which are used by such Persons to purchase simultaneously Stock or Stock Equivalents of any Parent or a direct or indirect parent thereof and (ii) cash loans and advances to officers, directors, employees, members of management and consultants of Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries to fund purchases of Stock or Stock Equivalents of Parents (or their direct or indirect parent entities); provided that the loans and advances pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $4,000,000 and (y) 6.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding;

(g) Investments existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.4 and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of the original Investment is not increased except by the terms of such Investment or as otherwise permitted by this Section;

(h) (i) Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) in the case of any such Permitted Acquisition or any other Investment permitted under this Section  5.4 by a Non-Credit Party, intercompany loans and advances to such Non-Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to fund such Permitted Acquisition or other Investment;

(i) advances to suppliers and service providers in the ordinary course of business; provided that, with respect to any such advance to an Affiliate, such advance shall be subject to Section  5.6 ;

(j) Investments consisting of (i) endorsements for collection or deposit and (ii) customary trade arrangements with customers; provided that any such arrangement with an Affiliate shall be subject to Section  5.6 ;

(k) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(l) advances of payroll payments to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants in the ordinary course of business;

(m) (i) Investments in deposit accounts and securities accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Investments relative to Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5(1) ;

(n) deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of (i) operating leases and (ii) other contractual obligations (including, without limitation, utility services, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, surety bonds and performance bonds);

(o) Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition permitted hereunder, to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition or other Acquisition;

(p) earnest money deposits, cash advances and escrows of property made in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement not prohibited hereunder;

(q) Investments to the extent payment therefor is made substantially contemporaneously with the receipt of, and funded entirely with the, proceeds of the sale or issuance of Stock of, or an equity contribution to, any Parent; provided that to the extent such Investment is made in connection with an Acquisition, such Acquisition shall not be hostile;

(r) Parent Intercompany Advances to the extent any such Parent Intercompany Advance (i) is made in lieu of a Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to Section  5.11 and (ii) if made as a Restricted Payment, would be permitted pursuant to Section  5.11 ;

(s) Investments in Rate Contracts entered into for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation and in the ordinary course of business;

(t) Investments in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $13,000,000 and (y) 18.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction);

(u) transactions constituting an Investment which are permitted by Section  5.3 ;

(v) Investments consisting of guarantees permitted by Section  5.5(m) ;

(w) Investments using the Available Amount; provided that as of the date such Investment is made, the amount of such Investment does not exceed the Available Amount as of such date and no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom;

 

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(x) to the extent constituting Investments, advances in respect of transfer pricing and cost-sharing arrangements by and among Parents and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as such arrangements are made pursuant to policies in place on the Closing Date or approved by the applicable Borrower’s board of directors and reviewed by an independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing that is either (i) a member of the “Big Four” or (ii) reasonably acceptable to the Agent (such approval not to be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed); and

(y) Investments by any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with reorganizations and other related corporate activities of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries made for Tax planning purposes, so long as (x) the Borrowers provide to the Agent evidence reasonably acceptable to the Agent that, after giving effect to such Investments, (i) the granting, perfection, validity and priority of the security interest of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, the value of the assets that constitute the Collateral and the value of the assets of the Credit Parties, in each case taken as a whole, is not impaired in any material respect by such Investments and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately therefrom and (y) after giving effect to such Investments, the Credit Parties are in compliance with Section  4.13 (subject to the applicable time periods set forth therein) ;

provided , for purposes of this Section  5.4 , that the amount of any Investments (other than Permitted Acquisitions) shall be determined net of all actual after-Tax cash returns on such Investments, whether as principal, interest, dividends, distributions, proceeds or otherwise, to the extent not so included in the determination of the Available Amount. Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents to the contrary, in no event shall any Foreign Subsidiary or any Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary create or acquire any Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Disregarded Domestic Subsidiaries) following the date such Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary, other than as a result of an Acquisition permitted hereunder; provided , that (x) a Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary shall only acquire a Domestic Subsidiary in connection with the Acquisition of a foreign Person that is the direct or indirect parent of such Domestic Subsidiary and (y) such Domestic Subsidiary is not created in contemplation of such Acquisition.

5.5 Limitation on Indebtedness . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, permit to exist, or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to, any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness constituting the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of the type described in clause (i) of the definition of Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness of a Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that, if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Obligations, such Guarantee shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Agent and the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

 

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(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.5 and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(d) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not exceeding the greater of (x) $40,000,000 and (y) 20.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, consisting of (i) Indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing (or refinancing) all or any part of the cost of acquiring, repairing, improving, installing or designing Property, and Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section  5.1(h) and (ii) Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(e) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness to the extent the corresponding Investment is permitted pursuant to Section  5.4 ;

(f) ABL Loans under any ABL Facility and Permitted Refinancings thereof ( provided that (i) the aggregate amount of all such ABL Indebtedness and Permitted Refinancings shall not at any time exceed the ABL Cap Amount (as defined in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement) and (ii) all such ABL Indebteness and Permitted Refinancings are at all times subject to the other provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor terms in favor of the Agent that are consistent with the intercreditor terms in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement);

(g) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist in connection with agreements providing for indemnification, purchase price adjustments and similar obligations in connection with Investments, Permitted Acquisitions and Dispositions permitted hereunder;

(h) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, deferred compensation and similar obligations to current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(i) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, obligations with respect to cash management services and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements, in each case in connection with deposit accounts;

(j) Rate Contracts entered into for bona fide hedging purposes, not for speculation and in the ordinary course of business;

(k) Indebtedness consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(l) (i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument or payment item drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Indebtedness consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(m) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, in any case incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Stock of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of financing such acquisition) otherwise permitted hereunder;

(n) Indebtedness which may exist or be deemed to exist pursuant to or in connection with bid, performance, statutory, surety, stay, customs, appeal or similar bonds, completion guaranties or other similar obligations in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Indebtedness in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, purchase cards (including so-called “procurement cards” or “P-cards”) or other similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(p) unsecured Indebtedness owing to future, current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the repurchase or redemption of Stock that has been issued to such Persons, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed the greater of (x) $7,000,000 and (y) 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid in kind or capitalized interest) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(q) unsecured Indebtedness, earn-outs and holdbacks owing to sellers of assets or Stock to any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries that is incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments permitted hereunder so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness, earn-outs and holdbacks at any one time outstanding do not exceed the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 45.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid-in-kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in accordance with the subordination provisions applicable thereto) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time, in each case subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations in a manner and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and Permitted Refinancings thereof;

 

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(r) unsecured (except for Liens granted to customers on customer deposits) Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to customer deposits and, solely to the extent constituting Indebtedness, other unsecured current liabilities not the result of borrowing and not evidenced by any note or other evidence of Indebtedness;

(s) Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties; provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at any time outstanding (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(ff) and 5.5(gg) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(t) Guarantees by (i) Credit Parties in respect of Indebtedness of other Credit Parties otherwise permitted under this Section  5.5 , and (ii) Subsidiaries of any Parent which are not Credit Parties in respect of Indebtedness of any of the Credit Parties or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Indebtedness of other Subsidiaries of any Parent otherwise permitted under this Section  5.5 ;

(u) [reserved];

(v) at any time outstanding due to any landlord in connection with the financing by such landlord of leasehold improvements;

(w) Indebtedness with a principal amount not exceeding the greater of (x) $21,000,000 and (y) 30.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time (up to the greater of (x) $10,000,000 and (y) 15% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis on the date of incurrence for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time of which amount, together with any other Indebtedness or other obligations secured by Liens permitted under Section 5.1(ee), may be secured Indebtedness) (plus the amount of any increase in principal resulting from interest paid-in-kind or capitalized interest, in each case, in respect of Indebtedness originally permitted to be incurred pursuant to this subsection (v)) in the aggregate at any time outstanding;

(x) contingent obligations under Guarantees (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(y) Indebtedness supported by a letter of credit issued under an ABL Facility in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not exceeding the face amount of such letter of credit;

(z) Indebtedness subject to Liens permitted under Section  5.1(ee) ;

 

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(aa) solely to the extent constituting Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), (i) unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business to the extent that they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable Requirements of Law and (ii) Indebtedness incurred or created in the ordinary course of business in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits, salary, wages or other compensation or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claim (it being understood that the Borrowers may use proceeds of ABL Loans permitted under Section  5.2(f) to pay the expenses specified in subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (aa));

(bb) Refinancing Debt;

(cc) Indebtedness substantially similar to the Indebtedness described in Section  5.5(d) incurred in respect of Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted pursuant to Section  5.2(p) ;

(dd) Indebtedness consisting of any increase in the principal amount of any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (bb) of this Section  5.5 resulting from interest paid-in-kind or continuously capitalized interest;

(ee) all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in clauses (a) through (cc) of this Section  5.5 ;

(ff) Incremental Equivalent Debt and Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (ff) by Non-Credit Parties (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(s) and 5.5(gg) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(gg) Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition or any other similar Investment permitted hereunder; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date the definitive agreement for such Acquisition or Investment is executed, (ii) if such Indebtedness is assumed, such Indebtedness shall not have been incurred in contemplation of such Acquisition or Investment and (iii) if such Indebtedness is secured (A) the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio would be, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and such Acquisition or Investment as if the same had occurred on the first day of the applicable period, no greater than 3.65 to 1.00 and (B) to the extent such liens are on Collateral securing the Obligations (1) the beneficiaries thereof (or an agent on their behalf) shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (2) if such Indebtedness is a credit facility that could have been incurred as an Incremental Facility pursuant to Section 1.1(b) ,

 

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the Borrowers shall have been permitted to incur such Indebtedness pursuant to, and such indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred in reliance on, Section  1.1(b) and (3) such Indebtedness is subject to the same requirements as govern the Incremental Facilities (including Section  1.1(b)(iv) ); provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (gg) by Non-Credit Parties (together with any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties incurred pursuant to Sections 5.5(s) and 5.5(ff) ) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $18,000,000 and (y) 25% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate outstanding at any one time;

(hh) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, advances to Foreign Subsidiaries in respect of transfer pricing and cost-sharing arrangements by and among Parents and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries so long as such arrangements are made pursuant to policies in place on the Closing Date or approved by the applicable Borrower’s board of directors and reviewed by an independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing that is either (i) a member of the “Big Four” or (ii) reasonably acceptable to the Agent (such approval not to be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed); and

(ii) letters of credit, bank guarantees, or bank acceptances that are issued by an unaffiliated third-party issuer whose senior unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness is rated at least A3 by Moody’s and A- by S&P and are unsecured or secured pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section  5.1(kk) ; provided that the aggregate stated amount of all such letters of credit, bank guarantees, or bank acceptances shall not exceed $1,000,000.

5.6 Transactions with Affiliates . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate involving aggregate consideration in excess of the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) for any transaction or series of related transactions, except:

(a) transactions with Affiliates otherwise permitted by this Agreement (including without limitation the Transactions);

(b) transactions of the type described on Schedule 5.6 ;

(c) (i) transactions between or among Credit Parties, (ii) transactions between or among Non-Credit Parties and (iii) transactions in the ordinary course of business or between or among Credit Parties and Non-Credit Parties;

(d) employment and severance arrangements between the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, managers, officers and employees and transactions pursuant to stock option plans and employee benefit plans and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(e) the payment of customary fees, compensation, and reasonable out-of-pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, managers, officers, employees and consultants of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the operation of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries;

(f) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary (as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in good faith);

(g) licenses of Intellectual Property on a non-exclusive basis in the ordinary course of business to direct and indirect parent entities of any Parent in connection with their ownership of such Parent;

(h) deferrals in the ordinary course of business of payments due from Foreign Subsidiaries under Intellectual Property licenses, in connection with the funding of Acquisitions by such Foreign Subsidiaries;

(i) any transaction with an Affiliate where the only consideration paid by any Credit Party is Qualified Stock of any Parent;

(j) (x) payment of or reimbursement for indemnification claims and reimbursement for reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses to, the Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to or in connection with services rendered pursuant to a Management Agreement and (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, payment of fees to Sponsor or its Affiliates pursuant to a Management Agreement; provided that, with respect to this clause (y), any fees the payment of which are blocked pursuant to this clause (y) may be paid after the Closing Date upon the cure or waiver of such Default or Event of Default; and

(k) issuance of Stock and Stock Equivalents by any Parent.

5.7 Management Fees and Compensation . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, pay any management, consulting or similar fees (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include salaries or periodic wages or employee benefits but shall in any event include fees and other compensation pursuant to any Management Agreement) to any Affiliate of any Credit Party except:

(a) payment of compensation and benefits (including customary indemnities) to officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants and other service providers of the Credit Parties for actual services rendered to the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(b) payment of directors’ and managers’ fees and reimbursement of actual out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board of director and manager meetings and related actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses and other actual out-of-pocket travel expenses, not exceeding in the aggregate, with respect to fees paid to

 

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directors that are not outside directors, the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in any Fiscal Year of the Borrowers; and

(c) payment of amounts permitted under Section  5.6 .

5.8 [Reserved] .

5.9 [Reserved] .

5.10 Issuance or Repurchase of Stock . Each Credit Party will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) issue any Stock (whether for value or otherwise) to any Person other than (i) in the case of any Credit Party, to any other Credit Party, (ii) in the case of any Domestic Subsidiary or First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, to any wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary which is not a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, to any Credit Party or another wholly-owned Subsidiary of any Credit Party and (iii) as otherwise permitted by Article V hereof or (b) become liable in respect of any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to purchase, redeem, retire, acquire or make any other payment in respect of any Stock of any Credit Party or Subsidiary of any Credit Party, or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Stock other than as otherwise permitted by Article V hereof; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Parents may issue Stock to their respective equityholders or any other Person so long as such Stock is Qualified Stock or is otherwise permitted pursuant to Article V hereof and does not result in a Change of Control.

5.11 Restricted Payments . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or make any dividend payment or other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents, (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its Stock or Stock Equivalents now or hereafter outstanding or (iii) make any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, interest, fees, redemption, exchange, purchase, retirement, defeasance, sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, Junior Indebtedness (the items described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above are referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”) except that any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower may make Restricted Payments to such Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower may make Restricted Payments to any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower, and except that:

(a) the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in their respective Stock or Stock Equivalents;

(b) the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make (and may make distributions to the applicable Parent or any direct or indirect parent of such Parent to permit such Parent or such parent to make), and Parents may use cash on hand to make, payments and distributions to future, current and former officers, directors, managers, employees and consultants (or any current or former spouses or domestic partners, family members, trusts or other estate planning vehicles or estates or heirs of any of the foregoing) of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries (i) on

 

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account of redemptions of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons and (ii) in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons on account of purchases of Stock and Stock Equivalents held by such Persons; provided that both of the following conditions are satisfied:

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

(ii) the sum of the aggregate amount of any such cash redemptions pursuant to this clause (b) during the term of this Agreement does not exceed the greater of (x) $7,000,000 and (y) 10% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction);

(c) (i) The Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to or on behalf of the applicable Parent (and any entity that owns directly or indirectly 100% of the equity interests in any Parent) in an amount sufficient to permit such Parent (or such other entity, as applicable) to pay its licensing fees, franchise Taxes and other similar fees, Taxes and expenses, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business to maintain its legal existence and, without duplication, (ii) in the event any of the Credit Parties or their Restricted Subsidiaries file a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar income Tax return with the applicable Parent (or any other direct or indirect parent of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries), the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to or on behalf of such Parent (or such other direct or indirect parent, as applicable) to pay or to permit the payment of income Taxes then due and payable in respect of such Tax return; provided that the aggregate amount of all such payments permitted by this clause (ii) shall not exceed the amount of such Taxes attributable to the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries that file such a Tax return with such Parent (or such other direct or indirect parent, as applicable); (iii) without duplication for payments provided under clause (ii), with respect to any taxable period ending after the Closing Date for which any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary is a partnership or disregarded entity for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local tax purposes (other than a partnership or disregarded entity described in clause (ii)), such Credit Parties and Restricted Subsidiaries may make payments to their respective direct or indirect owners in an amount necessary to permit such direct or indirect parent to pay or to make a pro rata distribution to its owners in an amount not to exceed the aggregate taxable income of such Credit Party (calculated with regard to tax deductible amortization or depreciation resulting from any increase in basis under Sections 743(b) and 734(b) of the Code (and any equivalent provisions of applicable tax laws)) multiplied by the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any individual or corporate taxpayer, whichever is higher, resident of New York (taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon) and prior year losses (to the extent not previously taken into account pursuant to this clause and taking into account any limitations on the utilization thereof) and without duplication, for the avoidance of doubt, of any amount of such taxes actually paid by such Credit Party and/or any of its Subsidiaries to the relevant taxing authority); provided that any payment with respect to taxable income of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent of cash distributions by such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(d) payments to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent of any of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries may be made to permit such direct or indirect parent to make payments that would then be permitted to be made by the Credit Parties pursuant to Section  5.7 ; provided that such payments shall be made in lieu of, and not in addition to, such payments pursuant to Section  5.7 ;

(e) payments by the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries to or on behalf of any direct or indirect parent entities may be made in an amount sufficient to pay out-of-pocket legal, administrative, accounting and filing costs and other expenses in the nature of overhead in the ordinary course of business of such direct or indirect parent entities; provided, the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments does not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year;

(f) [reserved];

(g) each Borrower may make distributions to its applicable Parent which are immediately used by such Parent (or paid by such Parent to permit any direct or indirect parent entities of such Parent) to make cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Stock of such Parent (or any direct or indirect parent entities of such Parent), in an aggregate amount for all such distributions to any Parent not exceeding the greater of (x) $1,750,000 and (y) 2.5% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction);

(h) each Borrower may make distributions to its applicable Parent which are immediately used by such Parent to finance any Investment otherwise specifically permitted to be made by such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section  5.4 ; provided that (i) such distribution shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment and (ii) such Parent shall, immediately following the closing thereof, cause (A) all property acquired (whether assets or capital stock) to be contributed to such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) the merger (to the extent specifically permitted herein) of the Person formed or acquired into such Borrower or a Credit Party other than such Parent in order to consummate such Permitted Acquisition;

(i) Restricted Payments (other than Restricted Payments by any Parent) payable on or in respect of any class, series or tranche of Stock or Stock Equivalents issued by a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may be made so long as a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of any Parent receives at least its pro rata share of such Restricted Payment in accordance with its Stock or Stock Equivalents in such class, series or tranche;

(j) the Credit Parties may make the one-time cash distribution to the Borrowers’ respective equityholders in connection with the Transactions in an aggregate amount not exceeding $120,000,000;

 

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(k) [reserved];

(l) so long as no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) or Section  7.1(g) has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom, the Borrowers may make Restricted Payments in cash or property (consisting of dividends not otherwise permitted to be made by this Section  5.11 ) in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Available Amount as of the applicable date of such Restricted Payment; provided that, solely to the extent funded with proceeds of the kind described in clauses (x)(i) and (x)(iv) of the definition of “Available Amount”, after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 3.15:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered;

(m) Restricted Payments payable solely in Qualified Stock and Stock Equivalents in respect of Qualified Stock may be made; and

(n) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom, Restricted Payments in respect of Junior Indebtedness constituting (without duplication) (i) regularly scheduled interest payments (including, without limitation, non-cash payments of interest in kind or otherwise through additions to principal and payments due at maturity) and payment of fees, expenses and indemnification obligations, (ii) Permitted Refinancings, (iii) payments with, or conversions to, common Stock or Qualified Stock (or Stock of any direct or indirect parent entities of any Parent), (iv) payments as part of an “AHYDO catch-up payment”, (v) payments permitted by any subordination terms applicable to the relevant Junior Indebtedness, (vi) payment of earn-outs obligations and holdbacks permitted to be incurred under Section  5.5(q) and (vii) payments or repurchases not to exceed the Available Amount as of the applicable date of such Restricted Payment; provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) or Section  7.1(g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom and (2) solely to the extent funded with proceeds of the kind described in clauses (x)(i) and (x)(iv) of the definition of “Available Amount”, after giving effect to such voluntary prepayment, the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 3.15:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered.

5.12 Change in Business . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any line of business substantially different from those lines of business carried on by it on the Closing Date, other than lines of business ancillary, complementary, incidental or related thereto and reasonable extensions of such lines of business.

5.13 Amendments to Organization Documents . Except as expressly permitted under Section  5.3 , no Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend any of its Organization Documents in any manner materially adverse to the Agent or Lenders in their capacities as such.

 

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5.14 Changes in Accounting, Fiscal Year, Name and Jurisdiction of Organization . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall suffer or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, (i) make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP or, subject to Section  12.3 , as required or recommended by the Credit Parties’ external accountants, (ii) change the Fiscal Year or method for determining Fiscal Quarters of any Credit Party or of any consolidated Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party (other than (x) to conform to that of the Borrowers or (y) with the prior written consent of the Agent), (iii) change its legal name as it appears in official filings in its jurisdiction of organization, (iv) change its jurisdiction of organization (v) change its location from that referred to in Section  4.4(a) or (vi) change its organizational identification number, if any, or corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other organizational structure to such an extent than any financing statement filed in connection with the Loan Documents would become misleading; provided that, in the case of clauses (iii) through (vi), the Borrowers shall provide notice to the Agent within 10 Business Days of taking such action.

5.15 Amendments to ABL Documents and Junior Indebtedness . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, change or amend the terms of any (i) ABL Document or any ABL Obligation except to the extent permitted by the ABL Intercreditor Agreement; provided , further , that no change or amendment to the terms of any ABL Document or any ABL Obligations shall (A) modify or add any direct restriction on the payment of the Loans that would otherwise be permitted under the ABL Documents as in effect on the Closing Date, (B) shorten the maturity date or any other date upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness ( provided that this clause (B) shall not limit the ABL Agent or the lenders under any ABL Facility from imposing reserves, adjusting advance rates, adjusting eligibility criteria or taking other similar actions with respect to the Borrowing Base (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement), or from implementing cash dominion, in each case in a manner permitted under the ABL Credit Agreement and the other ABL Documents as in effect on the Closing Date, so long as (and to the extent) such actions are not inconsistent with the ABL Intercreditor Agreement), (C) add mandatory prepayments not contemplated under the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date or (D) contravene the provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) Junior Indebtedness except to the extent permitted by any subordination agreement or other terms of any subordination applicable thereto, or (iii) any Junior Indebtedness not subject to a subordination agreement if the effect of such change or amendment to such Junior Indebtedness not subject to a subordination agreement is to (A) shorten the dates upon which payments of principal or interest are due on such Indebtedness, (B) add or change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties (or which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) any event of default or add or make more restrictive any covenant with respect to such Indebtedness, (C) change in a manner materially adverse to the Credit Parties (or which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) the prepayment provisions of such Indebtedness, (D) change the subordination provisions thereof (or the subordination terms of any guaranty thereof) in a manner adverse to the Credit Parties, the Agent or Lenders or (E) restrict the amount of Obligations which may be incurred under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Credit Party’s right to make voluntary or mandatory payment or prepayments of the Obligations.

5.16 No Negative Pledges . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to (i) create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual restriction or encumbrance of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such

 

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Credit Party’s or Restricted Subsidiary’s Stock or Stock Equivalents or to pay fees, including management fees, or make other payments and distributions to the Borrowers or any other Credit Party or (ii) enter into, assume or become subject to any Contractual Obligation prohibiting or otherwise restricting the existence of any Lien upon any of its assets in favor of the Agent, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the following: (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the ABL Documents, (2) in connection with any document or instrument governing Liens permitted pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) , 5.1(h) , 5.1(i) , 5.1(r) , 5.1(s) , 5.1(x) , 5.1(y) , 5.1(z) , 5.1(aa) , 5.1(dd), 5.1(ee) or 5.1(kk) ; provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such permitted Liens, (3) any other agreement that does not restrict in any manner (directly or indirectly) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents on any Collateral securing the Obligations and does not require the direct or indirect granting of any Lien securing any Indebtedness or other obligation by virtue of the granting of Liens on or pledge of property of any Credit Party to secure the Obligations or (4) any prohibition or limitation that (a) exists pursuant to applicable Requirements of Law, (b) consists of customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the disposition of any property permitted under Section  5.2 pending the consummation of such disposition, (c) restricts subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party or (d) is imposed by any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clause (3); provided that such amendments and refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such prohibitions and limitations than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section  5.16 shall not prohibit restrictions, encumbrances, and prohibitions existing under or by reason of (i) Requirements of Law, (ii) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (iii) the documentation for any Refinancing Debt, (iv) the ABL Documents, (v) documentation for any Indebtedness of Non-Credit Parties permitted hereunder, (vi) the documentation for any Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5(d) , 5.5(j) , 5.5(q) or 5.5(v) , (vii) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of a Credit Party, (viii) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, (ix) any holder of a Permitted Lien restricting the transfer or assignment of the property subject thereto, (x) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to a disposition permitted by Section  5.2 pending the consummation of such disposition, (xi) any obligations binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, (xii) customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements and other Organization Documents, joint venture agreements, asset sale and stock sale agreements and other similar agreements, leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or similar Person, (xiii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (xiv) any instrument governing Indebtedness assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties of any Person, other than the Person or the properties of the Person so acquired or the properties so acquired, (xv) documentation existing as of the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 5.16 or (xvi) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by

 

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any amendments or refinancings that are otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (ix) or (xiv) above; provided that such amendments or refinancings are no more materially restrictive with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those prior to such amendment or refinancing.

5.17 Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) Designate any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the (x) Credit Parties shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Covenant, recomputed on the last day of the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section  4.1(a) or (b)  as if such designation occurred on the first day of such period and (y) Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 3.65:1.00 on a Pro Forma Basis computed as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered and (iii) such Subsidiary is also designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary for the purposes of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, any ABL Documents or any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date shall constitute an Investment by the Borrowers therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Borrowers’ Investment therein.

(b) Designate any Subsidiary as a “Restricted Subsidiary” under and as defined in any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness without designating such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Subsidiary previously designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary may be re-designated as a Restricted Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VI

FINANCIAL COVENANT

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that until Payment in Full:

6.1 Combined Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio . The Credit Parties shall not permit the Combined Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any four Fiscal Quarter period ending on a date set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth in the table below opposite such date:

 

Date

   Maximum Combined Senior
Secured Net Leverage Ratio

March 31, 2018

   5.00:1.00

June 30, 2018

   5.00:1.00

September 30, 2018

   5.00:1.00

December 31, 2018

   5.00:1.00

March 31, 2019

   4.50:1.00

June 30, 2019

   4.50:1.00

September 30, 2019

   4.50:1.00

December 31, 2019

   4.50:1.00

March 31, 2020 and each fiscal quarter ending thereafter

   4.00:1.00

 

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6.2 [Reserved] .

6.3 Equity Cure .

(a) In the event the Credit Parties fail to comply with the Financial Covenant as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, any cash equity contribution to the Borrowers (funded with proceeds of common equity issued by Parents or Qualified Stock (or other equity issued by Parents having terms reasonably acceptable to the Agent) made after the date on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter and on or prior to the day that is 10 Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter (the “ Anticipated Cure Deadline ”) will, at the irrevocable election of the Borrowers and to the extent the proceeds of which have not been utilized under Sections 5.4(w) , 5.11(l) or 5.11(n) (other than, at the Borrowers’ sole option, to prepay Loans) as of the date such proceeds are applied for purposes of this Section  6.3 , be included in the calculation of Combined EBITDA solely for the purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenant at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and any subsequent period that includes such Fiscal Quarter (any such equity contribution so included in the calculation of Combined EBITDA, a “ Specified Equity Contribution ”).

(b) If, after giving effect to the Specified Equity Contribution, the Credit Parties shall then be in compliance with the Financial Covenant, the Credit Parties shall be deemed to have satisfied the Financial Covenant as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith at such date, and the applicable breach or default of such covenants that had occurred shall be deemed cured for purposes of this Agreement.

(c) Upon receipt by the Agent of written notice from the Borrowers on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline of its intent to effectuate a Specified Equity Contribution in respect of such Fiscal Quarter until the day that is 10 Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any right to accelerate any Loans held by them or to exercise any other rights or remedies available under the Loan Documents or applicable law against the Collateral (including, without limitation, any right to foreclose on or take possession of Collateral) solely on the basis of an allegation of an Event of Default having occurred and being continuing under Section  7.1 due to failure by the Credit Parties to comply with the Financial Covenant, unless such failure is not cured pursuant to the Specified Equity Contribution on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline; it being understood and agreed that there shall be no borrowings of ABL Loans permitted or letters of credit issued or received under any ABL Facility until the Specified Equity Contribution has actually been received by the Borrowers.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) in each consecutive four Fiscal Quarter period there will be at least two Fiscal Quarters in which no Specified Equity Contribution is made, (ii) the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution will be no greater than the amount required to cause the Credit Parties to be in compliance with the Financial Covenant, (iii) all Specified Equity Contributions will be counted solely for purposes of the calculation of Combined EBITDA as it relates to the Financial Covenant and shall not be included for all other purposes, including calculating basket levels, pricing and other items governed by reference to Combined EBITDA, (iv) there shall be no more than five Specified Equity Contributions made in the aggregate after the Closing Date and (v) there shall be no pro forma reduction in Indebtedness (by netting or otherwise) with the proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution for determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the Fiscal Quarter for which a Specified Equity Contribution is deemed applied.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

7.1 Event of Default . Any of the following shall constitute an “ Event of Default ”:

(a) Non-Payment . Any Credit Party fails (i) to pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, including after maturity of the Loans, (ii) to pay within five Business Days after the date due, interest on any Loan, and any regularly scheduled fee or (iii) to pay within 30 days after the date due, any other amount payable hereunder or pursuant to any other Loan Document;

(b) Representation or Warranty . Any representation, warranty or certification by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made herein, in any other Loan Document or in any certificate required to be delivered under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by such Person, or their respective Responsible Officers, in each case, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (without duplication of other materiality qualifiers contained therein) on or as of the date made;

(c) Specific Defaults . Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section  4.1(a) or (b) , Section  4.2(b) (subject, in the case of each of Section  4.1(a) , Section  4.1(b) and Section  4.2(b) , to a grace period of five Business Days), Section  4.3(a) , Section  4.10 , Section  4.17(a) , Section  4.18 , Article V or Article VI hereof ( provided that an Event of Default under Section  6.1 is subject to cure pursuant to Section  6.3 );

(d) Other Defaults . Any Credit Party fails to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the date upon which written notice thereof is given to the Borrowers by the Agent or Required Lenders;

 

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(e) Cross-Default; Cross-Acceleration to the ABL Credit Agreement .

(i) Other than with respect to the ABL Loans or any other Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement and other ABL Documents, any Credit Party or any Material Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness (other than (x) Indebtedness owing by any Credit Party or such Subsidiary to any other Credit Party or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) the Obligations) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount or net exposure of more than $15,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) (it being understood and agreed that, for the avoidance of doubt, separate tranches of debt documented under a single credit agreement, loan agreement or other similar agreement shall be treated as a single facility) and such failure continues unremedied after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness, if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to terminate the document relating to such Indebtedness or cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity (other than as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, as a result of a casualty or condemnation event or other Event of Loss) of an asset securing such Indebtedness) after giving effect to all applicable grace or notice periods (without regard to any subordination terms with respect thereto);

(ii) any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment in respect of Indebtedness under any ABL Facility when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues unremedied after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the document relating thereto on the date of such failure; or (B) fails to perform or observe any financial covenant therein (including, without limitation, the financial covenant in Section 6.1 of the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof), and such failure continues unremedied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(iii) any event or condition occurs that results in the acceleration of ABL Loans or any other Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement and other ABL Documents and all other amounts owing or payable in respect thereof;

(f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings . Any Parent, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary: (i) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (ii) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing;

(g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is commenced or filed against any Parent, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued or levied against a substantial part of any such Person’s Property, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution

 

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or similar process shall not be released, dismissed, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) any Parent, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) any Parent, any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a substantial portion of its Property or business;

(h) Monetary Judgments . One or more judgments, non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards, in each case, for the payment of money, shall be entered against any one or more of the Credit Parties involving an amount of $15,000,000 or more (excluding amounts covered by (i) insurance to the extent the relevant independent third-party insurer has not denied coverage therefor in writing or (ii) other third-party indemnities), and the same shall remain undischarged, unsatisfied, unvacated, unstayed and unbounded pending appeal for a period of 60 consecutive days after the entry thereof;

(i) ERISA . Any ERISA Event occurs that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred after the Closing Date, has resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

(j) Collateral. (i) Any guaranty or other material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against any Credit Party party thereto or any Credit Party shall so state in writing or bring an action to limit its obligations or liabilities thereunder, deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by the Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall contest the validity or perfection of any Lien on any Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or (ii) this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or Payment in Full) or shall be declared null and void, or any Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof or hereof) cease to create a valid, perfected, first-priority security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby or such security interest shall for any reason (other than (x) the taking of any action by the Agent or any Lender or the failure of the Agent or any Lender to take any action, in each case within its control, or (y) any such loss fully covered by a title insurance policy regarding real property owned in fee benefiting the Agent or the Secured Parties) cease to be a perfected (to the extent perfection is required pursuant to the terms thereof) security interest with the priority required thereby subject only to Permitted Liens (and the qualifications with respect to perfection set forth in the Loan Documents);

(k) Change of Control . A Change of Control occurs; and

 

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(l) Invalidity of Subordination Provisions . The provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or the intercreditor or subordination provisions of any agreement or instrument governing the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness with an outstanding aggregate principal amount in excess of $15,000,000 shall for any reason (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or as otherwise agreed to by the parties thereto) be revoked or invalidated, or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect, or any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof (solely to the extent such holder is Sponsor or a Sponsor Fund Affiliate) shall contest in any manner the validity or enforceability thereof or, to the extent purported to be bound, deny that it has any further liability or obligation thereunder (other than in accordance with the terms thereof or as otherwise agreed by the parties thereto) or the Secured Obligations, for any reason shall not have the priority required by such subordination provisions (in each case, other than in accordance with its terms or as otherwise agreed to by the parties thereto).

7.2 Remedies . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Agent may with the written consent of the Required Lenders and shall at the written request of the Required Lenders:

(a) [reserved];

(b) declare all or any portion of the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other Obligations owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable; without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and/or

(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable law;

provided , however , that upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) above with respect to any Parent or any Borrower (in the case of clause (i) of Section  7.1(g) upon the expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), in addition to the remedies set forth above, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents shall, automatically and without notice to any Person, become immediately due and payable and the Credit Parties shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party.

7.3 Rights Not Exclusive . The rights provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

AGENT

8.1 Appointment and Duties .

(a) Appointment of the Agent . Each Lender hereby appoints Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (together with any successor Agent pursuant to Section  8.9 ), as the Agent hereunder and authorizes the Agent to (i) execute and deliver the Loan Documents and accept delivery thereof on its behalf from any Credit Party, (ii) take such action on its behalf and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies and perform the duties as are expressly delegated to the Agent under such Loan Documents and (iii) exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender hereby authorizes the Agent to enter into each Collateral Document, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor or subordination agreements contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, any intercreditor agreement or subordination agreement, or any amendment and/or supplement to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, (x) entered into or effected in connection with the incurrence of Liens and Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section  5.1 or Section  5.5 or (y) required or contemplated by Section  8.10 ) on behalf of and for the benefit of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties and agrees to be bound by the terms thereof.

(b) Duties as Collateral and Disbursing Agent . Without limiting the generality of clause (a) above, the Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right and authority (to the exclusion of the Lenders), and is hereby authorized, to (i) act as the disbursing and collecting agent for the Lenders with respect to all payments and collections arising in connection with the Loan Documents (including in any proceeding described in Section  7.1(g) or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding), and each Person making any payment in connection with any Loan Document to any Secured Party is hereby authorized to make such payment to the Agent, (ii) file and prove claims and file other documents necessary or desirable to allow the claims of the Secured Parties with respect to any Secured Obligation in any proceeding described in Section  7.1(f) or (g)  or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding (but not to vote, consent or otherwise act on behalf of such Person), (iii) act as collateral agent for each Secured Party for purposes of the perfection of all Liens created by such agreements and all other purposes stated therein, (iv) manage, supervise and otherwise deal with the Collateral, (v) take such other action as is necessary or desirable to maintain the perfection and priority of the Liens created or purported to be created by the Loan Documents, (vi) except as may be otherwise specified in any Loan Document, exercise all remedies given to the Agent and the other Secured Parties with respect to the Credit Parties and/or the Collateral, whether under the Loan Documents, applicable Requirements of Law or otherwise and (vii) execute any amendment, consent or waiver under the Loan Documents on behalf of any Lender that has consented in writing to such amendment, consent or waiver; provided , however , that the Agent hereby appoints, authorizes and directs each Lender to act as collateral sub-agent for the Agent and the Lenders for purposes of the perfection of all Liens with respect to the Collateral, including any deposit account maintained by a Credit Party with, and cash and Cash Equivalents held by, such Lender, and may further authorize and direct the Lenders to take further actions as collateral sub-agents for purposes of enforcing such Liens or otherwise to transfer the Collateral subject thereto to the Agent, and each Lender hereby agrees to take such further actions to the extent, and only to the extent, so authorized and directed.

 

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(c) Limited Duties . Under the Loan Documents, the Agent, in its capacity as such, (i) is acting solely on behalf of the Secured Parties (except to the limited extent provided in Section  1.4(b) with respect to the Register), with duties that are entirely administrative in nature, notwithstanding the use of the defined term “Agent”, the terms “agent”, “Agent” and “collateral agent” and similar terms in any Loan Document to refer to the Agent, which terms are used for title purposes only, (ii) is not assuming any obligation under any Loan Document other than as expressly set forth therein or any role as agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender or any other Person and (iii) shall have no implied functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or other liabilities under any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, hereby waives and agrees not to assert any claim against the Agent based on the roles, duties and legal relationships expressly disclaimed in clauses (i) through (iii) above.

8.2 Binding Effect . Each Secured Party, by accepting the benefits of the Loan Documents, agrees that (i) any action taken by the Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if expressly required hereby, a greater proportion of the Lenders) in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, (ii) any action taken by the Agent in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents in reliance upon the instructions of Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion of the Lenders) and (iii) the exercise by the Agent or the Required Lenders (or, where so required, such greater proportion of the Lenders) of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Secured Parties.

8.3 Use of Discretion .

(a) No Action without Instructions . The Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take, or to omit to take, any action, including with respect to enforcement or collection, except any action it is required to take or omit to take (i) under any Loan Document or (ii) pursuant to instructions from the Required Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders).

(b) Right Not to Follow Certain Instructions . Notwithstanding clause (a) above, the Agent shall not be required to take, or to omit to take, any action (other than actions expressly required to be taken by the Agent under the Loan Documents) (i) unless, upon demand, the Agent receives an indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders (or, to the extent applicable and acceptable to the Agent, any other Person) against all Liabilities that, by reason of such action or omission, may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent or any Related Person thereof or (ii) that is, in the opinion of the Agent or its counsel, contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Requirement of Law.

(c) Exclusive Right to Enforce Rights and Remedies . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Credit Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Agent in accordance with the Loan Documents for the

 

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benefit of all the Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as the Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Lender from exercising set-off rights in accordance with Section  9.11 or (iii) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Credit Party under any bankruptcy or other Debtor Relief Law; and provided further that if at any time there is no Person acting as the Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (A) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Agent pursuant to Section  7.2 and (B) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section  9.11 , any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

8.4 Delegation of Rights and Duties . The Agent may, upon any term or condition it specifies, delegate or exercise any of its rights, powers and remedies under, and delegate or perform any of its duties or any other action with respect to, any Loan Document by or through any trustee, co-agent, employee, attorney-in-fact and any other Person (including any Secured Party). Any such Person shall benefit from this Article VIII to the extent provided by the Agent.

8.5 Reliance and Liability .

(a) The Agent may, without incurring any liability hereunder, (i) treat the payee of any Note as its holder until such Note has been assigned in accordance with Section  9.9 , (ii) rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section  1.4 , (iii) consult with any of its Related Persons and, whether or not selected by it, any other advisors, accountants and other experts (including advisors to, and accountants and experts engaged by, any Credit Party) and (iv) rely and act upon any document and information (including those transmitted by Electronic Transmission) and any telephone message or conversation, in each case believed by it to be genuine and transmitted, signed or otherwise authenticated by the appropriate parties.

(b) None of the Agent and its Related Persons shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with any Loan Document, and each Secured Party, each Parent, each Borrower and each other Credit Party party hereto from time to time hereby waives and shall not assert any right, claim or cause of action based thereon, except to the extent of liabilities resulting from the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith of, or material breach of any of the Loan Documents by the Agent or, as the case may be, such Related Person (each as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction) in connection with the duties expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the foregoing, the Agent:

(i) shall not be responsible or otherwise incur liability for any action or omission taken in reliance upon the instructions of the Required Lenders or for the actions or omissions of any of its Related Persons selected with reasonable care (other than employees, officers and directors of the Agent, when acting on behalf of the Agent);

 

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(ii) shall not be responsible to any Lender or other Person for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Loan Document;

(iii) makes no warranty or representation, and shall not be responsible, to any Lender or other Person for any statement, document, information, representation or warranty made or furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Related Person of any Credit Party in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein or any other document or information with respect to any Credit Party, whether or not transmitted or (except for documents expressly required under any Loan Document to be transmitted to the Lenders) omitted to be transmitted by the Agent, including as to completeness, accuracy, scope or adequacy thereof, or for the scope, nature or results of any due diligence performed by the Agent in connection with the Loan Documents; and

(iv) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any provision of any Loan Document, whether any condition set forth in any Loan Document is satisfied or waived, as to the financial condition of any Credit Party or as to the existence or continuation or possible occurrence or continuation of any Default or Event of Default and shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of such occurrence or continuation unless it has received a written notice from any Borrower or any Lender describing such Default or Event of Default clearly labeled “notice of default” (in which case the Agent shall promptly give notice of such receipt to all Lenders);

and, for each of the items set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above, each Lender, each Parent, each Borrower and each other Credit Party party hereto hereby waives and shall not assert any right, claim or cause of action it might have against the Agent based thereon.

8.6 Agent Individually . The Agent and its Affiliates may make loans and other extensions of credit to, acquire Stock and Stock Equivalents of, and engage in any kind of business with, any Credit Party or Affiliate thereof as though it were not acting as the Agent and may receive separate fees and other payments therefor. To the extent the Agent or any of its Affiliates makes any Loan or otherwise becomes a Lender hereunder, it shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and shall be subject to the same obligations and liabilities as any other Lender and the terms “ Lender ”, “ Required Lender and any similar terms shall, except where otherwise expressly provided in any Loan Document, include, without limitation, the Agent or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its individual capacity as Lender or as one of the Required Lenders.

 

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8.7 Lender Credit Decision .

(a) Each Lender acknowledges that it shall, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, any Lender or any of their Related Persons or upon any document (including any offering and disclosure materials in connection with the syndication of the Loans) solely or in part because such document was transmitted by the Agent or any of its Related Persons, conduct its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of each Credit Party and make and continue to make its own credit decisions in connection with entering into, and taking or not taking any action under, any Loan Document or with respect to any transaction contemplated in any Loan Document, in each case based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate. Except for documents expressly required by any Loan Document to be transmitted by the Agent to the Lenders or, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party that may come in to the possession of the Agent or any of its Related Persons.

(b) If any Lender has elected to abstain from receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates, such Lender acknowledges that, notwithstanding such election, the Agent and/or the Credit Parties will, from time to time, make available syndicate-information (which may contain MNPI) as required by the terms of, or in the course of administering, the Loans to the credit contact(s) identified for receipt of such information on the Lender’s administrative questionnaire who are able to receive and use all syndicate-level information (which may contain MNPI) in accordance with such Lender’s compliance policies and contractual obligations and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws; provided that if such contact is not so identified in such questionnaire, the relevant Lender hereby agrees to promptly (and in any event within one Business Day) provide such a contact to the Agent and the Credit Parties upon request therefor by the Agent or the Credit Parties. Notwithstanding such Lender’s election to abstain from receiving MNPI, such Lender acknowledges that if such Lender chooses to communicate with the Agent, it assumes the risk of receiving MNPI concerning the Credit Parties or their Affiliates.

8.8 Expenses; Indemnities; Withholding .

(a) Each Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent and each of its Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by any Credit Party) promptly upon demand, severally and ratably, for any costs and expenses (including fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and Other Taxes paid in the name of, or on behalf of, any Credit Party) that may be incurred by the Agent or any of its Related Persons in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, consent, waiver or enforcement of, or the taking of any other action (whether through negotiations, through any work-out, bankruptcy, restructuring or other legal or other proceeding (including, without limitation, preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto) or otherwise) in respect of, or legal advice with respect to, its rights or responsibilities under, any Loan Document.

(b) To the extent required by any Requirement of Law, the Agent may withhold from any payment to any Secured Party under a Loan Document an amount equal to any applicable withholding Tax (including withholding Taxes imposed under Chapters 3 and 4 of Subtitle A of the Code).

 

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8.9 Resignation of Agent .

(a) The Agent may resign at any time by delivering notice of such resignation to the Lenders and the Borrowers, effective on the date set forth in such notice or, if no such date is set forth therein, upon the date such notice shall be effective in accordance with the terms of this Section  8.9 . If the Agent delivers any such notice, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent, which successor agent shall (i) be a Lender or a bank with an office in the United States and with a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000 (or as otherwise agreed by the Borrowers), or an Affiliate thereof (but in any event shall not be a Disqualified Lender), and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under Section  7.1(a) , 7.1(f) or 7.1(g) , be subject to prior written approval by the Borrowers (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If, within 30 days after the retiring the Agent’s having given notice of resignation, no successor Agent has been appointed by the Required Lenders that has accepted such appointment, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which successor agent shall (x) be a Lender or a bank with an office in the United States with a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000 (or as otherwise agreed by the Borrowers), or an Affiliate thereof (but in any event shall not be a Disqualified Lender), and (y) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under Section  7.1(a) or Section  7.1(f) or 7.1(g) , be subject to prior written approval by the Borrowers (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that if the Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or be deemed or construed to limit the Agent’s right to resign as the Agent hereunder set forth in Section  9.22 pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such section.

(b) Effective immediately upon its resignation in accordance with clause (a) above (which, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in such clause, shall not occur until the earlier of (x) the date on which a successor agent is appointed pursuant to the provisions of such clause or (y) the date that is 30 days after the Agent delivers a notice of resignation as set forth in such clause (unless the Agent revokes such notice prior to such time)), (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents, (ii) the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Agent until a successor Agent shall have accepted a valid appointment hereunder, (iii) the retiring Agent and its Related Persons shall no longer have the benefit of any provision of any Loan Document other than with respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken while such retiring Agent was, or because such Agent had been, validly acting as the Agent under the Loan Documents and (iv) subject to its rights under Section  8.3 , the retiring Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Agent its rights as the Agent under the Loan Documents. Effective immediately upon its acceptance of a valid appointment as the Agent, a successor Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent under the Loan Documents.

 

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8.10 Release of Collateral or Guarantors .

(a) Any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower shall be automatically released from its Guarantee of any Obligation (i) if all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of such Restricted Subsidiary owned by any Credit Party are sold or transferred (other than to another Credit Party) or such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise ceases to be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of any Parent, in each case, in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent), (ii) upon written notice by the Borrowers to the Agent if such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Domestic Subsidiary, in each case, in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent), or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a waiver or consent) and (iii) upon Payment in Full (subject to Section 8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement); provided that no such release shall occur if such Restricted Subsidiary continues to be a guarantor in respect of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.

(b) Any Lien held by the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or otherwise against (i) any Property that is sold, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of by a Credit Party to a Person that is not a Credit Party in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, pursuant to a valid waiver or consent) shall be automatically released upon consummation of such disposition, (ii) any Property subject to a Lien permitted hereunder in reliance upon Section  5.1(h) , 5.1(i) , 5.1(x) , 5.1(y) , 5.1(z) or 5.1(hh) shall be released or subordinated (in the manner necessary and reasonably requested by the Borrowers) upon the written request of the Borrowers to the Agent, (iii) all of the Collateral and all Credit Parties shall be automatically released upon Payment in Full (subject to Section 8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement), (iv) any Property if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by Lenders in accordance with the requirements of Section  9.1 shall be automatically released upon the effectiveness of such writing, and (v) any Property owned by a Restricted Subsidiary shall be automatically released upon release of such Restricted Subsidiary from its Guarantee of Obligations pursuant to clause (a) above.

(c) Each Lender hereby directs the Agent to, and the Agent shall, upon the request of the Borrowers, execute and deliver or file such documents and perform such other actions reasonably necessary or reasonably requested by the Borrowers to evidence or effect the release and/or subordination of Guarantees and Liens in accordance with this Section  8.10 .

