UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

June 6, 2018 (May 31, 2018)

 

 

Covia Holdings Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-38510   13-2656671

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

8834 Mayfield Road, Chesterland, Ohio   44026
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Telephone: (800) 255-7263

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Unimin Corporation

258 Elm Street, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On June 1, 2018, Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation and referred to herein as the “Company”), consummated the business combination transaction contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2017 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Fairmount Santrol”), SCR-Sibelco NV, a privately owned Belgian company (“Sibelco”), Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub LLC”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on June 1, 2018, Merger Sub merged with and into Fairmount Santrol, with Fairmount Santrol continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”), followed immediately by the merger of Fairmount Santrol with and into Merger Sub LLC, with Merger Sub LLC continuing as the surviving entity and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Second Merger”).

Upon the consummation of the Merger and the Second Merger, Fairmount Santrol became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, the former shareholders of Fairmount Santrol received approximately 35% of the common stock of the Company and cash consideration of $170 million, Sibelco owned approximately 65% of the common stock of the Company, and the Company’s common stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “CVIA.”

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Contribution Agreement

On May 31, 2018, the Company entered into a business contribution agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), by and among the Company, Sibelco and Sibelco North America, Inc. (“HPQ Co”), pursuant to which the Company contributed assets comprising its global high purity quartz mining and production business to HPQ Co in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of HPQ Co and the assumption by HPQ Co of certain liabilities relating to the transferred assets.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Contribution Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Contribution Agreement” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-224228), as amended (the “Form S-4”), initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 11, 2018 and declared effective by the Commission on April 26, 2018. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Contribution Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Contribution Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.2.

Redemption Agreement

On May 31, 2018, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the Company entered into a redemption agreement (the “Redemption Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company sold all of the shares of HPQ Co to Sibelco in exchange for the redemption of 169,550 shares of common stock of the Company held by Sibelco, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Redemption Agreement.

The description of the Redemption Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Redemption Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.

Tax Matters Agreement

On May 31, 2018, the Company entered into a tax matters agreement (the “Tax Matters Agreement”), by and among the Company, Sibelco and HPQ Co, governing their respective rights, responsibilities and obligations relating to tax liabilities, the filing of tax returns, the control of tax contests and other tax matters.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Tax Matters Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Tax Matters Agreement” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Tax Matters Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Tax Matters Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2.

Stockholders Agreement

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a stockholders agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco. The Stockholders Agreement contains various provisions relating to, among other things,

 

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representation on the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), certain transactions involving Sibelco requiring approval of independent directors nominated by Fairmount Santrol, preemptive rights, certain limitations on the disposal or transfer of shares of common stock of the Company by Sibelco, certain standstill limitations and ownership caps, and certain information rights.

In accordance with the Stockholders Agreement, from June 1, 2018 until the day following the third annual meeting of stockholders of the Company following June 1, 2018, Sibelco will vote all voting shares of Company common stock owned by it, and take all other necessary actions within its control, and the Company and its directors will take all necessary actions within its and their control:

 

    to ensure that the number of directors constituting the Board is fixed at 13 directors;

 

    prior to the Trigger Date (as defined below), to nominate and vote to elect as directors

 

    the seven directors nominated by Sibelco, who initially are Kurt Decat, Jean-Luc Deleersnyder, Michel Delloye, Jean-Pierre Labroue, Olivier Lambrechts, Richard A. Navarre and Jeffrey Scofield;

 

    the five directors nominated by Fairmount Santrol, who initially are William E. Conway, Charles D. Fowler, Stephen J. Hadden, William P. Kelly and Matthew F. LeBaron; and

 

    the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, from time to time; and

 

    from and after the Trigger Date,

 

    to cause the number of directors nominated by Sibelco to be reduced so that the number of directors nominated by Sibelco is at all times equal to the product of (x) Sibelco’s percentage ownership of outstanding shares of Company common stock and (y) the total number of directors authorized to serve on the Board (rounded down to the nearest whole number); and

 

    to nominate and vote to elect as directors:

 

    the number of directors nominated by Sibelco calculated as described above (reflecting Sibelco’s percentage ownership of outstanding shares of Company common stock);

 

    the number of individuals equal to the difference between 12 (or 10, if Sibelco has made an election prior to the Trigger Date to reduce the size of the Board in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement, as discussed below) and the number of directors nominated by Fairmount Santrol in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement; and

 

    the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, from time to time.

The “Trigger Date” is defined as the earlier of (i) the close of business on the 10 th business day following the date on which Sibelco and its affiliates no longer beneficially own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Company common stock and (ii) the close of business on the business day following the public announcement by Sibelco that Sibelco has made an election that the “Trigger Date” has occurred.

In addition, under the Stockholders Agreement, Sibelco has a right, by giving written notice to the Company, to elect to reduce the number of directors constituting the Board from 13 to 11 (by removing one director nominated by Sibelco and one director nominated by Fairmount Santrol) with effect from either (A) the day following the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company following June 1, 2018 or (B) the day following the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company following June 1, 2018.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Stockholders Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Stockholders Agreement” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Stockholders Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Stockholders Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1.

Registration Rights Agreement

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which and subject to the limitations contained therein, Sibelco received certain demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to its shares of common stock of the Company.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Registration Rights Agreement” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.2.

 

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Distribution Agreements

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into two distribution agreements (the “Distribution Agreements”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company will be the exclusive distributor in North America and Mexico with respect to Sibelco’s products for the tiles and engobes industry (sodium feldspar chips and shredded/blended ball clay) while Sibelco will be the exclusive distributor throughout the world with respect to the products of the Company for the performance coatings and polymer solutions industries (nepheline flour, microcrystalline silica flour and ground kaolin).

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Distribution Agreements can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Distribution Agreements” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Distribution Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Distribution Agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4.

Agency Agreements

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into two exclusive agency agreements (the “Agency Agreements”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which each party will provide exclusive agency services with respect to certain of the other party’s products sold into defined industries and geographic areas.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Agency Agreements can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Agency Agreements” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Agency Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Agency Agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.5 and 10.6.

Non-Compete Agreement

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a non-compete agreement (the “Non-Compete Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company and Sibelco agreed to refrain from selling, marketing, distributing or producing certain products within defined markets and territories, and Sibelco was provided a right of first offer with respect to certain acquisitions and investment opportunities of the Company.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the Non-Compete Agreement can be found in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Relationship with Sibelco—Non-Compete Agreement” in the Form S-4. This description is incorporated by reference herein. The description of the Non-Compete Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Non-Compete Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.7.

Transition Services Agreements

On May 31, 2018, the Company entered into a transition services agreement (the “HPQ Transition Services Agreement”), by and between the Company and HPQ Co, pursuant to which HPQ Co will provide information technology transition services to the Company, and the Company will provide certain transition services to HPQ Co, including operations, information technology, consulting, supply chain, procurement, finance, communications and human resources services. The recipient of the transition services will pay a fee to the provider of such transition services, which fee is generally intended to allow the provider to recover all of its direct and indirect costs, generally without profit. The initial term of the transition services to be provided by HPQ Co to the Company is seven months. The initial term of the transition services to be provided by the Company to HPQ Co will range from one to 24 months, depending of the type of services being provided. The initial term may be extended as set forth on the schedules the HPQ Transition Services Agreement (subject to earlier termination under certain circumstances).

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a transition services agreement (the “Sibelco Transition Services Agreement” and, together with the HPQ Transition Services Agreement, the “Transition Services Agreements”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which Sibelco will provide certain information technology transition services to the Company. The Company, acting as the recipient of transition services, will pay a fee to Sibelco, which fee is generally intended to allow Sibelco to recover all of its direct and indirect costs, generally without profit. The initial term of the transition services will range from one to 24 months, depending of the type of services being provided. The initial term may be extended as set forth on the schedules the Sibelco Transition Services Agreement (subject to earlier termination under certain circumstances).

 

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The Transition Services Agreements provide for indemnification obligations by each of the parties with the maximum aggregate liability for each transition service not exceeding the total amount paid by the recipient with respect to such transition service as of the date the indemnification claim is submitted to the indemnifying party.

The description of the Transition Services Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Transition Services Agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.8 and 10.9.

Credit Agreement

On June 1, 2018, the Company entered into a Credit and Guarantee Agreement with a group of banks, financial institutions and other entities, with Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a $1.65 billion term loan and a $200 million revolving credit facility.