8.11 Additional Secured Parties . The benefit of the provisions of the Loan Documents directly relating to the Collateral or any Lien granted thereunder shall extend to and be available to any Secured Party that is not a Lender party hereto as long as, by accepting such benefits, such Secured Party agrees, as among the Agent and all other Secured Parties, that such Secured Party is bound by (and, if requested by the Agent, shall confirm such agreement in a writing in form and substance acceptable to the Agent) this Article VIII , Section  9.3 , Section  9.9 , Section  9.10 , Section  9.11 , Section  9.17 , Section  9.24 and Section  10.1 and the decisions and actions of the Agent and the Required Lenders (or, where expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, a greater proportion of the Lenders or other parties hereto as required herein) to the same extent a Lender is bound; provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) such Secured Party shall be bound by Section  8.8 only to the extent of Liabilities, costs and expenses with respect to

 

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or otherwise relating to the Collateral held for the benefit of such Secured Party, in which case the obligations of such Secured Party thereunder shall not be limited by any concept of pro rata share or similar concept, (b) each of the Agent, the Lenders party hereto shall be entitled to act at its sole discretion, without regard to the interest of such Secured Party, regardless of whether any Secured Obligation to such Secured Party thereafter remains outstanding, is deprived of the benefit of the Collateral, becomes unsecured or is otherwise affected or put in jeopardy thereby, and without any duty or liability to such Secured Party or any such Secured Obligation and (c) except as otherwise set forth herein, such Secured Party shall not have any right to be notified of, consent to, direct, require or be heard with respect to, any action taken or omitted in respect of the Collateral or under any Loan Document.

8.12 Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners in their capacities as such shall not have any duties or responsibilities that are not expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners in their capacities as such, except those that are expressly set forth herein. At any time that any Lender serving (or whose Affiliate is serving) as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner shall have transferred to any other Person (other than any Affiliates) all of its interests in the Loans, such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender acting as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner) shall be deemed to have concurrently resigned as such Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner.

8.13 Bankruptcy .

(a) Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrowers) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise: (i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of Lenders and the Agent (including any claim for compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Lenders and the Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due Lenders and the Agent arising hereunder) allowed in such Insolvency Proceeding; and (ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments directly to the Agent and, in the event that the Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to Lenders, to pay to the Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agent hereunder.

 

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(b) Credit Bids . The holders of the Obligations hereby irrevocably authorize the Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of all or some of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure, strict foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 thereof, or any similar Requirement of Law in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, or (b) at any sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent of, or at the direction of) the Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any Requirement of Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the holders thereof shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle(s) used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such credit bid (i) the Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle(s) ( provided that any actions by the Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle(s), including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement), and (iii) to the extent that any Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (whether as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt which is credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the holders of the Obligations pro rata and the equity interests or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled without the need for any Lender or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Amendments and Waivers .

(a) Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.1(c) , 9.1(e) and 9.1(f) hereof, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective unless, in the case of this Agreement, the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Borrowers, or in the case of any other Loan Document, the same shall be in writing and signed by the Agent, the Collateral Agent (in the case of any Collateral Document) and the Credit Party or Credit Parties party thereto, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, and then such waiver shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no

 

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such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby (or by the Agent with the consent of all the Lenders directly and adversely affected thereby), and the Borrowers, do any of the following; provided , further , that in the case of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) below, the consent of any other Lender or the Required Lenders shall not be required:

(i) increase or extend the Commitment of such Lender (it being understood that no amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any condition precedent, covenant or Default shall constitute an increase in the Commitment of any Lender);

(ii) postpone or delay any date fixed for, or reduce or waive, any scheduled installment of principal or any payment of interest (other than interest at the default rate), or fees due to such Lenders hereunder or under any other Loan Document (for the avoidance of doubt, mandatory prepayments pursuant to Section  1.8 (other than scheduled installments under Section  1.8(a) ) may be postponed, delayed, reduced, waived or modified with the consent of Required Lenders);

(iii) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein (it being agreed that waiver of the default interest margin shall only require the consent of Required Lenders) herein on any Loan, or of any fees payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, in each case owing to such Lender; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay any amount at the Default Rate and such waiver shall not constitute a reduction of interest hereunder;

(iv) amend or modify Section  1.10(b) or any other provision in any Loan Document that provides for the pro rata nature of disbursements by or payments to Lenders;

(v) amend this Section  9.1(a) or, subject to the terms of this Agreement, reduce the percentage set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders”, or any provision providing for consent or other action by all Lenders;

(vi) (A) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release Guarantors from their Guarantees if the effect would be to release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantee, except as otherwise may be provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or (B) contractually subordinate any of the Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the terms hereof or subordinate the payment of any Obligations (other than, in each case, pursuant to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrowers); or

 

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(vii) impose modification or restrictions on assignments and participation that are more restrictive that, or in addition to, those set forth in Section  9.8 ,

it being agreed that all Lenders shall be deemed to be directly affected by an amendment or waiver of the type described in the preceding clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii).

(b) In addition to the requirements of Section  9.1(a) , no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Agent, in addition to the Required Lenders or all Lenders directly adversely affected thereby, as the case may be (or by the Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders or all the Lenders directly adversely affected thereby, as the case may be), affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) This Agreement (including provisions regarding pro rata payments or sharing of payments) may be amended with the written consent of the Borrowers and the Required Lenders to the extent necessary to (i) add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof, (ii) include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities described in the foregoing clause (i) in any determination of the Required Lenders, and (iii) modify provisions regarding pro rata payments or sharing of payments (and allow for non-pro rata distributions), in each case, in connection with loan buy-back or similar programs not otherwise contemplated hereby. The Fee Letter may be amended, modified, supplemented or changed, or the rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties thereto. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  9.1(d) shall supersede any provision of Section  9.1 to the contrary.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section  9.1 , (i) the Borrowers may amend Schedule 3.19 upon notice to the Agent, (ii) the Agent may amend Schedule 1.1(a) to reflect Incremental Facilities and Sales entered into pursuant to Section  9.9 , and (iii) the Agent and the Borrowers may amend or modify this Agreement and any other Loan Document to (1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency therein, (2) grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties, extend an existing Lien over additional Property for the benefit of the Secured Parties or join additional Persons as Credit Parties, (3) add one or more Incremental Facilities to this Agreement pursuant to Section  1.1(b) and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and (4) pursuant to Section  1.12 . For the avoidance of doubt, this Section  9.1(e) shall supersede any provision of Section  9.1 to the contrary.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, an “ Extension Offer ”) made from time to time by the Borrowers to all Lenders holding Loans with a like maturity date, on the same terms to each such Lender, the Borrowers are hereby permitted to consummate from time to time transactions with individual Lenders that accept the terms contained in such Extension Offers to extend the maturity date or decrease any scheduled amortization of each such Lender’s Loans, and, subject to the terms hereof, otherwise modify the terms of such Loans pursuant to the terms of the relevant Extension Offer (including, without limitation, by increasing the interest rate and/or fees payable in respect of such Loans) (each, an “ Extension ”; and each group of Loans, in each case as so extended, as well as the original Loans (in each case not so extended), being a separate “tranche”), so long as the following terms are satisfied:

(viii) [reserved];

(ix) [reserved];

(x) except as to interest rates, fees (including, without limitation, upfront fees), funding discounts, prepayment premium, amortization, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments (which shall, subject to immediately succeeding clauses (iv), (v) and (vi), be determined by the Borrowers and set forth in the relevant Extension Offer, subject to acceptance by the Extended Lenders), the Loans of any Lender that agrees to an Extension with respect to such Loans owed to it (an “ Extended Lender ”) extended pursuant to any Extension ( Extended Loans ”) shall have the same terms as the tranche of Loans subject to such Extension Offer (except for covenants applicable only to periods after the then applicable maturity date with respect to such tranche of Loans);

(xi) the final maturity date of any Extended Loans shall be no earlier than the latest maturity date of the Loans extended thereby;

(xii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Loans shall be no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Loans extended thereby;

(xiii) any Extended Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) with non-extending tranches of Loans in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments hereunder, in each case as specified in the respective Extension Offer;

(xiv) if the aggregate principal amount of Loans (calculated on the outstanding principal amount thereof) in respect of which Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Loans offered to be extended by the Borrowers pursuant to such Extension Offer, then the Loans of such Lenders shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal or commitment amounts with respect to which such Lenders have accepted such Extension Offer; and

 

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(xv) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall have been satisfied unless waived by the Borrowers.

With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section  1.7 or 1.8 and (ii) no Extension Offer is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment; provided that the Borrowers may at their election specify as a condition to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Offer in the Borrowers’ sole discretion and which may be waived by the Borrowers) of Loans of any or all applicable tranches be tendered (a “ Minimum Extension Condition ”). The Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Section (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Loans on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit or conflict with any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section.

No consent of any Lender shall be required to effectuate any Extension, other than the consent of each Lender agreeing to such Extension with respect to one or more of its Loans (or a portion thereof), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. All Extended Loans and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations and Secured Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other applicable Secured Obligations. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, modifications to provisions regarding pro rata payments or sharing of payments ( provided that in no event shall any such modification entered into by the Agent pursuant to the foregoing authorization cause or enable any such Extension to rank senior to, or receive or share in payments on a more favorable basis than pro rata with respect to, the other Loans hereunder except for such differences in rank or right to receive or share in payments among the existing Loans that are already contained or set forth in the Loan Documents, if any, prior to the effectiveness of such Extension)) with the Borrowers (on behalf of all Credit Parties) as may be necessary in order to establish new tranches or sub-tranches in respect of Loans so extended and such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Agent and the Borrowers in connection with the establishment of such new tranches or sub-tranches, in each case on terms consistent with this Section. Without limiting the foregoing, in connection with any Extensions, the applicable Credit Parties shall (at their expense) amend (and the Agent is hereby directed by the Lenders to amend) any Mortgage that has a maturity date prior to the then latest maturity date so that such maturity date referenced therein is extended to the then latest maturity date (or such later date as may be advised by local counsel to the Agent). The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the effectiveness of each such amendment. In connection with any Extension, the Borrowers shall provide the Agent at least five Business Days’ (or such

 

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shorter period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) prior written notice thereof (which such notice the Agent shall promptly forward to the Lenders; provided that the Agent’s delivery to the Lenders thereof shall not constitute a condition to or requirement for the effectiveness of any such Extension or be included in the determination of such five Business Day period), and shall agree to such procedures (including, without limitation, regarding timing, rounding and other adjustments and to ensure reasonable administrative management of the credit facilities hereunder after such Extension), if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Agent and the Borrowers, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section  9.1(f) .

This Section  9.1(f) shall supersede any provisions of this Section  9.1 or Section  9.11 to the contrary.

(g) No Lender consent is required to effect any amendment or supplement to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, any Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, any Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement (i) that is for the purpose of adding the holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt (or a Senior Representative with respect thereto) as parties thereto, as expressly contemplated by the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, such Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement or such other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement, as applicable (it being understood that any such amendment or supplement may make such other changes to the applicable intercreditor agreement as, in the good faith determination of the Agent, are required to effectuate the foregoing; provided that such other changes are not adverse, in any material respect, to the interests of the Lenders), or (ii) that is expressly contemplated by this Agreement, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, any Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, any Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Agreement; provided , further , that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Agent.

(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.1, during or in connection with the primary syndication of the Initial Loan, the Agent and the Borrowers shall be permitted to amend or otherwise modify any provision of the Loan Documents in any manner not, when taken as a whole, adverse to the interests of the Lenders when compared to this Agreement as in effect on Closing Date, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other Person.

9.2 Notices .

(a) Addresses . All notices and other communications required or expressly authorized to be made by this Agreement shall be given in writing, unless otherwise expressly specified herein, and, as applicable, (i) addressed to the address as set forth on Schedule 9.2 , (ii) posted to any E-System approved by or set up by or at the direction of

 

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the Agent or (iii) addressed to such other address as shall be notified in writing (A) in the case of the Borrowers and the Agent, to the other parties hereto and (B) in the case of all other parties, to the Borrowers and the Agent. Transmissions made by electronic mail or E-Fax to the Agent or any Credit Party shall be effective only (x) for notices where such transmission is specifically authorized by this Agreement, (y) if such transmission is delivered in compliance with procedures of the Agent or such Credit Parties, as the case may be, applicable at the time and previously communicated to the Borrowers or the Agent, as applicable, and (z) if receipt of such transmission is acknowledged by the Agent or such Credit Party, as the case may be.

(b) Effectiveness . All communications described in clause (a) above and all other notices, demands, requests and other communications made in connection with this Agreement shall be effective and be deemed to have been received (i) if delivered by hand, upon personal delivery, (ii) if delivered by overnight courier service, one Business Day after delivery to such courier service, (iii) if delivered by mail, three Business Days after deposit in the mail, (iv) if delivered by facsimile (other than to post to an E-System pursuant to clause (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above), upon sender’s receipt of confirmation of proper transmission, (v) if delivered by posting to any E-System, on the later of the Business Day of such posting and the Business Day access to such posting is given to the recipient thereof in accordance with the standard procedures applicable to such E-System and (vi) if given by electronic mail or E-Fax, upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by a “return request” function or other written acknowledgment); provided , however , that no communications to the Agent pursuant to Article I shall be effective until received by the Agent.

(c) Each Lender shall notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to such Lender should be directed, of addresses of its Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

9.3 Electronic Transmissions .

(a) Authorization . Subject to the provisions of Section  9.2(a) , each of the Agent, the Lenders, each Credit Party and each of their Related Persons, is authorized (but not required) to transmit, post or otherwise make or communicate, in its sole discretion, Electronic Transmissions in connection with any Loan Document and the transactions contemplated therein. Each Credit Party and each Secured Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that the use of Electronic Transmissions is not necessarily secure and that there are risks associated with such use, including risks of interception, disclosure and abuse and each indicates it assumes and accepts such risks by hereby authorizing the transmission of Electronic Transmissions.

(b) Signatures . Subject to the provisions of Section  9.2(a) , (i)(A) no posting to any E-System shall be denied legal effect merely because it is made electronically, (B) each E-Signature on any such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “signature” and (C) each such posting shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy any requirement for a “writing”, in each case including pursuant to any Loan Document, any applicable provision of any UCC, the Electronic Signatures in Global and

 

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National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Record Act, or any state laws based upon the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any substantive or procedural Requirement of Law governing such subject matter, (ii) each such posting that is not readily capable of bearing either a signature or a reproduction of a signature may be signed, and shall be deemed signed, by attaching to, or logically associating with such posting, an E-Signature, upon which the Agent, each other Secured Party and each Credit Party may rely and assume the authenticity thereof, (iii) each such posting containing a signature, a reproduction of a signature or an E-Signature shall, for all intents and purposes, have the same effect and weight as a signed paper original and (iv) each party hereto or beneficiary hereto agrees not to contest the validity or enforceability of any posting on any E-System or E-Signature on any such posting under the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law requiring certain documents to be in writing or signed; provided , however , that nothing herein shall limit such party’s or beneficiary’s right to contest whether any posting to any E-System or E-Signature has been altered after transmission.

(c) Separate Agreements . All uses of an E-System shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to Section  9.2 and this Section  9.3 , the separate terms, conditions and privacy policy posted or referenced in such E-System (or such terms, conditions and privacy policy as may be updated from time to time, including on such E-System) and as otherwise agreed in writing by the Agent and Credit Parties in connection with the use of such E-System.

(d) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY . ALL E-SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS SHALL BE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. NONE OF THE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS WARRANTS THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS THEREIN. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY THE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR (WITHOUT LIMITING THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS) ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY E-SYSTEMS OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS MADE BY ANY CREDIT PARTY OR ANY OF THEIR RELATED PERSONS IN RESPECT OF ANY E-SYSTEMS MAINTAINED BY AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS. Each Borrower, each other Credit Party executing this Agreement and each Secured Party agrees that none of the Agent, any Secured Party nor any Credit Party has any responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Electronic Transmission or otherwise required for any E-System.

 

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9.4 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies . No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. No course of dealing between any Credit Party, any Affiliate of any Credit Party, the Agent or any Lender shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

9.5 Costs and Expenses . Any action taken by any Credit Party under or with respect to any Loan Document, even if required under any Loan Document or at the request of the Agent or Required Lenders, shall be at the expense of such Credit Party (unless otherwise specified hereunder), and neither the Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be required under any Loan Document to reimburse any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party therefor, except as expressly provided in any Loan Document. In addition, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay or reimburse within 30 days following written demand therefor together with a customary invoice supporting such reimbursement (a) each of the Agent, its Related Persons and the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such Person, in connection with the syndication, preparation, negotiation, execution, or administration of, any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of or termination of, any Loan Document, any commitment letter therefor, any other document prepared in connection therewith or the consummation and administration of any transaction contemplated therein, in each case including Attorney Costs of the Agent ( provided that reimbursement for Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of one counsel to the Agent and its Affiliates in each relevant jurisdiction, taken as a whole) (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Agent and its Affiliates, taken as a whole, in any relevant jurisdiction), (b) [reserved], (c) each of the Agent, its Related Persons and the Lenders for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (i) any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work-out”, (ii) the enforcement or preservation of any right or remedy under any Loan Document, any Secured Obligation, with respect to the Collateral or any other related right or remedy, including documentary taxes, or (iii) the commencement, defense, conduct of, intervention in, or the taking of any other action with respect to, any proceeding (including any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding) related to any Credit Party, any Loan Document or any Secured Obligation or the funding of any distribution on the Closing Date or any other Transaction (including without limitation, preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), including Attorney Costs; provided that in the case of clause (c), reimbursements for Attorney Costs shall be limited to those of one counsel to the Agent and its Related Persons, taken as a whole (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Agent and its Related Persons in each relevant jurisdiction, taken as a whole, in any relevant jurisdiction). The Agent agrees to endeavor to provide telephonic or email updates as to the estimated accrued amount of expenses from time to time at the Borrowers’ reasonable request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Indemnitee shall be obligated to refund and return any and all amounts paid by the Borrowers to such Indemnitee for fees, expenses or damages to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms hereof ( provided that the Agent shall not be responsible for any reimbursement of any such amounts to the extent such amounts were received by the Agent on behalf of another Indemnitee and paid by the Agent to such other Indemnitee).

 

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9.6 Indemnity .

(a) Each Credit Party agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Agent, each Lender and each of their respective Related Persons (each such Person being an “ Indemnitee ”) from and against all Liabilities (including brokerage commissions, fees and other compensation) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any matter relating to or arising out of, in connection with or as a result of (but limited, in the case of Attorney Costs, to those of one counsel to all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest among the Indemnitees, one additional counsel for such conflicted Indemnitees, taken as a whole, (and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel to the Indemnitees, taken as a whole, in each appropriate jurisdiction and one special counsel in each relevant specialty, as appropriate, in each case for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest among the Indemnitees, one additional local counsel for such conflicted Indemnitees, taken as a whole, in any such relevant jurisdiction and one additional special counsel, as applicable, to each group of similarly situated Indemnitees) (i) any Loan Document any Secured Obligation (or the repayment thereof), the use or intended use of the proceeds of any Loan or any securities filing of, or with respect to, any Credit Party, including, but not limited to any Contractual Obligation entered into in connection with any E-Systems or other Electronic Transmissions, in each case, related to the management or administration of or used in connection with any of the foregoing or (ii) any actual or prospective investigation, litigation or other proceeding, whether or not brought by any such Indemnitee or any of its Related Persons, any holders of securities or creditors (and including Attorney Costs in any case, but subject to the limitations set forth above), whether or not any such Indemnitee, Related Person, holder or creditor is a party thereto, and whether or not based on any securities or commercial law or regulation or any other Requirement of Law or theory thereof, including common law, equity, contract, tort or otherwise in each case related to the Loan Documents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Matters ”) whether or not, in each case, the Indemnitee is a party; provided , however , that no Credit Party shall have any liability under this Section  9.6 to any Indemnitee with respect to any Indemnified Matter or any expenses, and no Indemnitee shall have any liability with respect to any Indemnified Matter or any expenses other than (to the extent otherwise liable), to the extent such liability (A) has resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order, (B) relates to any disputes solely among Indemnitees or any of their Related Persons or Affiliates or (C) any settlement of an Indemnified Matter entered into without the Borrowers’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Furthermore, each of the Borrowers and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement waives and agrees not to assert against any Indemnitee, and shall cause each other Credit Party to waive and not assert against any Indemnitee, any right of contribution with respect to any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Affiliate or Related Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Indemnitee shall be obligated to refund and return any and all amounts paid by the Borrowers to such Indemnitee for fees, expenses or damages to the extent that there is a final judicial determination that such Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of such amounts in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, “ Indemnified Matters ” includes all Environmental Liabilities imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising from, or otherwise involving, any Credit Party, any Property of any Credit Party or any actual, alleged or prospective damage to Property or natural resources or harm or injury alleged to have resulted from any Release of Hazardous Materials on, upon or into such Property or natural resource or any Property on or contiguous to any Real Estate of any Credit Party, whether or not, with respect to any such Environmental Liabilities, any Indemnitee is a mortgagee pursuant to any leasehold mortgage, a mortgagee in possession, the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party or the owner, lessee or operator of any Property of any Credit Party through any foreclosure action, in each case except to the extent such Environmental Liabilities (i) are incurred solely following foreclosure by the Agent or following the Agent or any Lender having become the successor-in-interest to any Credit Party and are attributable solely to acts of any Indemnitee, (ii) has resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment or order, (iii) relates to any disputes solely among Indemnitees or any of their Related Persons or Affiliates or (iv) relates to any settlement of an Indemnified Matter entered into without the Borrowers’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(c) This Section  9.6 and Section  9.5 shall not apply to Taxes, which shall be governed by Sections 10.1 and 10.3 , other than any Taxes that represent Liabilities arising from any non-Tax claim.

9.7 Marshaling; Payments Set Aside . No Secured Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any Property in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any Secured Obligation. To the extent that any Secured Party receives a payment from the Borrowers, from any other Credit Party, from the proceeds of the Collateral, from the exercise of its rights of set-off, any enforcement action or otherwise, and such payment is subsequently, in whole or in part, invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not occurred.

9.8 Successors and Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided that any assignment by any Lender shall be subject to the provisions of Section  9.9 , and provided further that the Borrowers may not assign or transfer any of their respective rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Agent and each Lender.

 

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9.9 Assignments and Participations; Binding Effect .

(a) Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each Parent, each Borrower, the other Credit Parties signatory hereto and the Agent and when the Agent shall have been notified by each Lender that such Lender has executed it. Thereafter, it shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of, but only to the benefit of, each Parent, each Borrower, the other Credit Parties party hereto (in each case except for Article VIII (other than Sections 8.9 and 8.10 , in each case, to the extent providing or conferring a right or other benefit to the Borrowers or any of the other Credit Parties)), the Agent and each Lender receiving the benefits of the Loan Documents and, to the extent provided in Section  8.11 , each other Secured Party and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in any Loan Document (including in Section  8.9 and, with respect to any Lender or the Agent, this Section  9.9 ), none of Parents, the Borrowers, any Lender or the Agent shall have the right to assign any rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein.

(b) Right to Assign . Each Lender may sell, transfer, negotiate or assign (a “ Sale ”) all or a portion of its Commitments and its rights and obligations hereunder (including all or a portion of its rights and obligations with respect to Loans) to (i) any existing Lender, (ii) any Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender, (iii) subject to compliance with Section  9.9(g) , an Affiliated Lender or (iv) any other Person; provided that (A) any Sale pursuant to this clause (iv) shall require the Borrowers’ consent so long as no Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section  7.1(f) , or Section  7.1(g) has occurred and is continuing (which consent of the Borrower shall be deemed to have been given unless an objection is delivered to the Agent within 10 Business Days after notice of a proposed Sale is delivered to the Borrower), (B) the Borrower’s consent shall in all cases be required (and may be withheld in the Borrowers’ discretion notwithstanding the foregoing) with respect to a Sale pursuant to this clause (iv) to a Disqualified Lender and (B) Agent shall provide to the Borrowers notice of any Sale pursuant to this clause (iv); provided , however , that (A) such Sales shall not be required to be ratable between each Loan but must be ratable among the obligations owing to and owed by such Lender with respect to the Loan, (B) for each Loan, the aggregate outstanding principal amount (determined as of the effective date of the applicable Assignment) of the Loans subject to any such Sale shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000, unless such Sale is made to an existing Lender or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of any existing Lender, is of the assignor’s (together with its Affiliates and Approved Funds) entire interest in such facility or is made with the prior consent of the Borrowers and the Agent, (C) such Sales shall be effective only upon the acknowledgment in writing of such Sale by the Agent and (D) interest accrued prior to and through the date of any such Sale may not be assigned. Subject to Section  1.7(d) , the Agent’s refusal to accept a Sale to, or the imposition of additional conditions or limitations (including limitations on voting) upon Sales to an Affiliate of a Credit Party (other than an Affiliated Lender in accordance with Section  9.9(g) ), a holder of Junior Indebtedness or ABL Obligations or an Affiliate of such a holder (in each case other than a Credit Party or Affiliated Lender in accordance with Section  9.9(g) ), shall not be deemed to be unreasonable. For the avoidance of doubt, Assignments to Affiliated Lenders are subject to the provisions of Section  9.9(g) .

(c) Procedure . The parties to each Sale made in reliance on clause (b) above (other than those described in clause (e), (f) or (h) below) shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment via an electronic settlement system designated by the Agent (or, if previously agreed with the Agent, via a manual execution and delivery of the

 

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Assignment) evidencing such Sale, together with any existing Note subject to such Sale (or any affidavit of loss therefor acceptable to the Agent), any Tax forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section  10.1 and payment of an assignment fee in the amount of $3,500 to the Agent, unless waived or reduced by the Agent. Upon receipt of all the foregoing, and conditioned upon such receipt and, if such Assignment is made in accordance with clause (iii) of Section  9.9(b) , upon the Agent (and the Borrowers, if applicable) consenting to such Assignment, from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment, the Agent shall record or cause to be recorded in the Register the information contained in such Assignment.

(d) Effectiveness . Subject to the recording of an Assignment by the Agent in the Register pursuant to Section  1.4(b) (for purposes of clarification, including but not limited to the prior receipt of acceptances to assignment required pursuant to Section  9.9(b) ), (i) the assignee thereunder shall become a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations under the Loan Documents have been assigned to such assignee pursuant to such Assignment, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender, (ii) any applicable Note shall be transferred to such assignee through such entry and (iii) the assignor thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations under this Agreement have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment, relinquish its rights (except for those surviving the termination of the Commitments and the payment in full of the Obligations) and be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, other than those relating to events or circumstances occurring prior to such assignment (and, in the case of an Assignment covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

(e) Grant of Security Interests . In addition to the other rights provided in this Section  9.9 , each Lender may grant a security interest in, or otherwise assign as collateral, any of its rights under this Agreement, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including rights to payments of principal or interest on the Loans), to (A) any federal reserve bank (pursuant to Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board), without notice to the Agent or (B) any holder of, or trustee for the benefit of the holders of, such Lender’s Indebtedness or equity securities; provided , however , that no such holder or trustee, whether because of such grant or assignment or any foreclosure thereon (unless such foreclosure is made through an assignment in accordance with clause (b) above), shall be entitled to any rights of such Lender hereunder and no such Lender shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder.

(f) Participants and SPVs . In addition to the other rights provided in this Section  9.9 , each Lender may, (x) with notice to the Agent and at its own cost, grant to an SPV the option to make all or any part of any Loan that such Lender would otherwise be required to make hereunder (and the exercise of such option by such SPV and the making of Loans pursuant thereto shall satisfy the obligation of such Lender to make such Loans hereunder) and such SPV may assign to such Lender the right to receive payment with respect to any Obligation and (y) without notice to or consent from the Agent or the Borrowers, sell participations to one or more Persons (other than Disqualified Lenders) in or to all or a portion of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents (including all its rights and obligations with respect to the Loans); provided , however , that, whether as a

 

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result of any term of any Loan Document or of such grant or participation, (i) no such SPV or participant shall have a commitment, or be deemed to have made an offer to commit, to make Loans hereunder, and, except as provided in the applicable option agreement, none shall be liable for any obligation of such Lender hereunder, (ii) such Lender’s rights and obligations, and the rights and obligations of the Credit Parties and the Secured Parties towards such Lender, under any Loan Document shall remain unchanged and each other party hereto shall continue to deal solely with such Lender, which shall remain the holder of the Obligations in the Register, except that each such participant and SPV shall be entitled to the benefit of Article X (subject to the requirements and limitations therein), but, with respect to Section  10.1 , only to the extent such participant or SPV timely delivers the Tax forms such Lender is required to collect pursuant to Section  10.1(h) and then only to the extent of any amount in respect of the interest subject to such grant or participation to which such Lender would be entitled in the absence of any such grant or participation, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment under Section 10.1 results from a Change in Law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation; provided , however that in no case shall an SPV or a participant have the right to enforce any of the terms of any Loan Document, and the Borrowers shall not, at any time, be obligated to make any payment to a participant in excess of the amount that the Borrowers would have been obligated to pay to such Lender had such participation not been sold, except to the extent such payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the participant acquired the applicable participation, and (iii) the consent of such SPV or participant shall not be required (either directly, as a restraint on such Lender’s ability to consent hereunder or otherwise) for any amendments, waivers or consents with respect to any Loan Document or to exercise or refrain from exercising any powers or rights such Lender may have under or in respect of the Loan Documents (including the right to enforce or direct enforcement of the Obligations), except for those described in clauses (ii), (iii) and (vi) of Section  9.1(a) with respect to amounts, or dates fixed for payment of amounts, to which such participant or SPV would otherwise be entitled and releases of Guarantees or Collateral. No party hereto shall institute (and the Borrowers and each Parent shall cause each other Credit Party not to institute) against any SPV grantee of an option pursuant to this clause (f) any bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper of such SPV; provided , however , that each Lender having designated an SPV as such agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against any Liability that may be incurred by, or asserted against, such Indemnitee as a result of failing to institute such proceeding (including a failure to be reimbursed by such SPV for any such Liability). The agreement in the preceding sentence shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the Payment in Full of the Obligations. Each Lender selling a participation or granting an option to an SPV shall keep, as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers solely for Tax purposes, a register of such participation or option (the “ Participant Register ”) specifying such participant’s or SPV’s name and address and entitlement to payments of principal and interest, and terms of its participation in a manner similar to Section  1.4(b) ; 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 SPV or any information relating to a participant’s or SPV’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document)

 

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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. This section shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of the Code. The Agent shall have no responsibility for maintaining any Participant Register. Any participation made or SPV option granted to any Person in violation of this Section  9.9(f) shall be void ab initio.

(g) Affiliated Lenders.

(i) In addition to the other rights provided in this Section  9.9 , each Lender may assign all or a portion of any one or more of its Loans to any Person who, after giving effect to such assignment, would be an Affiliated Lender (without the consent of any Person but subject to acknowledgment by the Agent (which acknowledgment shall be provided promptly after request therefor)); provided that:

(A) [reserved];

(B) the assigning Lender and the Affiliated Lender purchasing such Lender’s Loans or Incremental Loans shall execute and deliver to the Agent an assignment agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 9.9(g)(i)(B) hereto (an “ Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption ”);

(C) [reserved]; and

(D) immediately after giving effect to such assignment, (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans held by all Affiliated Lenders (other than Sponsor Fund Affiliates) shall not exceed 25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans then outstanding under this Agreement, (2) with respect to an assignment to a Sponsor Fund Affiliate, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans which may be assigned to Sponsor Fund Affiliates shall in no event exceed, as calculated at the time of the consummation of any aforementioned assignments, 49.9% of the aggregate amount of the Loans then outstanding and (3) for any calculation of Required Lenders, the Loans of Sponsor Fund Affiliates may not, in the aggregate, account for more than 49.9% of the Loans in determining whether the Required Lenders have consented to any amendment or waiver.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Affiliated Lenders may be excluded from meetings solely among Lenders and shall not receive, or be entitled to receive, any information developed by, or on behalf of, the Agent or any Lender that is provided solely to Lenders (and their auditors, advisors and attorneys) by the Agent or any Lender.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding anything in Section  9.1 or the definition of “Required Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Required Lenders, all affected Lenders or all Lenders have (A) consented to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, (B) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document or (C) directed or required the Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, an Affiliated Lender shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating Required Lenders, including both the amount approving the action and the total amount of the Loans; provided that, without the consent of an Affiliated Lender, no amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action shall (1) increase any Commitment of such Affiliated Lender, (2) extend the due date for any scheduled installment of principal (including at maturity) of any Loan held by such Affiliated Lender, (3) extend the due date for interest under the Loan Documents owed to such Affiliated Lender, (4) reduce any amount owing to such Affiliated Lender under any Loan Document, (5) amend or waive any provision of any Loan Document regarding pro rata payments or sharing of payments, in each case, in a manner adverse to such Affiliated Lender, or (6) affect an Affiliated Lender disproportionately and adversely in relation to all other Lenders holding the applicable Loan who are not Affiliated Lenders.

(iv) Each Affiliated Lender, solely in its capacity as a holder of any Loans, hereby agrees that, if any Credit Party shall be subject to any Insolvency Proceeding, such Affiliated Lender shall not (A) vote in opposition to a plan of reorganization (pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §1126) of such Credit Party that is approved by the Lenders (exclusive of all Affiliated Lenders) holding a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans (exclusive of Loans held by Affiliated Lenders) hereunder, unless such plan of reorganization proposes to treat the Obligations or claims held by such Affiliated Lender in a manner that is less favorable to such Affiliated Lender than the proposed treatment of the Obligations or claims held by Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders or (B) vote in favor of any such plan of reorganization of such Credit Party that has not been approved by Lenders (exclusive of all Affiliated Lenders) holding a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans (exclusive of Loans held by Affiliated Lenders) hereunder.

(v) No Affiliated Lender shall be required to make any representations that Parents, the Borrowers and such Subsidiary are not in possession of any information regarding Parents, the Borrowers, their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or their assets in connection with any assignment and assumption or any of the transactions contemplated thereby that has not previously been disclosed to the Agent and private siders.

 

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(h) In addition to the other rights provided in this Section  9.9 , each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign or transfer all or a portion of its Loans owing to it to Parents, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries on a non -pro rata basis, subject to the following limitations:

(i) (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, or would immediately result therefrom and (B) none of Parents, the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries shall use the proceeds of any ABL Loans to acquire such Loans;

(ii) Parents, the Borrowers or any of the Borrower’ Subsidiaries shall repurchase such Loans through either (x) conducting one or more modified Dutch auctions or other buy-back offer processes, including pursuant to Section  1.7(d) hereof (each, an “ Offer Process ”) with a third party financial institution as auction agent to repurchase all or any portion of the applicable Class of Loans; provided that (A) notice of such Offer Process shall be made to all Loan Lenders and (B) such Offer Process is conducted pursuant to procedures mutually established by the Agent and Borrower which are consistent with Section  1.7(d) and Section  9.9(h) or (y) open market purchases on a non- pro rata basis, and in each case such repurchase shall be permitted under Section 5.4 and Section 5.11;

(iii) with respect to all repurchases made by Parents, the Borrowers or any of the Borrowers’ Subsidiaries pursuant to this Section  9.9(h) , (A) none of Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be required to make any representations that Parents, the Borrowers or such Subsidiary is not in possession of any information regarding Parents, the Borrowers or their Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or their assets, Borrowers’ ability to perform their Obligations or any other matter that may be material to a decision by any Lender to participate in any offer or enter into any assignment and assumption or any of the transactions contemplated thereby that has not previously been disclosed to the Agent and private siders, (B) such repurchases shall be in compliance with the terms hereof, (C) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately thereafter result from such repurchase, (D) Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall not use the proceeds of any ABL Loans to acquire such Loans, (E) the assigning Lender and Parents, the Borrowers or such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall execute and deliver to the Agent an assignment and assumption in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, and (F) all parties to the relevant repurchases shall render customary “big-boy” disclaimer letters or any such disclaimers shall be incorporated into the terms of the assignment and assumption; and

(iv) following repurchase by Parents, the Borrowers or such Subsidiary pursuant to this Section, the Loans so repurchased shall, without further action by any Person, be deemed cancelled for all purposes and no longer outstanding (and may not be resold by Parents, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries), for all purposes of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents, including, but not limited to (1) the making of, or the application of, any payments to the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (2) the making of any

 

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request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (3) the determination of Required Lenders, or for any similar or related purpose, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and the Borrowers shall neither obtain nor have any rights as a Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by virtue of such repurchase (without limiting the foregoing, in all events, such Loans may not be resold or otherwise assigned, or subject to any participation, or otherwise transferred by Parents, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries). In connection with any Loans repurchased and cancelled pursuant to this Section  9.9(h)(iv) , the Agent is authorized to make appropriate entries in the Register to reflect any such cancellation.

9.10 Non-Public Information; Confidentiality .

(a) Non-Public Information . The Agent and each Lender each acknowledges and agrees that it may receive material non-public information (“ MNPI ”) hereunder concerning the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and agrees to use such information in compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and applicable Requirements of Laws (including United States federal and state securities laws and regulations).

(b) Confidential Information . The Agent and each Lender each shall treat confidentially all information obtained by it pursuant to any Loan Document, except that such information may be disclosed (i) with the Borrowers’ consent, (ii) to Related Persons of such Lender or the Agent, as the case may be, on a “need to know” basis solely in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents and who are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are or have been advised of their obligation to keep information of this type confidential (and the Agent and such Lender each agrees to remain liable for their breach thereof), (iii) to the extent such information presently is or hereafter becomes (A) publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section  9.10 or (B) available to such Lender or the Agent or to any of their Related Persons, as the case may be, on a non-confidential basis from a source other than any Credit Party and not in violation of any confidentiality agreement or obligation owed to any Credit Party or its respective Affiliates, (iv) to the extent disclosure is required by applicable Requirements of Law in any legal process or requested or demanded by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Agent or such Lender, in each such case under this clause (iv), such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers in advance of such disclosure, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment, (v) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party or their respective Affiliates (in which case (y) other than in connection with a routine audit or examination by bank accountants or the Small Business Administration, such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers, in advance, to the extent permitted by Requirements of Law and (z) in all instances, such Person shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any such information so disclosed is accorded confidential treatment), (vi) subject to the prior review and written consent of the Borrowers, to the extent necessary or customary for inclusion in league table measurements, (vii) to current or prospective Lenders, SPVs (including the investors or

 

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prospective investors therein) or participants, direct or contractual counterparties to any Rate Contracts and their respective Related Persons for the purposes of evaluating the relevant transaction, in each case to the extent such assignees, investors, participants, counterparties or Related Persons agree to be bound by provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section  9.10 (and such Person may disclose information to their respective Related Persons in accordance with clause (ii) above), (viii) to any other party hereto, (ix) in connection with the exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy under any Loan Document (in which case such Person shall promptly notify the Borrowers in advance of such disclosure, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law) and (x) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating Parents, the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary or the Loans or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities or market data collectors, similar services, providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agent in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the Loan Documents; provided , however , that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall disclosure of such information referred to above be made to any Disqualified Lender ( provided that the list of Disqualified Lenders has been made available to such party). In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section  9.10 and those of any other Contractual Obligation entered into with any Credit Party (whether or not a Loan Document), the terms of this Section  9.10 shall govern. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the foregoing, the Fee Letter may not be disclosed to Lenders without the prior written consent of the Borrowers and the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Agent shall not be responsible for compliance with this Section  9.10(b) by any Lender or any of its Related Persons.

(c) Tombstones . Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall, and neither the Agent nor any Lender shall permit any of its Affiliates to, publish any press releases, tombstones, advertising or other promotional materials (including, without limitation, via any Electronic Transmission) referring to any Credit Party or of any of their respective Affiliates, the Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated therein to which a Credit Party is party without the prior written consent of the Borrowers except (x) to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law and then, only after consulting with the Borrowers (if legally permitted to do so) and (y) customary press releases in connection with the closing of the Transactions, which press releases shall be provided in draft form to the Borrowers for review, comment and approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) prior to the publication thereof.

(d) Press Release and Related Matters . No Credit Party shall, and no Credit Party shall permit any of its Affiliates to, issue any press release or other public disclosure (other than any document filed with any Governmental Authority relating to a public offering of securities of any Credit Party) using the name, logo or otherwise referring to the Agent or of any of its Affiliates, without the prior written consent of the Agent except (x) to the extent required to do so under applicable Requirements of Law and then, only after consulting with the Agent (if legally permitted to do so) and (y) customary press releases in connection with the closing of the Transactions, which press releases shall be provided in draft form to the Agent for review, comment and approval prior to the publication thereof (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

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(e) Distribution of Materials to Lenders . The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the Loan Documents and all reports, notices, communications and other information or materials provided or delivered by, or on behalf of, the Credit Parties hereunder (collectively, the “ Borrower Materials ”) may be, but is not required to be, disseminated by, or on behalf of, the Agent, and made available, to the Lenders by posting such Borrower Materials on an E-System (subject to recipients’ agreements to be bound by the foregoing confidentiality undertakings via “click-through” agreements) (the “ Platform ”). The Credit Parties authorize the Agent to download copies of their logos from its website and post copies thereof on an E-System. The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available”. The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications (as defined below). 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 the Platform. In no event shall the Agent or any of its Related Persons (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to any Parent, any Borrower, any other Credit Party, any Lender or any other Person 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 Credit Party’s or the Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Credit Party provides to the Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section  9.10(e) , including through the Platform.

(f) Material Non-Public Information . The Credit Parties hereby acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders ( i.e. , Lenders that do not wish to receive MNPI with respect to any of the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates or their securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”). Each of Credit Parties agrees that (i) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean: that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (ii) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”, each of Credit Parties shall be deemed to have authorized the Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material information with respect to any Credit Party or any of their Affiliates or securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws other than information that is of a type that would be publicly available if any Parent or Borrower were a public reporting company; (iii) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor”; and (iv) the Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Borrower Materials shall be marked “PUBLIC”, unless the Borrowers notify the Agent promptly that any such

 

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document contains material information of a type that would not be publicly available if any Parent or Borrower were a public reporting company: (A) the Loan Documents and (B) notification of changes in the terms of the Loans, (C) the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) and 4.2(a) and (D) the Compliance Certificate. Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable law, including United States Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain MNPI with respect to the Credit Parties or any of their Affiliates or securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

9.11 Set-off; Sharing of Payments .

(a) Right of Set-off . Each of the Agent, each Lender and each Affiliate (including each branch office thereof) of any of them is hereby authorized, without notice or demand (each of which is hereby waived by each Credit Party), at any time and from time to time during the continuance of any Event of Default and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law (but in the case of each Lender and each Affiliate, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Agent), to set off and apply any and all deposits (whether general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, but not including Excluded Accounts) at any time held and other Indebtedness, claims or other obligations at any time owing by the Agent, such Lender or any of their respective Affiliates to or for the credit or the account of the Borrowers or any other Credit Party against any Obligation of any Credit Party then due and owing. No Lender shall exercise any such right of set-off without the prior consent of the Agent or Required Lenders. Each of the Agent and each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrowers and the Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender or its Affiliates; provided , however , that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights under this Section  9.11 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that the Agent, the Lenders, their respective Affiliates and the other Secured Parties, may have.

(b) Sharing of Payments, etc. Except as otherwise provided herein, including pursuant to discounted purchases of open market purchases or otherwise, if any Lender, directly or through an Affiliate or branch office thereof, obtains any payment of any principal or interest Obligation of any Credit Party (whether voluntary, involuntary or through the exercise of any right of set-off or the receipt of any Collateral or “proceeds” (as defined under the applicable UCC) of Collateral) other than pursuant to Section  9.9 or Article X or otherwise in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement and such payment exceeds the amount such Lender would have been entitled to receive if all payments had gone to, and been distributed by, the Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents, such Lender shall purchase for cash from other Lenders such participations in their Obligations as necessary for such Lender to share such excess payment with such Lenders to ensure such payment is applied as though it had been received by the Agent and applied in accordance with this Agreement (or, if

 

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such application would then be at the discretion of the Borrowers, applied to repay the Obligations in accordance herewith); provided , however , that (i) if such payment is rescinded or otherwise recovered from such Lender in whole or in part, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price therefor shall be returned to such Lender without interest and (ii) such Lender shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, be able to exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the applicable Credit Party in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the foregoing or in any other Loan Document, in the event any payment to an Affiliated Lender is invalidated, avoided, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or otherwise required to be transferred to a trustee, receiver, Credit Party or estate of a Credit Party in connection with an Insolvency Proceeding solely as a result of such Affiliated Lender being an Affiliate of a Credit Party, such Affiliated Lender shall have no right, in respect of such payment, of contribution or payment (including by way of participation) from any Lender or the Agents under this Section  9.11(b) or any other term or provision of any Loan Document providing for the pro rata treatment of Lenders.

9.12 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or Electronic Transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.13 Severability . The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

9.14 Captions . The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

9.15 Independence of Provisions . The parties hereto acknowledge that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

9.16 Interpretation . This Agreement is the result of negotiations among and has been reviewed by counsel to Credit Parties, the Agent, each Lender and other parties hereto, and is the product of all parties hereto. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be construed against the Lenders (or any of them) or the Agent merely because of the Agent’s or the Lenders’ involvement in the preparation of such documents and agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the parties hereto has had the advice of counsel with respect to Sections 9.18 and 9.19 .

 

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9.17 No Third Parties Benefited . This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Agent and, subject to the provisions of Section  8.11 , each other Secured Party, and their permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to any Person not a party to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

9.18 Governing Law and Jurisdiction .

(a) Governing Law . The laws of the State of New York shall govern all matters arising out of, in connection with or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction, performance and enforcement (including, without limitation, any claims based in contract or tort law arising out of the subject matter hereof and any determinations with respect to post-judgment interest).

(b) Submission to Jurisdiction . Any legal action or proceeding with respect to any Loan Document shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the State of New York located in the City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, or of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Borrower, each other Credit Party and each other party hereto hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its Property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of any party to commence any proceeding in any court of any other jurisdiction to the extent such party determines that such action is necessary or appropriate to exercise its rights or remedies under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto (and, to the extent set forth in any other Loan Document, each other Credit Party) hereby irrevocably waive any objection, including any objection to the laying of venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, that any of them may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such jurisdictions.

(c) Service of Process . Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives personal service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and other documents and other service of process of any kind and consents to such service in any suit, action or proceeding brought in the United States of America with respect to or otherwise arising out of or in connection with any Loan Document by any means permitted by applicable Requirements of Law, including by the mailing thereof (by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) to the address of such party specified herein (and shall be effective when such mailing shall be effective, as provided therein). Each party 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.

(d) Non-Exclusive Jurisdiction . Nothing contained in this Section  9.18 shall affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable Requirements of Law or commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any party hereto in any other jurisdiction.

 

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9.19 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO, THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. THIS WAIVER APPLIES TO ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE.

9.20 Entire Agreement; Release; Survival .

(a) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER THEREOF AND ANY PRIOR LETTER OF INTEREST, COMMITMENT LETTER, CONFIDENTIALITY AND SIMILAR AGREEMENTS INVOLVING ANY CREDIT PARTY AND ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES RELATING TO A FINANCING OF SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM, PURPOSE OR EFFECT OTHER THAN THE FEE LETTER. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL GOVERN (UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR SUCH TERMS OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE REQUIREMENTS OF LAW, IN WHICH CASE SUCH TERMS SHALL GOVERN TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO COMPLY THEREWITH).

(b) In no event shall any Indemnitee or any Credit Party be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings); provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Credit Parties’ indemnification obligations as set forth in Section 9.6 to the extent damages are included in any third party claim in connection with which an Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under the Loan Documents.

(c) Each party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees (and shall cause each of its Related Persons to waive, release and agree) not to sue upon any such claim for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

(d) (i) Any indemnification or other protection provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Section  9.20 , Section  9.5 (Costs and Expenses), Section  9.6 (Indemnity), Section  9.31 (Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations), Section 9.32 (Suvival of Representations and Warranties, etc.), and Article VIII (Agent) and Article X (Taxes, Yield Protection and Illegality), (ii) the obligation of each Credit Party and each Lender with respect to each indemnity given by it in any Loan Document, and each other term, provision, or section of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which states as much, and (iii) the provisions of Section  8.1 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement, in each case, shall (x) survive Payment in Full and any release or termination relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, or the credit facility established hereunder or thereunder and (y) with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, inure to the benefit of any Person that at any time held a right thereunder (as an Indemnitee or otherwise) and, thereafter, its successors and permitted assigns.

 

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9.21 Patriot Act . Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

9.22 Replacement of Lender . After: (i) receipt by the Borrowers of written notice and demand from any Lender (an “ Affected Lender ”) for any payment provided in Sections 10.1 , 10.3 and/or 10.6 ; or (ii) any failure by any Lender to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to any Loan Document in which the consent of each Lender (or each Lender directly affected thereby, as applicable) is required with respect thereto ( provided , in the event such non-consenting Lender is the Agent or an Affiliate of the Agent, the Borrowers shall have given five Business Days prior written notice to the Agent of the Borrowers’ intention to remove the Agent or such Affiliate pursuant to this Section  9.22 ; provided , further , that the Agent shall have the right, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section  8.9 , to resign as the Agent hereunder effective upon the consummation of the replacement of such Lender pursuant to this Section  9.22 ), the Borrowers may, at their option, notify the Agent and such Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender) of the Borrowers’ intention to obtain, at the Borrowers’ expense, a replacement Lender (the “ Replacement Lender ”) for such Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender). In the event the Borrowers obtain a Replacement Lender, the Affected Lender (or such non-consenting Lender) shall sell and assign its Loans to such Replacement Lender, at par; provided that the Borrowers have reimbursed such Affected Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and assignment and, in the case of such a non-consenting Lender that is being replaced as a result of such Lender’s failure to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to this Agreement to permit a Repricing Event, such non-consenting Lender has been paid any applicable prepayment premium that would be due to it under Section  1.9(b) in connection with such Repricing Event if such non-consenting Lender had not been so replaced. In the event that a replaced Lender does not execute an Assignment pursuant to Section  9.9 within five Business Days after receipt by such replaced Lender of notice of replacement pursuant to this Section  9.22 and presentation to such replaced Lender of an Assignment evidencing an assignment pursuant to this Section  9.22 , the Borrowers shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute such an Assignment on behalf of such replaced Lender, and any such Assignment so executed by each Borrower, the Replacement Lender and the Agent, shall be effective for purposes of this Section  9.22 and Section  9.9 . Upon any such assignment and payment and compliance with the other provisions of Section  9.9 , such replaced Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided that any rights of such replaced Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  9.22 , the Borrowers shall be permitted to purchase and immediately cancel a non-consenting Lender’s Loans, at par, with proceeds of Incremental Loans or an equity contribution to the Borrowers; provided that the Borrowers have reimbursed such non-consenting Lender for its increased costs for which it is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement through the date of such sale and, in the case of such a non-consenting Lender that is being replaced as a

 

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result of such Lender’s failure to consent to a requested amendment, waiver or modification to this Agreement to permit a Repricing Event, such non-consenting Lender has been paid any applicable prepayment premium that would be due to it under Section  1.9(b) in connection with such Repricing Event if such non-consenting Lender had not been so replaced.

9.23 Joint and Several . The obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are joint and several.

9.24 Creditor-Debtor Relationship . In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by any Loan Document, Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that (a) (i) the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement and any related arranging or other services by the Agent, any Lender, any of their Affiliates or any arranger are arm’s-length commercial transactions between Credit Parties and such Persons; (ii) Credit Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory, and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate; and (iii) Credit Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and do understand and accept, the terms, risks, and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) each of the Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger is and has been acting solely as a principal in connection with this credit facility, is not the financial advisor, agent, or fiduciary of, to, or for any Credit Party or any of their Affiliates or any other Person and has no obligation with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein; and (c) the Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from the Credit Parties and their Affiliates and have no obligation to disclose any of such interests to any Credit Party or any such Affiliate. To the fullest extent permitted by all Requirements of Law, each Credit Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Agent, Lenders, their Affiliates and any arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

9.25 ABL Intercreditor Agreement . Each Lender hereunder (a) acknowledges that it has received a copy of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, (b) consents to the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, (c) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a signatory thereto and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement and (d) authorizes and instructs the Agent to enter into the ABL Intercreditor Agreement as Collateral Agent and on behalf of such Lender, and any documents relating thereto and (e) agrees that no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of any action taken by the Agent pursuant to this Section or the ABL Intercreditor Agreement. Each Lender hereby further irrevocably authorizes and directs the Agent (i) to take such actions as shall be required to release Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms of the ABL Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement and (ii) to enter into such amendments, supplements or other modifications to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement in connection with any extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any Obligations and any Indebtedness incurred under the ABL Documents as are reasonably acceptable to the Agent to give effect thereto, in each case on behalf of such Lender and without any further consent, authorization or other action by and on behalf of such Lender.

 

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9.26 Collateral and Guarantee Requirements . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, (a) the Collateral will exclude (i) any fee-owned real property with a fair market value of less than $2,500,000 (as determined in good faith by the Borrowers on the date of acquisition) and all leasehold, sub-leasehold and other similar interests in real property (with no requirement to obtain leasehold mortgages, landlord waivers, consents, estoppels, or collateral access letters; provided , however , that in the event any actions are taken to create and/or perfect security interests in such assets or property for the benefit of the secured parties under any ABL Facility with respect to Collateral Access Agreements, such actions shall also be taken to perfect such security interests for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents), (ii) pledges and security interests currently prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation (including any requirement to obtain the consent of any governmental authority or third party, unless such consent has been obtained) (to the extent such law, rule or regulation is effective under applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC), other than proceeds and receivables thereof, (iii) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in each case, other than with respect to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in existence on the Closing Date or upon the Acquisition of the relevant Subsidiary party thereto, to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrowers or a Guarantor) or otherwise require consent thereunder, unless such consent has been obtained after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable law, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition, and other than proceeds and receivables thereof, (iv) any governmental licenses or state or local franchises, charters and authorizations to the extent creation of a security interest thereon is prohibited or restricted thereby (after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provision of the UCC) (but not proceeds of the foregoing), for so long as the applicable franchise, charter, or authorization prohibits the creation of a security interest therein, (v) any intent-to-use Trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, but solely to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration issuing from such intent-to-use trademark application under applicable federal law ( provided that upon filing with, and acceptance by, the United States Patent and Trademark Office of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(c) or a statement of use under 15 U.S.C. Section 1051(d) (or any successor provisions), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral), (vi) those assets as to which the Agent and the Borrowers reasonably agree (1) a security interest over which would reasonably be expected to result in material adverse Tax consequences or (2) that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby, (vii) any assets owned by any Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, (viii) interests in joint ventures and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries which cannot be pledged without the consent of unaffiliated third parties (other than the Borrowers or a Guarantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable law, (ix) except to the extent a security interest therein can be perfected by a UCC filing or to the extent included in the collateral for, or otherwise required to be perfected pursuant to or in connection with, any ABL Facility, Cash and Cash Equivalents, deposit and securities accounts (including securities entitlements and related assets) and any other assets requiring perfection through control agreements or perfection by “control” (other than intercompany notes, equity interests in the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries required to be pledged under any Loan

 

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Document (or, if applicable, uncertificated security control agreements), instruments and tangible chattel paper) and (x) any non-U.S. assets or assets that require action under the law of any non-U.S. jurisdiction to create or perfect a security interest in such assets, including any Intellectual Property owned or registered in any non-U.S. jurisdiction (and no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction shall be required) ( provided that the foregoing shall not operate to exclude any such asset to the extent that such asset is otherwise included in the definition of Collateral and a security interest in such asset may be created and perfected under the laws of the State of New York (or any other applicable state of the United States) for the purposes of determinations under such laws by the filing of a UCC financing statement (it being understood that there will be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction)) (collectively, the “ Excluded Assets ”; provided , however , that “Excluded Assets” shall not include any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets under the definition thereof)), and (b) no perfection actions shall be required with respect to (i) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title with a value of less than $1,000,000 individually and (ii) letter of credit rights (other than those that constitute supporting obligations as to included Collateral and/or to the extent that perfection can be accomplished through the filing of a UCC financing statement) with a value of less than $2,000,000 and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $2,000,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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9.28 Judgment Currency . If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or under any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with the normal banking procedures the Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrowers in respect of any such sum due from them to the Agent or the Lenders hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “ Judgment Currency ”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “ Agreement Currency ”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Agent or the relevant Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Agent or the relevant Lender may in accordance with the normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Agent or such Lender from the Borrowers in the Agreement Currency, the Borrowers agree, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to jointly and severally indemnify the Agent, or the Person to whom such obligation was owing against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Agent or such Lender in such currency, the Agent or such Lender agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrowers (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

9.29 Certain ERISA Matters .

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of the Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Employee Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans or the Commitments,

(ii) the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from the prohibitions of ERISA Section 406 and Code Section 4975, such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

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(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of the Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that:

(i) none of the Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers or their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto),

(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),

(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),

(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and

(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

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(c) The Agent and each of the Joint Lead Arrangers hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans or the Commitments by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.

9.30 Relationship with Lenders . The obligations of each Lender hereunder are several, and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by the Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. Amounts payable hereunder by the Agent or any Lender, on the one hand, to any other of such Persons, on the other hand, shall be separate and independent debts and obligations, and claims by one of such Persons against any other of such Persons may proceed between such Persons without requiring the joinder of the Agent or any Lender as an additional party. Nothing in this Agreement and no action of the Agent or Lenders pursuant to the Loan Documents shall cause the Agent and the Lenders, or any of them, to be deemed a partnership, association, joint venture, or any other kind of entity with each other or with any Credit Party, or to have any Control of each other or any Credit Party.

9.31 Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations . If the incurrence or payment of the Obligations by or on behalf of any Credit Party or the transfer to the Agent or any Lender of any Property (including through set-off) should for any reason subsequently be declared to be void or voidable under any Debtor Relief Law, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent conveyances, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable payments of money or transfers of Property (collectively, a “ Voidable Transfer ”), and if the Agent or any Lender, or any of them, is required to repay or restore, in whole or in part, any such Voidable Transfer, or elects to do so upon the reasonable advice of its counsel, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such Persons, or any of them, is required or elects to repay or restore, and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of such Persons related thereto, the liability of all affected Credit Parties automatically shall be revived, reinstated, and restored and shall exist as though such Voidable Transfer had never been made.

9.32 Survival of Representations and Warranties, etc . All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of the making of any Loan and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.

 

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ARTICLE X

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

10.1 Taxes .

(a) Except as otherwise required by any Requirement of Law, each payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any Taxes.

(b) If any Taxes shall be required by any Requirement of Law to be deducted from or in respect of any payment by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Loan Document (i) if such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, the amount payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary to ensure that, after all required deductions for Indemnified Taxes are made (including deductions applicable to any amounts payable under this Section  10.1 ), the applicable Secured Party receives the amount it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the relevant Credit Party or the applicable withholding agent shall make such deductions and (iii) the relevant Credit Party or the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with applicable Requirements of Law.

(c) In addition, the Credit Parties shall pay, and authorize the Agent to pay in their name, any stamp, documentary, excise or property Tax, charges or similar levies imposed by any applicable Requirement of Law or Governmental Authority and all Liabilities with respect thereto (including by reason of any delay in payment thereof), in each case arising 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 or any transaction contemplated therein, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section  9.22 ) (collectively, “ Other Taxes ”).

(d) Without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant to Section 10.1(b) or (c), the Credit Parties shall reimburse and jointly and severally indemnify, within 30 days after receipt of written demand therefor (with copy to the Agent), each Secured Party for all Indemnified Taxes (including any Indemnified Taxes imposed on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section  10.1 ) paid or payable by such Secured Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Secured Party and any Liabilities arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. A certificate of the Secured Party (or of the Agent on behalf of such Secured Party) claiming any compensation under this clause (d), setting forth the amounts to be paid thereunder and delivered to the Borrowers with copy to the Agent, shall be conclusive, binding and final for all purposes, absent demonstrable error.

 

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(e) Each Secured Party (other than the Agent) shall severally indemnify the Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Secured Party (but only to the extent that the Credit Parties have not already indemnified the Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Secured Party’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.9(f) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Secured Party, in each case, that are payable or paid by the 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 Secured Party by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Secured Party hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Secured Party under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Agent to the Secured Party from any other source against any amount due to the Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f) Within 30 days (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent in its sole discretion) after the date of any payment of Taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Other Taxes) by any Credit Party pursuant to this Section  10.1 , such Credit Party shall furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to in Section  9.2 , the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof or other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

(g) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section  10.1 shall use its reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and Requirements of Law) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such a change or assignment would reduce any such additional amounts (or any similar amount that may thereafter accrue) and would not, in the sole determination of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrowers hereby agree to jointly and severally pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(h) Each Secured Party 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 Borrowers and the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), at the time or times prescribed by applicable laws and reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrowers and the Agent or the relevant Lender, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to withholding Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Secured Party’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable withholding Taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Secured Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or otherwise to establish such Secured Party’s status for withholding Tax purposes in the applicable

 

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jurisdiction. In addition, any Secured Party, if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) as will enable the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) to determine whether or not such Secured Party 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 Sections 10.1(h)(i) , (h)(ii) and (h)(iv) below) shall not be required if in the Secured Party’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Secured Party to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Secured Party. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(i) Each Non-U. S. Lender Party shall (w) on or prior to the date such Non-U.S. Lender Party becomes a “Non-U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (x) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (y) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (i) and (z) from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, with two duly executed originals of each of the following, as applicable (or promptly notify the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) in writing of its legal inability to do so): (A) Forms W-8ECI (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding Tax because the income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (claiming exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S. withholding Tax under an income Tax treaty, if any) and/or W-8IMY (together with appropriate forms, certifications and supporting statements) or any successor forms, (B) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender Party claiming exemption under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code, Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (claiming exemption from U.S. withholding Tax under the portfolio interest exemption) or any successor form and a certificate in form and substance acceptable to the Agent and the Borrowers that such Non-U.S. Lender Party is not (1) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrowers within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code or (3) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code or (C) any other applicable document prescribed by the IRS certifying as to the entitlement of such Non-U.S. Lender Party to such exemption from or reduction in United States withholding Tax with respect to all payments to be made to such Non-U.S. Lender Party under the Loan Documents. Unless the Borrowers and the Agent have received forms or other documents satisfactory to them indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Non-U.S. Lender Party are not subject to United States withholding Tax or are subject to such Tax at a rate reduced by an applicable Tax treaty, the Credit Parties and the Agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable Requirements of Law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

 

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(ii) Each U.S. Lender Party shall (A) on or prior to the date such U.S. Lender Party becomes a “U.S. Lender Party” hereunder, (B) on or prior to the date on which any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete, (C) after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered by it pursuant to this clause (h)  and (D) from time to time if reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender), provide the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) with two duly executed originals of Form W-9 (certifying that such U.S. Lender Party is not subject to U.S. backup withholding Tax) or any successor form.

(iii) Each Lender having sold a participation in any of its Obligations or identified an SPV as such to the Agent shall collect from such participant or SPV the documents described in this clause (h) (including, without limitation, any documents described in the first three sentences of this clause (h) ).

(iv) If a payment made to a Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party under any Loan Document would be subject to withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party were to fail to comply with the applicable requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party shall deliver to the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Agent or the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) 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 Agent or the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) as may be necessary for the Agent and the Borrowers (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Non-U.S. Lender Party or U.S. Lender Party has complied with its obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Secured Party, Non-U.S. Lender Party and U.S. Lender Party 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 Borrowers and the Agent (or, in the case of a participant or SPV, the relevant Lender) in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

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(i) If any Secured Party determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund (whether in cash or in direct credit in lieu of a cash refund) of Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Credit Parties or with respect to which any Credit Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section  10.1 , it shall without unreasonable delay pay over such refund to the Credit Parties (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Credit Parties under this Section  10.1 giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such Secured Party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). The Credit Parties, upon the request of such Secured Party, shall repay to such Secured Party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section  10.1(i) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such Secured Party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  10.1(i) , in no event shall the Secured Party be required to pay any amount to a Credit Party pursuant to this Section  10.1(i) the payment of which would place the Secured Party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the Secured 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 with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any Secured Party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Credit Parties or any other Person.

(j) Each party’s obligations under this Section  10.1 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the 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.

10.2 Illegality . If after the Closing Date any Lender shall reasonably determine that the introduction of any Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, has made it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make LIBOR Rate Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrowers through the Agent, the obligation of that Lender to make LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender shall have notified the Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exists. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it.

(a) Subject to clause (c) below, if any Lender shall determine that it is unlawful to maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, the Borrowers shall prepay in full, together with all interest thereon, or convert to Base Rate Loans, all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, either on the last day of the Interest Period thereof if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans.

(b) If the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans has been terminated, the Borrowers may elect, by giving notice to such Lender through the Agent that all Loans which would otherwise be made by any such Lender as LIBOR Rate Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans.

 

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(c) Before giving any notice to the Agent pursuant to this Section  10.2 , the affected Lender shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its LIBOR Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice or making such demand and will not, in the judgment of the Lender, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Lender.

10.3 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return .

(a) If any Lender or the Agent shall determine that, due to either (i) the introduction of, or any change in, or change in the interpretation of, any Requirement of Law or (ii) the compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) subsequent to the Closing Date, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender or the Agent of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Loans or any reduction in any amount received or receivable by such Lender or the Agent under any Loan Document, then the Borrowers shall be jointly and severally liable for, and shall from time to time, within 30 days of demand therefor by such Lender or the Agent (with a copy of such demand to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Lender or the Agent, additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Agent for such increased costs; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate any Lender or the Agent pursuant to this Section  10.3(a) for any increased costs incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that such Lender or the Agent notifies the Borrowers, in writing of the increased costs and of such Lender’s or the Agent’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided , further , that if the circumstance giving rise to such increased costs is retroactive, then the 270-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that:

(i) the introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof; or

(iv) compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) or any entity controlling the Lender with any Capital Adequacy Regulation;

affects the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any entity controlling such Lender and (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such entity’s policies with respect to capital adequacy and such Lender’s desired return on capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its Commitment(s), loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, within 30 days of demand of such Lender (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrowers shall jointly and severally pay to such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender (or the entity controlling the Lender) for

 

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such increase; provided that the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate any Lender pursuant to this Section  10.3(b) for any amounts incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrowers, in writing of the amounts and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation thereof; provided , further , that if the event giving rise to such increase is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

(c) It is understood and agreed that (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Pub.L. 111-203, H.R. 4173), all rules and regulations in connection therewith, all guidelines and directives in connection therewith and any compliance by a Lender with any request or directive relating thereto and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case in respect of this clause (ii) pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, for the purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be adopted subsequent to the Closing Date other than any such rules, regulations, guidelines or directives with which the Lenders, as applicable, are required to comply as of the Closing Date.

(d) This Section  10.3 shall not apply to Taxes described in (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes, Connection Income Taxes, Other Taxes or Taxes indemnifiable pursuant to Section  10.1(d) .

10.4 Funding Losses . The Borrowers agrees to jointly and severally reimburse each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any actual loss or expense (excluding loss of profit) which such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

(a) the failure of the Borrowers to make any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of any LIBOR Rate Loan (including payments made after any acceleration thereof);

(b) the failure of the Borrowers to borrow, continue or convert a Loan after the Borrowers have given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

(c) the failure of the Borrowers to make any prepayment after the Borrowers have given a notice in accordance with Section  1.7 ;

(d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section  1.8 ) of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day which is not the last day of the Interest Period with respect thereto; or

(e) the conversion pursuant to Section  1.6 of any LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period;

(f) including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained; provided that, with respect to the expenses described in clauses (d) and (e) above, such

 

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Lender shall have notified the Agent of any such expense within two Business Days of the date on which such expense was incurred. Solely for purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrowers to the Lenders under this Section  10.4 and under Section  10.3(a) : each LIBOR Rate Loan made by a Lender (and each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR used in determining the interest rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank Eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

10.5 Inability to Determine Rates . If the Agent shall have determined in good faith that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or that the LIBOR applicable pursuant to Section  1.3(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding or maintaining such Loan, the Agent will forthwith give notice of such determination to the Borrowers and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrowers may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Borrowers do not revoke such notice, the Lenders shall make, convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by the Borrowers, in the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Borrowers, but such Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate Loans.

10.6 Certificates of Lenders . Any Lender or the Agent claiming reimbursement or compensation pursuant to this Article X shall deliver to the Borrowers (in the case of a Lender, with a copy to the Agent) a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lender or the Agent hereunder and such certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers in the absence of manifest or demonstrable error.

ARTICLE XI

[RESERVED]

ARTICLE XII

DEFINITIONS

12.1 Defined Terms . The following terms have the following meanings:

ABL Agent ” means the administrative agent and collateral agent under any ABL Credit Agreement, together with its successors and assigns in such capacities.

ABL Credit Agreement ” means the collective reference to any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument, in each case, evidencing or governing the terms of any ABL Facility, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as it may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the ABL Intercreditor Agreement. Any reference to the ABL Credit Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any ABL Credit Agreement then extant.

 

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ABL Documents ” means the ABL Credit Agreement and any other “Loan Documents” (or any comparable definition) under and as defined in such ABL Credit Agreement, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as each such document or agreement may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the ABL Intercreditor Agreement. Any reference to the ABL Loan Documents hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any ABL Loan Documents then extant.

ABL Facility ” means one or more customary asset based lending facilities, subject at all times to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement and otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that, at the time of incurrence (or, if earlier, effectiveness) of any such facility (including any incremental facilities and commitment increases), after giving effect to the incurrence of all amounts thereunder and under any other facilities (including incremental facilities and commitment increases) incurred or otherwise effective on or prior to such time (assuming for such purposes that the entire maximum amount under each such facility is fully funded and that all letters of credit have been fully drawn), the sum of all commitments, loans and other extensions of credit and letter of credit exposure under all ABL Facilities (assuming that the maximum amount thereunder is fully funded and that all letters of credit have been fully drawn) in the aggregate shall not exceed the lesser of (a) $70,000,000 and (b) an amount equal to the greater of (i) $45,000,000 and (ii) 67.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction); provided, however, that any such commitments, loans and other extensions of credit and letter of credit exposure under the ABL Facilities (assuming that the maximum amount is fully funded and that all letters of credit have been fully drawn) in excess of $45,000,000 shall reduce the Fixed Incremental Amount on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

ABL Intercreditor Agreement ” means that certain intercreditor agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and among the Agent, the ABL Agent party thereto and each other Person from time to time party thereto, and acknowledged and agreed to by the Credit Parties, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, or such other replacement intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent governing the priority of the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations, on the one hand, and the ABL Obligations, on the other hand, and, among other things, providing that Liens on all or a portion of the assets constituting ABL Priority Collateral that secure the ABL Obligations are senior to the Liens on such Collateral that secure the Obligations, and that Liens on all or a portion of the assets constituting Term Loan Priority Collateral that secure the Obligations are senior to the Liens on such Collateral that secure the ABL Obligations, to be entered into in connection with any ABL Facility, between the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent and acknowledged by the Credit Parties, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

ABL Loans ” means those extensions of credit made pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement.

 

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ABL Obligations ” has the meaning specified in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement (or any comparable definition).

ABL Priority Collateral ” has the meaning specified in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

Acceptable Discount Price ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(ii) .

Account means, as at any date of determination, all “accounts” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the unpaid portion of the obligation of a customer of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Inventory purchased by and shipped to such customer and/or the rendition of services by any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, as stated on the respective invoice of any of the Credit Parties or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, net of any credits, rebates or offsets owed to such customer.

Acquired EBITDA has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Combined EBITDA.

Acquired Entity or Business has the meaning ascribed thereto in the penultimate paragraph of the definition of Combined EBITDA.

Acquisition means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of any Person or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary of a Credit Party, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person.

Additional Lender means, at any time, any bank, other financial institution or institutional investor that, in each case, is not an existing Lender and that agrees to provide any portion of any Incremental Facility pursuant to Section  1.1(b) or Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section  1.12 .

Adjusted LIBOR ” shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the product of (i) the LIBOR in effect for such Interest Period and (ii) Statutory Reserves. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Initial Loans, the Adjusted LIBOR shall not be less than 1.00% per annum.

Administrative Agent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided , however , that no Secured Party shall be an Affiliate of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Loan Documents. For purposes of this definition, “ control means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

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Affiliated Lender means, at any time, any Lender that is the Sponsor or an Affiliate (other than Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or a bona fide debt fund affiliate) of the Sponsor at such time.

Affiliated Pari Passu Lender means, at any time, any Lender of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt that is the Sponsor or an Affiliate (other than Parents, the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, or a bona fide debt fund affiliate) of the Sponsor at such time.

Affected Lender has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.22 .

Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.9(g)(i)(B) .

Agent means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

Aggregate Commitment means, as to any Class, the combined Commitments of such Class of the Lenders, which shall initially be in the amount of $250,000,000.00, as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to this Agreement or increased as a result of Incremental Commitments and Other Commitments.

Agreement has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allied has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allied Parent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allocable Amount ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.13(c)(ii) .

Anticipated Cure Deadline ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  6.3 .

Anti-Corruption Laws ” means all Laws dealing with bribery or corruption, including, to the extent applicable to a Person, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, and any Law implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Transactions.

Anti-Terrorism Laws ” means any laws relating to the prevention of terrorism or money laundering, including the PATRIOT Act and all OFAC rules and regulations, including Executive Order 13224.

Applicable Discount Price ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(ii) .

Applicable Margin ” means, for any date of determination, (a) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, 6.25% per annum and (b) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 5.25% per annum ; and

Approved Fund means, with respect to any Lender, any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) (i) is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business or (ii) temporarily warehouses loans for any Lender or any Person described in clause (i) above and (b)

 

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is administered or managed by (i) such Lender, (ii) any Affiliate of such Lender or (iii) any Person (other than an individual) or any Affiliate of any Person (other than an individual) that administers or manages such Lender.

Assignment means an assignment agreement entered into by a Lender, as assignor, and any Person, as assignee, pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section  9.9 (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section  9.9) , accepted by the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit 11.1(a) or any other form approved by the Agent and Borrowers.

Attorney Costs means and includes all reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.

Available Amount shall mean, at any time of determination (the applicable “ Reference Date ”) an amount equal to, without duplication:

(x) the sum of:

(i) 50% of Combined Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from the first day of the first fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal consolidated financial statements of each Borrower available (or, in the case such Combined Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

(ii) the cumulative amount of Net Issuance Proceeds of Excluded Equity Issuances and capital contributions (other than Specified Equity Contributions) received by the Borrowers after the Closing Date and prior to the Reference Date; plus

(iii) the Net Incurrence Proceeds of Indebtedness and Net Issuance Proceeds of Disqualified Stock that have been incurred or issued after the Closing Date and prior to the Reference Date (other than Specified Equity Contributions) exchanged or converted into Qualified Stock of the Borrowers (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof); plus

(iv) $10,000,000; plus

(v) Declined Amounts; plus

(vi) the Net Proceeds of any sale of any Investment originally made using the Available Amount; plus

(vii) without duplication to clause (vi), cash returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received on Investments (other than in respect of intercompany investments) originally made using the Available Amount to the extent not included in Combined Net Income; plus

(viii) in the event that the Borrowers re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Closing Date (which, for purposes hereof, shall be deemed to also include (A) the merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar amalgamation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary into a Borrower or any Restricted

 

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Subsidiary, so long as the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary is the surviving Person, and (B) the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary), the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrowers) of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such re-designation;

minus :

(y) that portion of the Available Amount that has been spent on Investments or Restricted Payments prior to the Reference Date.

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.

Bankruptcy Code means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978.

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 Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBOR on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a one-month Interest Period, plus 1.00%; provided that for the purpose of clause (c), the Adjusted LIBOR for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Agent that has been nominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates). If the Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, the Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR, as the case may be.

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

Benefit Plan means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether governed by the laws of the United States or otherwise) to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, excluding Multiemployer Plans, Title IV plans and any employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by any foreign, federal, state or local governments or agencies.

Borrower and “ Borrowers have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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Borrower Materials has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(e) .

Borrowing means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans made to or for the benefit of the Borrowers on the same day by the Lenders pursuant to Article I .

Brickhaven Property ” means the approximately 334 acre site known as the “Brickhaven Clay Mine” located at 1315 Moncure-Flatwood Road, in the Town of Moncure, Chatham County, North Carolina.

Business Day means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York City, New York except that, when used in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, “Business Day” shall mean any Business Day on which dealings in Dollars between banks may be carried on in London, England.

Capital Adequacy Regulation means any guideline, request or directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding capital adequacy of any Lender or of any corporation controlling a Lender.

Capital Lease means, with respect to any Person, any lease of, or other arrangement conveying the right to use, any Property by such Person as lessee that has been or is required to be accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Capital Lease Obligations all monetary obligations of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party under any Capital Lease.

Cash Equivalents means (a) any readily-marketable securities (i) issued by, or directly, unconditionally and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States federal government or (ii) issued by any agency or instrumentality of the United States federal government the obligations of which are fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United States federal government, (b) any readily-marketable direct obligations issued by any other agency of the United States federal government, any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia or any political subdivision of any such territory, commonwealth or state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case having a rating of at least “A-l” from S&P or at least “P-l” from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrowers), (c) any commercial paper or fixed or variable notes which are rated at least “A-l” by S&P or “P-l” by Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized statistical rating agency selected by the Borrowers) and issued by any Person organized under the laws of any territory, commonwealth or state of the United States or the District of Columbia, (d) any Dollar-denominated time deposit, insured certificate of deposit, overnight bank deposit or bankers’ acceptance issued or accepted by (i) any Lender or (ii) any commercial bank that (A) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state, territory or commonwealth thereof or the District of Columbia or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of any of the foregoing or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank, (B) is “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary federal banking regulators) and (C) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) in excess of $250,000,000 (each such bank, an “ Approved Bank ”), (e)

 

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securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Approved Bank, (f) obligations of other Persons with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, rated at least AA by S&P and Aa2 by Moody’s, (g) Investments in any United States money market fund that (i) has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above with maturities as set forth in the proviso below and (ii) has net assets in excess of $500,000,000; provided , however , that the maturities of all obligations specified in any of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) above shall not exceed 366 days and (h) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, short-term Investments that are customarily used for cash management purposes in any country in which such Foreign Subsidiary operates.

CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

CERCLIS ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) (i) prior to the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, the Permitted Holders shall cease to beneficially and of record own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then issued and outstanding Stock having ordinary voting (or equivalent) power for the election or appointment of directors (or comparable managers) of the Charah Parent (measured by voting or appointment power rather than number of shares) (“ Voting Stock ”) and (ii) upon and after the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than (x) the Permitted Holders, (y) any employee benefit plan of the Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any employee benefit plan of the Charah Parent or its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Permitted Holders and (z) any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders ( provided that in the case of any such “group,” the Permitted Holders hold at least a majority of the then issued and outstanding Voting Stock of such “group”), is or becomes the beneficial or record owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of issued and outstanding Voting Stock representing both (A) more than 35% of such Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) and (B) more than the percentage of such Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) that is beneficially and of record owned (as such term is defined in Rules 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, by the Permitted Holders and if applicable, any “group” which includes the Permitted Holders, (b) Charah Parent shall cease to own and control legally, beneficially and of record all of the economic and voting rights associated with ownership of all outstanding Stock of Charah or (c) a “change of control” (howsoever defined) under any ABL Credit Agreement.

 

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Charah has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Charah Parent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Class when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Loans, Incremental Loans or Other Loans, (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is the Initial Commitment, an Incremental Commitment or an Other Commitment, and (c) any Lender, refers to whether such Lender has a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments. Incremental, Term Loan Commitments and Other Commitments (and in each case, the Loans made pursuant to such Commitments) that have different terms and conditions shall be construed to be in different Classes. Commitments (and in each case, the Loans made pursuant to such Commitments) that have all the same terms and conditions shall be construed to be in the same Class.

Closing Date means October 25, 2017.

Closing Fee ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.9(a) .

Co-Borrower Payment ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.13(c)(ii) .

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Collateral means all Property and interests in Property and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party (other than Excluded Property), in or upon which a mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, lien or other security interest is granted in favor of the Agent on behalf of itself, Lenders and the other Secured Parties, pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Collateral Document, in each case, to secure the Obligations; provided that in no event shall (i) more than 65% of the outstanding Voting Stock of a Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary or a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary be included in Collateral, (ii) any Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary be included in Collateral and (iii) any asset of a Foreign Subsidiary or a Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary be included in Collateral.

Collateral Access Agreement ” means a landlord waiver, bailee letter or acknowledgment agreement of any lessor, warehouseman, processor, consignee, mortgagee, customs broker or other Person (other than any Credit Party) in possession of, having a Lien upon, or having rights or interests in the inventory (or any books or records relating thereto) of any Credit Party, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

Collateral Agent has the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Control Agreements, and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, patent and trademark security agreements, Guarantees and other similar agreements, and all amendments, restatements, modifications or supplements thereof or thereto, by or between any one or more of any Credit Party, and any Lender or the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties granting a lien on Collateral to secure or Guarantee the

 

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payment of the Obligations now or hereafter delivered to the Lenders or the Agent pursuant to or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and all financing statements (or comparable documents now or hereafter filed in accordance with the UCC or comparable law) against any such Person as debtor in favor of any Lender or the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, as secured party, as any of the foregoing may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Combined EBITDA ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the Consolidated EBITDA of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated EBITDA of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of determining Combined EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, Combined EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $15,321,980, $12,077,417, $17,260,157 and $23,793,420, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clauses (a)(xii) and (a)(xiii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”.

Combined Net Income ” means, with respect to the Borrowers for any period, the sum of the Consolidated Net Income of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated Net Income of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

Combined Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio means, with respect to the Borrowers as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio means, with respect to the Borrowers as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Commitment means, for each Lender, the sum of its Initial Commitment, any Incremental Commitment and any Other Commitment.

Commitment Percentage means as to any Lender, the percentage equivalent of such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment of the relevant Class divided by the Aggregate Term Loan Commitment of the relevant Class, as applicable; provided that after the Term Loans of any Class have been funded, Commitment Percentages shall be determined for the Term Loans of such Class by reference to the outstanding principal balances thereof as of any date of determination rather than the Commitments therefor; provided further that following acceleration of the Loans, such term means, as to any Lender, the percentage equivalent of the principal amount of the Loans held by such Lender, divided by the aggregate principal amount of the Loans held by all Lenders.

Compliance Certificate has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.2(b) .

 

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

Consolidated Current Assets means, with respect to any Person at any date, all assets (other than cash and cash equivalents) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date that would, in conformity with GAAP, be classified as current assets (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person at such date, but excluding the current portion of income taxes and deferred tax assets.

Consolidated Current Liabilities means, with respect to any Person at any date, all liabilities of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date that would, in conformity with GAAP, be classified as current liabilities (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person at such date; provided , however , that “Consolidated Current Liabilities” shall exclude, to the extent otherwise included therein, (a) the current portion of any Indebtedness (including the Loans) to the extent otherwise included therein, (b) revolving loans and letter of credit obligations under revolving credit facilities or revolving lines of credit, (c) the current portion of interest payable, (d) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes, (e) the current portion of any Capital Lease Obligations, (f) deferred revenue, (g) the current portion of deferred acquisition costs and (h) to the extent reflected in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, current accrued costs associated with any restructuring (including accrued severance and accrued facility closure costs).

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense (including the amortization of deferred financing fees or costs and the amortization of OID resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, amortization of intangible assets and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

(a) increased (without duplication, including for purposes of determining Consolidated Net Income) by the following, in each case (other than clauses (xii) and (xiii)) to the extent deducted (and not added back or excluded) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, provincial, state, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period (including penalties, interest, costs and expenses related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations or Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section  5.11(c) ); plus

(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period; plus

 

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(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iv) any out-of-pocket fees, payments, expenses (including legal, tax, shareholder litigation, structuring and other costs and expenses) or charges (including expenses in connection with the Transactions but excluding depreciation or amortization expense) related to: (a) the Transactions, including any payments and expenses, or any amortization thereof, related to the Transactions that are established after the Closing Date and (b) any proposed or actual equity offering, Investment, acquisition (including costs and expenses in connection with the de-listing of public targets and compliance with public company requirements), disposition, dividend, restricted payment or recapitalization or the incurrence and/or repayment of Indebtedness (including any incremental facility, any refinancing of any such Indebtedness, any letter of credit fees and/or breakage costs) (in each of the foregoing whether or not consummated successful), including (1) such fees, expenses or charges related to the Loans, the Loan Documents and any credit facilities, including the ABL Documents (including without limitation any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (2) any amendment, restatement, extension, increase or other modification of the Loans, the Loan Documents and any credit facilities, including the ABL Documents (including without limitation any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness), (3) any charges, non-recurring acquisition costs or contingent transaction costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction and (4) one-time expenses related to enhanced accounting function or other transaction costs, including those associated with becoming standalone entity or public company; plus

(v) restructuring charges, integration charges, transition costs, retention, recruiting, relocation and signing bonuses, costs and expenses, stay bonuses, stock option and other equity-based compensation expenses and the amounts of payments made to option holders in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders, the amount (together with any fees, expenses or other charges in connection therewith) of any out-of-pocket deferred compensation, severance costs (including, without limitation, costs in management retention agreements), curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefits, costs incurred in connection with any non-recurring strategic initiatives and intellectual property development, project startup costs, business optimization expenses and carve-out related items, including, without limitation, any one-time expense relating to enhanced accounting function or other transaction costs, including those associated with becoming a standalone entity or a public company, costs associated with establishing new facilities or reserves and any other one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities in the good faith determination of the applicable Borrower and as certified by such Borrower’s chief financial officer, chief executive officer, controller or other comparable executive; plus

 

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(vi) expenses of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and their Restricted Subsidiaries incurred during such period to the extent (x) deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income and (y) reimbursed in cash by any person (other than any of Parents, the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries) during such period (or reasonably expected to be so reimbursed within 365 days of the end of such period to the extent not accrued) pursuant to an indemnity or guaranty or any other reimbursement agreement in favor of such Parent, such Borrower or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such reimbursement has not been accrued ( provided that, (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period); plus

(vii) [reserved]; plus

(viii) non-cash stock option and other equity-based compensation; plus

(ix) (A) compensation and fees paid to directors of the applicable Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be paid pursuant to Section  5.7(b) , (B) expense reimbursements for travel and other expenses paid to directors of such Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted hereunder and (C) indemnifications of directors, officers and comparable managers of such Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted hereunder, plus

(x) to the extent covered by insurance or reimbursed, or, so long as the applicable Borrower has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer, losses or expenses with respect to liability or casualty event; provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased in any future period in which such reimbursement is actually received by the amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause (x); plus

(xi) the amount of any earn-out obligation which was reserved or paid during such period and deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period, to the extent such earn-out obligations are permitted hereunder; plus

(xii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and synergies related to the Transactions, which are (w) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after the Closing Date or (x) determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities; provided that such amounts pursuant to this clause (a)(xii) and clause

 

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(a)(xiii) of Consolidated EBITDA, together with any amounts pursuant to clauses (A) through (C) of the definition of “Pro Forma Basis”, shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (determined prior to giving effect to this clause (a)(xii) and clause (a)(xiii) below)); provided , further , that all such aforementioned adjustments shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if the adjustments in this clause (a)(xii) and clause (a)(xiii) below had occurred on the first day of the applicable calculation period; plus

(xiii) expected cost savings, operating expense reductions, and expenses and synergies related to acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring, cost savings initiatives and other similar initiatives, in each case which are either (x) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after such transaction or initiative is initiated or (y) determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency); provided that such amounts pursuant to this clause (a)(xiii), together with any amounts pursuant to clauses (A) through (C) of the definition of “Pro Forma Basis” and clause (a)(xii) above, shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (determined prior to giving effect to this clause (a)(xiii) and clause (a)(xii) above); provided , further , that all such aforementioned adjustments shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if the adjustments in this clause (a)(xiii) and clause (a)(xii) above had occurred on the first day of the applicable calculation period; plus

(xiv) cash or non-cash losses, costs and expenses arising from hedging obligations or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions and the costs and expenses related to maintaining such hedging obligations; plus

(xv) cash or non-cash losses, costs and expenses arising from a change in foreign exchange rates; plus

(xvi) [reserved]; plus

(xvii) all charges, losses, costs and expenses related to discontinued operations; plus

(xviii) any purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring and other non-recurring items or expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions or any Permitted Acquisition (including any debt or equity issuance in connection therewith) or any non-recurring items or expenses incurred in connection with a Disposition; plus

 

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(xix) (A) non-cash costs and 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 applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower for such period and (B) any costs or expense incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Borrower pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of such Parent or such Borrower or Net Proceeds of an issuance of equity interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Parent or such Borrower; plus

(xx) all costs or losses (whether cash or non-cash) (without duplication) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness; plus

(xxi) cash expenses of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred during such period to the extent reimbursed in cash by any person (other than such Parent, such Borrower or any of their Subsidiaries or any owners, directly or indirectly, of equity interests, respectively, therein) during such period (or reasonably expected to be so reimbursed within 365 days of the end of such period to the extent not accrued) pursuant to an indemnity or guaranty or any other reimbursement agreement in favor of such Parent, such Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such reimbursement has not been accrued ( provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary within such 365-day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus

(xxii) to the extent deducted (and any reimbursement therefor not already added-back) in determining Consolidated Net Income, the aggregate amount of expenses or losses incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to business interruption to the extent covered by insurance and (x) actually reimbursed or otherwise paid to such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or (y) so long as such amount for any calculation period is reasonably expected to be received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent calculation period and within one year of the date of the underlying loss ( provided that (A) if not so reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted

 

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Subsidiary within such 365 day period, such expenses or losses shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA in the subsequent calculation period or (B) if reimbursed or received by such Parent, such Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in a subsequent period, (1) such amount shall not be permitted to be added-back in determining Consolidated EBITDA for such subsequent period and (2) Consolidated EBITDA shall be decreased for such subsequent period by an amount, if any, by which such reimbursement is less than the accrued amounts added back pursuant to this clause); plus

(xxiii) losses, charges and expenses attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of the applicable Parent from existing or former directors, officers or employees of such Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; plus

(xxiv) payments to employees, directors or officers of the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid in connection with dividends that are otherwise permitted hereunder to the extent such payments are not made in lieu of, or as a substitution for, ordinary salary or ordinary payroll payments; plus

(xxv) (x) the aggregate amount of all other non-cash items, write-downs, non-cash expenses or losses (including (i) purchase accounting adjustments under ASC 805, (ii) deferred revenue which would reasonably have been included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, but for the application of purchase accounting rules, and (iii) all non-cash charges in connection with the granting of, or accretion on, options, warrants or other equity interests) otherwise reducing Consolidated Net Income (other than with respect to the preceding clause (ii) ) and excluding any such non-cash items, write-downs, expenses, or losses that are reasonably expected to result in, or require pursuant to GAAP, an accrual of a reserve for cash charge, costs and/or expenses in any future period, (y) net non-cash exchange, translation or performance losses relating to foreign currency transactions and currency fluctuations and (z) cash charges resulting from the application of ASC 805 (including with respect to earn-outs incurred by the applicable Parent, the applicable Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Permitted Acquisition permitted hereunder); plus

(xxvi) unamortized fees, costs and expenses paid in cash in connection with the repayment of Indebtedness to persons that are not Affiliates of any Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) increased (without duplication) by the amount of proceeds received by any Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries of business interruption insurance to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income;

(c) increased (without duplication) by the amount of any Specified Equity Contribution solely for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenant;

 

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(d) decreased by the amount of all Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA;

(e) decreased (without duplication) to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, by non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and excluding any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in such prior period;

(f) decreased (without duplication) by gains related to hedging obligations;

(g) decreased (without duplication) by gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities;

(h) decreased (without duplication) by gains attributable to (x) asset sales or other dispositions or the repurchase, redemption, sale or disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business and (y) repurchases or redemptions of any equity interests of the applicable Parent from existing or former directors, officers or employees of such Parent, the applicable Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, their estates, beneficiaries under their estates, transferees, spouses or former spouses; and

(i) decreased (without duplication) by any gains (whether cash or non-cash) resulting from the early termination or extinguishment of Indebtedness.

For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined on a Pro Forma Basis, and there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, on a Pro Forma Basis, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or any business unit, line of business or division of any Person acquired by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (but not the acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired), to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary during such period (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”) based on the actual and audited (if available) acquired EBITDA of such Acquired Entity or Business for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition) (“ Acquired EBITDA ”).

Consolidated Interest Expense ” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to interest rate swap obligations with respect to Indebtedness.

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , that, without duplication (including for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA),

 

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(a) extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses, charges or expenses shall be excluded,

(b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded to the extent not otherwise reflected in a change to the Financial Covenant following such adoption or modification of accounting principles or policies,

(c) any after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any equity interests of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded,

(d) the net income for such period of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded to the extent such Person is prohibited by contract (including its Organization Documents) or governmental approval (which has not been obtained), from making dividends or distributions to the applicable Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Borrower shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid to such Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof from a Person that is not such a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such period,

(e) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the applicable Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and including the impact that the purchase accounting adjustments would have on subsequently reported results) in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets, in process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of purchase accounting in relation to the Transactions or any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded,

(f) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of obligations under any swap contracts or other derivative instruments shall be excluded,

(g) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded,

(h) any (i) non-cash charge, expense or loss, including any write-offs or write- downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period and the impact of adjustments to earn-out estimates, and any such charge arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other similar rights and (ii) cash costs or expenses, incurred pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the applicable Borrower or Net Proceeds of an issuance of equity interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Borrower or equity interests of any direct or indirect parent of such Borrower (other than amounts designated as excluded contributions) shall be excluded,

 

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(i) the following items shall be excluded:

(i) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from obligations under any swap contracts in accordance with GAAP;

(ii) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses including those (x) related to currency re-measurements of Indebtedness and (y) resulting from hedge agreements for currency exchange risk;

For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, an amount equal to (a) all Consolidated Total Debt of such Person that is secured by any Lien minus (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date.

Consolidated Total Debt means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness of such Person of a type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of Indebtedness, (b) all Indebtedness of such Person of a type described in clause (c) (solely to the extent of amounts that are drawn but not reimbursed) and clause (f) of the definition of Indebtedness, and (c) all Guarantees with respect to any such Indebtedness, in each case of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Consolidated Total Net Debt of any Person as of any date means an amount equal to (a) Consolidated Total Debt of such Person as of such date minus (b) the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person and its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date.

Contractual Obligations means, as to any Person, any provision of any security (whether in the nature of Stock, Stock Equivalents or otherwise) issued by such Person or of any written agreement, undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement (other than a Loan Document) to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.

Control Agreement ” means, with respect to any deposit account, securities account, commodity account, securities entitlement or commodity contract, an agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, among the Collateral Agent, the financial institution or other Person at which such account is maintained or with which such entitlement or contract is carried and the Credit Party maintaining such account, effective to grant “control” (as defined under the applicable Uniform Commercial Code) over such account (and all assets on deposit therein or credited thereto) to the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

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Conversion Date means any date on which the Borrowers convert a Base Rate Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan.

Copyrights means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to copyrights, mask works, and database and design rights, whether or not registered or published, (b) all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, (c) all income, license fees, royalties, claims, damages, and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith, (d) all rights to sue or otherwise recover at law or in equity for any past, present and future infringement, violation or other impairment thereof, and (e) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness means any (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt or (d) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace or refinance, in whole or part, existing Loans (including any successive Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness) (“ Refinanced Debt ”); provided that (i) such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness is in an original aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Refinanced Debt outstanding at the time of such exchange, extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premium) thereon, plus reasonable upfront fees and OID on such exchanging, extending, renewing, replacing or refinancing Indebtedness, plus other reasonable and customary fees and expenses in connection with such exchange, extension, renewal, replacement or refinancing, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity no shorter than, and, with respect to such Indebtedness consisting of term loans, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than, in each case, the Refinanced Debt, (iii) (A) if the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded or replaced was originally secured by Liens on any of the Collateral that were junior in right of payment and to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, such Indebtedness is either (x) unsecured or (y) secured by Liens on the Collateral that are junior to the Liens on Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and subject to the Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement or (B) if the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded or replaced was originally secured by Liens on any of the Collateral that were pari passu in right of payment and with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations, such Indebtedness is either (x) unsecured, (y) secured by Liens on the Collateral that are pari passu with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and subject to the Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, or (z) secured by Liens on the Collateral that are junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and subject to the Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement, (iv) the proceeds of such Indebtedness are applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the prepayment (or satisfaction and discharge) of the outstanding amount of the Refinanced Debt, (v) there shall be no borrowers or guarantors in respect of any Refinancing Debt that are not the Borrowers or a Guarantor, (vi) if secured, such Refinancing Debt shall not be secured by any assets that do not constitute Collateral for the Initial Loans, (vii) the holders of

 

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such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness constituting Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and/or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment may not waive any payment or prepayment (whether voluntary or mandatory) of principal during the term of this Agreement unless the holders of the Loan shall have also waived their right to receive a corresponding pro rata payment or prepayment of principal hereunder, (viii) such Indebtedness shares not greater than ratably in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of any Loans then outstanding and (ix) the terms and conditions (excluding pricing, interest rate margins, rate floors, discounts, fees and optional prepayment or redemption provisions) of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness constituting Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and/or Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment shall not be materially more favorable (when taken as a whole) to the lenders providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness than the corresponding terms of the Loans being replaced, as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in good faith (it being understood and agreed that this limitation shall not restrict the addition of any financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions to such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness to the extent such financial maintenance covenant or other terms and conditions, as the case may be, shall be added to the Loans remaining in the applicable Refinancing Amendment hereto), and (x) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid, defeased or satisfied and discharged, and all accrued interest, fees and premiums (if any) in connection therewith shall be paid, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is issued, incurred or obtained.

Credit Parties means the Borrowers, each Parent and each other Guarantor.

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

Declined Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.8(f) .

Default means any event or circumstance that, with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both pursuant to Article VII hereof, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the fair market value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrowers) of non-cash consideration received by Parents or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an asset sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each of Parents and the Borrowers furnished to the Agent, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent payment, redemption, retirement, sale or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section  5.2 .

Discounted Prepayment Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(ii) .

 

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Discounted Prepayment Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(ii) . “ Discounted Prepayment has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(i ).

Discount Price Range has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(ii) .

Disposition means the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of Property, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the sale of all outstanding Stock of Allied and/or its Subsidiaries, other than sales or other dispositions permitted under Sections 5.2(a) , 5.2(c) , 5.2(d) , 5.2(e) , 5.2(f) , 5.2(g) , 5.2(h) , 5.2(i) , 5.2(j) , 5.2(k)(i) , 5.2(k)(ii) , 5.2(n) and 5.2(o) .