Term Loan . The term loan will mature on June 1, 2025 and will amortize in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 1% per year beginning with the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date of the facilities, with the balance due at maturity. Loans under the term loan must be prepaid with, subject to various exceptions, limitations and qualifications, (a) 100% of the net proceeds of all non-ordinary course asset sales and insurance proceeds, (b) 100% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of indebtedness and (c) 50% of annual excess cash flow (with stepdowns to 25% and 0% based on total net leverage ratio levels). Voluntary prepayments of the term loan are permitted at any time without premium or penalty other than (a) customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR borrowings and (b) a 1.00% call protection premium applicable to certain “repricing transactions” occurring on or prior to the date that is six months after the closing date of the facilities.

Revolving Credit Facility . The revolving credit facility will mature on June 1, 2023. Voluntary reductions of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility commitment may be made at any time. The revolving credit facility includes a total net leverage ratio covenant, to be tested on a quarterly basis, commencing with the first full fiscal quarter after the closing date of the facilities, of no more than 4.50:1.00, to step down to 4.00:1.00 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Interest . Interest on both facilities will accrue at a per annum rate of either (at the option of the Company) (1) LIBOR plus a spread or (2) the alternate base rate plus a spread. The spread will vary depending on the Company’s total net leverage ratio (the ratio of debt (less up to $150 million of cash) to EBITDA for the most recent four fiscal quarter period), as follows:

 

     Initial Term Loans   Revolving Loans

Total Net Leverage Ratio

   Applicable
Margin for

LIBOR Loans
  Applicable
Margin for

ABR Loans
  Applicable
Margin for
LIBOR Loans
  Applicable
Margin for
ABR Loans

Greater than or equal to 2.5x

       4.00 %       3.00 %       3.75 %       2.75 %

Greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.5x

       3.75 %       2.75 %       3.50 %       2.50 %

Greater than or equal to 1.5x and less than 2.0x

       3.50 %       2.50 %       3.25 %       2.25 %

Less than 1.5x

       3.25 %       2.25 %       3.00 %       2.00 %

Representations, Warranties and Covenants . The facilities contain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, negative covenants and events of default. Negative covenants include, among others, limitations on debt, liens, asset sales, mergers, consolidations and fundamental changes, dividends and repurchases of equity securities, repayments or redemptions of subordinated debt, investments, transactions with affiliates, restrictions on granting liens to secure obligations, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, changes in the conduct of the business, amendments and waivers in organizational documents and junior debt instruments, and changes in fiscal year.

Guarantees and Security . The term loan and the revolving credit facility are guaranteed by all of the Company’s wholly owned material restricted subsidiaries (including Fairmount Santrol (and its successor, Merger Sub LLC) and all of the wholly owned material restricted subsidiaries of Fairmount Santrol), subject to certain exceptions. In addition, subject to various exceptions, the facilities are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and each other guarantor, including but not limited to (a) a perfected first-priority pledge of all of the capital stock held by the Company or any other guarantor of each existing or subsequently acquired or organized wholly owned restricted subsidiary of the Company (no more than 65% of the voting stock of any foreign subsidiary) and (b) perfected first-priority security interests in substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and each guarantor.

Incremental Facility . The Credit Agreement permits the Company to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase the commitments under the revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to the sum of (x) $250 million, plus (y) an amount of incremental facilities so that, after giving effect to any such incremental facility, on a pro forma basis, the total net leverage ratio would not exceed 2.75:1.00, plus (z) an amount equal to all voluntary prepayments of the term loan. In addition to incremental term loan facilities and revolving credit facility increases, this incremental credit capacity can be utilized in the form of (a) senior unsecured notes or loans, subject to a pro forma total net

 

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leverage ratio of up to 3.75:1.00, (b) senior secured notes or loans that are secured by the collateral on a junior basis, subject to a pro forma total net leverage ratio of up to 3.25:1.00, or (c) senior secured notes that are secured by the collateral on a pari passu basis, subject to a pro forma total net leverage ratio of up to 2.75:1.00.

Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the term loan were used to repay debt of Fairmount Santrol, to repay debt of the Company (including debt incurred to fund the Cash Redemption (as defined below)), to pay the cash consideration to Fairmount Santrol stockholders under the Merger Agreement and to pay transaction costs for the Merger.

The description of the Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement and the Pledge and Security Agreement, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.10 and 10.11.