Disqualified Lender means (a) those persons that are direct or indirect competitors of the Borrowers and their subsidiaries to the extent identified by the Sponsor to the Agent by name in writing from time to time (before any applicable date of determination), (b) those banks, financial institutions and other persons separately identified by the Borrower to the Agent in writing on or before the Closing Date or (c) solely in the case of clause (a) above, any of their Affiliates, other than bona fide debt funds, that are clearly identifiable as Affiliates solely on the basis of such Affiliate’s name; provided that the foregoing shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest (or SPV option) in the Loans to the extent such party was not a Disqualified Lender at the time of the applicable assignment or participation (or granting of such option), as the case may be; provided further that (x) the Agent shall have no obligation to carry out due diligence in order to identify such Affiliates and (y) the Agent may make available to any Lender, upon the request of such Lender, the list of Disqualified Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Credit Party and the Lenders acknowledge and agree that the Agent shall not have any responsibility or obligation to determine whether any Lender or potential Lender is a Disqualified Lender and the Agent shall have no liability with respect to any assignment made, or any information made available, to a Disqualified Lender by any Lender in violation hereof.

Disqualified Stock means any Stock that is not Qualified Stock.

Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary means any direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which (either directly or through one or more disregarded entities) consist of the equity (or of the equity and indebtedness) of one or more controlled foreign corporations (as defined in section 957 of the Code).

Dollars , dollars and “ $ ” each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary incorporated, organized or otherwise formed under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

ECF Percentage ” means 75%; provided that, with respect to each Fiscal Year of the Borrowers ending on or after December 31, 2018, the ECF Percentage shall be reduced to (a) 50%, if the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is equal to or less than 3.30 to 1.00 but greater than 2.80 to 1.00, (b) 25%, if the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is equal to or less than 2.80 to 1.00 but greater than 2.30 to 1.00, and (c) 0%, if the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year is equal to or less than 2.30 to 1.00.

 

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

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

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

Effective Yield ” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, the effective yield on such Indebtedness as reasonably determined by the Agent in consultation with the Borrowers, taking into account the applicable interest rate margins, interest rate benchmark floors and all upfront fees or original issue discount (amortized over four years following the date of incurrence thereof (e.g., 25 basis points of interest rate margin equals 100 basis points in up-front fees or original issue discount)) payable generally to lenders providing such Indebtedness, but excluding any bona fide arrangement, underwriting, structuring, commitment, amendment or similar fees in connection therewith that are not shared with all lenders providing such Indebtedness.

Electronic Transmission means each document, instruction, authorization, file, information and any other communication transmitted, posted or otherwise made or communicated by e-mail or E-Fax, or otherwise to or from an E-System or any other equivalent service.

Employee Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

Engagement Letter means the Engagement Letter, dated September 15, 2017, by and among the Borrowers, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Jefferies Finance LLC.

Environmental Laws means all applicable Requirements of Law and Permits imposing liability or standards of conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of the environment and natural resources, and including public notification requirements and environmental transfer of ownership, notification or approval statutes.

 

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Environmental Liabilities means all Liabilities (including costs of Remedial Actions, natural resource damages and costs and expenses of investigation and feasibility studies) that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any Credit Party as a result of, or related to, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law or otherwise, (a) non-compliance with any Environmental Law, (b) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (c) Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, (d) any investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring required under Environmental Laws or required by a Governmental Authority (including without limitation Governmental Authority oversight costs that the party conducting the investigation, remediation, removal, clean-up or monitoring is required to reimburse) or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which, and to the extent, liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate means, collectively, any Credit Party and any Person under common control or treated as a single employer with, any Credit Party, within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely with respect to Section 412 of the Code, Section 414 (m) or (o) of the Code.

ERISA Event means any of the following: (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (unless the 30-day notice requirement has been duly waived under the applicable regulations) with respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer,” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (c) the complete or partial withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt by any Credit Party of notice from the Multiemployer Plan of the Multiemployer Plan’s filing of a notice of insolvency or termination (or treatment of a plan amendment as termination) under Section 4041A of ERISA; (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Title IV Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (f) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title IV Plan by the PBGC or the receipt by any Credit Party of notice of the institution of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (g) the failure of a Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan when due and (h) the occurrence of any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Title IV Plan or the receipt by any Credit Party of a notice of the occurrence of any such event with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of any material liability upon any Credit Party with respect to a Title IV Plan under Title IV of ERISA other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent.

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.

Event of Default has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  7.1 .

Event of Loss means, with respect to any Property, any of the following: (a) any loss, destruction or damage of such Property; or (b) any condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, of such Property, or confiscation of such Property or the requisition of the use of such Property by a Governmental Authority or pursuant to Requirements of Law.

 

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Excess Cash Flow means, for any period, (a) Combined EBITDA of the Borrowers for such period (and, for purposes of this definition, adding-back Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA for any applicable period prior to the Disposition of the applicable Non-Core Assets), minus (b) without duplication, (i) any scheduled principal installments of term loans paid by any Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period and any other scheduled, mandatory or optional principal payment made by any Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period on any Indebtedness other than the Loans (including, without limitation, the principal component of payments in respect of Capital Lease Obligations) and payment of revolving Indebtedness, to the extent such payment results in a permanent reduction in the commitments thereof, (ii) any capital expenditure made by any Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period excluding any such capital expenditure to the extent funded with the Net Proceeds from a disposition of assets or proceeds of an insurance award in respect of an Event of Loss or financed with the incurrence of Indebtedness (other than ABL Loans and intercompany indebtedness) or the proceeds of an equity issuance by or capital contributions to any Parent (which is then contributed to the applicable Borrower), (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense of the Borrowers paid or payable in cash in respect of such period, (iv) all cash expenses, charges, losses and other cash items added back to Consolidated Net Income or to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”, excluding Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent deducted in clause (iii) above, (v) any cash payment made during such period with respect to Restricted Payments (other than pursuant to Section  5.11(k) ), excluding amounts to the extent funded with long-term indebtedness, (vi) any taxes measured by income, profits or capital (including federal, foreign and state, local, franchise, excise and similar taxes) paid or payable in cash for such period, including Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section  5.11(c) , (vii) any increase in the Working Capital of the Borrowers during such period (measured as the excess of such Working Capital at the end of such period over such Working Capital at the beginning of such period), (viii) all non-cash gains included in and other non-cash items that increase the calculation of Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA, (ix) the aggregate amount of all mandatory prepayments made pursuant to the Loan Documents or the ABL Documents or the documentation for any Refinancing Debt with the proceeds of an asset sale or other disposition or loss or casualty event during such period to the extent such proceeds are included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period, (x) all amounts increasing Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(xii), (b) and (c) thereof and any increase in Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA as a result of Pro Forma adjustments, (xi) cash payments in respect of any non-current liability which was added back to Consolidated EBITDA as a non-cash charge in a prior period, (xii) cash payments in respect of any earn-outs, holdbacks and hedging obligations to the extent not deducted in arriving at Consolidated EBITDA, (xiii) unfinanced consideration paid (or to be paid) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment (including without limitation, (A) the aggregate amount of consideration paid in cash during such period or, without duplication, after such period and prior to the relevant Excess Cash Flow Prepayment Date, with respect to a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment and (B) with respect any Permitted Acquisition with respect to which an executed acquisition agreement has been delivered prior to the Excess Cash Flow Prepayment Date, the amount of consideration to be payable thereunder) ( provided that (1) any such amounts shall not

 

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reduce Excess Cash Flow for any subsequent period and (2) any amounts deducted pursuant to the foregoing clause (B) not actually used to fund such Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment shall be promptly applied to mandatorily prepay the Loans during the period the consideration is paid or the transaction is otherwise terminated to the extent required pursuant to Section 1.8(e)), in each case excluding amounts to the extent funded (or to be funded) with long-term Indebtedness (other than ABL Loans), plus (c) without duplication, any decrease in the Working Capital of the Borrowers during such period (measured as the excess of such Working Capital at the beginning of such period over such Working Capital at the end thereof). For purposes of calculating Excess Cash Flow, without duplication of anything above, any Acquired EBITDA of any Acquired Entity or Business accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower or is merged or consolidated with any Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the date that such Acquired Entity or Business’s assets are acquired by any Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded.

Excess Cash Flow Prepayment Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.8(e) .

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Accounts means (a) any zero balance disbursement account, (b) payroll accounts and accounts used for wage and benefit payments, (c) accounts, amounts on deposit in which do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate for a period of at least five consecutive Business Days, (d) accounts used exclusively for holding Trust Funds, (e) accounts holding solely cash collateral for a third party that constitutes a Permitted Lien and (f) accounts holding solely escrow funds with respect to any Permitted Acquisition.

Excluded Assets has the meaning in Section  9.26 .

Excluded Property has the meaning set forth in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Excluded Equity Issuance means an issuance of Stock or Stock Equivalents (other than Disqualified Stock) by a Credit Party (excluding (x) Specified Equity Contributions and (y) issuances of Stock or Stock Equivalents by a Credit Party to another Credit Party).

Excluded Subsidiary means any (a) direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of a direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiary or Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, (b) Disregarded Domestic Subsidiary, (c) Immaterial Subsidiary, (d) Subsidiary that is prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation from guaranteeing the Obligations or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a Guarantee unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received ( provided that such restriction shall not have been created in contemplation of this restriction), (e) Subsidiary whose provision of a Guarantee would constitute an investment in “United States property” by a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of sections 956 and 957 of the Code (or any similar law or regulation in any applicable jurisdiction) or otherwise result in material adverse Tax consequences as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrowers and agreed to by the Agent, (f) Unrestricted Subsidiary, (g) Subsidiary that is prohibited by contract with an unaffiliated third party existing on the Closing Date, or on the date such entity became a

 

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Subsidiary, as applicable, from guaranteeing the Obligations ( provided that such restriction shall not have been created in contemplation of this restriction) and (h) Subsidiary to the extent the Administrative Agent and Borrowers mutually determine the cost and/or burden of obtaining a guaranty outweigh the benefit to the Secured Parties.

Excluded Tax means with respect to any Secured Party (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 Secured Party 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 political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes; (b) in the case of a Lender, United States federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrowers under Section  9.22) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section  10.1 , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in such Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office; (c) Taxes that result from the failure (other than as a result of a change in any Requirement of Law that prevents such Secured Party from providing the relevant documentation) by any Secured Party to deliver the documentation required to be delivered pursuant to Section  10.1(h) ; and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Extended Lender has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.1(f)(iii) .

Extended Loans has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.1(f)(iii) .

Extension has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.1(f) .

Extension Offer has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.1(f) .

E-Fax means any system used to receive or transmit faxes electronically.

E-Signature means the process of attaching to or logically associating with an Electronic Transmission an electronic symbol, encryption, digital signature or process (including the name or an abbreviation of the name of the party transmitting the Electronic Transmission) with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such Electronic Transmission.

E-System means any electronic system approved by the Agent, including Intralinks ® and ClearPar ® and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Agent, any of its Related Persons or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

FATCA means sections 1471, 1472, 1473 and 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, and any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code and any applicable official implementing guidance under any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

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FCPA has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  3.28 .

Federal Flood Insurance means federally backed Flood Insurance available under the National Flood Insurance Program to owners of real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Federal Funds Effective Rate, if negative, shall be deemed to be 0.00%.

Federal Reserve Board means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any entity succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Fee Letter means the Fee Letter, dated as of September 15, 2017, by and among the Borrowers and the Agent.

FEMA means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the National Flood Insurance Program.

Financial Covenant ” means the financial covenant set forth in Section  6.1 .

FIRREA means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989.

First Tier Foreign Subsidiary means a Foreign Subsidiary held directly by a Credit Party.

Fiscal Quarter means any of the quarterly accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year.

Fiscal Year means any of the annual accounting periods of the Credit Parties ending on December 31 of each year.

Fixed Incremental Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Amount”.

Flood Insurance means, for any Real Estate located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, Federal Flood Insurance or private insurance that (a) meets the requirements set forth by FEMA in its Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines and (b) shall have a coverage amount equal to the lesser of (i) the “replacement cost value” of the buildings and any personal property Collateral located on the Real Estate as determined under the National Flood Insurance Program or (ii) the maximum policy limits set under the National Flood Insurance Program.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary of such Person, which Subsidiary is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time, set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions and comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided , however , that if the Borrowers notify the Agent that the Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP, the methodologies thereunder or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Agent notifies the Borrowers that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and it is agreed that such amendment to effectuate such changes shall not require the payment of any amendment or similar fee to the Agent or the Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrowers shall neither be deemed to be in compliance with any covenant hereunder nor out of compliance with any covenant hereunder if such state of compliance or noncompliance, as the case may be, would not exist but for the occurrence of a change in accounting principles after the Closing Date. Subject to Section  12.3 , all references to “GAAP” shall be to GAAP consistently applied.

Governmental Authority means any nation, sovereign or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority or instrumentality thereof and any entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, taxing, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any central bank, stock exchange, regulatory body, arbitrator, public sector entity, supra-national entity (including the European Union and the European Central Bank) and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).

Guarantee ” of or by any Person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person 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 such person, 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 of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (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 of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (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; provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Guarantors means each Parent and each Restricted Subsidiary of a Parent that executes the Guaranty and Security Agreement and/or delivers a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section  4.13(b) and each other Person that from time to time delivers a guaranty of the Obligations in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties or that Guarantees any ABL Facility; provided that in no event shall an Excluded Subsidiary be a Guarantor. Notwithstanding anything herein, in any other Loan Document or in any ABL Document to the contrary, no Person shall be or become a borrower or guarantor under any ABL Facility unless such Person shall also be a Guarantor under the Loan Documents.

Guaranty and Security Agreement means that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of even date herewith, made by the Credit Parties in favor of the Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated and/or modified from time to time.

Hazardous Material means any substance, material or waste that is classified or regulated under any Environmental Law as hazardous, toxic, a contaminant or a pollutant or by other words of similar meaning, including without limitation, petroleum or any fraction thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive substances.

Immaterial Subsidiary means a Subsidiary (other than the Borrowers) that, as of the relevant date of determination, meets all of the following criteria: the assets of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis and giving effect to intercompany eliminations) do not exceed an amount equal to 5% of the Combined EBITDA (giving effect to intercompany eliminations); provided that the aggregate Consolidated EBITDA of all Immaterial Subsidiaries may not exceed 10.0% of Combined EBITDA (and the Borrowers will designate in writing to the Agent from time to time as necessary the Subsidiaries that cease to be “Immaterial Subsidiaries” to comply with the foregoing limitation).

Incremental Commitment has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(i) .

Incremental Effective Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(i) .

Incremental Equivalent Debt ” means Indebtedness incurred in lieu of Incremental Facilities hereunder, documented pursuant to separate documentation and consisting of one or more series of senior unsecured notes, senior secured pari passu or junior lien notes or subordinated notes (in each case issued in a public offering, Rule 144A or other private placement under the Securities Act), pari passu, junior lien or unsecured term loans or secured or unsecured mezzanine Indebtedness, in each case issued, incurred or guaranteed by any Parent, any Borrower or any other Credit Party after the Closing Date that:

(i) (A) in the case of Indebtedness secured on a pari passu basis with the Secured Obligations, does not mature on or prior to the Latest Maturity Date in effect as of the time such Indebtedness is incurred or issued or (B) in the case of Indebtedness secured by junior Liens or that is unsecured, does not mature on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect as of the time such Indebtedness is incurred or issued;

 

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(ii) (A) in the case of Indebtedness secured on a pari passu basis with the Secured Obligations, has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or longer than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the then existing Loans (without giving effect to nominal amortization for periods where amortization has been eliminated as a result of a prepayment of the applicable Loans) or (B) in the case of Indebtedness secured by junior Liens or that is unsecured, has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or longer than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the then existing Loans, plus 91 days;

(iii) if such Indebtedness is secured on a pari passu basis with the Secured Obligations, the holders may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than a pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any mandatory repayments or prepayments in respect of the Secured Obligations, and any such Indebtedness that is secured by junior Liens or that is unsecured will not provide for mandatory prepayments;

(iv) the covenants, events of default and other terms applicable to such Indebtedness shall be on terms substantially the same as (taken as a whole), or less favorable (taken as a whole) to the holders of such Indebtedness than, those applicable to the Initial Loans (except for (A) covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date hereunder at the time of incurrence of such Incremental Loans, (B) any negative covenants that are less restrictive or (C) additional covenants (not previously benefiting the Loans) that the Loans have the benefit of on the same terms);

(v) such Indebtedness shall in no event be secured by any Lien on any asset or property of any Parent, any Borrower or any of the respective Subsidiaries of the foregoing that does not also secure all of the Secured Obligations;

(vi) no Person shall be a borrower or a guarantor with respect to such Indebtedness unless such Person is a Credit Party which shall have previously or substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Indebtedness borrowed or guaranteed, as applicable, the Secured Obligations;

(vii) if such Indebtedness is secured, all security therefor shall be granted pursuant to documentation that is no more favorable to the secured parties thereunder than the Collateral Documents and (A) if secured on a pari passu basis with the Secured Obligations, a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have entered into a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement with the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent, which shall bind each such holder, and shall have become a party to the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, or (B) if secured on a junior basis to the Secured Obligations, a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to a an intercreditor Agreement with the Agent and the ABL Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrowers, which shall bind each such holder;

(viii) (A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately thereafter result therefrom; except that in the case of an Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, no Default or Event of Default under Section  7.1(a) , Section 7.1 (f) or Section 7.1 (g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately therefrom on the date of execution of the acquisition agreement with respect to such Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment, (B) the representations and warranties set forth in Article III (subject, in the case of Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred to finance a transaction

 

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that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, to customary “Sungard” limitations) shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) immediately prior to, and immediately after giving effect to, the incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Debt (although any representations and warranties which expressly relate to a given date or period shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of the respective date or for the respective period, as the case may be);

(ix) subject to the proviso of clause (b) of the definition of “Maximum Incremental Amount” with respect to any Incremental Equivalent Debt being incurred in connection with a finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment when consummated, the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Equivalent Debt at the time of issuance or incurrence shall not exceed the Maximum Incremental Amount at such time; and

(x) if such Incremental Equivalent Debt is a loan secured by a Lien on the Collateral that ranks pari passu in right of security with the Secured Obligations and is not subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations (including by being “last out” in any payment waterfall), such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be subject to the MFN Adjustment as if such Incremental Equivalent Debt were an Incremental Facility incurred hereunder.

Incremental Facility has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(i) .

Incremental Facility Request has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(i) .

Incremental Loans has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(i) .

Indebtedness of any Person means, without duplication, any of the following, whether or not matured: (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all reimbursement obligations with respect to amounts funded under (i) letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances or (ii) surety, customs, reclamation or performance bonds (in the case of each of (i) and (ii), not related to judgments or litigation or the purchase or sale of Inventory in the ordinary course of business), (d) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (including earn-out obligations and holdbacks), other than trade payables and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, (e) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property purchased by such Person, regardless of whether the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of the unpaid principal amount of such Indebtedness and the fair market value of the relevant property, as determined in good faith by such Person, (f) all obligations under capital leases, (g) all obligations, whether or not contingent, to repay, mandatorily purchase, redeem, retire, or otherwise acquire for value (other than in exchange for Stock and except as a result of a change of control, asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default so long as such acquisition is subject to prior Payment in Full) any of its own Stock or Stock Equivalents (or any Stock or Stock Equivalent of a direct or indirect parent entity thereof) prior to the date that is 91 days following the Latest Maturity Date as of the date of issuance of such Stock or Stock Equivalents,

 

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valued at, in the case of redeemable preferred Stock, the greater of the voluntary liquidation preference and the involuntary liquidation preference of such Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (h) obligations under any derivative transaction or hedging agreement, and (i) all Guarantees for obligations of any other Person constituting Indebtedness of such other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above (the amount of which shall be equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or, if less, the portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith); provided , however, that the items above shall constitute “Indebtedness” of such Person solely to the extent (including, without limitation, Rate Contracts) (x) such Person is liable for any part of any such item, or (y) any such item is secured by a Lien on such Person’s property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness: (w) operating leases, (x) customary obligations under employment agreements and deferred compensation or severance, or non-compete or consulting obligations, (y) deferred revenue and deferred tax liabilities and (z) contingent post-closing purchase price adjustments.

Indemnified Matters has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.6(a) .

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 Credit Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.6(a) .

Initial Commitment has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(a) .

Initial Loan has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(a) .

Initial Public Offering means an underwritten initial public offering by any Parent or any direct or indirect parent thereof of its Stock in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act (whether alone or in connection with a secondary public offering) or in a firm commitment underwritten offering (or series of related offerings of securities to the public pursuant to a final prospectus) made pursuant to the Securities Act.

Insolvency Proceeding means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors; in each case in (a) and (b) above, undertaken under any applicable U.S. federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

Inspections has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.9 .

 

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Intellectual Property means (a) all rights, title and interests in or relating to intellectual property or industrial property arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, including, without limitation, all IP Ancillary Rights relating thereto, including, without limitation, all Copyrights, Patents, Software, Trademarks, Internet Domain Names, Trade Secrets, IP Licenses (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present or future infringements, dilutions, misappropriations, or other violations or impairments thereof, and (d) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Interest Payment Date means, (a) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan (other than a LIBOR Rate Loan having an Interest Period of six months or more) the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan, (b) with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan having an Interest Period of six months or more, the last day of each three-month interval and, without duplication, the last day of such Interest Period, and (c) with respect to Base Rate Loans, in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter.

Interest Period means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed or continued or on the Conversion Date on which a Base Rate Loan is converted to the LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one week (solely to the extent available pursuant to and in accordance with Section  1.6(a) ), or one, two, three, six, or, if agreed to by all applicable Lenders, 12 months thereafter, as selected by the Borrowers in their Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided that:

(a) if any Interest Period pertaining to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

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

(c) no Interest Period for a Loan or any portion thereof shall extend beyond the last scheduled payment date therefor; and

(d) no Interest Period applicable to a Loan or portion thereof shall extend beyond any date upon which is due any scheduled principal payment in respect of the Loans, unless the aggregate principal amount of Loans represented by Base Rate Loans or by LIBOR Rate Loans having Interest Periods that will expire on or before such date is equal to or in excess of the amount of such principal payment.

Interest Rate Protection Trigger Event has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.15 .

 

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Internet Domain Name means all right, title and interest (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to internet domain names.

Interpolated Rate ” means the rate per annum 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 Screen Rate for the longest period for which the Screen Rate is available that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period; and (b) the Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

Inventory means all of the “inventory” (as such term is defined in the UCC) of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, all merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies, work-in-process and finished goods intended for sale, together with all the containers, packing, packaging, shipping and similar materials related thereto, and including such inventory as is temporarily out of a Credit Party’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s custody or possession, including inventory on the premises of others and items in transit.

Investments has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.4 .

IP Ancillary Rights means, with respect to any Intellectual Property, as applicable, all foreign counterparts to, and all divisionals, reversions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations, restorations, renewals and extensions of, such Intellectual Property, and, in each case, all rights to obtain any of the foregoing, and all rights to claim priority therefrom.

IP License means (a) all Copyright Licenses, all Patent Licenses and all Trademark Licenses (and all related IP Ancillary Rights) and (b) all other Contractual Obligations (and all related IP Ancillary Rights), whether written or oral, granting to any Person any right, title and interest in or relating to any Intellectual Property owed by another Person.

IRS means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States and any successor thereto.

Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners means each of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Jefferies Finance LLC and Regions Capital Markets, a division of Regions Bank, each in its capacities as a Joint Lead Arranger and a Joint Bookrunner hereunder.

Judgment Currency has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.28 .

Junior Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of a Person that (w) consists of earn-out obligations or holdbacks, (x) by its terms (or by the terms of any applicable intercreditor or subordination agreement) is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Loan Documents, (y) is secured by a security interest in the Collateral that is junior in priority to the Obligations under the Loan Documents (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, an ABL Facility) or (z) is unsecured (or that meets any combination of the foregoing criteria).

 

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Latest Maturity Date means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan, Incremental Loan or Other Loan hereunder at such time.

Lender means each financial institution or other lender signatory hereto and each other financial institution or other lender that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section  1.1(b) , 1.12 or 9.9 .

Lending Office means, with respect to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender specified as its “Lending Office” beneath its name on the applicable signature page hereto, or such other office or offices of such Lender as it may from time to time notify the Borrowers and the Agent.

Liabilities means all claims, actions, suits, judgments, damages, losses (other than lost profits), liability, obligations, fines, penalties, sanctions, charges, disbursements and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation, those incurred upon any appeal or in connection with the preparation for and/or response to any subpoena or request for document production relating thereto), in each case of any kind or nature (including interest accrued thereon or as a result thereto and fees, charges and disbursements of financial, legal and other advisors and consultants in connection therewith), whether joint or several, whether or not indirect, contingent, consequential, actual, punitive, treble or otherwise.

LIBOR means, for each Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period that appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or such other page as may replace such page on such service for the purpose of displaying the rates at which deposits in the relevant currency are offered by leading banks in the London interbank deposit market 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; in each case, the “ Screen Rate ”); provided that if the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 shall not be available for such Interest Period (an “ Impacted Interest Period ”) then the LIBOR Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate.

LIBOR Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to Adjusted LIBOR.

Lien means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including those created by, arising under or evidenced by any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, and the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease, in each case, having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing), but, in each case, not including, with respect to the assets leased thereunder, the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.

Loan means any loan made or deemed made by any Lender hereunder to the Borrowers pursuant to Article I .

 

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Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter, the Collateral Documents, the ABL Intercreditor Agreement, the Perfection Certificate and all other agreements between or among the Agent and/or any Lender, on the one hand, and any Credit Party, on the other hand (or by any Credit Party in favor of the Agent and/or any Lender), in connection with any of the foregoing.

Management Agreement means any management services agreement in form and substance (including, without limitation, with respect to fees and other compensation thereunder) reasonably satisfactory to the Agent entered into between certain of the management companies associated with the Sponsor or their advisors, if applicable, and the Borrower, relating to management services provided to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Margin Stock means “margin stock” as such term is defined in Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Material Adverse Effect means any event, change or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, (i) a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, financial condition or operations of (a) Charah Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) Allied Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (c) Parents and their Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrowers and the Guarantors (taken as a whole) to fully and timely perform their payment obligations under any Loan Document to which any Borrower or any other Credit Party is a party or (iii) a material and adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents (other than due to the action or inaction of the Agent or any of the Lenders).

Material Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary other than the Borrowers or an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (a) October 25, 2024 and (b) the date the Obligations are accelerated pursuant to Section  7.2 .

Maximum Incremental Amount ” means, at any time of determination, the sum of:

(a) (i) $25,000,000 (the “ Fixed Incremental Amount ”) minus (ii) the amount (if any) by which the sum of all commitments, loans and other extensions of credit and letter of credit exposure under all ABL Facilities at such time (assuming that the maximum amount thereunder is fully funded and that all letters of credit have been fully drawn) exceeds $45,000,000 plus (iii) (w) the amount of any voluntary prepayments of the Loans made pursuant to Section  1.7(a) , (x) repurchases of Loans pursuant to Section  1.7(d) or Section  9.9(h) , up to the actual amount utilized to effectuate such voluntary prepayment made by the Borrowers and not by the amount of the Indebtedness so purchased by the Borrowers, (y) without duplication of clause (x) above, in the case of an Incremental Facility that effectively replaces any existing Commitment terminated under Section  9.22 , an amount equal to the portion of such terminated Commitments, or (z) voluntary prepayments of Incremental Equivalent Debt that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Loans, in each case, effected after the Closing Date (but, solely to the extent the relevant prepayment is not funded with the proceeds of any Incremental Facilities or any other long-term Indebtedness (other than ABL Loans)) (this clause (iii), the “ Voluntary Prepayment Amount ”), minus (iv) Incremental Facilities and Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred pursuant to this clause (a); plus

 

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(b) an unlimited amount so long as, on a Pro Forma Basis determined on the basis of the financial statements most recently delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section  4.1(a) or (b) , as the case may be and after giving effect to such Incremental Facility, the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio shall not exceed 3.25 to 1.00; provided that (A) to the extent the proceeds of any Incremental Facility are intended to be applied to finance a transaction that will be a Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment if consummated subject to “funds certain provisions”, the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be tested on the date the agreement for such prospective Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment is executed and (B) Incremental Equivalent Debt and Incremental Facilities shall be assumed to be fully drawn for purposes of the calculation of the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio, but without netting the proceeds thereof from the calculation of clause (a) of the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio.

If the Borrowers incur Indebtedness under clause (a) above on the same date that it incurs Indebtedness under clause (b) above, then the Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio with respect to the amounts incurred under clause (b) will be calculated without including any incurrence under clause (a) above, as the case may be. Unless the Borrowers elect otherwise, Incremental Equivalent Debt and Incremental Facilities shall be deemed incurred first under clause (b) to the extent permitted, second under the Voluntary Prepayment Amount (if any) and third under the Fixed Amount.

Maximum Lawful Rate has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.3(d) .

MFN Adjustment ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.1(b)(iv) .

Minimum Extension Condition has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.1(f) .

MNPI has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.10(a) .

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

Mortgage means any deed of trust, mortgage, deed to secure debt, assignments of leases and rents, modifications and other related security documents, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, creating a Lien on Real Estate or to secure the Obligations that is made by any of the Credit Parties in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties.

Multiemployer Plan means any “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, as to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.

National Flood Insurance Program means the program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as revised by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, that mandates the purchase of flood insurance to cover real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in participating communities and provides protection to property owners through a federal insurance program.

 

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Net Incurrence Proceeds means, in respect of any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds (including cash proceeds as and when received in respect of non-cash proceeds received or receivable in connection with such incurrence), received from such incurrence, net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking and advisory fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees, costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith (including any swap breakage costs and other termination costs related to swap and hedging agreements and any other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith) in favor of any Person that is not a Credit Party or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrowers.

Net Issuance Proceeds means, in respect of any issuance of equity or incurrence of Indebtedness, cash proceeds (including cash proceeds as and when received in respect of noncash proceeds received or receivable in connection with such issuance), net of underwriting discounts or arrangement or other similar fees and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection therewith in favor of any Person not an Affiliate of the Borrowers.

Net Proceeds means proceeds in cash, checks or other cash equivalent financial instruments (including Cash Equivalents) as and when received by the Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party making a Disposition, as well as casualty insurance proceeds and condemnation and similar awards received by such Person on account of an Event of Loss, in each case, net of the sum of, without duplication: (i) the direct costs relating to such Disposition or Event of Loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and investment banking and advisory fees and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with such Disposition or Event of Loss and, in the case of an Event of Loss, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds and awards), in each case excluding amounts payable to a Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party, (ii) Taxes (including, without limitation, sale, transfer, use or other transaction Taxes and deed or mortgage recording Taxes) paid or reasonably estimated to be payable as a direct result thereof, and the amount of any distributions made to permit any direct or indirect parent entity of such Credit Party or Subsidiary to pay Taxes attributable to such Disposition or Event of Loss, (iii) principal, interest and premiums and penalties and other amounts required to be paid on Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset which is the subject of such Disposition or Event of Loss, (iv) in the case of any Disposition or Event of Loss by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the pro-rata portion of the Net Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (iv)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of a Credit Party or Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary as a result thereof, (v) the amount of any reserve established in accordance with GAAP ( provided that such reserved amounts shall be Net Proceeds to the extent and at the time of any reversal (without the satisfaction of any applicable liabilities in a corresponding amount) of any such reserve), (vi) in the case of an Event of Loss, all money actually applied to repair, reconstruct or replace the lost, destroyed or damaged Property or Property affected by the condemnation, seizure or taking, and (vii) in the case of an Event of Loss, any amounts retained by or paid to parties having superior rights to such proceeds or awards, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Borrowers.

 

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Non-Core Assets ” shall mean, in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder, non-core assets (excluding any Stock) acquired as part of such Permitted Acquisition or Investment to the extent (and only to the extent that) (a) the Total Consideration for such non-core assets does not exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of the Total Consideration for such Permitted Acquisition or Investment, (b) the Consolidated EBITDA associated with such non-core assets (“ Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA ”) does not exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for such Permitted Acquisition or Investment (as calculated as of the date of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition) and (c) on or prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition or Investment, the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer identifying in reasonable detail such non-core assets and certifying that such non-core assets comply with this definition (which certificate shall have attached thereto reasonably detailed backup data and calculations showing such compliance).

Non-Core Assets Consolidated EBITDA ” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Non-Core Assets”.

Non-Credit Party means any Subsidiary of the Borrowers that is not a Credit Party.

Non-U.S. Lender Party means each of the Agent, each Lender, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Note means a promissory note of the Borrowers payable to a Lender, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(f) hereto, evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrowers to such Lender resulting from the Loan made to the Borrowers by such Lender or its predecessor(s) in interest.

Notice of Borrowing means a notice given by the Borrowers to the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.1(c) hereto.

Notice of Conversion/Continuation has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.6(a) .

NPL ” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

Obligations means all Loans, and other Indebtedness, advances, fees, premium, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by any Credit Party to any Lender, the Agent, or any other Person required to be indemnified that arises under any Loan Document, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, guaranty, indemnification or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired (including any monetary obligations and interest accruing during the pendency of any Insolvency Proceeding or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) including, without limitation, (a) principal of and premium, if any, on the Loans, (b) interest, expenses, fees, and other sums payable or reimbursable by the Credit Parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including any interest on pre-petition Obligations accruing after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding by or against any Credit Party, whether or not allowable in such Insolvency Proceeding), and (c) obligations of the Credit Parties in respect of Indemnified Matters.

 

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OFAC means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury or any successor thereto.

OID means original issue discount.

Organization Documents means, (a) for any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation, and any shareholder rights agreement, (b) for any partnership, the partnership agreement and, if applicable, certificate of limited partnership, (c) for any limited liability company, the operating agreement and articles or certificate of formation or organization or (d) any other document setting forth the manner of election or duties of the officers, directors, managers or other similar persons, or the designation, amount or relative rights, limitations and preference of the Stock of a Person.

Other Commitments means one or more Classes of Loans or Incremental Loan commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Secured Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Secured Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Secured Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Loans means one or more Classes of Loans or Incremental Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

Other Taxes has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  10.1(c) .

Outstanding Items has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  4.17 .

Parent and “ Parents have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the preamble to this Agreement.

Parent Intercompany Advances means loans and advances made by (a) Charah or any of its Subsidiaries to any direct or indirect parent of Charah and (b) Allied or any of its Subsidiaries to any direct or indirect parent of Allied.

Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement means a “pari passu” intercreditor agreement among the Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, which provides, among other things, (a) that (x) in any Insolvency Proceeding, to the extent that the holders of any Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt are deemed to be members of the same voting class with the Loans, the Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders, taken as a whole, shall not be permitted to vote more than 25% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such

 

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Indebtedness and the Loans, taken as a whole, (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness held by such Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders in excess of 25% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness and the Loans, taken as a whole, shall be allocated and voted in accordance with the votes of all other lenders of such Indebtedness that are not Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders so long as such Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders are treated in connection with the exercise of the applicable right or the taking of the applicable action on the same or better terms as such other lenders and (z) in making any determination in connection with the taking of any action under any applicable Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, the votes of any Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders, taken as a whole, shall only be permitted to account for up to (but not including) the percentage of votes required to prevent the taking of such action (it being understood that the limitations set forth above shall only restrict the voting rights of the Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders in respect of the applicable Indebtedness and not their ownership of any such Indebtedness) and (b) that the provisions described in the foregoing clause (a) cannot be amended without the consent of lenders (other than Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders) holding, in the aggregate, the majority of the principal amount of Loans and Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt.

Patents means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to letters patent and applications therefor, (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, violation or other impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present or future infringements or other violations or impairments thereof and (f) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Patriot Act means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, P.L. 107-56.

Payment in Full and “ Paid in Full have the meanings ascribed thereto in Section  12.4 .

PBGC means the United States Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

Perfection Certificate ” means the perfection certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 11.1(f) .

Permits means, with respect to any Person, any permit, consent, approval, authorization, license, registration, certificate, concession, grant, franchise, variance or permission from, and any other Contractual Obligations with, any Governmental Authority, in each case to the extent having the force of law and applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

 

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Permitted Acquisition means (i) any Acquisition by a Credit Party (other than Parents) or a Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party of (A) substantially all of the assets of a Target or (B) at least a majority of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of a Target (including Acquisitions by merger), or (ii) merger or consolidation or any other combination with any Person, in each case, to the extent that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(a) after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition (and the Disposition of any Non-Core Assets, if any), the Borrowers shall be engaged in, a business of the type that the Borrowers are permitted to be engaged in pursuant to Section  5.12 of this Agreement;

(b) if applicable, no later than two Business Days prior to the proposed date of consummation of the transaction (or such shorter period as determined by the Agent in its sole discretion), the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer with respect to any Non-Core Assets, that such transaction complies with the definition thereof;

(c) absent the consent of Required Lenders, no Event of Default shall then exist or would exist before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness assumed or incurred in connection therewith; provided , however , in respect of an Acquisition subject to “funds certain provisions”, in lieu of the foregoing provision in this clause (c), there shall be no Event of Default under Sections 7.1(a) , (f) and (g)  existing on the date the agreement for such Acquisition is executed;

(d) the Total Consideration for all Permitted Acquisitions consummated during the term of this Agreement for which a Target does not become a Credit Party hereunder shall not exceed the greater of (x) $21,000,000 and (y) 30.0% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered on the date of the relevant transaction) in the aggregate for all such Permitted Acquisitions;

(e) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries (including any new Restricted Subsidiary) shall execute and deliver any agreements, instruments and other documents required by Section  4.13 or by any of the Collateral Documents, to the extent and when required by the terms thereof, subject to Section  9.26 ; and

(f) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law and pursuant to the agreement for such Acquisition and other documents contemplated thereby.

Permitted Holders means (i) the Sponsor, management of, and co-investors in, any Parent, and funds or partnerships managed by Sponsor or any of its Affiliates and (ii) each of the Parents’ respective equityholders on the Closing Date identified in writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date.

Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of junior-lien secured notes or junior-lien secured loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a junior-priority basis with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase upon a change of control, asset sale or

 

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other Disposition or Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrowers), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than Credit Parties and (vi) a Senior Representative acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of a Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement; provided that, if such Indebtedness is the initial Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrowers, then Parents, the Borrowers, the other Credit Parties, the Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement.

Permitted Liens has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.1 .

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt means any secured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets other than the Collateral, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization or scheduled payments of principal and is not subject to mandatory redemption, repurchase, prepayment or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to repurchase upon a change of control, asset sale or other Disposition or Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred, (iv) the security agreements relating to such Indebtedness are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent), (v) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Credit Parties (other than the Borrowers), (vi) the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have become party to or otherwise subject to the provisions of a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement; provided that, if such indebtedness is the initial Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt incurred by the Borrowers, then the Borrowers, Parents, the other Credit Parties, the Agent and the Senior Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Pari Passu Intercreditor Agreement, and (vii) the number of Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders holding loans, participations and other obligations under such Indebtedness would not constitute more than 49.9% of the number of creditors holding obligations thereunder or more than 49.9% of the aggregate principal amount of obligations thereunder and the documentation governing such Indebtedness shall prohibit any assignments and participations of obligations thereunder to Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders if as a result thereof the number of Affiliated Pari Passu Lenders shall constitute more than 49.9% of the number of creditors holding obligations thereunder or more than 49.9% of the aggregate principal amount of obligations thereunder.

Permitted Refinancing means Indebtedness constituting a refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension of Indebtedness permitted under Section  5.5 (other than Section  5.5(a) ), that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) not greater than the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness being refinanced, extended, renewed, replaced, except any amount equal to accrued and unpaid interest, premium, penalty thereon, plus OID and upfront fees plus other fees and expenses and the amount of any existing unutilized commitments

 

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thereunder, (b) has a weighted average maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing, refunding, extension, modification, renewal, replacement or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, extended, modified, renewed or replaced (excluding the effects of minimal amortization and any voluntary prepayments of Indebtedness), (c) is not entered into as part of a sale leaseback transaction, (d) is not secured by a Lien on any assets other than the collateral securing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, modified, extended, renewed or extended, and (e) the obligors of which are the same as the obligors of the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, replaced, modified, renewed or extended.

Permitted Refinancing Intercreditor Agreement means a customary “junior lien” intercreditor agreement among the applicable Credit Parties, the Agent and one or more Senior Representatives for holders of Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrowers.

Permitted Sale-Leaseback Transaction means the sale or other disposition of any Real Estate owned in fee by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary in which the following conditions are satisfied: (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such sale, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately thereafter therefrom, (b) such sale is for fair market value, (c) a Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary leases back such Real Estate at fair market value, (d) such sale is to a Person that is not an Affiliate of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary or if such sale is to a Person that is an Affiliate of such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary, such sale is no less favorable, taken as a whole, to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate, and (e) with respect to any Real Estate subject to any Liens (other than Liens securing the Obligations), the cash consideration received by such Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary is equal to or greater than the amount necessary to satisfy all such Liens on such Real Estate (or the buyer of such Real Estate is purchasing such Real Estate subject to all such Liens).

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt means any unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers in the form of one or more series of unsecured notes or loans; provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not secured by any property or assets, (ii) such Indebtedness constitutes Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature or have scheduled amortization prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date at the time such Indebtedness is incurred (other than customary offers to repurchase upon a change of control, asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default), and (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Credit Parties (other than the Borrowers).

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust and a public benefit corporation), joint stock company, estate, association, firm, enterprise, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint venture and any other entity or Governmental Authority.

Prime Rate ” shall mean the rate of interest per annum determined from time to time by Credit Suisse AG, as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City and notified to the Borrowers. The prime rate is a rate set by Credit Suisse AG based upon various factors including Credit Suisse AG’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such rate.

 

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Prior Indebtedness means the Indebtedness and obligations specified on Schedule 11.1 hereto.

Pro Forma ” or “ Pro Forma Basis means, with respect to compliance with the Financial Covenant, any financial covenant or test hereunder (excluding Section  1.8(e) ) that is by the terms hereof required to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”, that all Pro Forma Events (including, to the extent applicable, the Transactions, but excluding any dispositions in the ordinary course of business) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement of such test or covenant and shall be determined subject to pro forma adjustments which are attributable to such event or events, which may include the amount of run rate cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from or relating to any Pro Forma Event (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect that have been realized or are expected to be realized and for which the actions necessary to realize such cost savings, operating expense reductions and cost synergies are taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken for realizing such cost savings and such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers) (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period and “run rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken, committed to be taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are reasonably expected to be taken for realizing such cost savings and such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (including any savings expected to result from the elimination of a public target’s compliance costs with public company requirements) net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, and any such adjustments shall be included (without duplication of any amounts that are otherwise added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA or any other components thereof) in the initial pro forma calculations of such financial ratios or tests and during any subsequent period in which the effects thereof are expected to be realized) relating to such Pro Forma Events; provided that such amounts (A) factually supportable and projected by the Borrowers in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been, will be, or are expected to be, taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrowers) within 12 months after such transaction or initiative is initiated, (B) are determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the Securities And Exchange Commission (or any successor agency), or (C) are recommended (in reasonable detail) by any due diligence quality of earnings report conducted by financial advisors (which financial advisors are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) retained by Borrowers; provided further , that such amounts pursuant to the preceding clauses (A) through (C), together with any addbacks made pursuant to clauses (xii) and (xiii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to 10% of Combined EBITDA in any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters, prior to giving effect to the pro forma adjustments for such period. The Borrowers may estimate GAAP results in good faith if the financial statements with respect

 

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to a Permitted Acquisition are not maintained in accordance with GAAP, and Borrowers may make such further adjustments as reasonably necessary in connection with consolidation of such financial statements with those of the Credit Parties.

Pro Forma Event ” means (a) any Incremental Facility incurred pursuant to Section  1.1(b) , (b) any Permitted Acquisition or similar Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (c) [reserved], (d) any Disposition, (e) any disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or all the equity interests of any Subsidiary of a Borrower (or any business unit, line of business or division of a Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries of a Borrower for which financial statements are available) not prohibited by this Agreement, (f) any designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (g) discontinued divisions or lines of business or operations, (h) any other similar events occurring or transactions consummated during the period (including any Indebtedness incurred, repaid or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition Investment or Disposition), (i) any restructuring or (j) the Transactions.

Projections means the financial performance projections delivered by the Borrowers to the Agent on or prior to the Closing Date.

Property means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, and whether tangible or intangible.

PTE ” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Public Official ” means (a) any elected or appointed government official, officer, employee or Person acting in an official or public capacity on behalf of a Governmental Authority, (b) any official or employee of a quasi-public or non-governmental international organization, (c) any employee or other Person acting for or on behalf of any entity that is wholly or partially government owned or controlled by a Governmental Authority, (d) any Person exercising legislative, administrative, judicial, executive, or regulatory functions for or pertaining to a Governmental Authority (including any independent regulator), (e) any political party official, officer, employee, or other Person acting for or on behalf of a political party and (f) any candidate for public office.

Qualified Stock means Stock that does not provide for required cash distributions or dividends or mandatory redemptions (other than (x) in exchange for other Qualified Stock or (y) as a result of a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition, Event of Loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default, so long as any rights of the holders thereof to require the redemption thereof upon the occurrence of such a change of control event or asset sale or other disposition or Event of Loss are subject to the prior payment in full of the Loans or Payment in Full) prior to the 91 st day following the Latest Maturity Date as of the date of issuance of such Qualified Stock.

Qualifying Loans has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.7(d)(iii) .

Rate Contracts means swap agreements (as such term is defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code) and any other agreements or arrangements designed to provide protection against fluctuations in interest or currency exchange rates.

 

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Real Estate means any real property owned, leased or subleased by any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

Reference Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Available Amount.

Refinanced Debt has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness.

Refinancing Amendment means an amendment to this Agreement executed by each of (a) the Borrowers and Parents, (b) the Agent and (c) each Additional Lender that agrees to provide any portion of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness being incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section  1.12 .

Refinancing Debt means (a) Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (b) Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt and (c) Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof.

Register has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.4(b) .

Related Persons means, with respect to any Person, each Affiliate of such Person and each director, officer, partner, shareholder, controlling person, employee, agent, trustee, representative, attorney, accountant and each insurance, environmental, legal, financial and other advisor (including those retained in connection with the satisfaction or attempted satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article II) and other consultants and agents of or to such Person or any of its Affiliates.

Releases means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of Hazardous Material into or through the environment.

Remedial Action means all actions required under applicable Requirements of Law to (a) clean up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize any Release so that a Hazardous Material does not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment or (c) perform pre remedial studies and investigations and post-remedial monitoring and care with respect to any Hazardous Material.

Replacement Lender has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.22 .

Repricing Event ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  1.9(b) .

Required Lenders means at any time Lenders then holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal balance of the Loans then outstanding.

Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, the common law and any federal, state, local, foreign, multinational or international laws, statutes, codes, treaties, rules and regulations, ordinances, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees (including administrative or judicial precedents or authorities) and the interpretation or administration

 

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thereof by, and other binding determinations, directives, requirements of, or requests of, any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case to the extent having the force of law and that are applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its Property or to which such Person or any of its Property is subject.

Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, chairman, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, secretary, or vice president, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

Restricted Payments has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  5.11 .

Restricted Subsidiary ” with respect to any Person, means any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all references herein to a “Restricted Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of a Parent.

Riverbend/Sutton Contract ” means that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323, dated November 12, 2014, between Duke Energy Business Services LLC, as agent for and on behalf of Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, Inc., and the Borrower, as amended by (a) that certain Amendment Number 1 to eMax Master Contract Agreement Contract No. 8323, dated as of January 7, 2015, (b) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Revision No. 2, dated as of May 4, 2015, (c) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Amendment No. 3 dated as of June 25, 2015, (d) that certain eMax Master Contract Number 8323 Amendment No. 4 dated as of August 20, 2015, and (e) as such agreement may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

Riverbend/Sutton Contract Termination Fee ” means the “Prorated Costs” (as defined in the Riverbend/Sutton Contract) payable by Duke Energy to the Borrower under Section 7.3 of the Riverbend/Sutton Contract.

S&P means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.

Sanctioned Country ” means (a) a country, territory or a government of a country or territory, (b) an agency of the government of a country or territory, or (c) an organization directly or indirectly owned or Controlled by a country, territory or its government, that is subject to Sanctions.

Sanctioned Person ” means (a) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals” or any other Sanctions related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state, (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 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 OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union, (d) any European Union member state, (e) Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or (f) any other relevant sanctions authority.

 

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Sanford Property ” means the approximately 410 acre property known as the “Sanford Clay Mine”, located at the intersection of Colon Road and Brickyard Road, Town of Sanford, Lee County, North Carolina.

Sale has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.9(b) .

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

Secured Party means the Agent, each Lender, each other Indemnitee and each other holder of any Secured Obligation.

Securities Act means Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Senior Representative means, with respect to any series of Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt or Incremental Equivalent Debt, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under the indenture or agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued, incurred or otherwise obtained, as the case may be, and each of their successors in such capacities.

Software means (a) all software and computer programs, including source code and object code versions, (b) all data, databases and compilations of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) all documentation, training materials and configurations related to any of the foregoing, and (d) all intellectual property rights therein.