Material Relationships

Certain of the agreements described above are between the Company and Sibelco, Sibelco North America, Inc. and/or Sibelco Nederland N.V. Sibelco owns approximately 65% of the Company’s common stock and has the right to appoint seven of 13 directors of the Company. Sibelco North America, Inc. and Sibelco Nederland N.V. are wholly owned subsidiaries of Sibelco.

The information set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report, to the extent applicable, is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the Merger, the Company repaid $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.48% Senior Notes, Series D, issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, at 100% of their principal amount, plus a make-whole amount. In connection with the repayment, the Note Purchase Agreement was terminated in accordance with its terms.

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the Merger, the Company repaid approximately $12.6 million of net borrowings from Silfin NV, a subsidiary of Sibelco (“Silfin”), including borrowings under (i) the loan agreement between the Company and Silfin entered into in July 2014, (ii) the loan agreement between the Company and Silfin entered into in February 2017 and (iii) the overdraft credit facility between the Company and Silfin entered into in July 2016. In connection with the repayments, the loan agreements and the overdraft credit agreement with Silfin were terminated in accordance with their terms.

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the Merger, Fairmount Santrol repaid approximately (i) $705.9 million of borrowings (including accrued and unpaid interest thereon) under Fairmount Santrol’s senior secured term loan agreement, dated as of November 1, 2017, by and among Fairmount Santrol, Barclays Capital Inc., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, and (ii) $35.1 million of borrowings (including accrued and unpaid interest thereon) under Fairmount Santrol’s five-year asset-based revolving credit facility, dated as of November 1, 2017, by and among Fairmount Santrol, PNC Capital Markets LLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto. In connection with the repayment, Fairmount Santrol’s senior secured term loan and asset-backed revolving credit facility were terminated in accordance with their terms.

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Items 1.01 and 1.02 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

Completion of HPQ Carveout

On May 31, 2018, the Company contributed the assets comprising its global high purity quartz mining and production business to HPQ Co (the “HPQ Contribution”), in exchange for all of the stock of HPQ Co and the assumption by HPQ Co of the liabilities related to the business being transferred, in accordance with the Contribution Agreement. The transaction also included certain personnel and assets historically part of the Company that support coatings and polymers sales and research activities together with certain related intellectual property. The Company then sold 100% of the stock of HPQ Co to Sibelco in exchange for 169,550 shares of Company common stock held by Sibelco, in accordance with the Redemption Agreement (the “HPQ Redemption”). The HPQ Contribution and the HPQ Redemption are referred to collectively as the “HPQ Carveout.”

The HPQ Carveout constituted a significant disposition for purposes of Item 2.01 of Form 8-K. Pro forma financial information of the Company giving effect to the HPQ Carveout required by Item 9.01 is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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Completion of the Merger

On June 1, 2018, Merger Sub merged with and into Fairmount Santrol, with Fairmount Santrol continuing as the surviving corporation, followed immediately by the merger of Fairmount Santrol with and into Merger Sub LLC, with Merger Sub LLC continuing as the surviving entity and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of common stock of Fairmount Santrol (“Fairmount Santrol common stock”) was converted into the right to receive (i) 0.20 fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock the Company with cash paid in lieu of fractional shares, if any, without interest, and (ii) approximately $0.73 in cash. The issuance of Company common stock in connection with the Merger was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to the Form S-4. The proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form S-4 contains additional information about the Merger.

Upon the closing of the Merger, the Company’s common stock was approved for listing on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “CVIA” and began trading on June 1, 2018. Shares of Fairmount Santrol common stock, which previously traded under the ticker symbol “FSMA” on the NYSE, ceased trading on June 1, 2018.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Annex A to the Form S-4 and is incorporated herein by reference. A more complete description of the Merger Agreement is included in the Form S-4 in the section entitled “The Merger Agreement” and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company’s press release, dated June 1, 2018, announcing the consummation of the Merger, is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Intellectual Property Agreements

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company entered into a trademark license agreement (the “Trademark License Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company granted a worldwide (excluding North America and Mexico), royalty-free, non-exclusive license to Sibelco and its affiliates to use certain marks (including but not limited to the DUSTSHIELD and DST marks) in connection with industrial minerals and certain specified services. In addition, the Company granted Sibelco and its affiliates a royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use the DUSTSHIELD and DST marks in connection with the industrial minerals and certain specified services in North America and Mexico. The license conferred to Sibelco is perpetual unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the Trademark License Agreement.