Solvent means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, that, as of such date, (i) the sum of the liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not exceed the present fair saleable value (on a going concern basis) of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the capital of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small in relation to the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, contemplated as of such date; (iii) the present fair salable value of the assets (on a going concern basis) of such Person and its Subsidiaries is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries as they become absolute and matured and (iv) such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not incurred, do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, liabilities including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such liabilities as they mature in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

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Special Flood Hazard Area means an area that FEMA’s current flood maps indicate has at least a 1% chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year.

Specified Equity Contributions has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  6.3 .

Sponsor means Bernhard Capital Partners Management LP and its controlled investment affiliates.

Sponsor Fund Affiliate means a bona fide debt fund that is an Affiliate of the Sponsor, and that is primarily engaged in, or advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, notes, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course of its business and whose managers have fiduciary duties to the investors thereof independent of or in addition to their duties to the Sponsor or any of its Affiliates and who does not, directly or indirectly, possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the investment policies of the Sponsor.

SPV ” means any special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in a writing by any Lender to the Agent.

Statutory Reserves ” 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 percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) established by the Federal Reserve Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board). LIBOR Rate Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities 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. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Stock means all shares of capital stock (whether denominated as common stock or preferred stock), equity interests, beneficial, partnership or membership interests, joint venture interests, participations or other ownership or profit interests in or equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a Person (other than an individual), whether voting or non-voting.

Stock Equivalents means all securities convertible into or exchangeable for Stock or any other Stock Equivalent and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Stock or any other Stock Equivalent, whether or not presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable.

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association or other entity, the management of which is, directly or indirectly, controlled by, or of which an aggregate of more than 50% of the voting Stock is, at the time, owned or controlled directly or indirectly by, such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries shall be a reference to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrowers.

 

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Target means any Person or business unit or asset group of any Person acquired or proposed to be acquired in an Acquisition after the Closing Date.

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

Term Loan Collateral Account ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

Term Loan Priority Collateral ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the ABL Intercreditor Agreement.

Title IV Plan means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, to which any Credit Party incurs or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, including on account of an ERISA Affiliate.

Total Consideration means (without duplication), with respect to a Permitted Acquisition, the sum of (a) cash paid as consideration to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition, (b) indebtedness payable to the seller in connection with such Permitted Acquisition (excluding earn-out payments), (c) the present value of future payments which are required to be made over a period of time and are not contingent upon the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries meeting financial performance objectives (exclusive of salaries paid in the ordinary course of business) (discounted at the Alternate Base Rate), and (d) the amount of indebtedness assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition pursuant to Section  5.5(gg) minus (e) the aggregate principal amount of equity contributions made to Parents the proceeds of which are used substantially contemporaneously with such contribution to fund all or a portion of the cash purchase price (including deferred payments) of such Permitted Acquisition and (f) any cash and Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the Acquired Entity or Business (immediately prior to its acquisition) acquired as part of the applicable Permitted Acquisition (to the extent such Acquired Entity or Business becomes a Credit Party and complies with the requirements of Section  4.13 ); provided that Total Consideration shall not include any consideration or payment (x) paid by Parents or their Subsidiaries directly in the form of equity interests of Parents or the entity consummating an initial public offering (other than Disqualified Stock) or (y) funded by cash and Cash Equivalents generated by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary. If any cash on the balance sheet of a foreign Acquired Entity or Business is paid or distributed to its direct or indirect shareholders, in part, as acquisition consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, then the amount that is included in the calculation of the Total Consideration shall be reduced by such cash amount distributed or paid.

Trade Controls ” means all applicable U.S. laws, Executive Orders, and implementing regulations pertaining to export controls or trade or economic sanctions.

Trade Secrets means (a) all right, title and interest (including all related IP Ancillary Rights), arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to trade secrets, (b) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future misappropriation, violation or other impairment thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due

 

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or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future misappropriations violations or other impairments thereof, and (d) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Trademark means (a) all rights, title and interests (including all related IP Ancillary Rights) arising under any Requirement of Law or otherwise, in or relating to trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers and, in each case, all goodwill of the business symbolized thereby or associated therewith, (b) all registrations and recordations thereof and all applications in connection therewith (c) all rights to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, misappropriation, dilution, violation or other impairment thereof, (d) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due or payable under or with respect to any of the foregoing, including payments under all licenses entered into in connection therewith and damages and payments for past, present, or future infringements, dilutions, violations or other impairments thereof, and (e) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Transactions ” means, collectively, (a) the entering into the Loan Documents by the Credit Parties, the Borrowings hereunder on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated hereby and thereby, (b) the entering into the ABL Documents by the Credit Parties on the Closing Date, the borrowings thereunder on the Closing Date and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated thereby, (c) the repayment in full and termination of all Prior Indebtedness, (d) the making of a one-time cash distribution to the Borrowers’ respective equityholders on the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not exceeding $120,000,000 and (e) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

Transformative Acquisition ” shall mean any acquisition by the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries that (a) is not permitted by the terms of this Agreement immediately prior to the consummation of such acquisition or (b) would result in an increase in Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements are available on the date of the relevant transaction), equal to or greater than 20% of Combined EBITDA (determined on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recently ended four Fiscal Quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered to the Agent on the date of the relevant transaction).

Trust Funds means funds (a) for payroll and payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of a Credit Party’s or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, managers and employees, (b) for taxes required to be collected, remitted or withheld (including, without limitation, federal and state withholding taxes (including the employer’s share thereof)) or (c) which any Credit Party or their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (i) holds on behalf of another Person and (ii) holds as an escrow or fiduciary for such Person.

UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction in effect from time to time and, if the applicable jurisdiction shall not have any Uniform Commercial Code, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.

 

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United States and “ U.S. each means the United States of America.

Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents means (a) any unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents as stated on the balance sheet and (b) cash and Cash Equivalents that are restricted solely as a result of the Loan Documents, the ABL Documents and the documentation for any Refinancing Debt in respect thereof.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of a Parent (other than a Borrower) designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section  5.17 .

U.S. Lender Party means each of the Agent, each Lender, each SPV and each participant, in each case that is a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

Voidable Transfer ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section  9.31 .

Voluntary Prepayment Amount has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of “Maximum Incremental Amount”.

Voting Stock has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Change of Control.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any tranche of Term Loans at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such tranche of Term Loans.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Person means any Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Stock and Stock Equivalents of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) are owned by such Person, either directly or through one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Working Capital means, for any Person at any date, the excess (which may be a negative number) of its Consolidated Current Assets at such date over its Consolidated Current Liabilities at such date; provided that Working Capital shall be calculated without giving effect to (w) purchase accounting adjustments, (x) any assets or liabilities acquired, assumed, sold or transferred in any acquisition or disposition, (y) as a result of the reclassification of items from short-term to long-term and vice versa or (z) changes to Working Capital resulting from noncash charges and credits to consolidated current assets and consolidated current liabilities (including, without limitation, derivatives and deferred income tax).

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.

 

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12.2 Other Interpretive Provisions .

(a) Defined Terms . Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms defined in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meanings of defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein described.

(b) The Agreement . The words “ hereof ”, herein ”, hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document; and Section, section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents unless otherwise specified.

(c) Certain Common Terms . The term “ documents includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however evidenced. The term “ including is not limiting and means “including without limitation.” All references to “knowledge” in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refers to the actual knowledge (after reasonable inquiry) of such Responsible Officer or other Person making such certification.

(d) Performance; Time . Whenever any performance obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than a payment obligation) shall be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business Day. For the avoidance of doubt except as otherwise provided herein, initial payments of interest and fees relating to the Obligations (other than amounts due on the Closing Date) shall be due and paid no earlier than the last day of the first full Fiscal Quarter beginning at least 60 days following the Closing Date. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “ from means “from and including”; the words “ to and “ until each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “ through means “to and including”. If any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document refers to any action taken or to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action. All references herein and in any other Loan Document at time of day shall mean and refer to the time of day in New York, New York.

(e) Contracts . Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in any other Loan Document, references to agreements and other contractual instruments, including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments thereto, restatements and substitutions thereof and other modifications and supplements thereto which are in effect from time to time, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document.

 

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(f) Laws . References to any statute or regulation may be made by using either the common or public name thereof or a specific cite reference and, except as otherwise provided with respect to FATCA, are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions related thereto or consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

12.3 Accounting Terms and Principles . All accounting determinations required to be made pursuant hereto and all terms of an accounting or financial nature (including, without limitation, the Financial Covenant and the term “cash”) shall, unless expressly otherwise provided herein, be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to in Article V shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Credit Party at “fair value” and (ii) for purposes of this Agreement, any obligations of a Person under a lease that is not (or would not be) required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP as in effect as of the Closing Date shall not be treated as a capitalized lease as a result of the adoption of changes in GAAP or changes in the application of GAAP.

12.4 Payments . The Agent may round up or down, and may set up appropriate mechanisms to round up or down, any amount owing hereunder to nearest higher or lower amounts and may determine reasonable de minimis payment thresholds. For all purposes hereunder, “ Payment in Full and “ Paid in Full shall mean the occurrence of each of the following: (a) the termination of all commitments of the Lenders to lend funds or extend financial accommodations to the Borrowers under the Loan Documents and (b) the payment in full in cash, in immediately available funds, of all of the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, interest, principal, fees, premiums and other amounts, including any of foregoing accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding (whether or not allowed in such proceeding) (other than contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement Secured Obligations, in each case, to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted).

- Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature pages follow -

 

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

 

BORROWERS:
CHARAH, LLC , as Borrower
By:   /s/ Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
FEIN:   [                ]
ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC , as Borrower
By:   /s/ Dorsey R. McCall
Name:   Dorsey R. McCall
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
FEIN:   [                ]
Address for wire transfers for each Borrower:
 
 
 
 

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


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

 

PARENTS:

CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC , as a

Parent and a Guarantor

By:   /s/ Mark Spender
Name:   Mark Spender
Title:   President
FEIN:   [                ]
ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, as a Parent and a Guarantor
By:   /s/ Dorsey R. McCall
Name:   Dorsey R. McCall
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
FEIN:   [                ]
Address for wire transfers for each Parent:
 
 
 
 

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


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

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and a Lender
By:   /s/ Mikhail Faybusovich
Name:   Mikhail Faybusovich
Title:   Its Duly Authorized Signatory
By:   /s/ Warren Van Heyst
Name:   Warren Van Heyst
Title:   Its Duly Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 10.7

FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of April 27, 2018 (this “ Amendment ”), is entered into by and among CHARAH, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (“ Charah ”), ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied ” and together with Charah, each a “ Borrower ”, and collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), CHARAH SOLE MEMBER LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Charah Parent ”), ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Allied Parent ” and together with Charah Parent, each a “ Parent ”, and collectively, “ Parents ”), each of the other GUARANTORS party hereto, each of the LENDERS party hereto and CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement referred to below.

RECITALS

WHEREAS , the parties hereto are party to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2017 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, he “ Credit Agreement ”, and as amended by this Amendment, the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”);

WHEREAS , the Borrowers have requested that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agree to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as provided in this Amendment; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and Lenders constituting at least Required Lenders are willing to agree to such amendments to the Credit Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1.1 Section 4.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a) not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), a copy of the audited combined balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case for each Fiscal Year in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and accompanied by (w) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (x) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, (y) the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP or another


independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (i) contain an opinion stating that such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) not include any qualification expressing substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the scheduled maturity date or the scheduled termination date of the Initial Loans or (B) any prospective default under Section 6.1 or any financial covenant under the ABL Credit Agreement) and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the Borrowers (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);”.

1.2 Section 4.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(b) not later than 45 days after the end of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (60 days with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017), a copy of the internally prepared unaudited combined balance sheet of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries (or, if applicable, the audited consolidated balance sheet of any Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or of any Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be) and the related combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) statements of income and cash flows as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Fiscal Year then ended, accompanied by (x) prior to an Initial Public Offering, a breakdown, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, of Charah and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Allied and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, (y) (if applicable) the adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such combined (or consolidated, as the case may be) financial statements, all certified on behalf of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower as fairly presenting, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to normal year-end adjustments and absence of footnote disclosures and (z) management’s discussion and analysis of significant operational and financial developments during such quarterly period and a “key performance indicator” report with such content as may be mutually agreed by the Agent and the applicable Borrower (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as the case may be) including a breakdown by revenues and assets (including business segment (i.e., as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the Borrowers’ environmental solutions and maintenance and technical services business segments) detail);”.

1.3 Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following at the end of the section thereof as follows:

“Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 4.1 , the obligations in Section 4.1(a) and Section 4.1(b) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of each Borrower and its respective Subsidiaries by furnishing Parent Entity’s or Combined Entity’s Form 10-K or Form 10-Q, as applicable, filed with the SEC; provided that (i) such filings must include all information required to be delivered as set forth in Sections 4.1(a)(x) , (y)  and (z)  or Sections 4.1(b)(y) and (z) , as applicable, and (ii) to the extent such information is in lieu of information required to be provided under Section 4.1(a) , such materials are accompanied by a report and opinion from Deloitte & Touche LLP or another independent certified public accounting firm of recognized national standing, which report shall (I) contain an opinion stating that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition as of the dates and for the periods indicated and in accordance with GAAP, and (II) not include any qualification expressing

 

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substantial doubt as to going concern status (except to the extent such qualification is due to (A) the scheduled maturity date or the scheduled termination date of the Initial Loans or (B) any prospective default under Section 6.1 or any financial covenant under the ABL Credit Agreement) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of a Parent Entity and its Subsidiaries or, as the case may be, a Combined Entity and its Subsidiaries as of the end of and for such year on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided further that, to the extent that the business activities, properties or liabilities of a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, as the case may be, changes in any material respect (in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Borrowers determined in consultation with the Agent) from the business, activities, properties and liabilities of such Parent Entity or of such Combined Entity on the First Amendment Effective Date or include other material activities, properties or liabilities other than those relating to the ownership of Parents, the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may, upon written notice to Charah (in its capacity as the administrative borrower pursuant to Section 1.13(d) ), require that the Credit Parties provide, as the case may be, the financial statements, audit opinions, comparative figures, Compliance Certificate, budgets, projections and other documents and information described in Sections 4.1(a) , 4.1(b) , 4.2(a) , 4.2(b) and 4.2(d) for or of each Borrower (and not for or of Parent Entity or Combined Entity) no later than, (x) in the case of the financial statements and audit opinion described in Section 4.1(a) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section 4.2(a) and the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 4.2(b) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or other deliverables are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(a) , 4.2(a) or 4.2(b) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 90 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, in each case for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive fiscal years or other period, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and (y) in the case of the financial statements, other documents or information described in Sections 4.1(b) , the related comparisons pursuant to Section 4.2(a) , the related Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 4.2(b) and the other deliverables pursuant to Section 4.2(d) , the later to occur of (I) the date on which such financial statements or such other documents or information are otherwise required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(b) , 4.2(a) , 4.2(b) or 4.2(d) , as applicable, and (II) the date that is 30 days after delivery of such notice to Charah and, for the avoidance of doubt, for all successive periods, as applicable, for which financial statements or such other documents or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement.

The financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which a Parent Entity, a Combined Entity or Charah posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Charah’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Parent Entity’s, Combined Entity’s or the Borrowers’ behalf on a Platform; provided that, Parent Entity, Combined Entity or Charah shall have notified the Agent in writing (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of such documents and shall have furnished to the Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.”.

1.4 Section 4.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(c) commencing with respect to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017, the Borrowers shall conduct a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of each Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been, or will be, delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(b) , at a date and time to be reasonably determined by the Borrowers and

 

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the Agent; provided that the obligations in this Section 4.1(c) may be satisfied by holding a quarterly conference call that the Lenders may attend to discuss the financial condition and results of operations of any Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable.”.

1.5 Section 4.2(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(a) commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, together with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) , comparisons with the corresponding figures (which may, for the avoidance of doubt, be with respect to a Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) for the previous Fiscal Year;”.

1.6 Section 4.2(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(b) commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017, concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 4.1(a) and 4.1(b) above, a duly completed certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 4.2(b) (a “ Compliance Certificate ”), modified, in necessary, to account for delivery of financial statements and information with respect to a Parent Entity or a Combined Entity, and certified on behalf of Parents, the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower;”.

1.7 Section 4.2(d) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(d) not later than 90 days after the last day of each Fiscal Year of each Borrower (120 days with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2017), an annual budget and projections of each Borrower (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial performance for the then-current Fiscal Year on a quarter-by-quarter basis;”.

1.8 Section 4.2(f) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“(f) (i) promptly following the Agent’s written request therefor, solely to the extent readily available to the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable), such additional financial information related to this Section 4.2 or Section 4.3 regarding the Credit Parties (or Parent Entity or Combined Entity, as applicable) as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Credit Parties shall not be obligated to provide such information to the extent such disclosure, would, in the good faith determination of the Credit Parties, violate attorney-client privilege or applicable confidentiality requirements, constitutes attorney work product or trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise prohibited by law or fiduciary duty from disclosing, and (ii) promptly following the Agent’s or any Lender’s written request therefor, all documentation and other information with respect to Parent Entity or Combined Entity (as applicable) that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act;”.

1.9 Section 12.1 is hereby revised by:

(a) inserting the following new definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order therein:

 

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Combined Entity ” means any Parent Entity (if applicable), the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries on a “combined” or “consolidated” basis.

First Amendment ” means that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2018, by and among the Borrowers, Parents, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and the Agent.

First Amendment Effective Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the First Amendment.

Parent Entity ” means any Person that is a direct or indirect parent company (which may or may not be organized as a partnership) of each Borrower.

(b) amending and restating each of the following definitions set forth below as follows:

Combined EBITDA ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, the sum of the Consolidated EBITDA of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated EBITDA of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) for purposes of determining Combined EBITDA under this Agreement for any period that includes the Fiscal Quarters ended December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2017, Combined EBITDA for such Fiscal Quarter shall be $15,321,980, $12,077,417, $17,260,157 and $23,793,420, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to clauses (a)(xii) and (a)(xiii) of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” and (b) with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined EBITDA” shall be defined as Consolidated EBITDA of such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Net Income ” means, with respect to the Borrowers for any period, the sum of the Consolidated Net Income of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and the Consolidated Net Income of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to any periods for which financial statements of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are delivered pursuant to the last two paragraphs of Section 4.1, “Combined Net Income” shall be defined as Consolidated Net Income such Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or such Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for such period.

Combined Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (or Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable) as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (or, as applicable, Consolidated Senior Secured Net Debt of a Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of such date) to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

 

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Combined Total Net Leverage Ratio ” means, with respect to the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (or Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable) as of any date, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Charah and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date plus (ii) Consolidated Total Net Debt of Allied and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (or, as applicable, Consolidated Total Net Debt of Parent Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries or Combined Entity and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as of such date) to (b) Combined EBITDA for the last period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or before such date for which financial statements have been delivered.

Section 2. EXECUTION OF THIS AMENDMENT; AUTHORIZATION

This Amendment is executed and shall be construed as a supplement to the Credit Agreement, and forms a part of the Credit Agreement. By its signature on this Amendment, each Lender party hereto (a) authorizes and consents to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver this Amendment.

Section 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender party hereto to enter into this Amendment, each of the Borrowers, Parents and each other Credit Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender, as of the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), as follows:

3.1 Corporate Existence and Power . Each Credit Party and each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation, company, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, in each case, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation, as applicable, (b) has the power and authority to own its assets, carry on its business, and execute and deliver this Amendment and perform its obligations under this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership or limited partnership, as applicable, and licensed and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the applicable jurisdiction), under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, except, in each case referred to in clauses (a) (in the case of Persons other than Parents and the Borrowers), (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

3.2 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention . The execution and delivery of this Amendment and performance by each of the Credit Parties of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of that Person’s Organization Documents, (b) conflict with or result in any material breach or contravention of any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which such Person or its Property is subject, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) violate or result in a default under any indenture, instrument, agreement, or other document binding upon such Person or its property or to which any such Person or its property is subject, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any such Person, except to the extent such violation, default, or payment would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any property of any Credit Party, except Liens created by the Loan Documents and Permitted Liens securing any ABL Facility, or (e) violate any material Requirement of Law, except to the extent such violation would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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3.3 Governmental and Third-Party Authorization . No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person is or will be required as a condition to or otherwise in connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment or performance by, or enforcement against, any Credit Party of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement except for (i) recordings, registrations and filings in connection with the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents, (ii) those obtained or made on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) those required in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.4 Binding Effect . Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

3.7 No Default or Event of Default; No Material Adverse Effect . No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Since December 31, 2016, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

3.8 Other Representations and Warranties . Both before and after giving effect to this Amendment, all representations and warranties by the Credit Parties contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein), except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date or period (in which case, such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) as of such earlier date or period).

Section 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

The effectiveness of this Amendment is conditioned upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent (the date on which all such conditions have been satisfied being referred to herein as the “ First Amendment Effective Date ”):

4.1 The Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart signature page to this Amendment, duly executed and delivered by the Borrowers, Parents, each other Credit Party, Lenders constituting the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

4.2 The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of a duly executed amendment with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, effectuating corresponding amendments to the ABL Credit Agreement, and such amendment shall have become effective substantially concurrently with the First Amendment Effective Date.

4.3 (a) Each of the representations and warranties in (or incorporated by reference in) Section 3 hereof, and each of the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties under the Amended Credit Agreement and under the other Loan Documents, shall in each case be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality or “Material Adverse Effect” qualifier contained therein) on and as of the First Amendment Effective Date (or as of the respective date of for the respective period, as the case may be), (b) both before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, no Default or

 

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Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, and (c) each Credit Party shall have obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated as of the First Amendment Effective Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of each Borrower, certifying as to the matters set forth in this Section 4.2.

4.4 (a) The Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender party hereto on the First Amendment Effective Date, shall have received an amendment fee in an amount equal to 0.05% of the aggregate principal amount of each such Lender’s Loans outstanding on the First Amendment Effective Date, and (b) to the extent invoiced at least one business days prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and their respective Affiliates shall have received payment in full in Dollars in immediately available funds of all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) required to be paid in connection with this Amendment (including pursuant to any engagement letter entered into by the Borrowers in connection herewith), including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 9.4 of the Amended Credit Agreement.

Section 5. REAFFIRMATION; LIENS UNIMPAIRED; INDEMNIFICATION

5.1 Reaffirmation . Each Credit Party acknowledges its receipt of a copy of this Amendment and confirms its review of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Amended Credit Agreement and consents to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement. Each Credit Party hereby (a) reaffirms and confirms its guarantees (including, without limitation, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations in each case referred to and defined in the Guaranty and Security Agreement), pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, agreements and other undertakings under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, in each case, such agreements and undertakings as in effect immediately after giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, (b) acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other document or instrument executed, delivered or furnished in connection herewith or therewith shall constitute (or be deemed to constitute) a novation, discharge, reduction, compromise, release or termination of the Obligations or of such Guaranteed Obligations or Secured Obligations and (c) agrees that (i) each Loan Document to which it is a party or otherwise bound (as amended by this Amendment) shall continue to be in full force and effect, and each such Loan Document and its obligations thereunder are hereby ratified, confirmed and reaffirmed in all respects, and (ii) all guarantees, pledges, grants of Liens and security interests, payment obligations, agreements and other obligations and undertakings by the Credit Parties shall continue to be in full force and effect, shall be valid and enforceable and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall not be affected, impaired, limited or discharged hereby or by the transactions contemplated in this Amendment or the Amended Credit Agreement. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations, the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any obligation to inform any Guarantor of such matters in the future or to seek any Guarantor’s acknowledgment or agreement to future amendments, waivers or consents, and nothing herein shall create such a duty.

5.2 Liens Unimpaired . After giving effect to this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Amended Credit Agreement, neither the modification of the Credit Agreement effected pursuant to this Amendment nor the execution and delivery of this Amendment,

 

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performance of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement, or effectiveness of this Amendment or the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Amended Credit Agreement (a) impair the validity, enforceability, perfection, effectiveness or priority of Liens and security interests granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens and security interests continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure the payment and performance in full of all Obligations, Secured Obligations and Guaranteed Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred, including as amended or modified pursuant to this Amendment, or (b) require that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens.

5.3 Indemnification . Each Credit Party hereby confirms that the indemnification provisions set forth in Section 9.6 of the Credit Agreement and in any other Loan Document shall apply to this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement and to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (as more fully set forth therein as applicable) which may arise herefrom or therefrom or in connection herewith or therewith or otherwise relating to this Amendment, the Amended Credit Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Section 6. MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Reference to and Effect on Credit Agreement and Other Credit Documents .

(a) Upon and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Credit Agreement as it may be further amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms.

(b) Except as specifically amended or modified by this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

(c) The execution and delivery of this Amendment, and effectiveness and performance of this Amendment or of the Amended Credit Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of, or otherwise affect or impair, any right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under any of the Loan Documents or any document, instrument or agreement executed, delivered or furnished in connection therewith, nor, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver or amendment of any provision of any of the Loan Documents or otherwise alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants, agreements or provisions contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are confirmed, ratified and reaffirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect and shall constitute and remain the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Credit Parties. Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle any Credit Party to a consent to, or a waiver, amendment, modification or other change of, any of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations or any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.

(d) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that: (i) this Amendment and any other document or instrument executed and delivered in connection herewith do not constitute, and shall in no event be deemed to constitute, a compromise, satisfaction, reinstatement, accord and satisfaction, novation, release or termination of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations or the Secured Obligations as in effect prior to the First Amendment Effective Date, or of any of the

 

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Loan Documents or any rights or obligations thereunder, or a waiver by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Lender or any other Secured Party of any of their respective rights under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Amendment, at law or in equity; (ii) the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations are in all respects continuing with only the terms thereof being modified to the extent expressly provided in this Amendment; and (iii) the guarantees and the Liens and security interests as granted or purported to be granted under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents guaranteeing or securing (as applicable) the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations (as applicable) are in all respects continuing in full force and effect and secure the payment and performance thereof as provided therein.

(e) Each of this Amendment and the Amended Credit Agreement shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes under the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

6.2 GOVERNING LAW . THIS AMENDMENT, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW.

6.3 Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial . The provisions of Sections 9.18 and 9.19 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis , and shall apply with like effect to this Amendment as if fully set forth herein.

6.4 Severability . The provisions of this Amendment are intended to be severable. If any provision of this Amendment shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

6.5 Headings . Section and paragraph headings have been inserted in this Amendment as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such headings are not a part of this Amendment and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Amendment.

6.6 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be effective for purposes of binding the parties hereto, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic means shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

6.7 Successors and Assigns . This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon each of the parties hereto and, subject to and in accordance with Section 9.8 of the Credit Agreement, their respective successors and assigns.

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective officers or representatives hereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

CHARAH, LLC , a Kentucky limited liability

company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

ALLIED POWER MANAGEMENT, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/John Plumlee
Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

CHARAH SOLE MEMBER, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/Mark Spender
Name:   Mark Spender
Title:   President

ALLIED POWER SOLE MEMBER, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/John Plumlee
Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

ASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC , a

Kentucky limited liability company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


GREEN MEADOW, LLC , a North Carolina

limited liability company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

ALLIED POWER SERVICES, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/John Plumlee
Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

ALLIED PLANT SERVICES, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/John Plumlee
Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

ALLIED POWER RESOURCES, LLC , a

Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/John Plumlee
Name:   John Plumlee
Title:   Chief Operating Officer

SCB INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, LLC ,

a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary & Treasurer

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


MERCURY CAPTURE INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY, LLC , a Delaware limited liability

company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary & Treasurer

MERCURY CAPTURE BENEFICIATION,

LLC , a Delaware limited liability company

By:   /s/Bruce Kramer
Name:   Bruce Kramer
Title:   Secretary & Treasurer

First Amendment to Credit Agreement


CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS

BRANCH , as Administrative Agent and

Collateral Agent

By   /s/Mikhail Faybusovich
  Name: Mikhail Faybusovich
  Title: Authorized Signatory
By   /s/Warren Van Heyst
  Name: Warren Van Heyst
  Title: Authorized Signatory

First Amendment to Credit Agreement

Exhibit 10.8

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of December 23, 2016, by and between Charah, Inc., a Kentucky corporation (the “ Company ”), and the undersigned (“ Executive ”), and shall be effective as of the Closing Date (the “ Effective Date ”), as such term is defined in that certain Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Charah Sole Member LLC (“ Purchaser ”), the Company, Executive, as the Seller Representative and the other parties thereto (the “ Purchase Agreement ”). The Company and Executive shall be collectively referred to herein as the “ Parties .”

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, the Company will restructure prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, converting from a Kentucky corporation to a Kentucky limited liability company but continuing to be bound by all agreements (including this Agreement) and obligations and to hold all assets held immediately prior to such conversion;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, Purchaser will obtain all of the equity interests of the Company;

WHEREAS, Executive is receiving substantial consideration in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “ Consideration ”):

WHEREAS, Executive’s and the Company’s entering into this Agreement is a condition precedent to the Purchaser’s entrance into the Purchase Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance of equity interests of Purchaser’s parent, Charah Management LLC (“ Purchaser Parent ”) to Executive or one of his affiliates; and

WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue the employment of Executive and Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and continue Executive’s employment with the Company, in each case, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth on Appendix A attached hereto.

Section 2. Acceptance and Term of Employment.

(a) The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The term of Executive’s employment shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until the third (3 rd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section  8 hereof (the “ Initial Term of Employment ”): provided, that after the Initial Term of Employment, the Term of Employment shall automatically be extended for successive one (1) year renewal terms until Executive’s employment is terminated by either party pursuant to Section  8 hereof; provided, however, that either party may elect not to so extend this Agreement beyond the Initial Term of Employment or the then-current Term of Employment by giving written notice of non-renewal to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of such Term of Employment.


Section 3. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities; Place of Performance.

(a) Position, Duties, and Responsibilities . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be employed and serve the Company Group in the position set forth under the heading “Position” on Exhibit A hereto (together with such other position or positions consistent with Executive’s title as the Board shall specify from time to time), shall report to the Board, and shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title, including managing the day-to-day business activities of the Company Group (subject to operating guidelines and budgets established by the Board from time to time). If requested, Executive also agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of any other member of the Company Group, in each case without additional compensation.

(b) Performance . Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time, attention, skill, and best efforts to the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement and shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment, including any activity that (x) conflicts with the interests of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (y) interferes with the proper and efficient performance of Executive’s duties for the Company, or (z) interferes with Executive’s exercise of judgment in the Company Group’s best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving, with the prior written consent of the Board (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of non-competing businesses and charitable organizations, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, (iii) managing Executive’s personal investments and affairs and (iv) managing or providing advice, directly or indirectly to Sul4r-Plus, LLC, Suite 18, LLC, PriceFlight, LLC or Price Real Estate LLC; provided , however , that the activities set out in clauses (i) , (ii) , (iii) and (iv)  of this Section  3(b) shall be limited by Executive so as not to interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder or otherwise create a conflict of interest between Executive and any member of the Company Group.

(c) Principal Place of Employment . Executive’s principal place of employment shall be in Louisville, Kentucky although Executive understands and agrees that Executive may be required to travel from time to time for business reasons.

Section 4. Compensation.

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation:

(a) Base Compensation . Executive shall be provided annualized Base Compensation, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of the amount set forth on Exhibit A under the heading “Base Compensation,” with adjustments, if any, as may be approved in writing by the Board.

 

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(b) Annual Bonus . Beginning with the fiscal year 2017, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus with respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending during the remaining Term of Employment up to an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Executive’s then-Base Compensation (pro-rated for any fractional year) (the “ Annual Bonus ”). The amount of the Annual Bonus actually paid, including any related performance metrics shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion, after consultation with Executive. The Annual Bonus, to the extent earned, shall be paid in the calendar year following the applicable performance year within thirty (30) days following the delivery of the Company’s audited financial statements for the relevant performance year if Executive is employed by the Company upon the delivery thereof.

(c) Company Vehicle . The Company shall provide Executive with an Audi 8 or an equivalent vehicle that is reasonably acceptable to the Company for professional and personal use; provided that upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly return the vehicle to the Company or its designee. Company will also reimburse Executive for the reasonable and documented costs of insurance, use, repair and maintenance of such vehicle.

(d) Membership Dues . The Company shall, upon presentation of documentation, reimburse Executive for his monthly required membership dues at each of, (i) Quail Hollow Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, (ii) Charlotte Country Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, and (iii) Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky.

(e) Usage of Company Aircraft . Executive shall have access to the Company’s leased aircraft for business purposes and, with Board authorization, for personal use; provided , however , that Executive shall reimburse the Company for costs associated with such personal use each month.

Section 5. Employee Benefits.

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in health, insurance, retirement (including 401(k) plans), and other benefits provided generally to similarly situated employees of the Company. Executive shall also be entitled to the same number of holidays and sick days, as well as any other benefits, in each case as are generally allowed to similarly situated employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect from time to time. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to six (6) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as pro-rated for partial years); provided, that Executive shall not be entitled to carry over any unused vacation days from one year to the next. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the Company’s ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit plan or policy at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.

 

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Section 6. Insurance.

(a) At any time during the Term of Employment, the Company shall have the right to insure the life of Executive for the sole benefit of the Company, in such amounts, and with such terms, as it may determine. All premiums payable thereon shall be the obligation of the Company. Executive shall have no interest in any such policy, but agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to reasonably physical examinations, supplying all information required by the insurance company, and executing all necessary documents; provided that no financial obligation is imposed on Executive by any such documents.

(b) During the Term of Employment, the Company shall purchase and maintain, at its expense, directors and officers liability insurance providing coverage for the Executive in the same amount as applicable to members of the Board. The Company hereby agrees to indemnity the Executive and hold the Executive harmless to the maximum extent permitted under the Company’s or Purchaser Parent’s governance documents (including the Operating Agreement) against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including advances of reasonable attorney’s fees), losses, and damages resulting from the Executive’s good faith performance of the Executive’s duties and obligations with the Company Group.

Section 7. Reimbursement of Business Expenses.

Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all such reasonable business expenses, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy, in each case, as in effect from time to time.

Section 8. Termination of Employment.

(a) General . The Term of Employment shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) Executive’s death, (ii) subject to Section  8(b) , a termination by reason of a Permanent Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason and (v) non-renewal of the Term of Employment. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payment (or commencement of a series of payments) hereunder of any nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) upon a termination of employment shall be delayed until such time as Executive has also undergone a “separation from service” as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-l(h), at which time such nonqualified deferred compensation (calculated as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder) shall be paid (or commence to be paid) to Executive on the schedule set forth in this Section  8 as if Executive had undergone such termination of employment (under the same circumstances) on the date of Executive’s ultimate “separation from service.”

(b) Termination Due to Death or Permanent Disability . Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Permanent Disability, such termination to be effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. Upon Executive’s death or in the event that Executive’s employment is terminated due to Executive’s Permanent Disability, Executive or Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Obligations; and

 

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(ii) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term.

(c) Following Executive’s death or a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of a Permanent Disability, except as set forth in this Section  8(b). Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment due to death or Permanent Disability shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i)  and (n) of Section  8(b) hereof.

(d) Termination by the Company for Cause .

(i) The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination.

(ii) In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. Following such termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, except as set forth in this Section  8(d). Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(e) Termination by the Company without Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time during the Term of Employment without Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Permanent Disability) during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Obligations;

(ii) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term; and

(iii) To the extent permissible under the Company’s group health plan and subject to (A) Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (B) Executive’s continued copayment of premiums at the same level and cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), continuation, for the twelve (12) months immediately following termination (or if earlier, until the date that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service during such period), of health benefits provided to Executive and Executive’s dependents immediately prior to such termination, at the same cost applicable to active employees of the Company.

 

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Following such termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, except as set forth in this Section  8(e). Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment without Cause shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i)  through (iii) of Section  8(e) hereof.

(f) Termination by Executive with Good Reason . Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with Good Reason during the Term of Employment by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice, to be effective, must be provided to the Company within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of such event. During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right (if curable), and if not cured within such period, Executive’s termination will be effective upon the expiration of such cure period, and Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section  8(e) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section  8(e) hereof. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive with Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section  8(f). Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment with Good Reason shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i)  through (iii) of Section  8(e) hereof.

(g) Termination by Executive without Good Reason . Executive may terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason (including by resignation or retirement) by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by Executive under this Section  8(g). Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment under this Section  8(g) , the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section  8(g). Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(h) Termination Due to Non-Renewal of the Term of Employment .

(i) In the event that the Company terminates this Agreement by a notice of non-renewal of a Term of Employment, as set forth in Section  2 hereof, Executive shall be entitled to:

 

  (A) The Accrued Obligations;

 

  (B) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term; and

 

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  (C) To the extent permissible under the Company’s group health plan and subject to (x) Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (y) Executive’s continued copayment of premiums at the same level and cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), continuation, for the twelve (12) months immediately following termination (or if earlier, until the date that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service during such period), of health benefits provided to Executive and Executive’s dependents immediately prior to such termination, at the same cost applicable to active employees of the Company.

(ii) In the event that Executive terminates this Agreement by a notice of non-renewal of a Term of Employment, as set forth in Section  2 hereof, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations.

(iii) Following such termination of Executive’s employment due to non-renewal of the Term of Employment, except as set forth in in Section  8(h)(i) or Section  8(h)(ii) , as applicable, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment due to a nonrenewal of the Term of Employment by the Company shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in subclauses (A)  through (C) of Section  8(h)(i) hereof.

(i) Release . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to Sections 8(e) , 8(f) , or 8(h)(i) (other than the Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the “ Severance Benefits ”) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s execution and delivery to the Company of an irrevocable Release of Claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ General Release ”) within sixty (60) days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, and non-revocation of the General Release (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such General Release). If Executive fails to execute and deliver an irrevocable General Release prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of such General Release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, but for the condition on executing the General Release as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60 th ) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein.

 

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(j) Repayment of Severance Benefits . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including this Section  8) , in the event that Executive breaches any provision of the Non-Interference Covenants (as set forth in Section 9) or the General Release,(i) the Severance Benefits shall immediately terminate, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive with respect thereto and (ii) Executive shall promptly repay all Severance Benefits previously received by Executive or Executive’s dependents to the Company.

Section 9. Non-Interference Covenants.

As a condition of Executive’s continued employment with the Company and the effectiveness of this Agreement, Executive agrees to the following

(a) Covenants of Confidentiality, Non-Competition, Non-Disclosure, Non- Disparagement and Non-Soli citation.

(i) Definition . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” shall mean and include, the Company Group’s non-public information, trade secrets and/or sensitive proprietary information about the Company Group’s business practices, procedures, methods, protocols, strategies and systems, which provide the Company Group with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and which, if obtained and used by a competitor, could be harmful to the Company Group’s business, and which are maintained in confidence within the Company Group. By way of illustration only, Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, technical and non-technical data, compilations, programs and methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, Executive compensation data and structures, Executive performance information, actual and prospective customer lists, business development strategies, business review reports, delivery schedules, distribution methods and processes, routing methodology, warehousing techniques, credit terms, documents containing names and addresses of current or former customers that includes their past or present buying patterns or habits, sales reports, service reports, price lists and discount lists, methods, strategies and/or procedures regarding pricing, product cost and profit strategies or structures, product formulae, methods and/or procedures related to sales or services, methods and/or procedures of operation, special training of sales representatives, continuous market updates, sales allowance, vendor programs, and merchandising strategies. Executive agrees that all information possessed by Executive, or disclosed to Executive, or to which Executive obtains access during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company shall be presumed to be Confidential Information under the terms of this Agreement, and the burden of proving otherwise shall rest with Executive.

(ii) Covenant of Nondisclosure . Executive acknowledges and agrees that as a direct result of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will have access to, learn about, and become familiar with the Confidential Information. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information is a valuable, unique asset of the Company Group and that the Company Group has expended a great deal of time, money and other resources in identifying, researching, preparing, maintaining, and updating the Confidential Information. Accordingly, Executive agrees and covenants that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will maintain the Confidential Information in strictest confidence and Executive will not, at any time, disclose, use or induce or assist in the use or disclosure of the Confidential Information,

 

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except as necessary for the performance of Executive’s duties as a Company Executive. Furthermore, Executive agrees that Executive will not, at any time after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, directly or indirectly, utilize or disclose, or assist others with obtaining, utilizing or disclosing, the Confidential Information. In addition, in the event that Executive becomes aware of any act or threat of action on the part of any person, to obtain or disclose Confidential Information, Executive agrees to provide immediate written notification of this to the Board, the Company’s President and CEO and to Executive’s direct supervisor.

(iii) Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will use the Confidential Information solely for the purposes of fulfilling Executive’s duties under this Agreement and will not use the Confidential Information for any other purpose without the prior written consent of the Company.

(iv) Company Property . Executive acknowledges Executive’s duty and responsibility to maintain and safeguard all Company Group property issued and/or provided to Executive, which includes all Confidential Information in any medium. Executive further acknowledges that such property is and shall always remain the property of the Company Group and is to be returned to the Company Group promptly and, in good condition, absent normal wear and tear from proper usage, on the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or on such earlier date as requested by the Company.

(v) Non-Solicitation . Executive agrees that, from and after the Effective Date until thirty-six (36) months after the date when Executive is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group, that Executive will not and will cause his affiliates to not, directly or through others (i) solicit any Executive of the Company Group who was employed by any member of the Company Group at any time during the last year of Executive’s employment with the Company, (ii) assist or encourage any such Executive to terminate his or her employment with any member of the Company Group; (iii) solicit business of the type then being performed by any member of the Company Group from any individual or entity which is a customer of any member of the Company Group or any actively sought prospective customer of the Company Group; (iv) induce, solicit or encourage any individual or entity who or which is a customer, vendor, supplier or contractor of any member of the Company Group or has another business relationship with any member of the Company Group to cease doing business with, reduce the level of business, or adversely change the terms of the relationship with, the Company Group, and/or (v) in any way interfere with the relationship between such individual or entity and any member of the Company Group.

(vi) Covenant Not to Compete . Executive recognizes, acknowledges and agrees that all customers, clients and/or accounts acquired, serviced, managed or contacted by the Company Group, the Company Group’s other Executives or Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company Group, including all customers, clients and/or accounts acquired, serviced, managed or contacted by Executive due to Executive’s efforts are the exclusive property of the Company Group and are deemed to be “ Company Accounts .” Executive covenants and agrees that from and after the

 

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Effective Date until thirty-six (36) months after the date when Executive is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group, Executive shall not, and shall cause his affiliates to not, within a 250 mile radius of any Company Group office, project site, customer office or any other facility owned, operated, serviced or managed by any party to a Company Account as herein above defined, engage in any of the following:

 

  (A) directly or through others enter into the employ of, render any service to or in concert with any business which competes with the Company Group in the business of coal ash sales, marketing, production and materials management, processing and distribution (herein referred to as the “ Competitive Businesses ”): provided, that a “Competitive Business” shall not include the businesses of Sul4r- Plus, LLC, Suite 18, LLC, PriceFlight, LLC or Price Real Estate LLC, as such businesses are generally conducted as of the date hereof, which for the avoidance of doubt does not involve the business of coal ash sales, marketing, production and materials management, process or distribution.

 

  (B) directly or through others engage in any such Competitive Businesses on Executive’s or Executive’s affiliates’ own account; or

 

  (C) become interested in the Competitive Businesses directly or through others as an individual, partner, member, equityholder, director, officer, manager, principal, agent or Executive, or in any other relationship or capacity; provided, that the purchase of a public security of a corporation engaged in such business or service shall not in itself be deemed a violation of this Agreement so long as Executive does not own, directly or indirectly, more than two percent (2%) of the securities of such corporation.

(vii) Notwithstanding anything in subsection 9(a)(v) and 9(a)(vi) above to the contrary, in the event Executive’s employment is terminated (x) by the Company without Cause, (y) by Executive for Good Reason or (z) by the Company pursuant to a non-renewal of a Term of Employment, the restriction periods described in subsection 9(a)(v ) and 9(a)(vi) shall be reduced to twenty-four (24) months.

(b) Non-Disparagement . Subject to Section  12 below, Executive agrees that during the period from and after the Effective Date, Executive will not, and will cause his affiliates to not, make, publish, or communicate any disparaging or defamatory comments regarding the Company Group or their current or former directors, officers, members, managers, partners, Executives or direct or indirect owners (including equityholders) in any respect or make any comments concerning any aspect of Executive’s relationship with the Company Group or any conduct or events which precipitated any termination of Executive’s employment from the Company Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section  9(b) shall be deemed to impair or limit Executive’s rights, if any, to engage in concerted activity as set forth in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

 

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(c) Reasonableness . Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions upon Executive and the rights and remedies conferred upon the Company under the Agreement. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the nature and extent of the restrictions upon Executive are reasonable in time, scope and territory, that such restrictions are designed to eliminate competition which would be unfair to the Company Group, that such restrictions are fully required to protect the legitimate interests of the Company Group and that such restrictions do not confer a benefit upon the Company Group which is disproportionate to any detriment to Executive. Executive represents, stipulates and acknowledges that Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that the provisions of the Agreement will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood, especially since the proprietary information which Executive will acquire while in the employment of the Company has a very limited application. Executive further acknowledges that it would cause the Company Group serious and irreparable injury and cost if Executive was to use Executive’s ability and knowledge in competition with the Company Group, or to otherwise breach the obligations contained in the Agreement. The Executive has been given the opportunity to consult, and has consulted with, independent legal counsel and other advisors regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby and intends for such terms to be binding upon and enforceable against the Executive, all of which are hereby voluntarily and willingly agreed to by the Executive.

(d) Other Obligations . Executive acknowledges that the Company from time to time may have agreements with other persons which impose obligations or restrictions on the Company regarding information obtained during the course of work under such agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work or other information, materials or documents being exchanged between them. Executive agrees to be bound by all such obligations and restrictions which are made known to Executive and to take all action necessary to discharge the obligations of the Company under such agreements.

Section 10. Improvements, Inventions and Patent Rights.

(a) Discoveries of Executive are Property of the Company Group . Executive agrees that all inventions, discoveries, ideas, improvements, processes, products, machines, designs, ideas, equipment, formulae, techniques, computer software and business opportunities, regardless of whether patentable (“ Proprietary Discoveries ”), that are developed by Executive or prepared during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company Group, which in any way affects the materials manufactured, sold or used by the Company Group or which are ormay be capable of being used in the Company Group’s business, shall be the property of the Company Group. Executive further agrees that all Proprietary Discoveries that are developed by Executive within the twelve (12) months following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, which relate directly to projects that Executive worked on or had knowledge of while in the employ of the Company Group, shall be the property of the Company Group. Executive shall not assign or attempt to assign any rights in any of the Proprietary Discoveries to any other person or entity without the written consent of the President of the Company. Executive agrees to assign to the Company all rights in the Proprietary Discoveries without further consideration. Executive further agrees to promptly disclose to the Company, and assist the Company in developing and in preserving, the Proprietary Discoveries. The term “Proprietary Discoveries” shall be given the broadest interpretation possible and shall include any Proprietary Discoveries conceived, designed, devised, developed, perfected, or made by Executive during off-duty hours and away from the Company’s premises, as well as those conceived, designed, devised, developed, perfected or made in the regular course of Executive’s performance.

 

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(b) Assignment of Rights to the Company, Executive agrees that, on the Company’s request and at the Company’s expense, Executive shall make application, through patent counsel for the Company, for Letters patent of the United States and of any and all countries designated by the Company for all Proprietary Discoveries. Executive further agrees to execute promptly a written assignment of all such applications to the Company or according to its order. Executive also agrees to assist the Company and its counsel, on their request, in preparing the patent applications. While in the employ of the Company, such assistance shall be provided without additional payment by the Company. After termination of employment, however, the Company agrees to pay Executive’s out-of-pocket expenses and a per diem charge, based on Executive’s current salary, for assistance rendered in preparing the patent applications. From time to time, Executive shall execute at the Company’s request all papers and do all things that may be reasonably required to protect the rights of the Company and to vest in it or its assigns the Proprietary Discoveries and the patent described herein.

(c) Maintenance of Complete Records; Return of the Company’s Materials. Executive agrees to make and maintain adequate and current written records of all Proprietary Discoveries, in the form of notes, sketches, drawings or reports. Executive acknowledges that all drawings, blueprints, documents, records, notebooks, computer generated data, photocopies, photographs, personal notes taken during the course of employment, records, tables, calculations, letters and other similar repositories that contain any Confidential Information or relate to any Proprietary Discoveries, whether prepared by Executive or others, are and shall remain the property of the Company. On termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive must immediately return to the Company all such material then in Executive’s possession or under such Executive’s control.

Section 11. Remedies.

The Parties acknowledge that because of that Executive’s position with the Company and the duties and responsibilities inherent in such a position, including the receipt of Confidential Information made available to the Executive by the Company, the Company would suffer irreparable loss and severe damages that would be nearly impossible to calculate with any degree of mathematical certainty, if the Executive were determined to breach the noncompetition, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants contained within Section  9 of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that the noncompetition, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants contained herein are reasonably necessary to protect and/or preserve the Company Business, the assets of the Company and its shareholders. Executive therefore agrees and consents that, in addition to any other legal remedies that might be available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and final injunctive relief, as well as any and all other legal and equitable relief to which it may otherwise be justly entitled, in order to prevent an ongoing breach or prevent an anticipated or threatened breach of the aforementioned covenant by the Executive. Executive further waives any right Executive may have to require the Company

 

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to post bond prior to obtaining equitable relief under this Section  11 , or, if such bond is nevertheless required, Executive consents to setting such bond at the lowest amount permitted by law and waives any need of the Company to prove irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or anticipated or threatened breach.