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company entered into a trademark assignment agreement (the “Trademark Assignment Agreement”), by and between the Company and Sibelco Nederland N.V. (“Sibelco Nederland”), pursuant to which the Company assigned certain trademarks to Sibelco Nederland.

On June 1, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company entered into six patent license agreements (the “Patent License Agreements”), by and between the Company and Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company granted Sibelco and its affiliates a worldwide (subject to certain restrictions contained in some of the Patent License Agreements), royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use certain patents.

The description of the Trademark License Agreement, the Trademark Assignment Agreement and the Patent License Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of these agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.12-10.19.

Cash Redemption

As disclosed in the Form S-4, prior to the consummation of the Merger, the Company entered into a redemption agreement (the “Stock Redemption Agreement”) and an intercompany note (the “Intercompany Note”) with Sibelco, pursuant to which the Company redeemed 208,089 shares of its common stock held by Sibelco in exchange for an obligation of the Company to pay Sibelco approximately $520 million on June 1, 2018. This obligation was satisfied in connection with the closing of the Merger on June 1, 2018. The redemption was financed with the proceeds of the Credit Agreement.

The description of the Stock Redemption Agreement and the Intercompany Note does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of these agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.20 and 10.21.

Copies of the Merger Agreement and the other agreements filed herewith have been made available in order to provide investors and security holders with information regarding their terms. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about the registrant or Fairmount Santrol. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement and the other agreements filed herewith have been made solely for the purposes of those agreements and as of the specific dates therein, were solely for the benefit of parties thereto, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties thereto instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to stockholders. Investors and security holders are not third-party beneficiaries under the Merger Agreement or the other agreements filed herewith and should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the parties thereto or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may have changed after the dates of the Merger Agreement or the other agreements filed herewith.

 

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

The information under “Credit Agreement” set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report (and, to the extent applicable, the information under “Cash Redemption” set forth in Item 2.01 of this Current Report) is incorporated by reference in this Item 2.03.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

The information set forth in Items 2.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.03.

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

Board of Directors

Upon the closing of the Merger and pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the size of the Board was increased from three to 13 directors and the following individuals became directors of the Company:

 

    seven directors nominated by the Company, comprised of Richard A. Navarre, Kurt Decat, Jean-Luc Deleersnyder, Michel Delloye, Jean-Pierre Labroue, Olivier Lambrechts and Jeffrey Scofield;

 

    five directors nominated by Fairmount Santrol, comprised of William E. Conway, Charles D. Fowler, Stephen J. Hadden, William P. Kelly and Matthew F. LeBaron; and

 

    Jenniffer D. Deckard, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

The Board confirmed Richard A. Navarre’s appointment as the Chairman of the Board of the Company.

On June 5, 2018, the Board established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Governance Committee and an Executive Committee and appointed the following directors to serve as members of the committees:

Audit Committee

 

    Richard A. Navarre (Chairperson)

 

    Michel Delloye

 

    Stephen J. Hadden

Compensation Committee

 

    Jean-Pierre Labroue (Chairperson)

 

    Jeffrey Scofield

 

    William P. Kelly

Governance Committee

 

    William E. Conway (Chairperson)

 

    Jean-Pierre Labroue

 

    Charles D. Fowler

Executive Committee

 

    Richard A. Navarre (Chairperson)

 

    Jenniffer D. Deckard

 

    Kurt Decat

 

    Jean-Luc Deleersnyder

 

    Olivier Lambrechts

 

    Matthew F. LeBaron

On June 1, 2018, Messrs. Campbell J. Jones and Andrew D. Eich, who were members of the Board immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, resigned from the Board (but continued to serve as executive officers of the Company as described below). Mr. Deleersnyder, who was a member of the Board immediately prior to the closing of the Merger, continued as a director of the Company.

 

8


Mr. Deleersnyder is the Chief Executive Officer of Sibelco, Mr. Decat is the Chief Financial Officer of Sibelco and Mr. Lambrechts is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Development of Sibelco. Sibelco owns approximately 65% of the common stock of the Company and has the right to appoint seven of the 13 members of the Board. For a description of transactions between the Company and Sibelco, see the agreements and matters described herein under Item 1.01, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers

On June 1, 2018, upon the closing of the Merger, the previously announced appointments of the Company’s executive officers became effective. The names of the Company’s executive officers, including those who were appointed or promoted effective upon the consummation of the Merger, and their respective positions are indicated below:

 

    Jenniffer D. Deckard, President and Chief Executive Officer;

 

    Gerald L. Clancey, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer;

 

    Andrew D. Eich, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (previously, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of the Company);

 

    Campbell J. Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (previously, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company); and

 

    Brian J. Richardson, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer.