Section 12. Response to Subpoena, Court Order or Other Legal Process; Defend Trade Secrets Act.

Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict either party or their respective attorneys from: (i) making any disclosure of relevant and necessary information or documents in any action, investigation, or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or as required by law or legal process, including with respect to possible violations of law; or (ii) participating, cooperating, or testifying in any action, investigation, or proceeding with, or providing information to, any governmental agency or legislative body, any self-regulatory organization, and/or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts Company or Executive from initiating communications with, or responding to any inquiry from, any regulatory or supervisory authority regarding any good faith concerns about possible violations of law or regulation. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Executive’s attorney and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the trade secret to Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.

 

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Section  13. Cooperation. Executive agrees that, for a period of two (2) years following any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company Group, Executive will continue to provide reasonable cooperation to the Company and/or other member of the Company Group and its or their respective counsel in connection with any investigation, administrative proceeding, or litigation relating to any matter that occurred during Executive’s employment in which Executive was involved or of which Executive has knowledge. As a condition of such cooperation, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and any and all documented lost compensation incurred at the request of the Company with respect to Executive’s compliance with this Section  13 . Executive also agrees that, in the event Executive is subpoenaed by any Person or entity (including, any government agency) to give testimony or provide documents (in a deposition, court proceeding, or otherwise), that in any way relates to Executive’s employment with the Company Group, Executive will give prompt notice of such request to the Company and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, will make no disclosure until the Company has had a reasonable opportunity to contest the right of the requesting Person or entity to such disclosure.

Section  14. Disclosure of Section 9 Covenants . Subject to the other restrictions on disclosure contained herein, as long as it remains in effect, Executive will disclose the existence of the Section 9 covenants to any prospective employer, partner, co-venturer, investor, or lender prior to entering into an employment, partnership, or other business relationship with such Person or entity.

Section 15. Representations and Warranties of Executive.

Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

(a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that Executive’s employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not conflict with or result in the breach by Executive of any agreement to which Executive is a party or by which Executive may be bound;

(b) Executive has not violated, and in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which Executive is or may be bound;

(c) In connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not use any confidential or proprietary information Executive may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer; and

(d) None of the Company, or any other member of the Company Group or any of their respective representatives, has provided any legal advice to Executive in connection with this Agreement and that Executive has been advised by the Company to seek, and Executive has sought, legal advice from Executive’s own legal counsel regarding this Agreement.

Section 16. Taxes.

The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to Executive in connection with this Agreement and that Executive has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from Executive’s own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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Section 17. Set Off; Mitigation.

The Company’s obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall be subject to set-off, or recoupment of documented amounts owed by Executive to the Company or any other member of the Company Group; provided, however, that to the extent any amount so subject to set-off, or recoupment is payable in installments hereunder, such set-off, or recoupment shall not modify the applicable payment date of any installment, and to the extent an obligation cannot be satisfied by reduction of a single installment payment, any portion not satisfied shall remain an outstanding obligation of Executive and shall be applied to the next installment only at such time the installment is otherwise payable pursuant to the specified payment schedule.

Section 18. Additional Section 409A Provisions.

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary:

(a) Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the “ Delay Period ”). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.

(b) Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

(c) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided, that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

(d) While the payments and benefits provided hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the implication of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code).

 

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Section 19. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries .

(a) The Company . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executive’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided, however, that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company may provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets without Executive’s consent.

(b) Executive . Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

(c) No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in Section  8(b) or Section  19(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.

Section 20. Waiver and Amendments .

Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.

Section 21. Severability.

If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.

Section  22. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND IS TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS). ANY DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE HEARD BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITTING IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ALSO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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Section 23. Notices .

(a) Place of Delivery . Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided, that unless and until some other address is so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office (with a copy to c/o Bernhard Capital Partners, 400 Convention Street, Suite 1010, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802, Attention: Jeffrey Koonce), and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executive’s last known address, as reflected in the Company’s records.

(b) Date of Delivery . Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.

Section 24. Section Headings; Construction and Interpretation .

The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) 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 and (iv) all references herein to Sections shall be construed to refer to Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise noted. The recitals hereto are hereby incorporated herein.

Section 25. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the General Release together with any other exhibits and schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

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Section 26. Survival of Operative Sections .

Upon any termination of Executive’s employment, the provisions of Section  8 through Section  27 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section  1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.

Section 27. Counterparts .

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or electronic (including by means of facsimile or email transmission) signature.

*            *             *

 

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

 

COMPANY
CHARAH, INC.
By:   /s/Charles E. Price
Name:   Charles E. Price
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Employment Agreement


EXECUTIVE:
/s/Charles E. Price
Charles E. Price

 

Signature Page to Employment Agreement


APPENDIX A

Definitions

(a) “ Accrued Obligations ” shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Compensation through the date of termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Section  7 hereof, (iii) any benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans upon a termination of employment, in accordance with the terms contained therein (which for the avoidance of doubt shall in no event include more than thirty (30) days of unused paid vacation) , and (iv) rights with respect to equity of the Company Group, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement and any subscription, grant or similar agreement relating to such equity.

(b) “ Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(c) “ Annual Bonus ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4(b) .

(d) “ Base Compensation ” shall mean the annual salary provided for in Section  4(a) .

(e) “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Managers of Purchaser Parent.

(f) “ Cause ” shall mean: (i) Executive’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of Executive’s employment hereunder, (ii) Executive’s substantial and sustained failure or refusal by Executive to perform Executive’s material duties or responsibilities to the Company Group or to follow the lawful directives of the Board (other than as a result of death or Permanent Disability), (iii) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by Executive of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (iv) Executive’s conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, (v) Executive’s failure to cooperate in any material way with any audit or investigation of the business or financial practices of the Company Group, (vi) Executive’s performance of any act of theft, embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance, dishonesty or misappropriation of the Company’s property, (vii) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement, the Operating Agreement, or any other noncompetition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, non-disparagement or other restrictive covenant provisions relating to any member of the Company Group by which the Executive may be bound, or any other agreement between Executive, on the one hand, a member of the Company Group, on the other hand, (viii) Executive’s material violation of the Company’s lawful code of conduct or other written policy (so long as Executive has been provided a copy of such code or policy and has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure such violation, if such violation is curable) or (ix) Executive’s deliberate misconduct which is reasonably likely to be materially damaging to any member of the Company Group.

(g) “ COBRA ” shall mean Section 4980B of the Code and Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA.

(h) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


(i) “ Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(j) “ Company Group ” shall mean, collectively, Purchaser Parent, Purchaser, the Company and their respective subsidiaries.

(k) “ Delay Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  18 hereof.

(l) “ Disability Period ” any period of time (prior to termination under Section  8) that a physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive prevents, or, in the good faith determination of the Board, would be reasonably likely to prevent, the performance of Executive’s duties

(m) “ Executive ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(n) “ Good Reason ” shall mean, without Executive’s consent, (i) a material and ongoing diminution in Executive’s title, duties, responsibilities as set forth in Section  3 hereof, (ii) a reduction in Executive’s Base Compensation below the level of such Base Compensation on the Effective Date, (iii) the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment (as provided in Section  3(c) hereof) more than seventy-five (75) miles from its current location; (iv) a “Change of Control” as that term is defined in the form of Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charah Management LLC attached as Exhibit G to that certain Equity Purchase Agreement of even date herewith by and among Charah Sole Member LLC, the Company and the Executive, as Seller Representative; (v) a material adverse change in benefits (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any change related to any Annual Bonus) or perquisites; or (vi) any other material breach of a provision of this Agreement by the Company (other than a provision that is covered by clause (if (ii) , (iii) , (iv) or (v) above); provided, that none of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason unless the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receipt from the Executive of written notice of the event which constitutes Good Reason as contemplated in Section  8(f) , which written notice shall give reasonable specificity in the nature of the circumstances determined by the Executive in good faith to constitute Good Reason; and provided, further, that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for an event on the sixtieth (60 th ) day after the Executive obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such event, unless the Executive has given the Company written notice thereof prior to such date. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s exclusive remedy in the event of any breach of this Agreement shall be to assert Good Reason pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section  8(f) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term of Employment, in the event that the Company reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend Executive from performing Executive’s duties hereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided, that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement during such period of suspension.

(o) “ Initial Term of Employment ” shall mean the period specified in Section  2 hereof.

 

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(p) “ Non-Interference Covenants ” shall mean Section 9 of the Agreement.

(q) “ Operating Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Purchaser Parent, to be dated as of the Effective Date, as may be modified, amended, restated or amended and restated from time to time.

(r) “ Permanent Disability ” shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents, or, in the good faith determination of the Board, would be reasonably likely to prevent, the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days, whether or not consecutive, during any twelve (12) month period. The determination of disability or infirmity under the preceding sentence shall be made in good faith by the Board and may be based upon information supplied by a physician selected by the Board or the Company’s insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive or his legal representative; provided that the Executive shall cooperate fully with such physician to permit such physician to make an accurate determination as to incapacity or disability. The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement. During any Disability Period, the Executive shall continue to receive his full Base Compensation pursuant to Section  4(a) and the benefits under Sections 4(c) , 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement until his Term of Employment is officially terminated pursuant to Section  8 .

(s) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non- charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

(t) “ Severance ” shall, mean an amount equal to the greater of (i) the balance of Executive’s then-applicable Base Compensation, through the end of the applicable Term of Employment (calculated as if such Term of Employment had not been terminated) or (ii) one (1) year of Executive’s then applicable Base Compensation, in either event, less standard withholdings.

(u) “ Severance Benefits ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  8(i) hereof.

(v) “ Severance Term ” shall mean, at the time of Executive’s termination, the greater of (i) the remaining Term of Employment (calculated as if such Term of Employment had not been terminated) and (ii) twelve (12) months.

(w) “ Term of Employment ” shall mean the Initial Term of Employment and the period of any extension thereof in accordance with Section  2 hereof.

 

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EXHIBIT A

Employment Information

 

Executive Name

  

Position

  

Base Compensation

Charles E. Price

  

President and Chief Executive

Officer

   $700,000.00


EXHIBIT B

AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE SIGNED

PRIOR TO LAST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL RELEASE

I, Charles E. Price, in consideration of and subject to the performance by Charah, Inc., and its successors (together with its subsidiaries, the “ Company ”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of December 22, 2016 (the “ Agreement ”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and each other member of the Company Group (as defined in the Agreement) and their respective, direct and indirect, subsidiaries and affiliates and all of their respective present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns and their direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”) to the extent provided below (this “ General Release ”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

1. I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section  8 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 8 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.

2. Except as provided in Sections 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement which expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date upon which I sign this General Release) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns may have, including, claims which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Rehabilitation Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Equal Pay Act; the National Labor Relations Act; to the


extent permitted by applicable law, any whistleblower, relator, False Claims Act or qui tam claims and/or any personal right to recovery under such claims; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; any claims arising under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “ Claims ”).

3. I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by Section  2 above.

4. I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or Claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including, any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

5. I acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived by private agreement under applicable law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Obligations or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s organizational documents or otherwise to which I am entitled, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its subsidiaries.

6. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against a Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against a Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in Section  2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

7. I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

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8. I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. Further, I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to Section 8 of the Agreement if I challenge the validity of the General Release for any Claim released herein.

9. I agree that this General Release and the Agreement are confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release or the Agreement, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

10. Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from (i) making any disclosure of information required by law, including providing truthful testimony if required to do so by court order or legal process or (ii) responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

11. I hereby acknowledge that Section 8 through Section 27 of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release.

12. I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release. I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in Section  2 above and which, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

13. Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

14. I hereby confirm that I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to the Company’s and its affiliates’ and subsidiaries’ businesses which I possess or have control over as the date hereof, including, but not limited to, all pricing files, information and data, customer and broker files, information and data, profitability, margin, operating, cost and other financial information and data, product formulation, quality assurance, specifications and new product development information and data, company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, tablets, cellular telephone(s), iPhones, BlackBerry(s), and other mobile data devices, manuals, files, documents, records, software, data bases and other data.

15. This General Release may not be changed orally and no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision contained in this General Release, or any future representation, promise or condition in connection with the subject matter of this General Release shall be binding upon me unless made in writing signed by both parties.

 

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16. Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in, such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

17. This General Release shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the application of any choice-of-law rules that would result in the application of another state’s laws.

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

  1. I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

  2. I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED;

 

  3. I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

  4. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF MY OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF MY OWN CHOOSING BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

  5. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [ 21 ] [ 45 ] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE MY ORIGINAL RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE HAVE NOT RESTARTED THE [ 21 ][ 45 ]-DAY REVIEW PERIOD;

 

  6. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

  7. I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

  8. I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

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SIGNED:           DATED:     

 

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Exhibit 10.9

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of January 13, 2017, by and between Charah, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the undersigned (“ Executive ”), and shall be effective as of the Closing Date (the “ Effective Date ”), as such term is defined in that certain Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2016, by and among Charah Sole Member LLC (“ Purchaser ”). Charah, Inc. (the predecessor of the Company), Charles E. Price, as the Seller Representative, and the other parties thereto (the “ Purchase Agreement ”). The Company and Executive shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Parties.”

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS, pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, Purchaser will obtain all of the equity interests of the Company;

WHEREAS, Executive is receiving substantial consideration in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement (the “ Consideration ”):

WHEREAS, Executive’s and the Company’s entering into this Agreement is a condition precedent to Purchaser’s consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance of equity interests of Purchaser’s parent, Charah Management LLC (“ Purchaser Parent ”) to Executive; and

WHEREAS, Executive desires to continue the employment of Executive and Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and continue Executive’s employment with the Company, in each case, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

Section  1. Definitions . Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth on Appendix A attached hereto.

Section 2. Acceptance and Term of Employment.

(a) The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to serve the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein. The term of Executive’s employment shall commence on the Effective Date and continue until the third (3 rd ) anniversary of the Effective Date, unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section  8 hereof (the “ Initial Term of Employment ”): provided , that after the Initial Term of Employment, the Term of Employment shall automatically be extended for successive one (1) year renewal terms until Executive’s employment is terminated by either party pursuant to Section  8 hereof; provided , however , that either party may elect not to so extend this Agreement beyond the Initial Term of Employment or the then-current Term of Employment by giving written notice of non-renewal to the other party at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of such Term of Employment.


Section 3. Position, Duties, and Responsibilities; Place of Performance.

(a) Position, Duties, and Responsibilities . During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be employed and serve the Company Group in the position set forth under the heading “Position” on Exhibit A hereto (together with such other position or positions consistent with Executive’s title as the Board shall specify from time to time), shall report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title. If requested, Executive also agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of any other member of the Company Group, in each case without additional compensation.

(b) Performance . Executive shall devote Executive’s full business time, attention, skill, and best efforts to the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement and shall not engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment, including any activity that (x) conflicts with the interests of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (y) interferes with the proper and efficient performance of Executive’s duties for the Company, or (z) interferes with Executive’s exercise of judgment in the Company Group’s best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall preclude Executive from (i) serving as a member of the boards of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the case of a non-corporate entity) of non-competing businesses and charitable organizations, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs and (iii) managing Executive’s personal investments and affairs; provided , however , that the activities set out in clauses (i) , (ii) , and (iii)  of this Section  3(b) shall be limited by Executive so as not to interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the performance of Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder or otherwise create a conflict of interest between Executive and any member of the Company Group.

(c) Principal Place of Employment . Executive’s principal place of employment shall be at the location set forth on Exhibit A , although Executive understands and agrees that Executive may be required to travel from time to time for business reasons.

Section 4. Compensation.

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation:

(a) Base Compensation . Executive shall be provided annualized Base Compensation, payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of the amount set forth on Exhibit A under the heading “Base Compensation,” with adjustments, if any, as may be approved in writing by the Board.

(b) Annual Bonus . Beginning with the fiscal year 2017, Executive shall be eligible to earn an annual bonus with respect to each fiscal year of the Company ending during the remaining Term of Employment (the “ Annual Bonus ”). The amount of the Annual Bonus actually paid, including any related performance metrics, shall be determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The Annual Bonus, to the extent earned, shall be paid in the calendar year following the applicable performance year within thirty (30) days following the delivery of the Company’s audited financial statements for the relevant performance year if Executive is employed by the Company upon the delivery thereof.

 

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(c) Vehicle Expense . The Company shall reimburse, in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policy, Executive’s reasonable and documented vehicle costs and expenses according to the procedures set forth on Exhibit A as set forth opposite the heading “Vehicle Expense Policy”; provided that upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly return any leased vehicle to the Company or its designee and reimbursement for all vehicle costs and expenses shall immediately cease.

(d) Membership Dues . The Company shall, upon presentation of documentation, reimburse Executive for his monthly required membership dues at one or more sports or social clubs (to which Executive is a member as of the Effective Date) in a manner consistent with the Company’s reimbursement practices in effect on the Effective Date.

Section 5. Employee Benefits.

During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in health, insurance, retirement (including 401(k) plans), and other benefits provided generally to similarly situated employees of the Company. Executive shall also be entitled to the same number of holidays and sick days, as well as any other benefits, in each case as are generally allowed to similarly situated employees of the Company in accordance with the Company’s policy as in effect from time to time. During the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation per calendar year (as pro-rated for partial years); provided , that Executive shall not be entitled to carry over any unused vacation days from one year to the next. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit the Company’s ability to amend, suspend, or terminate any employee benefit plan or policy at any time without providing Executive notice, and the right to do so is expressly reserved.

Section 6. Insurance.

(a) At any time during the Term of Employment, the Company shall have the right to insure the life of Executive for the sole benefit of the Company, in such amounts, and with such terms, as it may determine. All premiums payable thereon shall be the obligation of the Company. Executive shall have no interest in any such policy, but agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Company in procuring such insurance by submitting to reasonable physical examinations, supplying all information required by the insurance company, and executing all necessary documents; provided that no financial obligation is imposed on Executive by any such documents.

(b) The Company hereby agrees to indemnity Executive and hold Executive harmless to the maximum extent permitted under the Company’s or Purchaser Parent’s governance documents (including the Operating Agreement) against and in respect of any and all actions, suits, proceedings, claims, demands, judgments, costs, expenses (including advances of reasonable attorney’s fees), losses, and damages resulting from Executive’s good faith performance of Executive’s duties and obligations with the Company Group.

 

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Section 7. Reimbursement of Business Expenses.

Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in carrying out Executive’s duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the Company shall promptly reimburse Executive for all such reasonable business expenses, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company’s policy, in each case, as in effect from time to time.

Section 8. Termination of Employment.

(a) General . The Term of Employment shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (i) Executive’s death, (ii) subject to Section  8(b) , a termination by reason of a Permanent Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company with or without Cause, (iv) a termination by Executive with or without Good Reason and (v) non-renewal of the Term of Employment. Upon any termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, except as may otherwise be requested by the Company in writing and agreed upon in writing by Executive, Executive shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships, and any other positions Executive holds with the Company or any other member of the Company Group. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payment (or commencement of a series of payments) hereunder of any nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) upon a termination of employment shall be delayed until such time as Executive has also undergone a “separation from service” as defined in Treas. Reg. 1.409A-l(h), at which time such nonqualified deferred compensation (calculated as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder) shall be paid (or commence to be paid) to Executive on the schedule set forth in this Section  8 as if Executive had undergone such termination of employment (under the same circumstances) on the date of Executive’s ultimate “separation from service.”

(b) Termination Due to Death or Permanent Disability . Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death. The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Permanent Disability, such termination to be effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. Upon Executive’s death or in the event that Executive’s employment is terminated due to Executive’s Permanent Disability, Executive or Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Obligations; and

(ii) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term.

(c) Following Executive’s death or a termination of Executive’s employment by reason of a Permanent Disability, except as set forth in this Section  8(b) . Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment due to death or Permanent Disability shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i)  and (ii) of Section  8(b) hereof.

(d) Termination by the Company for Cause .

 

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(i) The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time for Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination.

(ii) In the event that the Company terminates Executive’s employment for Cause, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. Following such termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, except as set forth in this Section  8(d) , Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(e) Termination by the Company without Cause . The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time during the Term of Employment without Cause, effective upon Executive’s receipt of written notice of such termination. In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Permanent Disability) during the Term of Employment, Executive shall be entitled to:

(i) The Accrued Obligations;

(ii) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term; and

(iii) To the extent permissible under the Company’s group health plan and subject to (A) Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (B) Executive’s continued copayment of premiums at the same level and cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), continuation, for the twelve (12) months immediately following termination (or if earlier, until the date that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service during such period), of health benefits provided to Executive and Executive’s dependents immediately prior to such termination, at the same cost applicable to active employees of the Company.

Following such termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause, except as set forth in this Section  8(e) . Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment without Cause shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i)  through (iii) of Section  8(e) hereof.

(f) Termination by Executive with Good Reason . Executive may terminate Executive’s employment with Good Reason during the Term of Employment by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that constitutes Good Reason, which written notice, to be effective, must be provided to the Company within sixty (60) days of the occurrence of such event. During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right (if curable), and if not cured within such period, Executive’s termination will be effective upon the expiration of such cure period, and Executive shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section  8(e) hereof for a termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the same conditions on payment and benefits as described in Section  8(e) hereof. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive with

 

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Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section  8(f) . Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment with Good Reason shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) of Section  8(e) hereof.

(g) Termination by Executive without Good Reason . Executive may terminate Executive’s employment without Good Reason (including by resignation or retirement) by providing the Company thirty (30) days’ written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of employment by Executive under this Section  8(g) . Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. In the event of termination of Executive’s employment under this Section  8(g) , the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, by written notice accelerate such date of termination without changing the characterization of such termination as a termination by Executive without Good Reason. Following such termination of Executive’s employment by Executive without Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section  8(g) Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

(h) Termination Due to Non-Renewal of the Term of Employment.

(i) In the event that the Company terminates this Agreement by a notice of non-renewal of a Term of Employment, as set forth in Section  2 hereof, Executive shall be entitled to:

 

  (A) The Accrued Obligations;

 

  (B) The Severance, payable in ratable installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices during the Severance Term; and

 

  (C) To the extent permissible under the Company’s group health plan and subject to (x) Executive’s timely election of continuation coverage under COBRA and (y) Executive’s continued copayment of premiums at the same level and cost to Executive as if Executive were an employee of the Company (excluding, for purposes of calculating cost, an employee’s ability to pay premiums with pre-tax dollars), continuation, for the twelve (12) months immediately following termination (or if earlier, until the date that Executive becomes eligible to receive any health benefits as a result of subsequent employment or service during such period), of health benefits provided to Executive and Executive’s dependents immediately prior to such termination, at the same cost applicable to active employees of the Company.

(ii) In the event that Executive terminates this Agreement by a notice of non-renewal of a Term of Employment, as set forth in Section  2 hereof, Executive shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations.

 

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(iii) Following such termination of Executive’s employment due to non-renewal of the Term of Employment, except as set forth in in Section  8(h)(i) or Section  8(h)(ii) , as applicable, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Executive’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with a termination of employment due to a nonrenewal of the Term of Employment by the Company shall be receipt of the amounts and benefits set forth in subclauses (A)  through (C) of Section  8(h)(i) hereof.

(i) Release . Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of any amount or provision of any benefit pursuant to Sections 8(e) , 8(f) , or 8(h)(i) (other than the Accrued Obligations) (collectively, the “ Severance Benefits ”) shall be conditioned upon Executive’s execution and delivery to the Company of an irrevocable Release of Claims in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “ General Release ”) within sixty (60) days following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, and non-revocation of the General Release (and the expiration of any revocation period contained in such General Release). If Executive fails to execute and deliver an irrevocable General Release prior to the end of such sixty (60) day period, or timely revokes Executive’s acceptance of such General Release following its execution, Executive shall not be entitled to any of the Severance Benefits. Further, to the extent that any of the Severance Benefits constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, any payment of any amount or provision of any benefit otherwise scheduled to occur prior to the sixtieth (60 th ) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment hereunder, but for the condition on executing the General Release as set forth herein, shall not be made until the first regularly scheduled payroll date following such sixtieth (60 th ) day, after which any remaining Severance Benefits shall thereafter be provided to Executive according to the applicable schedule set forth herein.

(j) Repayment of Severance Benefits . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including this Section  8) , in the event that Executive breaches any provision of the Non-Interference Covenants (as set forth in Section  9) or the General Release, (i) the Severance Benefits shall immediately terminate, and the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive with respect thereto and (ii) Executive shall promptly repay all Severance Benefits previously received by Executive or Executive’s dependents to the Company.

Section 9. Non-Interference Covenants.

As a condition of Executive’s continued employment with the Company and the effectiveness of this Agreement, Executive agrees to the following

(a) Covenants of Confidentiality. Non-Competition. Non-Disclosure. Non- Disparagement and Non-Soli citation .

(i) Definition . For purposes of this Agreement, “ Confidential Information ” shall mean and include, the Company Group’s non-public information, trade secrets and/or sensitive proprietary information about the Company Group’s business practices, procedures, methods, protocols, strategies and systems, that provide the Company Group with a competitive advantage in the marketplace, and that, if obtained and used by a competitor, could be harmful to the Company Group’s business,

 

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and that are maintained in confidence within the Company Group. By way of illustration only, Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, technical and non-technical data, compilations, programs and methods, techniques, drawings, processes, financial data, Executive compensation data and structures, Executive performance information, actual and prospective customer lists, business development strategies, business review reports, delivery schedules, distribution methods and processes, routing methodology, warehousing techniques, credit terms, documents containing names and addresses of current or former customers that include their past or present buying patterns or habits, sales reports, service reports, price lists and discount lists, methods, strategies and/or procedures regarding pricing, product cost and profit strategies or structures, product formulae, methods and/or procedures related to sales or services, methods and/or procedures of operation, special training of sales representatives, continuous market updates, sales allowance, vendor programs, and merchandising strategies. Executive agrees that all information possessed by Executive, or disclosed to Executive, or to which Executive obtains access during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company shall be presumed to be Confidential Information under the terms of this Agreement, and the burden of proving otherwise shall rest with Executive.

(ii) Covenant of Nondisclosure . Executive acknowledges and agrees that as a direct result of Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive will have access to, learn about, and become familiar with the Confidential Information. The parties acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information is a valuable, unique asset of the Company Group and that the Company Group has expended a great deal of time, money and other resources in identifying, researching, preparing, maintaining, and updating the Confidential Information. Accordingly, Executive agrees and covenants that, during Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will maintain the Confidential Information in strictest confidence and Executive will not, at any time, disclose, use or induce or assist in the use or disclosure of the Confidential Information, except as necessary for the performance of Executive’s duties as a Company Executive. Furthermore, Executive agrees that Executive will not, at any time after the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, directly or indirectly, utilize or disclose, or assist others with obtaining, utilizing or disclosing, the Confidential Information. In addition, in the event that Executive becomes aware of any act or threat of action on the part of any person, to obtain or disclose Confidential Information, Executive agrees to provide written notification (within 48 hours of Executive becoming so aware) of such act or threat of action to the Board or the Company’s President and CEO.

(iii) Non-Use of Confidential Information . Executive covenants and agrees that Executive will use the Confidential Information solely for the purposes of fulfilling Executive’s duties under this Agreement and will not use the Confidential Information for any other purpose without the prior written consent of the Company.

(iv) Company Property . Executive acknowledges Executive’s duty and responsibility to maintain and safeguard all Company Group property issued and/or provided to Executive, including all Confidential Information in any medium. Executive further acknowledges that such property is and shall always remain the property of the Company Group and is to be returned to the Company Group promptly and, in good condition, absent normal wear and tear from proper usage, on the date of termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or on such earlier date as requested by the Company.

 

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(v) Non-Solicitation . Executive agrees that, from and after the Effective Date until thirty-six (36) months after the date when Executive is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group, Executive will not and will cause his affiliates to not, directly or through others (i) solicit any employee of the Company Group who was employed by any member of the Company Group at any time during the last year of Executive’s employment with the Company, (ii) assist or encourage any such employee to terminate his or her employment with any member of the Company Group; (iii) solicit business of the type then being performed by any member of the Company Group from any individual or entity that is a customer of any member of the Company Group or any actively sought prospective customer of the Company Group; (iv) induce, solicit or encourage any individual or entity who or that is a customer, vendor, supplier or contractor of any member of the Company Group or has another business relationship with any member of the Company Group to cease doing business with, reduce the level of business, or adversely change the terms of the relationship with, the Company Group, and/or (v) in any way interfere with the relationship between such individual or entity and any member of the Company Group.

(vi) Covenant Not to Compete . Executive recognizes, acknowledges and agrees that all customers, clients and/or accounts acquired, serviced, managed or contacted by the Company Group, the Company Group’s other employees or Executive during Executive’s employment with the Company Group, including all customers, clients and/or accounts acquired, serviced, managed or contacted by Executive due to Executive’s efforts, are the exclusive property of the Company Group and are deemed to be “ Company Accounts .” Executive covenants and agrees that from and after the Effective Date until thirty-six (36) months after the date when Executive is no longer employed by any member of the Company Group, Executive shall not, and shall cause his affiliates to not, within a 250 mile radius of any Company Group office, project site, customer office or any other facility owned, operated, serviced or managed by any party to a Company Account as herein above defined, engage in any of the following:

 

  (A) directly or through others enter into the employ of, render any service to or in concert with any business which competes with the Company Group in the business of coal ash sales, marketing, production and materials management, processing and distribution (herein referred to as the “ Competitive Businesses ”).

 

  (B) directly or through others engage in any such Competitive Businesses on Executive’s or Executive’s affiliates’ own account; or

 

  (C)

become interested in the Competitive Businesses directly or through others as an individual, partner, member, equity holder, director, officer, manager, principal, agent or employee, or in any

 

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  other relationship or capacity; provided , that the purchase of a public security of a corporation engaged in such business or service shall not in itself be deemed a violation of this Agreement so long as Executive does not own, directly or indirectly, more than two percent (2%) of the securities of such corporation.

(vii) Notwithstanding anything in subsection 9(a)(v) and 9(a)(vi) above to the contrary, in the event Executive’s employment is terminated (x) by the Company without Cause, (y) by Executive for Good Reason or (z) by the Company pursuant to a non-renewal of a Term of Employment, the restriction periods described in subsection 9(a)(v) and 9(a)(vi) shall be reduced to twenty-four (24) months.

(b) Non-Disparagement . Subject to Section  12 below, Executive agrees that during the period from and after the Effective Date, Executive will not, and will cause his affiliates to not, make, publish, or communicate any disparaging or defamatory comments regarding the Company Group or their current or former directors, officers, members, managers, partners, executives or direct or indirect owners (including equityholders) in any respect or make any comments concerning any aspect of Executive’s relationship with the Company Group or any conduct or events that precipitated any termination of Executive’s employment from the Company Group. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section  9(b) shall be deemed to impair or limit Executive’s rights, if any, to engage in concerted activity as set forth in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act.

(c) Reasonableness . Executive has carefully considered the nature and extent of the restrictions upon Executive and the rights and remedies conferred upon the Company under the Agreement. Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the nature and extent of the restrictions upon Executive are reasonable in time, scope and territory, that such restrictions are designed to eliminate competition that would be unfair to the Company Group, that such restrictions are fully required to protect the legitimate interests of the Company Group and that such restrictions do not confer a benefit upon the Company Group that is disproportionate to any detriment to Executive. Executive represents, stipulates and acknowledges that Executive’s experience and capabilities are such that the provisions of the Agreement will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood, especially since the proprietary information that Executive will acquire while in the employment of the Company has a very limited application. Executive further acknowledges that it would cause the Company Group serious and irreparable injury and cost if Executive was to use Executive’s ability and knowledge of Confidential Information in competition with the Company Group, or to otherwise breach the obligations contained in the Agreement. Executive has been given the opportunity to consult, and has consulted with, independent legal counsel and other advisors regarding Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the documents contemplated hereby, and intends for such terms to be binding upon and enforceable against the Executive, all of which are hereby voluntarily and willingly agreed to by Executive.

(d) Other Obligations . Executive acknowledges that the Company from time to time may have agreements with other persons that impose obligations or restrictions on the Company regarding information obtained during the course of work under such agreements or regarding the confidential nature of such work or other information, materials or documents being exchanged between them. Executive agrees to be bound by all such obligations and restrictions that are made known to Executive and to take all action necessary to discharge the obligations of the Company under such agreements.

 

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Section 10. Improvements, Inventions and Patent Rights

(a) Discoveries of Executive are Property of the Company Group . Executive agrees that all inventions, discoveries, ideas, improvements, processes, products, machines, designs, ideas, equipment, formulae, techniques, computer software and business opportunities, regardless of whether patentable, that are developed by Executive or prepared during the course of Executive’s employment with the Company Group, that in any way affect the materials manufactured, sold or used by the Company Group or that are or may be capable of being used in the Company Group’s business (“Proprietary Discoveries”), shall be the property of the Company Group. Executive further agrees that all Proprietary Discoveries that are developed by Executive within the twelve (12) months following termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, that relate directly to projects that Executive worked on or had knowledge of while in the employ of the Company Group, shall be the property of the Company Group. Executive shall not assign or attempt to assign any rights in any of the Proprietary Discoveries to any other person or entity without the written consent of the President of the Company. Executive agrees to assign to the Company all rights in the Proprietary Discoveries without further consideration. Executive further agrees to promptly disclose to the Company, and assist the Company in developing and in preserving, the Proprietary Discoveries. The term “Proprietary Discoveries” shall be given the broadest interpretation possible and shall include any Proprietary Discoveries conceived, designed, devised, developed, perfected, or made by Executive during off-duty hours and away from the Company’s premises, as well as those conceived, designed, devised, developed, perfected or made in the regular course of Executive’s performance.

(b) Assignment of Rights to the Company . Executive agrees that, on the Company’s request and at the Company’s expense, Executive shall make application, through patent counsel for the Company, for Letters patent of the United States and of any and all countries designated by the Company for all Proprietary Discoveries. Executive further agrees to execute promptly a written assignment of all such applications to the Company or according to its order. Executive also agrees to assist the Company and its counsel, on their request, in preparing the patent applications. While in the employ of the Company, such assistance shall be provided without additional payment by the Company. After termination of employment, however, the Company agrees to pay Executive’s out-of-pocket expenses and a per diem charge, based on Executive’s current salary, for assistance rendered in preparing the patent applications. From time to time, Executive shall execute at the Company’s request all papers and do all things that may be reasonably required to protect the rights of the Company and to vest in it or its assigns the Proprietary Discoveries and the patent described herein.

(c) Maintenance of Complete Records; Return of the Company’s Materials . Executive agrees to make and maintain adequate and current written records of all Proprietary Discoveries, in the form of notes, sketches, drawings or reports. Executive acknowledges that all drawings, blueprints, documents, records, notebooks, computer generated data, photocopies, photographs, personal notes taken during the course of employment, records, tables, calculations,

 

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letters and other similar repositories that contain any Confidential Information or relate to any Proprietary Discoveries, whether prepared by Executive or others, are and shall remain the property of the Company. On termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive must immediately return to the Company all such material then in Executive’s possession or under such Executive’s control.

Section 11. Remedies.

The Parties acknowledge that because of Executive’s position with the Company and the duties and responsibilities inherent in such a position, including the receipt of Confidential Information made available to the Executive by the Company, the Company would suffer irreparable loss and severe damages that would be nearly impossible to calculate with any degree of mathematical certainty, if the Executive were determined to breach the noncompetition, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants contained within Section  9 of this Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that the noncompetition, confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-disparagement and non-solicitation covenants contained herein are reasonably necessary to protect and/or preserve the Company Business, the assets of the Company and its shareholders. Executive therefore agrees and consents that, in addition to any other legal remedies that might be available to the Company, the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and final injunctive relief, as well as any and all other legal and equitable relief to which it may otherwise be justly entitled, in order to prevent an ongoing breach or prevent an anticipated or threatened breach of the aforementioned covenant by the Executive. Executive further waives any right Executive may have to require the Company to post bond prior to obtaining equitable relief under this Section  11 or, if such bond is nevertheless required, Executive consents to setting such bond at the lowest amount permitted by law and waives any need of the Company to prove irreparable harm or injury as a result of such breach or anticipated or threatened breach.

Section 12. Response to Subpoena, Court Order or Other Legal Process; Defend Trade Secrets Act.

Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict either Party or their respective attorneys from: (i) making any disclosure of relevant and necessary information or documents in any action, investigation, or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or as required by law or legal process, including with respect to possible violations of law; or (ii) participating, cooperating, or testifying in any action, investigation, or proceeding with, or providing information to, any governmental agency or legislative body, any self-regulatory organization, and/or pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts the Company or Executive from initiating communications with, or responding to any inquiry from, any regulatory or supervisory authority regarding any good faith concerns about possible violations of law or regulation. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b), Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates that (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to Executive’s attorney and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. If Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation by the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, Executive may disclose the

 

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trade secret to Executive’s attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by such section.

Section  13. Cooperation . Executive agrees that, for a period of two (2) years following any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company Group, Executive will continue to provide reasonable cooperation to the Company and/or other members of the Company Group and its or their respective counsel in connection with any investigation, administrative proceeding, or litigation relating to any matter that occurred during Executive’s employment in which Executive was involved or of which Executive has knowledge. As a condition of such cooperation, the Company shall reimburse Executive for reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses and any and all documented lost compensation incurred at the request of the Company with respect to Executive’s compliance with this Section  13 . Executive also agrees that, in the event Executive is subpoenaed by any Person or entity (including, any government agency) to give testimony or provide documents (in a deposition, court proceeding, or otherwise), that in any way relates to Executive’s employment with the Company Group, Executive will give prompt notice of such request to the Company and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, will make no disclosure until the Company has had a reasonable opportunity to contest the right of the requesting Person or entity to such disclosure.

Section  14. Disclosure of Section  9 Covenants . Subject to the other restrictions on disclosure contained herein, as long as it remains in effect, Executive will disclose the existence of the Section 9 covenants to any prospective employer, partner, co-venturer, investor, or lender prior to entering into an employment, partnership, or other business relationship with such Person or entity.

Section 15. Representations and Warranties of Executive.

Executive represents and warrants to the Company that:

(a) Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that Executive’s employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not conflict with or result in the breach by Executive of any agreement to which Executive is a party or by which Executive may be bound;

(b) Executive has not violated, and in connection with Executive’s employment with the Company will not violate, any non-solicitation, non-competition, or other similar covenant or agreement of a prior employer by which Executive is or may be bound;

(c) In connection with Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will not use any confidential or proprietary information Executive may have obtained in connection with employment with any prior employer; and

(d) None of the Company, or any other member of the Company Group or any of their respective representatives, has provided any legal advice to Executive in connection with this Agreement and Executive has been advised by the Company to seek, and Executive has sought, legal advice from Executive’s own legal counsel regarding this Agreement.

 

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Section 16. Taxes.

The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable taxes, including but not limited to, income, employment, and social insurance taxes, as shall be required by law. Executive acknowledges and represents that the Company has not provided any tax advice to Executive in connection with this Agreement and that Executive has been advised by the Company to seek tax advice from Executive’s own tax advisors regarding this Agreement and payments that may be made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 17. Set Off; Mitigation.

The Company’s obligation to pay Executive the amounts provided and to make the arrangements provided hereunder shall be subject to set-off or recoupment of documented amounts owed by Executive to the Company or any other member of the Company Group; provided , however , that to the extent any amount so subject to set-off or recoupment is payable in installments hereunder, such set-off or recoupment shall not modify the applicable payment date of any installment, and to the extent an obligation cannot be satisfied by reduction of a single installment payment, any portion not satisfied shall remain an outstanding obligation of Executive and shall be applied to the next installment only at such time the installment is otherwise payable pursuant to the specified payment schedule.

Section 18. Additional Section 409A Provisions.

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary:

(a) Any payment otherwise required to be made hereunder to Executive at any date as a result of the termination of Executive’s employment shall be delayed for such period of time as may be necessary to meet the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code (the “ Delay Period ”). On the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period, Executive shall be paid, in a single cash lump sum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, and any remaining payments not so delayed shall continue to be paid pursuant to the payment schedule set forth herein.

(b) Each payment in a series of payments hereunder shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

(c) To the extent that any right to reimbursement of expenses or payment of any benefit in-kind under this Agreement constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) any such expense reimbursement shall be made by the Company no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expense was incurred by Executive, (ii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (iii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year; provided , that the foregoing clause shall not be violated with regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Section 105(b) of the Code solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect.

 

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(d) While the payments and benefits provided hereunder are intended to be structured in a manner to avoid the implication of any penalty taxes under Section 409A of the Code, in no event whatsoever shall the Company or any of its affiliates be liable for any additional tax, interest, or penalties that may be imposed on Executive as a result of Section 409A of the Code or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code (other than for withholding obligations or other obligations applicable to employers, if any, under Section 409A of the Code).

Section 19. Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.

(a) The Company . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, obligations, or interests arising hereunder may be assigned by the Company to a Person (other than another member of the Company Group, or its or their respective successors) without Executive’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned); provided , however , that in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company may provide that this Agreement will be assigned to, and assumed by, the acquiror of such assets without Executive’s consent.

(b) Executive . Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company; provided , however , that if Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there be no such designee, to Executive’s estate.

(c) No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Except as otherwise set forth in Section  8(b) or Section  19(b) hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company, the other members of the Company Group, and Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.

Section 20. Waiver and Amendments.

Any waiver, alteration, amendment, or modification of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto. No waiver by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a continuing waiver.

Section 21. Severability.

If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent jurisdiction, (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired, and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof.

 

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Section 22. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial . THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND IS TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS). ANY DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE HEARD BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITTING IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT ALSO HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT, ACTION, OR PROCEEDING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 23. Notices.

(a) Place of Delivery . Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom or which it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided; provided , that unless and until some other address is so designated, all notices and communications by Executive to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the Company at its principal executive office (with a copy to c/o Bernhard Capital Partners, 400 Convention Street, Suite 1010, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802, Attention: Jeffrey Koonce), and all notices and communications by the Company to Executive may be given to Executive personally or may be mailed to Executive at Executive’s last known address, as reflected in the Company’s records.

(b) Date of Delivery . Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given (i) if delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery, (ii) if mailed by courier or by overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing, and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day after the date of such mailing.

Section 24. Section Headings; Construction and Interpretation.

The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part thereof or affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term or provision hereof. The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) 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 and (iv) all references herein to Sections shall be construed to refer to Sections of this Agreement unless otherwise noted. The recitals hereto are hereby incorporated herein.

 

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Section 25. Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the General Release, together with any other exhibits and schedules attached hereto, constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions, correspondence, communications, understandings, and agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 26. Survival of Operative Sections.

Upon any termination of Executive’s employment, the provisions of Section  8 through Section  27 of this Agreement (together with any related definitions set forth in Section  1 hereof) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.

Section 27. Counterparts.

This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be by actual or electronic (including by means of facsimile or email transmission) signature.

*                *                 *

 

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

 

COMPANY

CHARAH, LLC

By:

 

/s/ Charles E. Price

Name:

 

Charles E. Price

Title:

 

President and CEO

Signature Page to Employment Agreement—Kramer


EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Bruce Kramer
Printed Name:   Bruce Kramer

Signature Page to Employment Agreement - Kramer


APPENDIX A

Definitions

(a) “ Accrued Obligations ” shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base Compensation through the date of termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) any unpaid or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Section  7 hereof, (iii) any benefits provided under the Company’s employee benefit plans upon a termination of employment, in accordance with the terms contained therein (which for the avoidance of doubt shall in no event include more than twenty (20) days of unused paid vacation), and (iv) rights with respect to equity of the Company Group, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Operating Agreement and any subscription, grant or similar agreement relating to such equity.

(b) “ Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

(c) “ Annual Bonus ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  4(b) .

(d) “ Base Compensation ” shall mean the annual salary provided for in Section  4(a) .

(e) “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Managers of Purchaser Parent.

(f) “ Cause ” shall mean: (i) Executive’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of Executive’s employment hereunder, (ii) Executive’s substantial and sustained failure or refusal by Executive to perform Executive’s material duties or responsibilities to the Company Group or to follow the lawful directives of the Board (other than as a result of death or Permanent Disability), (iii) misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) by Executive of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any other member of the Company Group, (iv) Executive’s conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, (v) Executive’s failure to cooperate in any material way with any audit or investigation of the business or financial practices of the Company Group, (vi) Executive’s performance of any act of theft, embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance, dishonesty or misappropriation of the Company’s property, (vii) Executive’s material breach of this Agreement, the Operating Agreement or any other noncompetition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, non-disparagement or other restrictive covenant provisions relating to any member of the Company Group by which the Executive may be bound, or any other agreement between Executive, on the one hand, and a member of the Company Group, on the other hand, (viii) Executive’s material violation of the Company’s lawful code of conduct or other written policy (so long as Executive has been provided a copy of such code or policy and has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure such violation, if such violation is curable) or (ix) Executive’s deliberate misconduct that is reasonably likely to be materially damaging to any member of the Company Group.

(g) “ COBRA ” shall mean Section 4980B of the Code and Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA.

(h) “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.


(i) “ Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

(j) “ Company Group ” shall mean, collectively, Purchaser Parent, Purchaser, the Company and their respective subsidiaries.

(k) “ Delay Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  18 hereof.

(l) “ Disability Period ” shall mean any period of time (prior to termination under Section  8) that a physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive prevents, or, in the good faith determination of the Board, would be reasonably likely to prevent, the performance of Executive’s duties.

(m) “ Executive ” shall mean the Person identified on Exhibit A hereto.

(n) “ Good Reason ” shall mean, without Executive’s consent, (i) a material and ongoing diminution in Executive’s title, duties or responsibilities as set forth in Section  3 hereof, (ii) a reduction in Executive’s Base Compensation below the level of such Base Compensation on the Effective Date, (iii) the relocation of Executive’s principal place of employment (as provided on Exhibit A ) more than seventy-five (75) miles from its current location; (iv) a material adverse change in benefits (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any change related to any Annual Bonus) or perquisites, or (v) any other material breach of a provision of this Agreement by the Company (other than a provision that is covered by clause (i) , (ii) , (iii) , or (iv)  above); provided , that none of the foregoing events shall constitute Good Reason unless the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receipt from the Executive of written notice of the event that constitutes Good Reason as contemplated in Section  8(f) , which written notice shall give reasonable specificity in the nature of the circumstances determined by Executive in good faith to constitute Good Reason; and provided , further , that “Good Reason” shall cease to exist for an event on the sixtieth (60 th ) day after Executive obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such event, unless Executive has given the Company written notice thereof prior to such date. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive’s exclusive remedy in the event of any breach of this Agreement shall be to assert Good Reason pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section  8(f) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Term of Employment, in the event that the Company reasonably believes that Executive may have engaged in conduct that could constitute Cause hereunder, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, suspend Executive from performing Executive’s duties hereunder, and in no event shall any such suspension constitute an event pursuant to which Executive may terminate employment with Good Reason or otherwise constitute a breach hereunder; provided , that no such suspension shall alter the Company’s obligations under this Agreement during such period of suspension.

(o) “ Initial Term of Employment ” shall mean the period specified in Section  2 hereof.

(p) “ Non-Interference Covenants ” shall mean the covenants set forth in Section  9 of this Agreement.

 

-2-


(q) “ Operating Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Purchaser Parent, dated as of the Effective Date, as may be modified, amended, restated or amended and restated from time to time.

(r) “ Permanent Disability ” shall mean any physical or mental disability or infirmity of Executive that prevents, or, in the good faith determination of the Board, would be reasonably likely to prevent, the performance of Executive’s duties for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days, whether or not consecutive, during any twelve (12) month period. The determination of disability or infirmity under the preceding sentence shall be made in good faith by the Board and may be based upon information supplied by a physician selected by the Board or the Company’s insurers and reasonably acceptable to Executive or his legal representative; provided that Executive shall cooperate fully with such physician to permit such physician to make an accurate determination as to incapacity or disability. The determination of any such physician shall be final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement. During any Disability Period, Executive shall continue to receive his full Base Compensation pursuant to Section  4(a) and the benefits under Sections 4(c) , 5 , 6 and 7 of this Agreement until his Term of Employment is officially terminated pursuant to Section  8 .

(s) “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust (charitable or non- charitable), unincorporated organization, or other form of business entity.

(t) “ Severance ” shall mean an amount equal to one (1) year of Executive’s then-applicable Base Compensation, less standard withholdings.

(u) “ Severance Benefits ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section  8(i) hereof.

(v) “ Severance Term ” shall mean the twelve (12) month period following Executive’s termination of employment.

(w) “ Term of Employment ” shall mean the Initial Term of Employment and the period of any extension thereof in accordance with Section  2 hereof.

 

-3-


EXHIBIT A

Employment Information

 

Executive Name

  

Position

  

Base Compensation

  

Principal Place of
Employment

Bruce Kramer    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer    $450,000.00    Louisville, KY

Vehicle Expense Policy : Subject to the terms of Section  4(c) , the Company shall provide Executive with a BMW 7 Series or an equivalent vehicle that is reasonably acceptable to the Company for professional and personal use.