Information about each of the executive officers, including their business experience, is set forth in the Form S-4 in the section captioned “Management and Corporate Governance of the Combined Company After the Merger—Management of the Combined Company.” Information about employment agreements, change in control agreements and completion bonus agreements of Messrs. Campbell and Eich can be found in the sections entitled “Unimin Compensation Information—Employment Agreements and Severance Letter” and “Unimin Compensation Information—Completion Bonus Letter Agreements; Change in Control Agreements” in the Form S-4 and is incorporated herein by reference. Additional information about Ms. Deckard and Messrs. Clancey and Richardson and their compensation is set forth in Item 10 of Fairmount Santrol’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and under “Interests of Fairmount Santrol’s Directors and Officers in the Merger” and “Advisory Vote on Merger-Related Compensation for Fairmount Santrol’s Named Executive Officers” in the Form S-4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification Agreements

On June 5, 2018, the Board adopted a form of indemnification agreement for directors and officers of the Company. The indemnification agreements provide, to the fullest extent permitted under law, indemnification against all expenses (as defined in the indemnification agreements), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement relating to, arising out of or resulting from indemnitee’s status as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the Company’s request. In addition, the indemnification agreements provide that the Company will advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the expenses incurred by the indemnitee in connection with any proceeding, and such advancement will be made within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any proceeding.

The description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.22.

Compensatory Plans

In connection with the closing of the Merger, the Company assumed sponsorship of certain of Fairmount Santrol’s compensatory plans, including each of (i) the Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, (ii) the FMSA Holdings Inc. Stock Option Plan and (iii) the FMSA Holdings Inc. Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (collectively, the “Plans”), and also assumed the outstanding awards granted under each of the Plans and the award agreements evidencing the grants of such awards, in each case subject to applicable adjustments in the manner set forth in the Merger Agreement. Copies of the Plans and related award agreements are filed herewith as Exhibits 10.24 through 10.40 and are incorporated herein by reference.

2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan

In connection with the closing of the Merger, the Company adopted the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2018 Incentive Plan”), which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and other cash-based awards. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as others performing consulting or advisory services for the Company, will be eligible for grants under the 2018 Incentive Plan.

 

9


With respect to awards granted under the 2018 Incentive Plan that are based on the attainment of performance goals, the Company may base the performance goals on one or more measures including, but not limited to, the measures listed on Exhibit 99.3.

A description of the material terms and conditions of the 2018 Incentive Plan can be found in the section entitled “Unimin Compensation Information—Description of 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan” in the Form S-4. The description of the 2018 Incentive Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2018 Incentive Plan, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.23.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws

In accordance with the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware to, among other amendments, change the name of the Company to “Covia Holdings Corporation,” change the par value of the Company’s common stock to $0.01 and effect an 89.0403467639676 for 1 stock split. In addition, the Company adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws. A description of the material terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws can be found in the sections entitled “Description of Combined Company Common Stock” and “Comparison of Stockholder Rights Before and After the Merger” in the Form S-4. The descriptions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Items 1.01, 2.01, 5.02 and 5.03 of this Current Report is incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the Merger, on May 31, 2018, Sibelco, as the sole shareholder of the Company prior to the closing of the Merger, approved (i) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company reflecting, among other amendments, the change of the Company’s name to “Covia Holdings Corporation,” the change of the par value of the Company’s common stock to $0.01 and an 89.0403467639676 for 1 stock split of the Company’s common stock, (ii) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, (iii) the issuance of the Company’s common stock to Fairmount Santrol stockholders pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (iv) the reservation and authorization for issuance to holders of certain Fairmount Santrol equity awards of the Company’s common stock pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (v) the 2018 Incentive Plan, (vi) the reservation and authorization for issuance of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the 2018 Incentive Plan, (vii) the election of Ms. Deckard and Messrs. Conway, Decat, Deleersnyder, Delloye, Fowler, Hadden, Kelly, Labroue, Lambrechts, LeBaron, Navarre and Scofield as directors of the Company upon the closing of the Merger and (viii) entry into the Merger-related agreements referenced in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Financial Statements of Business Acquired

The consolidated financial statements of Fairmount Santrol as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the three years ended December 31, 2017 are incorporated herein by reference to pages 74-110 and page 116 in Fairmount Santrol’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Commission on March 13, 2018, as amended on April 16, 2018 and April 23, 2018.

The condensed consolidated financial statements of Fairmount Santrol as of March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are incorporated herein by reference to pages 3 to 33 in Fairmount Santrol’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2018, filed with the Commission on May 10, 2018.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements of the Company giving effect to the Merger and related transactions as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 are incorporated herein by reference to pages 100 to 110 in the Form S-4. As permitted by Item 9.01(b)(2) of Form 8-K, pro forma financial statements of the Company giving effect to the Merger and related transactions as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, required by Item 9.01(b) of Form 8-K, will be filed by amendment no later than 71 calendar days after the date this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company giving effect to the HPQ Carveout for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

10


Exhibits

The exhibits listed on the exhibit index at the end of this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

11


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December  11, 2017, by and among Unimin Corporation, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., SCR-Sibelco NV, Bison Merger Sub, Inc. and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. filed with the Commission on December 12, 2017).
2.2    Business Contribution Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, by and among Unimin Corporation, SCR-Sibelco NV and Sibelco North America, Inc.
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Covia Holdings Corporation.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Covia Holdings Corporation.
4.1    Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among Covia Holdings Corporation, SCR-Sibelco NV and the other parties named therein.
4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.1    Redemption Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, by and between Unimin Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.2    Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, by and between Unimin Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.3    Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.4    Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.5    Exclusive Agency Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.6    Exclusive Agency Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.7    Non-Compete Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.8    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018, by and between Unimin Corporation and Sibelco North America, Inc.
10.9    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.10    Credit and Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June  1, 2018, by and among Covia Holdings Corporation, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, and the other parties named therein.
10.11    Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among Covia Holdings Corporation, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and the other parties named therein.
10.12    Trademark License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.13    Trademark Assignment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and Sibelco Nederland NV.
10.14    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.15    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.16    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.

 

12


10.17    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.18    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.19    Patent License Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.20    Redemption Agreement, related to the Cash Redemption, by and between Unimin Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.21    Intercompany Note, related to the Cash Redemption, by and between Unimin Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV.
10.22    Form of Indemnification Agreement.
10.23    2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Covia Holdings Corporation.
10.24    Form of FMSA Holdings Inc. Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.25    Form of Stock Option Agreement for FMSA Holdings Inc. Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.26    Amendment I to the FMSA Holdings Inc. Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.27    Form of FMSA Holdings Inc. Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.28    Form of Stock Option Agreement for FMSA Holdings Inc. Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.29    Amendment I to the FMSA Holdings Inc. Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.30    Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on April 6, 2017).
10.31    Form of Stock Option Agreement for FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.32    Form of Notice of Grant of Stock Option for FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.33    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.34    Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Unit for FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on September 18, 2014).
10.35    Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Stock Option Agreements under the FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on December 16, 2015).

 

13


10.36    Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Restricted Stock Unit Agreements under the FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on December 16, 2015).
10.37    Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Stock Option Agreements under FMSA Holdings Inc. 2006 Long Term Incentive Compensatory Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on November 3, 2016).
10.38    Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Stock Option Agreements under FMSA Holdings Inc. 2010 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on November 3, 2016).
10.39    Amended and Restated Omnibus Amendment to Outstanding Stock Option Agreements under FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Fairmont Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on November 3, 2016).
10.40    Amendment No. 1 to the FMSA Holdings Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, dated February  1, 2017, by Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the annual report on Form 10-K of Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., filed with the Commission on March 9, 2017).
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm of Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.
99.1    Press Release, dated June 1, 2018.
99.2    Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements of Covia Holdings Corporation, giving effect to the HPQ Carveout, for the years ended December  31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018.
99.3    Performance Measures for purposes of the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Covia Holdings Corporation.

Schedules and exhibits have been omitted from Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2 in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit upon request, subject to the registrant’s right to request confidential treatment of any requested schedule or exhibit.