EXHIBIT B

AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE SIGNED

PRIOR TO LAST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT

GENERAL RELEASE

I, Bruce Kramer, in consideration of and subject to the performance by Charah, LLC and its successors (together with its subsidiaries, the “ Company ”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2017 (the “ Agreement ”), do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof the Company and each other member of the Company Group (as defined in the Agreement) and their respective, direct and indirect, subsidiaries and affiliates and all of their respective present, former and future managers, directors, officers, employees, successors and assigns and their direct or indirect owners (collectively, the “ Released Parties ”) to the extent provided below (this “ General Release ”). The Released Parties are intended to be third-party beneficiaries of this General Release, and this General Release may be enforced by each of them in accordance with the terms hereof in respect of the rights granted to such Released Parties hereunder. Terms used herein but not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.

1. I understand that any payments or benefits paid or granted to me under Section  8 of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive certain of the payments and benefits specified in Section 8 of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter. Such payments and benefits will not be considered compensation for purposes of any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement maintained or hereafter established by the Company or its affiliates.

2. Except as provided in Sections 4 and 5 below and except for the provisions of the Agreement that expressly survive the termination of my employment with the Company, I knowingly and voluntarily (for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date upon which I sign this General Release) and whether known or unknown, suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties that I, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns may have, including, claims that arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation or termination from, the Company (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; the Rehabilitation Act; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Equal Pay Act; the National Labor Relations Act; to the extent permitted by applicable law, any whistleblower, relator, False Claims Act or qui tam claims and/or any personal right to recovery under such claims; the Occupational Safety and Health Act;


any applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; any claims arising under any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “ Claims ”).

3. I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by Section  2 above.

4. I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or Claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 that arise after the date I execute this General Release. I acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company shall not serve as the basis for any claim or action (including any claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967).

5. I acknowledge that I am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be waived by private agreement under applicable law, including the right to file an administrative charge or participate in an administrative investigation or proceeding; provided , however , that I disclaim and waive any right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the prosecution of such charge or investigation or proceeding. Additionally, I am not waiving (i) any right to the Accrued Obligations or any severance benefits to which I am entitled under the Agreement, (ii) any claim relating to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage or any right of indemnification under the Company’s or any other member of the Company Group’s respective organizational documents or otherwise to which I am entitled, or (iii) my rights as an equity or security holder in the Company or its subsidiaries.

6. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state or local statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim seeking damages against a Released Party, or in the event I should seek to recover against a Released Party in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in Section  2 above as of the execution of this General Release.

7. I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.


8. I agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable attorneys’ fees. Further, I agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to Section 8 of the Agreement if I challenge the validity of the General Release for any Claim released herein.

9. I agree that this General Release and the Agreement are confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the terms of this General Release or the Agreement, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

10. Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from (i) making any disclosure of information required by law, including providing truthful testimony if required to do so by court order or legal process or (ii) responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), any other self-regulatory organization or any governmental entity.

11. I hereby acknowledge that Section 8 through Section 27 of the Agreement shall survive my execution of this General Release.

12. I represent that I am not aware of any claim by me other than the claims that are released by this General Release. I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different than those that I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of the release set forth in Section  2 above and that, if known or suspected at the time of entering into this General Release, may have materially affected this General Release and my decision to enter into it.

13. Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement after the date hereof.

14. 14. I hereby confirm that I have returned to the Company any and all property, tangible or intangible, relating to the Company’s and its affiliates’ and subsidiaries’ businesses that I possess or have control over as the date hereof, including, but not limited to, all pricing files, information and data, customer and broker files, information and data, profitability, margin, operating, cost and other financial information and data, product formulation, quality assurance, specifications and new product development information and data, company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys, computer equipment, tablets, cellular telephone(s), iPhones, BlackBerry(s), and other mobile data devices, manuals, files, documents, records, software, data bases and other data.

15. This General Release may not be changed orally, and no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision contained in this General Release, or any future representation, promise or condition in connection with the subject matter of this General Release, shall be binding upon me unless made in writing signed by me and the Company.


16. Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

17. This General Release shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the application of any choice-of-law rules that would result in the application of another state’s laws.

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:

 

  1. I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

  2. I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED;

 

  3. I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN IT;

 

  4. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF MY OPPORTUNITY TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY OF MY OWN CHOOSING BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

  5. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST [21] [45] DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE TO CONSIDER IT, AND ANY CHANGES MADE SINCE MY ORIGINAL RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE HAVE NOT RESTARTED THE [21][45]-DAY REVIEW PERIOD;

 

  6. I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

  7. I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

  8. I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

 

SIGNED:          DATED:      

Exhibit 10.10

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 12 th day of July, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Dorsey Ron McCall (“Executive”) and Allied Power Management, LLC (the “Employer” and along with the Executive each individually, a “Party” and together, the “Parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Employer and Executive are parties to that certain Employment Agreement dated June 19, 2017 (the “Prior Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend certain provisions of the Prior Agreement and restate in its entirety the agreement currently existing between them so that the terms of Executive’s employment shall be set forth herein below in this Agreement.

AGREEMENTS

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises, and of the mutual covenants and undertakings set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment Period . Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on the date on which the Employer enters into a power maintenance contract with Exelon Corporation and/or its affiliates with projected revenue of no less than $200 million per year (the “Exelon Contract”)(the “Commencement Date”)and, unless earlier terminated hereunder, shall continue for a term of three (3) years (the “Initial Term”). Upon expiration of the Initial Term, Executive’s employment under this Agreement will be extended for successive one (1) year periods (each, a “Renewal Term”), without further action by Executive or the Employer unless earlier terminated hereunder. The Employment Period shall consist of the Initial Term and any Renewal Terms. The date on which the termination of the Employment Period becomes effective is referred to herein as the “Termination Date.” For the avoidance of doubt, should the Employer not enter into the Exelon Contract on or before September 1, 2017, the Initial Tern will not commence and this Agreement shall be null and void. Simultaneously with the occurrence of the Commencement Date, Executive’s Consulting Agreement, made on or around the 30 th day of May, 2017 with the Employer (the “Consulting Agreement”), automatically shall terminate.

2. Position: Duties .

(a) Executive shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Employer and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities, functions and authority customarily associated with such office, subject to the power of the governing body of the Employer to reasonably modify such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority so long as such duties, responsibilities, functions and authority, as modified, continue to be customary for a chief operating officer and are in keeping with such position. Executive understands and agrees that he will be required to travel as reasonably required by the business needs of the Employer.

 

      Executive’s Initials              


(b) During the Employment Period, Executive shall devote reasonable efforts and substantially all of his business time and attention (except for vacation and reasonable periods of illness or other incapacity), to the business and affairs of the Employer; provided, however, that Executive shall be permitted to handle his personal and other affairs so long as such does not materially interfere with his duties and responsibilities for the Employer. Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to the Employer hereunder in a loyal, diligent, trustworthy, and businesslike manner. Further, Executive shall not engage in any activity which materially interferes with Executive’s performance of services hereunder or competes or otherwise conflicts with the interests of the Employer or its Affiliates (as defined below). The Employer acknowledges that Executive currently has an ownership interest in Industrial Metals, Inc., an entity in the business of providing structural steel, and that Executive intends to devote a limited amount of time and attention to the operation of that entity.

3. Base Salary, Bonus and Benefits .

(a) During the Employment Period, Executive’s base salary shall be $750,000 per annum or such higher rate as the Employer may determine from time to time based upon annual performance and salary reviews to be conducted during the Employment Period (the “Base Salary”). Executive’s Base Salary shall be payable by the Employer in accordance with its applicable general payroll practices.

(b) During the Employment Period, Executive shall participate in an annual bonus plan with a target annual bonus award at least equal to Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus”), prorated for any partial calendar year of employment. Any annual bonus due Executive (the “Annual Bonus”), shall be paid on or after January 1 of the year after the year to which the bonus relates, but prior to March 15 of such year. An award of the Annual Bonus is within the discretion of the Employer; however, should (i) the Employer meet 80% of its budgeted EBITDA (as defined by GAAP and consistent with the Employer’s practice) for the related year or (ii) the Employer maintain the Exelon Contract with projected revenue of no less than $200 million for such year, Executive shall be entitled to receive no less than the Target Bonus. The Annual Bonus is not considered earned or accrued until paid and, except as otherwise provided herein, Executive must remain employed by the Employer through the date on which the Annual Bonus is paid to be considered eligible to receive such Annual Bonus.

(c) During the Employment Period, Executive shall be entitled to participate, in all of the Employer’s employee benefit programs for which senior executive employees of the Employer are generally eligible, subject to the terms and conditions of each such program as may be in effect from time to time.

(d) During the Employment Period, the Employer shall promptly reimburse Executive for all reasonable business-related expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and which are consistent with the Employer’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Employer’s reasonable requirements in effect from time to time with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses. Executive shall be entitled to first class travel and accommodations and reasonable use of private aircraft to the extent such is business-

 

   2    Executive’s Initials              


related and such expense is within the pre-determined expense budget of the Employer. The amount of reimbursable expenses incurred in one year shall not affect the amount of reimbursable expenses in a different calendar year and such reimbursement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(e) The Employer’s parent, Allied Power Holdings, LLC (the “Parent”) has established the Series C Profits Interests Plan (the “Profits Interests Plan”) and pursuant to the Series C Profits Interests Award Agreement dated the Effective Date between the Parent and Allied Management Holdings, LLC (of which Executive is a member) (the “Award Agreement”), Allied Management Holdings, LLC (i) has been awarded 350 Series C Profits Interests (as defined in the Profits Interests Plan) for the benefit of Executive and (ii) is entitled to participate in the Profits Interest Plan at a level of 35% of the Profits Interests Plan Pool (as defined in the Profit Interests Plan) for the benefit of Executive, subject to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement. The selection of other participants and their respective levels of participation in the Profits Interests Plan shall be in the sole discretion of the Employer after consultation with Executive. Executive has intervened in and executed concurrently herewith the Award Agreement, a copy of which is being attached hereto as Exhibit A .

(f) All amounts payable to Executive as compensation under this Section 3 shall be subject to all required withholdings by the Employer.

(g) Executive shall be entitled to accrue five (5) weeks of vacation time during each calendar year of the Employment Period, to be taken when the business needs of the Employer so permit, and if not taken in any such calendar year, may be carried over to the next succeeding year; provided, however, that the maximum carryover from any one (1) calendar year to the next shall not exceed an aggregate of five (5) weeks such that at no point will Executive have more than ten (10) weeks of accrued vacation.

4. Termination .

(a) Executive’s employment shall continue under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement except as provided herein. Except as provided herein, any termination of the Employment Period by the Employer shall be effective as specified in a written notice (the “Termination Notice”) from the Employer to Executive. The Termination Notice, to be effective, shall set forth in reasonable detail the reason for termination (and if for Cause, the detail thereof) and the Termination Date.

(i) The Employment Period shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s death or Disability (as determined by the governing body of the Employer in its good faith judgment). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Disability” means Executive’s inability to perform the essential functions of his job as stated in his duties under this Agreement with a reasonable accommodation by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

(ii) The Employment Period may be terminated by the Employer at any time with or without Cause (as defined below).

 

   3    Executive’s Initials              


(iii) The Employment Period may be terminated by Executive with Good Reason as set forth below or without Good Reason at any time upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Employer; provided, however, that if, thereafter, the Employer determines to terminate Executive prior to the conclusion of such sixty (60) day period, the Termination Date shall be deemed to coincide with the conclusion of such sixty (60) day period.

(iv) A termination with “Good Reason” shall mean a termination of Executive’s employment at his initiative following the occurrence, without Executive’s written consent, of one or more of the following events (except as a result of a prior termination):

 

  (A) A material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary;

 

  (B) The Employer’s failure to pay Executive when due his then Base Salary or earned and accrued Annual Bonus;

 

  (C) A material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities; or

 

  (D) A material breach by the Employer of its other obligations under this Agreement.

For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred unless (i) Executive provides the Employer with written notice of one of the conditions described above within ninety (90) days after the first existence of such condition; (ii) the Employer fails to cure such condition in all material respects within thirty (30) days of its receipt of such notice; and (iii) Executive terminates his employment no later than sixty (60) days after the expiration of such cure period. Upon the occurrence of Good Reason permitting Executive to terminate this Agreement therefor, Executive shall deliver a Termination Notice to the Employer. For purposes of this Agreement, “material” as used in this Section 4(a)(iv) shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or any interpretive regulations thereof.

(b) If the Employment Period is terminated, irrespective of the reason therefor, then Executive shall be entitled to receive: (i) his then Base Salary through the Termination Date; (ii) payment for any accrued unused vacation through the Termination Date; (iii) any Annual Bonus accrued and determined but not yet paid for a prior completed fiscal year; (iv) any benefits accrued and vested as of the Termination Date under a separate plan or arrangement maintained by the Employer, which shall be paid in accordance with the terms of such plan or arrangement; (v) any claims arising but not yet paid under any welfare benefit plan maintained by the Employer under which Executive was covered as of the Termination Date which shall be processed and paid in accordance with the customary practices of each such benefit plan; and (vi) reimbursement for any allowed expenses (as set forth in Section 3(d)) incurred prior to the Termination Date (collectively, the “Accrued Amounts”). Except as otherwise provided under the terms of any applicable plan or arrangement, and subject to the provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement, the Accrued Amounts shall be paid as soon as practicable after the Termination Date, but no later than fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date.

 

   4    Executive’s Initials              


(c) If the Employment Period is terminated (i) by the Employer without Cause; or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason, then in addition to the Accrued Amounts, Executive also shall be entitled to receive, as a severance payment, contingent upon his delivering and not withdrawing a release in the form and substance substantially as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto, an amount equal to (w) two (2) times his then Base Salary, (x) two (2) times the higher of (I) his then Target Bonus or (II) the Annual Bonus received by Executive for the year immediately preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs, (y) a pro-rated portion (based upon the lapsed period in the then employment year) of the Annual Bonus which Executive would have been entitled to for the year in which the termination occurs, if any, and (z) a prorated portion of the amount Executive would have received under the Profits Interests Plan related to each Common Member Distribution occurring after the Termination Date had such termination not occurred, such prorated portion to be paid to Executive following each such post-Termination Date Common Member Distribution to be calculated by multiplying the amount Executive would have received had his Termination not occurred multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days between the Award Date (as defined in the Profits Interests Plan) and the Termination Date and the denominator of which is the number of days between the Award Date and the date of such post-Termination Common Member Distribution (the amounts in clauses (w), (x), (y) and (z) collectively, the “Severance Payment”). The Base Salary portion of the Severance Payment shall be paid in equal installments on the regularly scheduled payroll distribution dates of the Employer for a period of two years, with the first payment to be made on the first regularly scheduled payroll distribution date of the Employer following the effective date of a release in the form and substance substantially as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto (which effective date shall be no later than sixty (60) days following the Termination Date; provided, however, that if such 60-day period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year). The Annual Bonus Payments under clauses (x) and (y) above shall be paid at the regular payment date(s) for each such Annual Bonus, and payment(s) under the Management Incentive Plan shall be made as provided in the Management Incentive Plan. All payments shall be subject to all required withholdings by the Employer and, irrespective of the payment schedule set forth above, to the provisions of Section 20 of this Agreement. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 4(c), Executive shall not be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits following termination of the Employment Period by the Employer without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason.

(d) If the Employment Period is terminated as a result of Executive’s death or Disability, then in addition to the Accrued Amounts, Executive or his estate, as the case may be, also shall be entitled to receive, contingent upon the delivery of a release in the form and substance substantially as set forth in Exhibit B by Executive or his estate representative, as the case may be, a reduced Severance Payment to be calculated and paid in accordance with Section 4(c) except “one (1) times” shall be substituted for “two (2) times” in the computation thereof. All payments shall be subject to all required withholdings by the Employer. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 4(d), neither Executive nor his estate shall be entitled to any other salary, compensation or benefits following termination of the Employment Period as a result of Executive’s death or Disability.

(e) If the Employment Period is terminated (i) by the Employer for Cause, or (ii) by Executive without Good Reason, Executive shall only be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts, which amounts shall be paid on or as soon as practicable after the Termination Date, but no later than fifteen (15) days following the Termination Date. Executive shall not be entitled to any salary, compensation, severance or benefits from the Employer thereafter, except as otherwise provided under the terms of any applicable benefit plan or arrangement with respect to which Executive has been a participant.

 

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(f) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of Executive’s rights to salary, bonuses, fringe benefits and other compensation hereunder which accrue after the termination of the Employment Period shall cease upon such the Termination Date, other than those expressly required under applicable law (such as Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 or “COBRA”). The Employer may offset any amounts Executive owes it against any amounts of Severance Payment that it owes Executive.

(g) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the violation by Executive, without the consent or knowledge of the individual he ordinarily reports to or the governing body of the Parent of the Employer, of any law or regulation which materially affects the business of the Employer; (ii) the violation by Executive of any written policy of the Employer, including in the Employer’s employee handbook, if the Employer has announced that such a violation will be treated generally as a cause for termination; (iii) the embezzlement of the funds of the Employer, its Affiliates or their respective customers or vendors by Executive; (iv) Executive’s misappropriation or theft of any of the Employer’s or its Affiliates or their respective customers’ property, which is not de minimus or the result of an inadvertent mistake; (v) the engaging by Executive in any willful misconduct or gross negligence, which injures or could reasonably be expected to injure in a material respect the reputation, business or business relationships of the Employer or its Affiliates; (vi) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty to or admission of a felony or actions that constitute a felony; (vii) Executive’s breach of Sections 5, 6 or 7 of this Agreement due to willful misconduct or gross negligence; (viii) Executive’s refusal to perform diligently, reasonably and in good faith his lawful duties and obligations as set forth in this Agreement, which refusal is a breach of this Agreement and has a material adverse effect on the Employer; or (ix) Executive’s refusal to comply with the lawful and reasonable written direction of the Employer’s Board; provided, however, that with respect to the above clauses (viii) and (ix) of this Section 4(g), Executive has first been given written notice thereof and an opportunity to cure, which cure is not effected in all material respects within thirty (30) days thereafter; and, provided further, that no such written notice need be given upon the second occurrence of such breach or default within one (1) year of the first. A termination for Cause shall not take effect until a Termination Notice is given to Executive following a determination by the governing body of the Employer that, in its good faith reasonable judgment, grounds for termination of Executive for Cause exist.

5. Confidentiality; Non-Disclosure of Information .

(a) As used herein, “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all items of information, or compilations of information, know-how or data, technical or non-technical, in any form, tangible or intangible, pertaining to the business of the Employer or its Affiliates, including but not limited to trade secrets as defined under applicable law, that are not authorized for disclosure to the public by the Employer or its Affiliates and are not readily available to the public through proper means. Confidential Information shall include, without limitation: (i) nonpublic business and financial information; methods of operation; software and intellectual property; information systems and systems logic; systems design and operating specifications; customer, vendor, client, and Referral Source (as hereafter defined) information, including lists

 

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and analysis of same; research and technical information; business or operational policies, processes and procedures; and personnel data; and (ii) information entrusted to the Employer or its Affiliates in confidence by third parties which is not readily available to the public. The exchange of information by the Employer or its Affiliates with a third party in confidence for business purposes will not remove it from protection under this Agreement. Confidential Information shall not include any data or information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Employer or its Affiliates (except where such public disclosure has been made by Executive without authorization) or that has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means. Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information items are valuable assets of the Employer that gain economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to the public or others who could use them, and thus should be treated as trade secrets of the Employer. The term “Referral Source” shall mean any person, firm or entity that refers business to the Employer or its Affiliates. The term “Affiliate” shall mean any parent or subsidiary of the Employer (including but not limited to BCP Energy Services Fund (the “Fund”), BCP Energy Services Fund-A, LP (the “Parallel Fund”), and their respective subsidiaries and portfolio companies and their respective affiliates) or any other person or entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Employer and “control” means, with respect to any entity, the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b) Executive agrees not to engage in any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information and that he will not use such information for his own benefit or for the benefit of any person or entity other than the Employer. Any use of Confidential Information that is not within the scope of Executive’s job duties for the Employer, that does not further the interests of the Employer or its Affiliates, or that contradicts any written policies or procedures of the Employer will be considered unauthorized. This Agreement does not prohibit disclosures that are compelled by law, through court order, subpoena, or other legally binding obligation. In the event Executive believes a disclosure is compelled by law, Executive will give the Employer written notice as soon as reasonably possible under the circumstances (prior to disclosure whenever possible), and will take reasonable steps available to Executive to protect against unnecessary disclosure. Further, the Parties acknowledge that Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Executive may disclose a trade secret to his attorney and use trade secret information in any court proceeding brought by Executive alleging retaliation by the Employer for reporting a suspected violation of law as long as Executive files any document containing a trade secret under seal and does not disclose a trade secret, except pursuant to court order. The obligations of this Agreement regarding Confidential Information will apply throughout Executive’s employment with the Employer and for so long thereafter as the information at issue is not readily available to the public through proper means. Nothing herein shall be construed to modify, reduce, or eliminate any statutory or other legal rights that the Employer or its Affiliates would otherwise have related to tire protection of trade secrets, proprietary information or materials, or intellectual property; all such statutory or other legal rights are expressly preserved.

 

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(c) Executive recognizes that all Confidential Information and copies or reproductions thereof, whether oral, or recorded or stored in written, graphic, pictorial, or electronic form, or recorded or stored on computer disks, thumb drives, hard drives, magnetic tape or digital or any other medium, and whether created by Executive or others, are the property of the Employer. Executive holds and uses all such materials in trust for the Employer and subject to the Employer’s sole control and will deliver same to the Employer at the termination of his employment, or earlier if so requested by the Employer and will retain no copies without written authorization. To secure return of all such material, upon termination of employment or earlier if so requested, Executive will deliver any device to which any such information has been transferred or stored (whether such is personal property or not) to the Employer for inspection to ensure that all Confidential Information has been recovered and no unauthorized copies are retained, and Executive agrees that steps for recovery and deletion of Confidential Information may be taken by the Employer on any such device. Any authorization provided Executive (via computer password or other means) to the Employer’s computers is limited to use consistent with the business interests of the Employer and its Affiliates. Any access to a computer undertaken for the purpose of causing harm to the Employer’s business interests or to pursue competing or conflicting interests shall be considered unauthorized access and subject to this Agreement and any and all laws prohibiting unauthorized access.

6. Inventions and Patents . Executive acknowledges that all inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which relate to the Employer’s actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by Executive while employed by the Employer (“Work Product”) belong to the Employer. Executive shall disclose such Work Product to the governing body of the Employer from time to time and on demand, and, at the Employer’s expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Employer (whether during or after the Employment Period) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation, the giving of assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).

7. Protective Covenants . Executive acknowledges that an agreement not to disclose or use Confidential Information may not be, standing alone, adequate to protect the Employer against the kind of irreparable harm that is caused by Executive engaging in certain types of conduct that will by their nature compromise the Confidential Information and do irreparable damage to the business relationships and goodwill Executive is paid to help develop for the Employer’s benefit. Accordingly, to help prevent this kind of irreparable harm, Executive agrees as follows:

(a) Executive covenants and agrees that during his employment, and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination or cessation of his employment with the Employer for any reason, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, whether individually or as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, officer, director, manager, member, shareholder, partner, owner, financier, or in any other capacity, carry on or engage in the Business of the Employer within the Restricted Area on behalf of himself or for the benefit of any other business, firm, proprietorship, corporation, partnership, association, entity or venture engaged in or carrying on any part of the Business of the Employer (“Competing Business”). For purposes hereof the Business of the Employer shall mean: (i) maintenance, modification, and repair services within and related to nuclear and fossil power generation facilities including but not limited to

 

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maintenance, engineering services, specialty welding, staff augmentation, and radiation protection; and (ii) utility transmission & distribution construction and maintenance including but not limited to erection and repair of overhead and underground transmission lines, distribution networks, and substations. The “Restricted Area” is defined as the parishes, counties and cities in which the Employer conducts business or actively solicits business, or is demonstrably engaged in planning (with the use of Confidential Information) to do business in, as set forth in Exhibit C hereto. The Parties acknowledge that the Business of the Employer is expanding and thus Executive agrees to execute amendments to this Agreement solely for the purpose of updating the definition of Business of the Employer and the Restricted Area to include all parishes and counties within which the Employer does business. The Parties intend and agree that Executive’s continued employment thereafter shall serve as consideration for any such amendment(s).

(b) During Executive’s employment with the Employer and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination or cessation of Executive’s employment with the Employer for any reason, Executive will not knowingly contact, solicit, or communicate with a client, customer, vendor or Referral Source of the Employer within the Restricted Area for the purpose of encouraging, causing or inducing the client, customer, vendor or Referral Source to cease or reduce doing business with the Employer or to divert business-related opportunities to any Competing Business, nor will Executive aid or assist any other person, business, or legal entity to do any of the aforesaid prohibited acts.

(c) During Executive’s employment with the Employer and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination or cessation of Executive’s employment with the Employer for any reason, Executive will not knowingly, in person or through others, hire or solicit or communicate with, or help another person or entity hire or solicit or communicate with, any employee of the Employer or its Affiliates for the purpose of causing the employee to terminate employment with the Employer or its Affiliates or to help another person or entity hire away the employee. An “employee of the Employer or its Affiliates” includes any individual employed by the Employer or its Affiliates or who was so employed within the one hundred eighty (180) days preceding such hiring or solicitation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may solicit or hire any employee of the Employer or its Affiliates following a termination of the employment of that individual by the Employer or its Affiliate without cause.

(d) Executive agrees that, during his employment with the Employer and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of his employment for any reason, he will not make statements or representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage the Employer, its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, members, managers, employees or advisors, as such and in such capacities, or its or their businesses, and the Employer agrees that, during such period, neither it nor any of its or its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, members or managers will, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, take any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either Party from making truthful statements or disclosures that are required by applicable law, regulation, or legal process.

(e) It is understood by and between the Parties that the foregoing covenants set forth in Sections 5, 6 and 7 are essential elements of this Agreement, and that but for the agreement of Executive to comply with such covenants, the Employer would not have entered into this

 

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Agreement. Such covenants by Executive shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision of this Agreement and the existence of any claim or cause of action Executive may otherwise have against the Employer whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of these covenants. Executive and the Employer hereby acknowledge and agree that in the event of a default or breach of these provisions the following shall apply:

(i) The Employer shall have the right to enforce its rights hereunder through any one or more of the following mechanisms, which may be pursued by the Employer at any time and at its sole discretion: judicial action before any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain monetary damages inclusive of both consequential damages and punitive damages; judicial action before any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain specific performance; and/or judicial action before any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain temporary and/or permanent injunctive relief. Should Executive breach any of the provisions of Sections 5, 6 or 7 of this Agreement, Executive shall be required to repay the Employer, in cash, the total amount of any Severance Payment paid by the Employer to Executive under this Agreement, and the Employer shall be relieved of any further obligation to make payment of the Severance Payment otherwise required by this Agreement. Any and all of the Employer’s remedies as described in this Agreement shall not be exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies which the Employer may have at law or in equity.

(ii) A violation of the restrictions in this Agreement by Executive may cause irreparable and continuing injury to the Employer’s business for which there would not be an adequate remedy at law. The Employer would suffer irreparable, ongoing, and continuing damages as a result of such breach for which its remedy at law may be inadequate. Accordingly, Executive agrees that in the event of a violation or breach of this Agreement, tire Employer shall be entitled to seek an injunction restraining any such default or any other appropriate decree of specific performance, without the requirement to prove actual damages, without posting a bond, and without the requirement of showing irreparable harm.

(iii) In the event Executive breaches a time-limited restriction contained in this Agreement, Executive hereby agrees that the applicable period of restriction shall be extended by one day for each day Executive is found to have been in violation of such restriction up to, but not to exceed, a length of time that is equal in length to the period of restriction that would have applied absent the violation.

8. Executive’s Representations and Covenants . Executive hereby represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Employer that: (a) Executive (i) has not directly or indirectly, either on his own account or jointly with or as a manager, agent, officer, employee, consultant, independent contractor, partner, joint venturer, owner, financier, shareholder, or otherwise on behalf of any other person, firm, or corporation, offered employment to, solicited, or attempted to solicit away from his former employer or its affiliates any of their officers or employees or offered employment to any person who, during the six (6) months immediately preceding the date of such solicitation or offer, is or was an officer or employee of his former employer and (ii) will not do any of the foregoing acts set forth in clause (i) until after January 31, 2018; (b) Executive has not used for the benefit of the Employer or any of its Affiliates or disclosed to the Employer or any of its Affiliates any confidential written information belonging to any former employer (whether hard copy documents or electronically stored documents) following the termination of his employment

 

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with such former employer; (c) Executive will not use or disclose any confidential written information belonging to any former employer (whether hard copy documents or electronically stored documents) in connection with his employment with the Employer; and (d) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Employer, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of Executive, enforceable in accordance with its terms. Executive hereby acknowledges and represents that he has had the opportunity to consult with independent legal counsel regarding his rights and obligations under this Agreement and that he fully understands the terms and conditions contained herein.

9. Survival . Sections 4 through 20, inclusive, shall survive and continue in full force in accordance with their terms notwithstanding the termination of the Employment Period or the expiration of this Agreement.

10. Notices . Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either personally delivered, sent by reputable overnight courier service or mailed by first class mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient at the address below indicated:

If to the Employer, to:

Allied Power Management, LLC

400 Convention Street, Suite 320

Baton Rouge, LA 70802

with a courtesy copy to:

Jeffrey Koonce

Vice-President and General Counsel of Bernhard Capital

Partners 400 Convention Street, Tenth Floor

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

Telecopier: (225) 454-6957

If to Executive, to:

Dorsey Ron McCall

236 Shell Beach Drive

Lake Charles, La. 70601

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given when so delivered, or if mailed five business days after mailing as aforesaid.

11. Severability; Reformation . The invalidity of any one or more of the words, phrases, sentences, clauses, sections, subdivisions, or subparagraphs contained in this Agreement shall not affect the enforceability of the remaining portions of this Agreement or any part thereof, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being legally valid. If any arbitrator or court of proper jurisdiction finds that this Agreement is overly broad or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then it is hereby agreed that this Agreement will (for purposes of such arbitration or that Court’s jurisdiction only) be reformed or amended as needed to effectuate the intent of the Parties and to

 

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make this Agreement enforceable within the applicable jurisdiction. The Parties expressly agree that any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction shall have the power to alter the scope of any provision herein in order that said provision would be made legal and enforceable upon the effectiveness of said alteration.

12. Complete Agreement . This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way, including but not limited to the Consulting Agreement or the Prior Agreement.

13. Legal Fees .

(a) In the event legal action becomes necessary to enforce a provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party, if any, as determined by the trier of fact, will be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with its prevailing position, recognizing that in any proceedings, it is possible for both parties to be a prevailing party on different issues.

(b) The Employer agrees to promptly reimburse Executive for up to $20,000 of his legal fees incurred in the negotiation of this Agreement.

14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but both of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. For purposes hereof, facsimile and electronically scanned pdf copies hereof and facsimile and electronically scanned pdf signatures hereof shall be authorized and deemed effective

15. Successors and Assigns . This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, the Employer and their respective heirs, successors and assigns, except that Executive may not delegate his duties or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Employer.

16. Choice of Law; Arbitration .

(a) All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement and the exhibits and schedules hereto shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Louisiana, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Louisiana or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Louisiana.

(b) Any controversy, claim or dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, will be settled solely and exclusively by binding arbitration in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Such arbitration will be confidential and conducted in accordance with the then prevailing Employment Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, though the matter will not be submitted to AAA, with the following exceptions if in conflict: (a) one arbitrator will be chosen by each of the Parties and the two arbitrators will themselves select the third

 

   12    Executive’s Initials              


arbitrator; (b) each Party to the arbitration will pay for the first arbitrator it selected and one-half (1/2) of the expenses and fees of the third arbitrator, together with other expenses of the arbitration incurred or approved by the arbitrators; and (b) the arbitrators may permit the arbitration to proceed in the absence of any Party if written notice of the proceedings has been given to such Party. Each Party will bear its own attorneys’ fees and expenses, but the arbitrators may, and are encouraged to, award the prevailing Party an appropriate portion or all of his/its attorney fees and expenses. The Parties agree to abide by all decisions and awards rendered in such proceedings. Such decisions and awards rendered by the arbitrators will be fi nal and conclusive. All such controversies, claims or disputes will be settled in this manner in lieu of any action at law or equity; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection will be construed as precluding the bringing of an action for injunctive relief as provided in Sections 5, 6 and 7. IF FOR ANY REASON THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE BECOMES NOT APPLICABLE, THEN EACH PARTY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AS TO ANY ISSUE RELATING HERETO IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER MATTER INVOLVING THE PARTIES HERETO.

17. Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the Employer and Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed to be an implied waiver of any provision of this Agreement.

18. Indemnification .

(a) Employer Indemnity .

(i) Indemnification . The Employer agrees that if Executive is made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), other than a Proceeding by the Employer or any Affiliate thereof, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, consultant or employee of the Employer or any Affiliate thereof or is or was serving at the request of the Employer or any Affiliate thereof as a director, officer, member, employee, consultant or agent of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is Executive’s alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent, Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Employer to the fullest extent legally permitted against all cost, expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, damages, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties as well as amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by Executive in connection therewith; provided, however, that (i) Executive provides the Employer with prompt notice of such action or threatened action and (ii) Executive acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Employer and, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, member, officer, employee or agent of the Employer or any Affiliate thereof and shall inure to the benefit of Executive’s heirs, executors and administrators. For the avoidance of doubt, subject to and conditioned upon the accuracy of the representations of Executive set forth in

 

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Section 8 hereof and Executive’s full compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 8 hereof, the Employer shall pay all reasonable legal fees necessary to defend and shall fully indemnify and hold harmless Executive against all cost, expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, damages, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties as well as amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by Executive in connection with any Proceeding brought by any former employer of Executive relating to any alleged violation of a restrictive covenant or other agreement with such former employer in connection with the services rendered by Executive to the Employer or its Affiliates.

(ii) Advance Payment of Expenses . The Employer shall advance to Executive all reasonable costs and expenses to be incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding within 30 days after receipt by the Employer of a written request for such advance, which shall be accompanied by reasonable documentation of the amount being requested. To receive such advanced expenses, Executive must first enter into a written agreement with the Employer in which he warrants his good faith belief that he has met the appropriate standard of conduct set forth in Section 18(a)(i) and agrees to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be finally determined by the court that he was not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.

(iii) Rights Not Exclusive . The provisions of this Section 18(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Executive may be entitled or which may be granted to him, and it shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification to which he may be entitled under any policy of insurance.

(b) No Presumption Regarding Standard of Conduct . Neither the failure of the Employer to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by Executive under Section 18(a) above that indemnification of Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor a determination by the Employer that Executive has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Executive has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

19. No Mitigation; No Offset . In the event of any termination of employment, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment. Amounts due Executive under this Agreement shall not be offset by any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain.

20. Section 409A Compliance . This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision of law (the “Code”) and, to the extent it would not result in the imposition of taxes or penalties pursuant to Section 409A, the Employer agrees to interpret, apply and administer this Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary to comply with such requirements and without resulting in any diminution in the value of payments or benefits to Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, any reference to “termination” of Executive’s employment shall be interpreted consistent with the meaning of the term “separation from service” in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code and no portion of any severance payment which is classified as “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A and is otherwise payable in connection with “separation from service” shall be paid to Executive prior to the date he incurs a separation from service under Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder (including and without limitation Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A - 2(b)(2)(iii)),

 

   14    Executive’s Initials              


all installment payments made under this Agreement (whether severance payments or otherwise) will be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments and, accordingly, each installment payment under this Agreement will at all times be considered a separate and distinct payment. If Executive is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, any payments required to be made pursuant to this Agreement which are deferred compensation and subject to Section 409A of the Code (and do not qualify for an exemption thereunder) shall not commence until one day after the day which is six (6) months from the date of Executive’s termination of employment with the Employer. Should the applicability of Section 409A result in a delay of payments to Executive, on the first day any such payments may be made without incurring a penalty pursuant to Section 409A (the “409A Payment Date”), the Employer shall begin to make such payments as described in this Agreement, provided that any amounts that would have been payable earlier but for application of this Section 20 shall be paid in lump sum on the 409A Payment Date. To the extent any amount payable to Executive is subject to his entering into a release of claims with the Employer and any such amount is a deferral of compensation under Section 409A and which amount could be payable in either of two taxable years, and the timing of such payment is not subject to terms and conditions under another plan, program or agreement of the Employer that otherwise satisfies Section 409A, such payments shall be made or commence, as applicable, on January 15 (or any later date that is not earlier than 8 days after the date that the release becomes irrevocable) of such later taxable year and shall include all payments that otherwise would have been made before such date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Employer be liable to Executive for or with respect to any taxes and, if the Employer properly and timely reports any taxes owed under Section 409A, penalties or interest which may be imposed upon Executive pursuant to Section 409A.

 

   15    Executive’s Initials              


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Employment Agreement of the date first written above.

 

EMPLOYER:
BY:    
EXECUTIVE:
 
Dorsey Ron McCall

 

   16    Executive’s Initials              


Exhibit A

SERIES C PROFITS INTERESTS AWARD AGREEMENT

[Page numbers for the attached copy of the Series C Profits Interests Award Agreement have

been omitted. The next numbered page to this Employment Agreement is the first page of

Exhibit B.]

 

   17    Executive’s Initials              


EXECUTION

SERIES C PROFITS INTERESTS AWARD AGREEMENT

THIS SERIES C PROFITS INTERESTS AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of July 12, 2017, by and between Allied Power Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and the participant named on the signature page hereto (“ Participant ”).

WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Allied Power Holdings, LLC Series C Profits Interest Plan, as it may be amended and restated from time to time (the “ Plan ”), which Plan is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan and hereof, on the date hereof, Participant desires to acquire from the Company, and the Company desires to grant to Participant, the Company’s Series C Profits Interests (the “ Interests ”) in the amount set forth on Schedule I attached hereto; and

WHEREAS, Participant is acquiring the Interests for the benefit of Dorsey Ron McCall (“ Intervenor ”), and shall participate in the Pool (as defined below) for the benefit of Intervenor in the percentage set forth on Schedule I attached hereto (the “ Percentage Participation in the Pool ”);

WHEREAS, this Agreement is one of several agreements being entered into by the Company on or after the date hereof with certain persons who, or whose members, are or will be providing services to the Company or its Affiliates (as defined below) or Subsidiaries (as defined below), as part of a management equity incentive plan designed to comply with certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to implement the foregoing and in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.1 Affiliate . The term “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

1.2 Agreement . The term “ Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the

preface.

1.3 Business Day . The term “ Business Day ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

1.4 Company . The term “ Company ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preface.

1.5 Grant Date . The term “ Grant Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in

Section  2.1 hereof.


1.6 Interests . The term “ Interests ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preface.

1.7 Non-Interference Agreement . The term “ Non-Interference Agreement ” shall mean the Non-Interference, Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and Participant and attached hereto as Exhibit A .

1.8 Operating Agreement . The term “ Operating Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated as of July 12, 2017, as the same may be modified, amended, restated or amended and restated from time to time.

1.9 Percentage Participation in the Pool . The term “ Percentage Participation in the Pool ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preface.

1.10 Permitted Transferee . The term “ Permitted Transferee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

1.11 Person . The term “ Person ” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of any nature whatsoever.

1.12 Plan . The term “ Plan ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preface.

1.13 Pool . The term “ Pool ” shall mean the Profits Interests Plan Pool, as defined in the Plan.

1.14 Subsidiary . The term “ Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Operating Agreement.

1.15 Securities Act . The term “ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.

2. GRANT OF INTERESTS.

2.1 Grant of Interests . Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Company hereby agrees to grant to Participant, and Participant hereby agrees to accept the grant for the benefit of Intervenor, on the date hereof (the “ Grant Date ”), of the number of Interests and the Percentage Participation in the Pool set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

2.2 Closing Conditions . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue to Participant any Interests unless (i) Intervenor is providing services to the Company or one of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries as an officer, director, manager, service provider or employee of, or consultant to, the Company on the Grant Date, (ii) the representations of Participant and Intervenor contained in Section  3 hereof are tine and correct as of the Grant Date and (hi) Participant and Intervenor are not in breach of any agreement, obligation or covenant herein required to be performed or observed by Participant on or prior to the Grant Date.

 

2


2.3 Section 83(b) Election . Within thirty (30) days after the Grant Date, Participant shall provide the Company with a copy of a completed election under Section 83(b) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Participant shall timely be (within thirty (30) days of the Grant Date via certified mail, return receipt requested) such election with the Internal Revenue Service, and shall thereafter certify to the Company that Participant has made such timely filing.

THE PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS THE PARTICIPANT’S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY’S OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES’ OR AFFILIATES’ OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES’ RESPONSIBILITY TO TIMELY FILE THE ELECTION UNDER CODE SECTION 83(b), EVEN IF THE PARTICIPANT REQUESTS THE COMPANY, ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE THIS FILING ON THE PARTICIPANT’S BEHALF.

2.4 Interests Subject to Plan and Operating Agreement . By entering into this Agreement, Participant and Intervenor agree and acknowledge that Participant and Intervenor have received and read a copy of the Plan and the Operating Agreement. In addition to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Interests are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Operating Agreement. The terms and provisions of the Plan and the Operating Agreement as they may be amended from time to time are hereby incorporated by reference.

2.5 Operating Agreement . As a condition of the grant of Interests to Participant under this Agreement, to the extent that Participant is not already a party to the Operating Agreement as a Series C Member, Participant hereby agrees to execute a joinder agreement prepared by the Company or in such other form that is satisfactory to the Company, and to be bound by the terms of, and become a party to, the Operating Agreement and all schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto, including the Plan, as a Series C Member.

2.6 Vesting . The Interests granted under this Agreement shall vest in accordance Section  4 of the Plan.

3. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF PARTICIPANT .

3.1 Interests Unregistered . Participant and Intervenor acknowledge and represent that that Participant and Intervenor have been advised by the Company that:

(a) the Interests have not, and no offer or sale thereof has, been registered under the Securities Act;

(b) the Interests must be held indefinitely unless the offer and sale of such Interests are subsequently registered under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available;

 

3


(c) there is no established market for the Interests and it is not anticipated that there will be any public market for the Interests in the foreseeable future;

(d) a restrictive legend in the form set forth below shall be placed on the certificates, if any, representing the Interests:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REPURCHASE OPTIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN THE OPERATING AGREEMENT OF THE ISSUER, DATED AS OF JULY 12, 2017, AS MAY BE AMENDED AND MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT CHARGE”; and

(e) a notation shall be made in the appropriate records of the Company indicating that the Interests are subject to restrictions on transfer and, if the Company should at some time in the future engage the services of a securities transfer agent, appropriate stop-transfer instructions will be issued to such transfer agent with respect to the Interests.

3.2 Additional Investment Representations . Participant and Intervenor represent and warrant that:

(a) The Interests to be issued to Participant pursuant to this Agreement will be received for Participant’s own account and not with a view to, or an intention of, distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and the Interests will not be disposed of in contravention of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws;

(b) Participant understands that there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of the Interests and, on the Grant Date and for an indefinite period following the Grant Date, there will be no public market for the Interests and, accordingly, it may not be possible for Participant to liquidate Participant’s Interests in case of emergency, if at all;

(c) The terms of the Plan provide that if Intervenor terminates his employment or service with the Company without Good Reason (as defined in the Plan), or if the Intervenor’s employment or service with the Company is terminated by Company for Cause (as defined in the Plan), that the percentage of the Interests and the Percentage Participation in the Pool held by Participant for the benefit of Intervenor shall be automatically canceled and forfeited;

(d) Participant and Intervenor are sophisticated in financial matters and is able to evaluate the risks and benefits of accepting the grant of Interests and understands and has taken cognizance of all the risk factors related to the Interests;

(e) Other than as set forth in this Agreement, no representations or warranties have been made to Participant or Intervenor or Participant’s or Intervenor’s representatives concerning the Interests or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their prospects or other matters;

 

4


(f) Participant and Intervenor have been given the opportunity to examine all documents and to ask questions of, and to receive answers from, the Company and its representatives concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Company’s organizational documents and the terms and conditions of the acquisition of the Interests and the Plan and to obtain any additional information which Participant or Intervenor deem necessary; and

(g) Participant and Intervenor have been given ample opportunity to consult with independent tax, legal, accounting and other advisors and counsels regarding Participant’s and Intervenor’s respective rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Plan and the Operating Agreement and intend for such terms to be binding upon and enforceable against Participant and Intervenor, all of which are hereby voluntarily and willingly agreed to by Participant and Intervenor.

4. MISCELLANEOUS.

4.1 Transfers to Permitted Transferees . Subject to the transfer restrictions and other obligations set forth in the Operating Agreement, prior to the transfer of Interests to a Permitted Transferee, Participant shall deliver to the Company a written agreement of the proposed transferee (a) evidencing such Person’s undertaking to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and (b) acknowledging that the Interests transferred to such Person will continue to be Interests for purposes of this Agreement in the hands of such Person. Any transfer or attempted transfer of Interests in violation of any provision of this Agreement or the Operating Agreement shall be void, and the Company shall not record such transfer on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Interests as the owner of such Interests for any purpose.

4.2 Recapitalizations. Exchanges. Etc.. Affecting Interests . The provisions of this Agreement shall apply, to the full extent set forth herein with respect to Interests, to any and all securities of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution of the Interests, by reason of any dividend payable in interests, issuance of interests, combination, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

4.3 Cooperation . Participant and Intervenor agree to cooperate with the Company in taking action reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.4 Binding Effect . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and accrue to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however, that no transferee shall derive any rights under this Agreement unless and until such transferee has executed and delivered to the Company a valid undertaking and becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement.

 

5


4.5 Amendment; Waiver . The Company may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate this Agreement, but no such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination shall materially adversely affect the rights of Participant or Intervenor hereunder without the consent of Participant or Intervenor.

4.6 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any otherwise governing principles of conflicts of law. This Agreement shall not be construed or interpreted with any presumption against the Company by reason of the Company causing this Agreement to be drafted.

4.7 Judicial Proceedings . In any judicial proceeding involving any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, each of Participant, Intervenor and the Company unconditionally accepts the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any United States District Court located in the State of Delaware, or of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, and the appellate courts to which orders and judgments thereof may be appealed. In any such judicial proceeding, Participant and Intervenor agree that in addition to any method for the service of process permitted or required by such courts, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, service of process may be made by delivery provided pursuant to the directions in Section  4.8 . PARTICIPANT HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING ANY DISPUTE, CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

4.8 Notices . Any notice or communication required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made when (a) delivered personally to the recipient, (b) faxed or emailed to the recipient or (c) one (1) Business Day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid), in each case to the applicable address set forth below;

(I) if to the Company:

Allied Power Holdings, LLC

c/o Bernhard Capital Partners

400 Convention Street, Suite 1010

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

Attention: Jeffrey Koonce

Facsimile: (225) 454-6957

Email: koonce@bemhardcanital.com

(II) If to Participant or Intervenor, to the address as shown on the signature page hereto.

Each such notice or other communication shall be sent by personal delivery, by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), by national, reputable courier service (such as Federal Express or United Parcel Service) or by facsimile or electronic mail.

 

6


4.9 Integration . This Agreement and the documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein and therein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

4.10 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, and by different parties on separate counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

4.11 Injunctive Relief . Participant and Participant’s Permitted Transferees each acknowledges and agrees that a violation of any of the terms of this Agreement will cause the Company Group irreparable injury for which adequate remedy at law is not available. Accordingly, it is agreed that the Company or any of their Affiliates or Subsidiaries shall be entitled to an injunction, restraining order or other equitable relief to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States or any state thereof, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or equity.

4.12 Rights Cumulative; Waiver . The rights and remedies of Participant, Intervenor and the Company under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which either would otherwise have hereunder or at law or in equity or by statute, and no failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or remedy shall impair any such right or remedy or operate as a waiver of such right or remedy, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude such party’s other or further exercise or the exercise of any other power or right. The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach and no failure by either party to exercise any right or privilege hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of such party’s rights or privileges hereunder or shall be deemed a waiver of such party’s rights to exercise the same at any subsequent time or times hereunder.

4.13 Conflict . In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Operating Agreement, the Operating Agreement shall control, hi the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall control.

4.14 Provision Respecting Legal Representation . Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby agrees that Kantrow Spaht Weaver & Blitzer (APLC) has served as counsel to BCP (as defined in the Operating Agreement) and the Company in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and that, following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, Kantrow Spaht Weaver & Blitzer (APLC) (or any successor) may serve as counsel to BCP or the Company or any direct or indirect manager, member, partner, equityholder, officer, employee or affiliate of BCP or the Company, in connection with any litigation, claim or obligation arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement notwithstanding such representation and each of the parties hereto hereby consents thereto and waives any conflict of interest arising therefrom, and each of such parties shall cause any affiliate thereof to consent to waive any conflict of interest arising from such representation.

 

7


4.15 Intervention . Now into these presents comes Intervenor who, by execution of this Agreement, hereby agrees to be personally bound by all the terms and conditions contained of this Agreement.

*                *                 *                *

 

8


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

 

COMPANY :
Allied Power Holdings, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

Signature Page to Series C Profits Interest Award Agreement


PARTICIPANT
Allied Management Holdings, LLC
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Notice Address:

Allied Power Holdings, LLC

c/o Bernhard Capital Partners

400 Convention Street, Suite 1010

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

Attention: Jeffrey Koonce

Facsimile: (225) 454-6857

Email: koonce@bernhardcapiatal.com

 

INTERVENOR
 

 

Dorsey Ron McCall

Notice Address:

Dorsey Ron McCall

236 Shell Beach Drive

Lake Charles, La. 70601

 

Signature Page to Series C Profits Interest Award Agreement


Schedule I

Series C Profits Interests

350

Percentage Participation in the Pool

35%


Exhibit B

FORM OF GENERAL RELEASE

I, Dorsey Ron McCall, in consideration of the performance by [Allied Power Holdings, LLC] (the “Company”), of its obligations under the Employment Agreement dated as of [_________ 2017], by and between the Company and me (the “Agreement”), do hereby release and forever discharge, as of the date hereof, the Company and its affiliates and their respective directors, managers, officers, agents, representatives, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and their direct or indirect owners, in their representative capacities, only (collectively, the “Released Parties”) to the extent provided below.

 

1. I understand that any Severance Payment paid or granted to me under Sections 4(c) and (d) of the Agreement represent, in part, consideration for signing this General Release and are not salary, wages, or benefits to which I was already entitled. I understand and agree that I will not receive the Severance Payment specified in Sections 4(c) and (d) of the Agreement unless I execute this General Release and do not revoke this General Release within the time period permitted hereafter or if I breach this General Release. I understand and agree that all payments specified in Sections 4(c) and (d) of the Agreement shall be subject to ordinary tax withholding and all required deductions. I further understand and agree that the Severance Payment specified in Sections 4(c) and (d) of the Agreement shall not be deemed “compensation” for purposes of any of the Company’s qualified retirement plans or other benefit programs, and payment of that consideration shall not entitle me to any additional retirement plan contributions by the Company for my benefit or account.

 

2.

Except as provided in Paragraph 4 below, I knowingly and voluntarily release and forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and all claims, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims, counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages, punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and attorneys’ fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in equity, both past and present (through the date of this General Release) and whether known or unknown, suspected or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties which I, my spouse or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment with, or my separation from, the Company pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or otherwise (including, but not limited to, any allegation, claim or violation, arising under: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, as amended; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any applicable Executive Order Programs; or their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or local civil, fair employment or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract (including without limitation a claim for breach of the Agreement) or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of contract

 

   18    Executive’s Initials              


  (including without limitation a claim for breach of the Agreement), infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as the “Claims”). This waiver and release does not affect those rights or Claims (including without limitation the right to indemnification) which arise after I execute this General Release, including without limitation under the Agreement. Nor does this waiver and release affect those rights or Claims that cannot be waived by law. While nothing contained in this General Release shall be interpreted to prevent the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from investigating and pursuing any matter which it deems appropriate, I understand and agree that, by signing this General Release, I am waiving any and all rights I may have to reinstatement, damages, remedies or other relief as to any Claims 1 have released and any rights I have waived as a result of my execution of this General Release.

 

3. I represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim, demand, cause of action or other matter covered by Paragraph 2 above.

 

4. I agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release.

 

5. I expressly consent that this General Release shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other Claims herein above mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a Claim arising on or prior to the date I execute this General Release seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete defense to such Claims. I further agree that I am not aware of any pending charge or complaint of the type described in Paragraph 2 above as of the date I execute this General Release.

 

6. I agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself of any improper or unlawful conduct.

 

7. I acknowledge and agree that I have received from the Company all wages, fringe benefits (including without limitation by enumeration vacation pay, 401 (k) plan contributions, bonuses and expense reimbursement) and all other compensation owed by the Company to me through and including my final day of employment with the Company; provided, however, that if this General Release is delivered prior to my final day of employment with the Company, I acknowledge and agree that I have received from the Company all wages, fringe benefits (including without limitation by enumeration vacation pay, 401(k) plan contributions, bonuses and expense reimbursement) and all other compensation owed by the Company to me through and including such day except to the extent that payment thereof is regularly scheduled to be made at a later date.

 

   19    Executive’s Initials              


8. I agree that this General Release is confidential and agree not to disclose any information regarding the existence or terms of this General Release, except to my immediate family and any tax, legal or other counsel I have consulted regarding the meaning or effect hereof or as required by law, and I will instruct each of the foregoing not to disclose the same to anyone.

 

9. Any non-disclosure provision in this General Release does not prohibit or restrict me (or my attorney) from responding to any inquiry about this General Release or its underlying facts and circumstances by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) any other self-regulatory organization or governmental entity.

 

10. I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation or administrative, regulatory or judicial proceeding. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to: making myself available to the Company upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession, all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent with my other permitted activities and commitments. I understand that in the event the Company asks for my cooperation in accordance with this provision, the Company will pay me reasonable hourly compensation and reimburse me for reasonable first class travel expenses, including lodging and meals, upon my submission of receipts.

 

11. Notwithstanding anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release shall not relinquish, diminish or in any way affect any rights or claims arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the Agreement.

 

12. Whenever possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

13.

I acknowledge and agree that, except as provided in this General Release, the Agreement between myself and the Company, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1, terminated effective my final day of employment with the Company. I acknowledge and agree that I am not entitled to any further payments except as otherwise specifically provided in the Agreement. I understand and agree that this General Release is final and binding and constitutes the complete and exclusive statement of the terms and conditions of settlement, that no representations or commitments were made by the parties to induce this General

 

   20    Executive’s Initials              


  Release other than expressly set forth in the Agreement and that this General Release is fully understood by the parties. Notwithstanding the above, I acknowledge and agree that Sections 5 (Confidentiality; Non-Disclosure of Information) and 7 (Protective Covenants) of the Agreement shall remain enforceable and binding against me.

BY SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE

THAT: I HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;

 

(a) I UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED; TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963; THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED;

 

(b) I VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN THIS GENERAL RELEASE;

 

(c) I AM HEREBY ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING THIS GENERAL RELEASE AND I HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION, I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;

 

(d) I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM TO CONSIDER IT;

 

(e) I UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE TO REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED;

 

(f) I HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT; AND

 

(g) I AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED, WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY ME.

[Signature page follows]

 

   21    Executive’s Initials              


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this General Release as of the date written below.

 

Date:                                                                                                                                                                               

 

    Executive

 

    COMPANY
Date:                                                                               By:                                                                                            

 

 

   22    Executive’s Initials              


EXHIBIT 1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

[To be attached]

 

   23    Executive’s Initials              


Exhibit C

RESTRICTED AREA

The “Restricted Area” shall mean the following counties, cities and parishes in each of the following states:

 

ALABAMA      
Autauga    Dallas    Marion
Baldwin    De Kalb    Marshall
Barbour    Elmore    Mobile
Bibb    Escambia    Monroe
Blount    Etowah    Montgomery
Bullock    Fayette    Morgan
Butler    Franklin    Perry
Calhoun    Geneva    Pickens
Chambers    Greene    Pike
Cherokee    Hale    Randolph
Chilton    Henry    Russell
Choctaw Clarke    Houston    St. Clair
Clay    Jackson    Shelby
Cleburne    Jefferson    Sumter
Coffee    Lamar    Talladega
Colbert    Lauderdale    Tallapoosa
Conecuh    Lawrence    Tuscaloosa
Coosa    Lee    Walker
Covington    Limestone    Washington
Crenshaw    Lowndes    Wilcox
Cullman    Macon    Winston
Dale    Madison   
   Marengo   
ALASKA      
Aleutians East    Kenai Peninsula    Sitka
Aleutians West    Ketchikan Gateway    Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon
Anchorage    Kodiak Island    Southeast Fairbanks
Bethel    Lake and Peninsula    Valdez-Cordova
Bristol Bay    Matanuska-Susitna    Wade Hampton
Denali    Nome    Wrangell-Petersburg
Dillingham    North Slope    Yakutat
Fairbanks North Star    Northwest Arctic    Yukon-Koyukuk
Haines    Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan   
Juneau      
ARIZONA    Gila
Graham
   LaPaz
Maricopa
Apache    Greenlee    Mohave
Cochise    Pinal    Yavapai
Coconino    Santa Cruz    Yuma
Navajo      
Pima      

 

   24    Executive’s Initials              


ARKANSAS

     
Arkansas    Garland    Newton
Ashley    Grant    Ouachita
Baxter    Greene    Perry
Benton    Hempstead    Phillips
Boone    Hot Spring    Pike
Bradley    Howard    Poinsett
Calhoun    Independence    Polk
Carroll    Izard    Pope
Chicot    Jackson    Prairie
Clark    Jefferson    Pulaski
Clay    Johnson    Randolph
Cleburne    Lafayette    St. Francis
Cleveland    Lawrence    Saline
Columbia    Lee    Scott
Conway    Lincoln    Searcy
Craighead    Little River    Sebastian
Crawford    Logan    Sevier
Crittenden    Lonoke    Sharp
Cross    Madison    Stone
Dallas    Marion    Union
Desha    Miller    Van Buren
Drew    Mississippi    Washington
Faulkner    Monroe    White
Franklin    Montgomery    Woodruff
Fulton    Nevada    Yell

CALIFORNIA

     
Alameda    Inyo    Monterey
Alpine    Kern    Napa
Amador    Kings    Nevada
Butte    Lake    Orange
Calaveras    Lassen    Placer
Colusa    Los Angeles    Plumas
Contra Costa    Madera    Riverside
Del Norte    Marin    Sacramento
El Dorado    Mariposa    San Benito
Fresno    Mendocino    San Bernardino
Glenn    Merced    San Diego
Humboldt    Modoc    San Francisco
Imperial    Mono    San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo    Siskiyou    Tulare
San Mateo    Solano    Tuolumne
Santa Barbara    Sonoma    Ventura
Santa Clara    Stanislaus    Yolo
Santa Cruz    Sutter    Yuba
Shasta    Tehama   
Sierra    Trinity   

 

   25    Executive’s Initials              


COLORADO

     
Adams    Fremont    Morgan
Alamosa    Garfield    Otero
Arapahoe    Gilpin    Ouray
Archuleta    Grand    Park
Baca    Gunnison    Phillips
Bent    Hinsdale    Pitkin
Boulder    Huerfano    Prowers
Broomfield    Jackson    Pueblo
Chaffee    Jefferson    Rio Blanco
Cheyenne    Kiowa    Rio Grande
Clear Creek    Kit Carson    Routt
Conejos    Lake    Saguache
Costilla    La Plata    San Juan
Crowley    Larimer    San Miguel
Custer    Las Animas    Sedgwick
Delta    Lincoln    Summit
Denver    Logan    Teller
Dolores    Mesa    Washington
Douglas    Mineral    Weld
Eagle    Moffat    Yuma
Elbert    Montezuma   
El Paso    Montrose   

CONNECTICUT

     
Fairfield    Middlesex    Tolland
Hartford    New Haven    Windham
Litchfield    New London   

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

     
District of Columbia      

DELAWARE

     
Kent    New Castle    Sussex

FLORIDA

     
   Hardee    Okeechobee
Alachua    Hendry    Orange
Baker    Hernando    Osceola
Bay    Highlands    Palm Beach
Bradford    Hillsborough    Pasco
Brevard    Holmes    Pinellas
Broward    Indian River    Polk

 

   26    Executive’s Initials              


Calhoun    Jackson    Putnam
Charlotte    Jefferson    St. Johns
Citrus    Lafayette    St. Lucie
Clay    Lake    Santa Rosa
Collier    Lee    Sarasota
Columbia    Leon    Seminole
De Soto    Levy    Sumter
Dixie    Liberty    Suwannee
Duval    Madison    Taylor
Escambia    Manatee    Union
Flagler    Marion    Volusia
Franklin    Martin    Wakulla
Gadsden    Miami-Dade    Walton
Gilchrist    Monroe    Washington
Glades    Nassau   
Gulf    Okaloosa   
Hamilton      

GEORGIA

     
Appling    Butts    Colquitt
Atkinson    Calhoun    Columbia
Bacon    Camden    Cook
Baker    Candler    Coweta
Baldwin    Carroll    Crawford
Banks    Catoosa    Crisp
Barrow    Charlton    Dade
Bartow    Chatham    Dawson
Ben Hill    Chattahoochee    Decatur
Berrien    Chattooga    De Kalb
Bibb    Cherokee    Dodge
Bleckley    Clarke    Dooly
Brantley    Clay    Dougherty
Brooks    Clayton    Douglas
Bryan    Clinch    Early
Bulloch    Cobb    Echols
Burke    Coffee    Effingham
Elbert    Lee    Screven
Emanuel    Liberty    Seminole
Evans    Lincoln    Spalding
Fannin    Long    Stephens
Fayette    Lowndes    Stewart
Floyd    Lumpkin    Sumter
Forsyth    McDuffie    Talbot
Franklin    McIntosh    Taliaferro
Fulton    Macon    Tattnall
Gilmer    Madison    Taylor
Glascock    Marion    Telfair
Glynn    Meriwether    Terrell
Gordon    Miller    Thomas

 

   27    Executive’s Initials              


Grady    Mitchell    Tift
Greene    Monroe    Toombs
Gwinnett    Montgomery    Towns
Flabersham    Morgan    Treutlen
Hall    Murray    Troup
Hancock    Muscogee    Turner
Haralson    Newton    Twiggs
Flarris    Oconee    Union
Hart    Oglethorpe    Upson
Heard    Paulding    Walker
Henry    Peach    Walton
Houston    Pickens    Ware
Irwin    Pierce    Warren
Jackson    Pike    Washington
Jasper    Polk    Wayne
Jeff Davis    Pulaski    Webster
Jefferson    Putnam    Wheeler
Jenkins    Quitman    White
Johnson    Rabun    Whitfield
Jones    Randolph    Wilcox
Lamar    Richmond    Wilkes
Lanier    Rockdale    Wilkinson
Laurens    Schley    Worth

HAWAII

     
Hawaii    Kalawao    Maui
Honolulu    Kauai   

IOWA

     
Adair    Allamakee    Audubon
Adams    Appanoose    Benton
Black Hawk    Grundy    Montgomery
Boone    Guthrie    Muscatine
Bremer    Hamilton    O’Brien
Buchanan    Hancock    Osceola
Buena Vista    Hardin    Page
Butler    Harrison    Palo Alto
Calhoun    Henry    Plymouth
Carroll    Howard    Pocahontas
Cass    Humboldt    Polk
Cedar    Ida    Pottawattamie
Cerro Gordo    Iowa    Poweshiek
Cherokee    Jackson    Ringgold
Chickasaw    Jasper    Sac
Clarke    Jefferson    Scott
Clay    Johnson    Shelby
Clayton    Jones    Sioux
Clinton    Keokuk    Story

 

   28    Executive’s Initials              


Crawford    Kossuth    Tama
Dallas    Lee    Taylor
Davis    Linn    Union
Decatur    Louisa    Van Buren
Delaware    Lucas    Wapello
Des Moines    Lyon    Warren
Dickinson    Madison    Washington
Dubuque    Mahaska    Wayne
Emmet    Marion    Webster
Fayette    Marshall    Winnebago
Floyd    Mills    Winneshiek
Franklin    Mitchell    Woodbury
Fremont    Monona    Worth
Greene    Monroe    Wright

IDAHO

     
Ada    Camas    Idaho
Adams    Canyon    Jefferson
Bannock    Caribou    Jerome
Bear Lake    Cassia    Kootenai
Benewah    Clark    Latah
Bingham    Clearwater    Lemhi
Blaine    Custer    Lewis
Boise    Elmore    Lincoln
Bonner    Franklin    Madison
Bonneville    Fremont    Minidoka
Boundary    Gem    Nez Perce
Butte    Gooding    Oneida
Owyhee    Shoshone    Valley
Payette    Teton    Washington
Power    Twin Falls   

ILLINOIS

     
Adams    Henderson    Ogle
Alexander    Henry    Peoria
Bond    Iroquois    Perry
Boone    Jackson    Piatt
Brown    Jasper    Pike
Bureau    Jefferson    Pope
Calhoun    Jersey    Pulaski
Carroll    Jo Daviess    Putnam
Cass    Johnson    Randolph
Champaign    Kane    Richland
Christian    Kankakee    Rock Island
Clark    Kendall    St. Clair
Clay    Knox    Saline
Clinton    Lake    Sangamon
Coles    La Salle    Schuyler

 

   29    Executive’s Initials              


Cook    Lawrence    Scott
Crawford    Lee    Shelby
Cumberland    Livingston    Stark
DeKalb    Logan    Stephenson
De Witt    McDonough    Tazewell
Douglas    McHenry    Union
DuPage    McLean    Vermilion
Edgar    Macon    Wabash
Edwards    Macoupin    Warren
Effingham    Madison    Washington
Fayette    Marion    Wayne
Ford    Marshall    White
Franklin    Mason    Whiteside
Fulton    Massac    Will
Gallatin    Menard    Williamson
Greene    Mercer    Winnebago
Grundy    Monroe    Woodford
Hamilton    Montgomery   
Hancock    Morgan   
Hardin    Moultrie   

INDIANA

     
Adams    Bartholomew    Blackford
Allen    Benton    Boone
Brown    Jackson    Posey
Carroll    Jasper    Pulaski
Cass    Jay    Putnam
Clark    Jefferson    Randolph
Clay    Jennings    Ripley
Clinton    Johnson    Rush
Crawford    Knox    St. Joseph
Daviess    Kosciusko    Scott
Dearborn    Lagrange    Shelby
Decatur    Lake    Spencer
De Kalb    La Porte    Starke
Delaware    Lawrence    Steuben
Dubois    Madison    Sullivan
Elkhart    Marion    Switzerland
Fayette    Marshall    Tippecanoe
Floyd    Martin    Tipton
Fountain    Miami    Union
Franklin    Monroe    Vanderburgh
Fulton    Montgomery    Vermillion
Gibson    Morgan    Vigo
Grant    Newton    Wabash
Greene    Noble    Warren
Hamilton    Ohio    Warrick
Hancock    Orange    Washington
Harrison    Owen    Wayne

 

   30    Executive’s Initials              


Hendricks    Parke    Wells
Henry    Perry    White
Howard    Pike    Whitley
Huntington    Porter   

KANSAS

     
Allen    Cloud    Ford
Anderson    Coffey    Franklin
Atchison    Comanche    Geary
Barber    Cowley    Gove
Barton    Crawford    Graham
Bourbon    Decatur    Grant
Brown    Dickinson    Gray
Butler    Doniphan    Greeley
Chase    Douglas    Greenwood
Chautauqua    Edwards    Hamilton
Cherokee    Elk    Harper
Cheyenne    Ellis    Harvey
Clark    Ellsworth    Haskell
Clay    Finney    Hodgeman
Jackson    Morris    Salme
Jefferson    Morton    Scott
Jewell    Nemaha    Sedgwick
Johnson    Neosho    Seward
Kearny    Ness    Shawnee
Kingman    Norton    Sheridan
Kiowa    Osage    Sherman
Labette    Osborne    Smith
Lane    Ottawa    Stafford
Leavenworth    Pawnee    Stanton
Lincoln    Phillips    Stevens
Linn    Pottawatomie    Sumner
Logan    Pratt    Thomas
Lyon    Rawlins    Trego
McPherson    Reno    Wabaunsee
Marion    Republic    Wallace
Marshall    Rice    Washington
Meade    Riley    Wichita
Miami    Rooks    Wilson
Mitchell    Rush    Woodson
Montgomery    Russell    Wyandotte

KENTUCKY

     
Adair    Casey    Greenup
Allen    Christian    Hancock
Anderson    Clark    Hardin
Ballard    Clay    Harlan
Barren    Clinton    Harrison

 

   31    Executive’s Initials              


Bath    Crittenden    Hart
Bell    Cumberland    Henderson
Boone    Daviess    Henry
Bourbon    Edmonson    Hickman
Boyd    Elliott    Hopkins
Boyle    Estill    Jackson
Bracken    Fayette    Jefferson
Breathitt    Fleming    Jessamine
Breckinridge    Floyd    Johnson
Bullitt    Franklin    Kenton
Butler    Fulton    Knott
Caldwell    Gallatin    Knox
Calloway    Garrard    Larue
Campbell    Grant    Laurel
Carlisle    Graves    Lawrence
Carroll    Grayson    Lee
Carter    Green    Leslie
Letcher    Metcalfe    Rowan
Lewis    Monroe    Russell
Lincoln    Montgomery    Scott
Livingston    Morgan    Shelby
Logan    Muhlenberg    Simpson
Lyon    Nelson    Spencer
McCracken    Nicholas    Taylor
McCreary    Ohio    Todd
McLean    Oldham    Trigg
Madison    Owen    Trimble
Magoffin    Owsley    Union
Marion    Pendleton    Warren
Marshall    Perry    Washington
Martin    Pike    Wayne
Mason    Powell    Webster
Meade    Pulaski    Whitley
Menifee    Robertson    Wolfe
Mercer    Rockcastle    Woodford

LOUISIANA

     
Acadia    Iberia    St. Charles
Allen    Iberville    St. Helena
Ascension    Jackson    St. James
Assumption    Jefferson    St. John the Baptist
Avoyelles    Jefferson Davis    St. Landry
Beauregard    Lafayette    St. Martin
Bienville    Lafourche    St. Mary
Bossier    La Salle    St. Tammany
Caddo    Lincoln    Tangipahoa
Calcasieu    Livingston    Tensas
Caldwell    Madison    Terrebonne
Cameron    Morehouse    Union

 

   32    Executive’s Initials              


Catahoula    Natchitoches    Vermilion
Claiborne    Orleans    Vernon
Concordia    Ouachita    Washington
De Soto    Plaquemines    Webster
East Baton Rouge    Pointe Coupee    West Baton Rouge
East Carroll    Rapides    West Carroll
East Feliciana    Red River    West Feliciana
Evangeline    Richland    Winn
Franklin    Sabine   
Grant    St. Bernard   

MASSACHUSETTS

     
Barnstable    Franklin    Norfolk
Berkshire    Hampden    Plymouth
Bristol    Hampshire    Suffolk
Dukes    Middlesex    Worcester
Essex    Nantucket   

MARYLAND

     
Allegany    Dorchester    Queen Anne’s
Anne Arundel    Frederick    St. Mary’s
Baltimore    Garrett    Somerset
Baltimore City    Harford    Talbot
Calvert    Howard    Washington
Caroline    Kent    Wicomico
Carroll    Montgomery    Worcester
Cecil    Prince George’s   
Charles      

MAINE

     
Androscoggin    Knox    Somerset
Aroostook    Lincoln    Waldo
Cumberland    Oxford    Washington
Franklin    Penobscot    York
Hancock    Piscataquis   
Kennebec    Sagadahoc   

MICHIGAN

     
Alcona    Chippewa    Ingham
Alger    Clare    Ionia
Allegan    Clinton    Iosco
Alpena    Crawford    Iron
Antrim    Delta    Isabella
Arenac    Dickinson    Jackson
Baraga    Eaton    Kalamazoo
Barry    Emmet    Kalkaska

 

   33    Executive’s Initials              


Bay    Genesee    Kent
Benzie    Gladwin    Keweenaw
Berrien    Gogebic    Lake
Branch    Grand Traverse    Lapeer
Calhoun    Gratiot    Leelanau
Cass    Hillsdale    Lenawee
Charlevoix    Houghton    Livingston
Cheboygan    Huron    Luce
Mackinac    Muskegon    Saginaw
Macomb    Newaygo    St. Clair
Manistee    Oakland    St. Joseph
Marquette    Oceana    Sanilac
Mason    Ogemaw    Schoolcraft
Mecosta    Ontonagon    Shiawassee
Menominee    Osceola    Tuscola
Midland    Oscoda    Van Buren
Missaukee    Otsego    Washtenaw
Monroe    Ottawa    Wayne
Montcalm    Presque Isle    Wexford
Montmorency    Roscommon   

MINNESOTA

     
Aitkin    Itasca    Pope
Anoka    Jackson    Ramsey
Becker    Kanabec    Red Lake
Beltrami    Kandiyohi    Redwood
Benton    Kittson    Renville
Big Stone    Koochiching    Rice
Blue Earth    Lac qui Parle    Rock
Brown    Lake    Roseau
Carlton    Lake of the Woods    St. Louis
Carver    Le Sueur    Scott
Cass    Lincoln    Sherburne
Chippewa    Lyon    Sibley
Chisago    McLeod    Steams
Clay    Mahnomen    Steele
Clearwater    Marshall    Stevens
Cook    Martin    Swift
Cottonwood    Meeker    Todd
Crow Wing    Mille Lacs    Traverse
Dakota    Morrison    Wabasha
Dodge    Mower    Wadena
Douglas    Murray    Waseca
Faribault    Nicollet    Washington
Fillmore    Nobles    Watonwan
Freeborn    Norman    Wilkin
Goodhue    Olmsted    Winona
Grant    Otter Tail    Wright
Hennepin    Pennington    Yellow Medicine
Houston    Pine   
Hubbard    Pipestone   
Isanti    Polk   

 

   34    Executive’s Initials              


MISSOURI

     
Adair    Grundy    Perry
Andrew    Harrison    Pettis
Atchison    Henry    Phelps
Audrain    Hickory    Pike
Barry    Holt    Platte
Barton    Howard    Polk
Bates    Howell    Pulaski
Benton    Iron    Putnam
Bollinger    Jackson    Ralls
Boone    Jasper    Randolph
Buchanan    Jefferson    Ray
Butler    Johnson    Reynolds
Caldwell    Knox    Ripley
Callaway    Laclede    St. Charles
Camden    Lafayette    St. Clair
Cape Girardeau    Lawrence    Ste. Genevieve
Carroll    Lewis    St. Francois
Carter    Lincoln    St. Louis
Cass    Linn    St. Louis City
Cedar    Livingston    Saline
Chariton    McDonald    Schuyler
Christian    Macon    Scotland
Clark    Madison    Scott
Clay    Maries    Shannon
Clinton    Marion    Shelby
Cole    Mercer    Stoddard
Cooper    Miller    Stone
Crawford    Mississippi    Sullivan
Dade    Moniteau    Taney
Dallas    Monroe    Texas
Daviess    Montgomery    Vernon
De Kalb    Morgan    Warren
Dent    New Madrid    Washington
Douglas    Newton    Wayne
Dunklin    Nodaway    Webster
Franklin    Oregon    Worth
Gasconade    Osage    Wright
Gentry    Ozark   
Greene    Pemiscot   

MISSISSIPPI

     
Adams    Amite    Benton
Alcorn    Attala    Bolivar

 

   35    Executive’s Initials              


Calhoun    Jefferson Davis    Prentiss
Carroll    Jones    Quitman
Chickasaw    Kemper    Rankin
Choctaw    Lafayette    Scott
Claiborne    Lamar    Sharkey
Clarke    Lauderdale    Simpson
Clay    Lawrence    Smith
Coahoma    Leake    Stone
Copiah    Lee    Sunflower
Covington    Leflore    Tallahatchie
DeSoto    Lincoln    Tate
Forrest    Lowndes    Tippah
Franklin    Madison    Tishomingo
George    Marion    Tunica
Greene    Marshall    Union
Grenada    Monroe    Walthall
Hancock    Montgomery    Warren
Harrison    Neshoba    Washington
Hinds    Newton    Wayne
Holmes    Noxubee    Webster
Humphreys    Oktibbeha    Wilkinson
Issaquena    Panola    Winston
Itawamba    Pearl River    Yalobusha
Jackson    Perry    Yazoo
Jasper    Pike   
Jefferson    Pontotoc   

MONTANA

     
Beaverhead    Glacier    Petroleum
Big Horn    Golden Valley    Phillips
Blaine    Granite    Pondera
Broadwater    Hill    Powder River
Carbon    Jefferson    Powell
Carter    Judith Basin    Prairie
Cascade    Lake    Ravalli
Chouteau    Lewis and Clark    Richland
Custer    Liberty    Roosevelt
Daniels    Lincoln    Rosebud
Dawson    McCone    Sanders
Deer Lodge    Madison    Sheridan
Fallon    Meagher    Silver Bow
Fergus    Mineral    Stillwater
Flathead    Missoula    Sweet Grass
Gallatin    Musselshell    Teton
Garfield    Park    Toole
Treasure    Wheatland    Yellowstone
Valley    Wibaux    Yellowstone National Park

 

   36    Executive’s Initials              


NEBRASKA

     
Adams    Frontier    Nance
Antelope    Furnas    Nemaha
Arthur    Gage    Nuckolls
Banner    Garden    Otoe
Blaine    Garfield    Pawnee
Boone    Gosper    Perkins
Box Butte    Grant    Phelps
Boyd    Greeley    Pierce
Brown    Hall    Platte
Buffalo    Hamilton    Polk
Burt    Harlan    Red Willow
Butler    Hayes    Richardson
Cass    Hitchcock    Rock
Cedar    Holt    Saline
Chase    Hooker    Sarpy
Cherry    Howard    Saunders
Cheyenne    Jefferson    Scotts Bluff
Clay    Johnson    Seward
Colfax    Kearney    Sheridan
Cuming    Keith    Sherman
Custer    Keya Paha    Sioux
Dakota    Kimball    Stanton
Dawes    Knox    Thayer
Dawson    Lancaster    Thomas
Deuel    Lincoln    Thurston
Dixon    Logan    Valley
Dodge    Loupe    Washington
Douglas    McPherson    Wayne
Dundy    Madison    Webster
Fillmore    Merrick    Wheeler
Franklin    Morrill    York

NEVADA

     
Carson City    Humboldt    Pershing
Churchill    Lander    Storey
Clark    Lincoln    Washoe
Douglas    Lyon    White Pine
Elko    Mineral   
Esmeralda    Nye   
Eureka      

NEW HAMPSHIRE

     
Belknap    Grafton    Strafford
Carroll    Hillsborough    Sullivan
Cheshire    Merrimack   
Coos    Rockingham   

 

   37    Executive’s Initials              


NEW JERSEY

     
Atlantic    Gloucester    Ocean
Bergen    Hudson    Passaic
Burlington    Hunterdon    Salem
Camden    Mercer    Somerset
Cape May    Middlesex    Sussex
Cumberland    Monmouth    Union
Essex    Morris    Warren

NEW MEXICO

     
Bernalillo    Harding    Roosevelt
Catron    Hidalgo    Sandoval
Chaves    Lea    San Juan
Cibola    Lincoln    San Miguel
Colfax    Los Alamos    Santa Fe
Curry    Luna    Sierra
De Baca    McKinley    Socorro
Dona Ana    Mora    Taos
Eddy    Otero    Torrance
Grant    Quay    Union
Guadalupe    Rio Arriba    Valencia

NEW YORK

     
Albany    Dutchess    Madison
Allegany    Erie    Monroe
Bronx    Essex    Montgomery
Broome    Franklin    Nassau
Cattaraugus    Fulton    New York
Cayuga    Genesee    Niagara
Chautauqua    Greene    Oneida
Chemung    Hamilton    Onondaga
Chenango    Herkimer    Ontario
Clinton    Jefferson    Orange
Columbia    Kings    Orleans
Cortland    Lewis    Oswego
Delaware    Livingston    Otsego
Putnam    Schoharie    Ulster
Queens    Schuyler    Warren
Rensselaer    Seneca    Washington
Richmond    Steuben    Wayne
Rockland    Suffolk    Westchester
St. Lawrence    Sullivan    Wyoming
Saratoga    Tioga    Yates
Schenectady    Tompkins   

 

   38    Executive’s Initials              


NORTH CAROLINA

     
Alamance    Franklin    Pamlico
Alexander    Gaston    Pasquotank
Alleghany    Gates    Pender
Anson    Graham    Perquimans
Ashe    Granville    Person
Avery    Greene    Pitt
Beaufort    Guilford    Polk
Bertie    Halifax    Randolph
Bladen    Harnett    Richmond
Brunswick    Haywood    Robeson
Buncombe    Henderson    Rockingham
Burke    Hertford    Rowan
Cabarrus    Hoke    Rutherford
Caldwell    Hyde    Sampson
Camden    Iredell    Scotland
Carteret    Jackson    Stanly
Caswell    Johnston    Stokes
Catawba    Jones    Surry
Chatham    Lee    Swain
Cherokee    Lenoir    Transylvania
Chowan    Lincoln    Tyrrell
Clay    McDowell    Union
Cleveland    Macon    Vance
Columbus    Madison    Wake
Craven    Martin    Warren
Cumberland    Mecklenburg    Washington
Currituck    Mitchell    Watauga
Dare    Montgomery    Wayne
Davidson    Moore    Wilkes
Davie    Nash    Wilson
Duplin    New Hanover    Yadkin
Durham    Northampton    Yancey
Edgecombe    Onslow   
Forsyth    Orange   

NORTH DAKOTA

     
Adams    Grant    Ransom
Barnes    Griggs    Renville
Benson    Hettinger    Richland
Billings    Kidder    Rolette
Bottineau    La Moure    Sargent
Bowman    Logan    Sheridan
Burke    McHenry    Sioux
Burleigh    McIntosh    Slope
Cass    McKenzie    Stark
Cavalier    McLean    Steele
Dickey    Mercer    Stutsman

 

   39    Executive’s Initials              


Divide    Morton    Towner
Dunn    Mountrail    Traill
Eddy    Nelson    Walsh
Emmons    Oliver    Ward
Foster    Pembina    Wells
Golden Valley    Pierce    Williams
Grand Forks    Ramsey   

OHIO

     
Adams    Fayette    Lorain
Allen    Franklin    Lucas
Ashland    Fulton    Madison
Ashtabula    Gallia    Mahoning
Athens    Geauga    Marion
Auglaize    Greene    Medina
Belmont    Guernsey    Meigs
Brown    Hamilton    Mercer
Butler    Hancock    Miami
Carroll    Hardin    Monroe
Champaign    Harrison    Montgomery
Clark    Henry    Morgan
Clermont    Highland    Morrow
Clinton    Hocking    Muskingum
Columbiana    Holmes    Noble
Coshocton    Huron    Ottawa
Crawford    Jackson    Paulding
Cuyahoga    Jefferson    Perry
Darke    Knox    Pickaway
Defiance    Lake    Pike
Delaware    Lawrence    Portage
Erie    Licking    Preble
Fairfield    Logan    Putnam
Richland    Summit    Washington
Ross    Trumbull    Wayne
Sandusky    Tuscarawas    Williams
Scioto    Union    Wood
Seneca    Van Wert    Wyandot
Shelby    Vinton   
Stark    Warren   

OKLAHOMA

     
Adair    Grant    Nowata
Alfalfa    Greer    Okfuskee
Atoka    Hannon    Oklahoma
Beaver    Harper    Okmulgee
Beckham    Haskell    Osage
Blaine    Hughes    Ottawa
Bryan    Jackson    Pawnee

 

   40    Executive’s Initials              


Caddo    Jefferson    Payne
Canadian    Johnston    Pittsburg
Carter    Kay    Pontotoc
Cherokee    Kingfisher    Pottawatomie
Choctaw    Kiowa    Pushmataha
Cimarron    Latimer    Roger Mills
Cleveland    Le Flore    Rogers
Coal    Lincoln    Seminole
Comanche    Logan    Sequoyah
Cotton    Love    Stephens
Craig    McClain    Texas
Creek    McCurtain    Tillman
Custer    McIntosh    Tulsa
Delaware    Major    Wagoner
Dewey    Marshall    Washington
Ellis    Mayes    Washita
Garfield    Murray    Woods
Garvin    Muskogee    Woodward
Grady    Noble   

OREGON

     
Baker    Curry    Jackson
Benton    Deschutes    Jefferson
Clackamas    Douglas    Josephine
Clatsop    Gilliam    Klamath
Columbia    Grant    Lake
Coos    Harney    Lane
Crook    Hood River    Lincoln
Linn    Polk    Wallowa
Malheur    Sherman    Wasco
Marion    Tillamook    Washington
Morrow    Umatilla    Wheeler
Multnomah    Union    Yamhill

PENNSYLVANIA

     
Adams    Elk    Montour
Allegheny    Erie    Northampton
Armstrong    Fayette    Northumberland
Beaver    Forest    Perry
Bedford    Franklin    Philadelphia
Berks    Fulton    Pike
Blair    Greene    Potter
Bradford    Huntingdon    Schuylkill
Bucks    Indiana    Snyder
Butler    Jefferson    Somerset
Cambria    Juniata    Sullivan
Cameron    Lackawanna    Susquehanna
Carbon    Lancaster    Tioga

 

   41    Executive’s Initials              


Centre    Lawrence    Union
Chester    Lebanon    Venango
Clarion    Lehigh    Warren
Clearfield    Luzerne    Washington
Clinton    Lycoming    Wayne
Columbia    McKean    Westmoreland
Crawford    Mercer    Wyoming
Cumberland    Mifflin    York
Dauphin    Monroe   
Delaware    Montgomery   

RHODE ISLAND

     
Bristol    Newport    Washington
Kent    Providence   

SOUTH CAROLINA

     
Abbeville    Berkeley    Colleton
Aiken    Calhoun    Darlington
Allendale    Charleston    Dillon
Anderson    Cherokee    Dorchester
Bamberg    Chester    Edgefield
Barnwell    Chesterfield    Fairfield
Beaufort    Clarendon    Florence
Georgetown    Lee    Richland
Greenville    Lexington    Saluda
Greenwood    McCormick    Spartanburg
Hampton    Marion    Sumter
Horry    Marlboro    Union
Jasper    Newberry    Williamsburg
Kershaw    Oconee    York
Lancaster    Orangeburg   
Laurens    Pickens   

SOUTH DAKOTA

     
Aurora    Faulk    Meade
Beadle    Grant    Mellette
Bennett    Gregory    Miner
Bon Homme    Haakon    Minnehaha
Brookings    Hamlin    Moody
Brown    Hand    Pennington
Brule    Hanson    Perkins
Buffalo    Harding    Potter
Butte    Hughes    Roberts
Campbell    Hutchinson    Sanborn
Charles Mix    Hyde    Shannon
Clark    Jackson    Spink
Clay    Jerauld    Stanley

 

   42    Executive’s Initials              


Codington    Jones    Sully
Corson    Kingsbury    Todd
Custer    Lake    Tripp
Davison    Lawrence    Turner
Day    Lincoln    Union
Deuel    Lyman    Walworth
Dewey    McCook    Yankton
Douglas    McPherson    Ziebach
Edmunds    Marshall   
Fall River    Lawrence   

TENNESSEE

     
Anderson    Cannon    Cocke
Bedford    Carroll    Coffee
Benton    Carter    Crockett
Bledsoe    Cheatham    Cumberland
Blount    Chester    Davidson
Bradley    Claiborne    Decatur
Campbell    Clay    DeKalb
Dickson    Knox    Rhea
Dyer    Lake    Roane
Fayette    Lauderdale    Robertson
Fentress    Lawrence    Rutherford
Franklin    Lewis    Scott
Gibson    Lincoln    Sequatchie
Giles    Loudon    Sevier
Grainger    McMinn    Shelby
Greene    McNairy    Smith
Grundy    Macon    Stewart
Hamblen    Madison    Sullivan
Hamilton    Marion    Sumner
Hancock    Marshall    Tipton
Hardeman    Maury    Trousdale
Hardin    Meigs    Unicoi
Hawkins    Monroe    Union
Haywood    Montgomery    Van Buren
Henderson    Moore    Warren
Henry    Morgan    Washington
Hickman    Obion    Wayne
Houston    Overton    Weakley
Humphreys    Perry    White
Jackson    Pickett    Williamson
Jefferson    Polk    Wilson
Johnson    Putnam   

TEXAS

     
Anderson    Bosque    Castro
Andrews    Bowie    Chambers

 

   43    Executive’s Initials              


Angelina    Brazoria    Cherokee
Aransas    Brazos    Childress
Archer    Brewster    Clay
Armstrong    Briscoe    Cochran
Atascosa    Brooks    Coke
Austin    Brown    Coleman
Bailey    Burleson    Collin
Bandera    Burnet    Collingsworth
Bastrop    Caldwell    Colorado
Baylor    Calhoun    Comal
Bee    Callahan    Comanche
Bell    Cameron    Concho
Bexar    Camp    Cooke
Blanco    Carson    Coryell
Borden    Cass    Cottle
Crane    Hansford    Lee
Crockett    Hardeman    Leon
Crosby    Hardin    Liberty
Culberson    Harris    Limestone
Dallam    Harrison    Lipscomb
Dallas    Hartley    Live Oak
Dawson    Haskell    Llano
Deaf Smith    Hays    Loving
Delta    Hemphill    Lubbock
Denton    Henderson    Lynn
De Witt    Hidalgo    McCulloch
Dickens    Hill    McLennan
Dimmit    Hockley    McMullen
Donley    Hood    Madison
Duval    Hopkins    Marion
Eastland    Houston    Martin
Ector    Howard    Mason
Edwards    Hudspeth    Matagorda
Ellis    Hunt    Maverick
El Paso    Hutchinson    Medina
Erath    Irion    Menard
Falls    Jack    Midland
Fannin    Jackson    Milam
Fayette    Jasper    Mills
Fisher    Jeff Davis    Mitchell
Floyd    Jefferson    Montague
Foard    Jim Hogg    Montgomery
Fort Bend    Jim Wells    Moore
Franklin    Johnson    Morris
Freestone    Jones    Motley
Frio    Karnes    Nacogdoches
Gaines    Kaufman    Navarro
Galveston    Kendall    Newton
Garza    Kenedy    Nolan
Gillespie    Kent    Nueces

 

   44    Executive’s Initials              


Glasscock    Kerr    Ochiltree
Goliad    Kimble    Oldham
Gonzales    King    Orange
Gray    Kinney    Palo Pinto
Grayson    Kleberg    Panola
Gregg    Knox    Parker
Grimes    Lamar    Farmer
Guadalupe    Lamb    Pecos
Hale    Lampasas    Polk
Hall    La Salle    Potter
Hamilton    Lavaca    Presidio
Rains    Smith    Van Zandt
Randall    Somervell    Victoria
Reagan    Starr    Walker
Real    Stephens    Waller
Red River    Sterling    Ward
Reeves    Stonewall    Washington
Refugio    Sutton    Webb
Roberts    Swisher    Wharton
Robertson    Tarrant    Wheeler
Rockwall    Taylor    Wichita
Runnels    Terrell    Wilbarger
Rusk    Terry    Willacy
Sabine    Throckmorton    Williamson
San Augustine    Titus    Wilson
San Jacinto    Tom Green    Winkler
San Patricio    Travis    Wise
San Saba    Trinity    Wood
Schleicher    Tyler    Yoakum
Scurry    Upshur    Young
Shackelford    Upton    Zapata
Shelby    Uvalde    Zavala
Sherman    Val Verde   

UTAH

     
Beaver    Iron    Sevier
Box Elder    Juab    Summit
Cache    Kane    Tooele
Carbon    Millard    Uintah
Daggett    Morgan    Utah
Davis    Piute    Wasatch
Duchesne    Rich    Washington
Emery    Salt Lake    Wayne
Garfield    San Juan    Weber
Grand    Sanpete   

 

   45    Executive’s Initials              


VERMONT

     
Addison    Franklin    Rutland
Bennington    Grand Isle    Washington
Caledonia    Lamoille    Windham
Chittenden    Orange    Windso
Essex    Orleans   

VIRGINIA

     
Accomack    Frederick    Nottoway
Albemarle    Fredericksburg    Orange
Alexandria    Galax    Page
Allegheny    Giles    Patrick
Amelia    Gloucester    Petersburg
Amherst    Goochland    Pittsylvania
Appomattox    Grayson    Poquoson
Arlington    Greene    Portsmouth
Augusta    Greensville    Powhatan
Bath    Halifax    Prince Edward
Bedford    Hampton    Prince George
Bland    Harrisonburg    Prince William
Botetourt    Hopewell    Pulaski
Bristol    Hanover    Radford
Brunswick    Henrico    Rappahannock
Buchanan    Henry    Richmond
Buckingham    Highland    Roanoke
Buena Vista    Isle of Wight    Rockbridge
Campbell    James City    Rockingham
Caroline    King and Queen    Russell
Carroll    King George    Salem
Charles City    Kling William    Scott
Charlotte    Lancaster    Shenandoah
Charlottesville    Lee    Smyth
Chesapeake    Lexington    Southampton
Chesterfield    Lynchburg    South Boston
Clarke    Loudoun    Staunton
Clifton Forge    Louisa    Suffolk
Colonial Heights    Lunenburg    Spotsylvania
Covington    Madison    Stafford
Craig    Mathews    Surry
Culpeper    Manassas    Sussex
Cumberland    Manassas Park    Tazewell
Danville    Martinsville    Virginia Beach
Dickenson    Mecklenburg    Warren
Dinwiddie    Middlesex    Washington
Emporia    Montgomery    Waynesboro
Essex    Nelson    Westmoreland
Fairfax    New Kent    Williamsburg
Falls Church    Newport News    Winchester
Fauquier    Norfolk    Wise
Floyd    Northampton    Wythe
Fluvanna    Northumberland    York
Franklin    Norton   

 

   46    Executive’s Initials              


WASHINGTON

     
Adams    Grays Harbor    Pierce
Asotin    Island    San Juan
Benton    Jefferson    Skagit
Chelan    King    Skamania
Clallam    Kitsap    Snohomish
Clark    Kittitas    Spokane
Columbia    Klickitat    Stevens
Cowlitz    Lewis    Thurston
Douglas    Lincoln    Wahkiakum
Ferry    Mason    Walla Walla
Franklin    Okanogan    Whatcom
Garfield    Pacific    Whitman
Grant    Pend Oreille    Yakima

WEST VIRGINIA

     
Barbour    Kanawha    Preston
Berkeley    Lewis    Putnam
Boone    Lincoln    Raleigh
Braxton    Logan    Randolph
Brooke    McDowell    Ritchie
Cabell    Marion    Roane
Calhoun    Marshall    Summers
Clay    Mason    Taylor
Doddridge    Mercer    Tucker
Fayette    Mineral    Tyler
Gilmer    Mingo    Upshur
Grant    Monongalia    Wayne
Greenbrier    Monroe    Webster
Hampshire    Morgan    Wetzel
Hancock    Nicholas    Wirt
Hardy    Ohio    Wood
Harrison    Pendleton    Wyoming
Jackson    Pleasants   
Jefferson    Pocahontas   

WISCONSIN

     
Adams    Brown    Chippewa
Ashland    Buffalo    Clark
Barron    Burnett    Columbia
Bayfield    Calumet    Crawford
Dane    Lafayette    Richland
Dodge    Langlade    Rock
Door    Lincoln    Rusk
Douglas    Manitowoc    St. Croix

 

   47    Executive’s Initials              


Dunn    Marathon    Sauk
Eau Claire    Marinette    Sawyer
Florence    Marquette    Shawano
Fond du Lac    Menominee    Sheboygan
Forest    Milwaukee    Taylor
Grant    Monroe    Trempealeau
Green    Oconto    Vernon
Green Lake    Oneida    Vilas
Iowa    Outagamie    Walworth
Iron    Ozaukee    Washburn
Jackson    Pepin    Washington
Jefferson    Pierce    Waukesha
Juneau    Polk    Waupaca
Kenosha    Portage    Waushara
Kewaunee    Price    Winnebago
La Crosse    Racine    Wood

WYOMING

     
Albany    Hot Springs    Sheridan
Big Horn    Johnson    Sublette
Campbell    Laramie    Sweetwater
Carbon    Lincoln    Teton
Converse    Natrona    Uinta
Crook    Niobrara    Washakie
Fremont    Park    Weston
Goshen    Platte   

Executed by the Parties this ____ day of July, 2017.

 

By:        

 

  Allied Power Management, LLC     Dorsey Ron McCall

 

   48    Executive’s Initials              

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of Charah Solutions, Inc. (1)

 

Entity

  

State of Formation

Charah Sole Member LLC    Delaware
Allied Power Sole Member, LLC    Delaware
Charah, LLC    Kentucky
Allied Power Management, LLC    Delaware
Ash Management Services, LLC    Kentucky
Green Meadow, LLC    North Carolina
Ash Venture LLC    North Carolina
CV Ash, LLC    Texas
Allied Power Services, LLC    Delaware
Allied Plant Services, LLC    Delaware
Allied Power Resources, LLC    Delaware

 

(1) Following the completion of the corporate reorganization described in the prospectus that forms a part of this registration statement.

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated February 5, 2018 relating to the financial statement of Charah Solutions, Inc., appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Louisville, Kentucky

May 18, 2018

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated March 16, 2018 (April 16, 2018 as to Note 9 and the correction of immaterial error disclosed in Note 2) relating to the combined financial statements of Charah, LLC and its subsidiaries and Allied Power Management, LLC and its subsidiaries, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Louisville, Kentucky

May 18, 2018

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

/s/ Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Name:   Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
Date:   April 12, 2018

Exhibit 23.5

CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

 

/s/ Jack Blossman
Name:   Jack Blossman
Date:   May 1, 2018

Exhibit 23.6

CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

/s/ Brian Ferraioli
Name:   Brian Ferraioli
Date:   April 12, 2018

Exhibit 23.7

CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

/s/ Robert Flexon
Name:   Robert Flexon
Date:   May 10, 2018

Exhibit 23.8

CONSENT OF DIRECTOR NOMINEE

Charah Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in connection with the initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock. In connection with the IPO, I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named as a nominee to the board of directors of the Company in the Registration Statement, as may be amended from time to time. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

 

/s/ Stephen Tritch
Name:   Stephen Tritch
Date:   April 12, 2018