 

14


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    Covia Holdings Corporation
Dated: June 6, 2018     By:  

/s/ Andrew D. Eich

      Name: Andrew D. Eich
     

Title:   Executive Vice President and

            Chief Financial Officer

 

15

Exhibit 2.2

SCR-SIBELCO NV

UNIMIN CORPORATION

and

SIBELCO NORTH AMERICA, INC.

 

 

BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

 

Dated as of May 31, 2018


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION      2  

Section 1.1

 

Definitions

     2  

Section 1.2

 

Construction

     9  
ARTICLE 2 THE TRANSACTION      10  

Section 2.1

 

Contribution of Transferred Assets

     10  

Section 2.2

 

Assumption of Assumed Liabilities

     10  

Section 2.3

 

Value of Capital Contribution

     10  

Section 2.4

 

Closing

     10  

Section 2.5

 

Share Issuance

     10  

Section 2.6

 

Redemption

     11  

Section 2.7

 

Consents

     11  
ARTICLE 3 EMPLOYEE MATTERS      12  

Section 3.1

 

Transfer by the Transferor

     12  

Section 3.2

 

Cooperation of Transferor and Transferee

     12  

Section 3.3

 

Welfare Plan Matters; Recognition of Service Credit Under Transferor’s Plans; Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and Crediting of Deductibles

     12  

Section 3.4

 

Employee Records

     13  

Section 3.5

 

Accrued Salary and Paid Time Off

     13  

Section 3.6

 

Accrued Bonuses; Long Term Incentive Plan

     13  

Section 3.7

 

Flexible Spending Arrangements

     13  

Section 3.8

 

Tax-Qualified Defined Contribution/Profit Sharing Plans

     14  

Section 3.9

 

Self-Insured Transferor Plan Liabilities

     14  

Section 3.10

 

Workers’ and Unemployment Compensation

     14  

Section 3.11

 

Company Car Leases

     15  

 

i


Section 3.12

 

Employee Tax Matters

     15  

Section 3.13

 

Collectively Bargained Employees

     15  

Section 3.14

 

No Obligation

     16  
ARTICLE 4 INDEMNIFICATION      16  

Section 4.1

 

Indemnification by the Transferor

     16  

Section 4.2

 

Indemnification by the Transferee

     16  

Section 4.3

 

Calculation of Losses

     16  

Section 4.4

 

Mitigation of Losses

     17  

Section 4.5

 

Third Party Claims; Notice of Direct Claims

     17  

Section 4.6

 

Exclusivity of Remedies

     18  

Section 4.7

 

Double Recovery

     19  
ARTICLE 5 TAXES      19  
ARTICLE 6 GENERAL PROVISIONS      19  

Section 6.1

 

Representations or Warranties

     19  

Section 6.2

 

Further Assurances

     19  

Section 6.3

 

Notices

     20  

Section 6.4

 

Amendment and Waivers

     22  

Section 6.5

 

Entire Agreement

     22  

Section 6.6

 

Assignment, Successors and Third Party Rights

     22  

Section 6.7

 

Severability

     23  

Section 6.8

 

Schedules

     23  

Section 6.9

 

Expenses

     23  

Section 6.10

 

Governing Law

     23  

Section 6.11

 

Specific Performance

     23  

Section 6.12

 

Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

     23  

 

ii


Section 6.13

 

Counterparts

     24  

Exhibits

EXHIBIT A – FORM OF REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

 

iii


BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

This BUSINESS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), dated as of May 31, 2018 by and between SCR-SIBELCO NV, a Belgian public company ( Sibelco ), UNIMIN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Sibelco (the Transferor ) and Sibelco North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Transferor (the Transferee ). Sibelco, the Transferor and the Transferee are each referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Transferor and Sibelco have entered into an agreement and plan of merger, dated as of December 11, 2017 (the Merger Agreement ) with Bison Merger Sub, Inc. ( Merger Sub ), Bison Merger Sub I, LLC ( Merger Sub LLC ) and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. (the Company ), pursuant to which Sibelco, the Transferor, Merger Sub, Merger Sub LLC and the Company will effect: (i) a business combination through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the Merger ), with the Company surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Transferor; and (ii) a further business combination through the second merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub LLC (the Second Merger and, together with the Merger, the Mergers ) immediately following the consummation of the Merger, with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Transferor;

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Mergers, the Transferor and the Transferee desire to enter into this Agreement pursuant to which the Transferor will convey and contribute certain assets to the Transferee solely in exchange for 999 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Transferee (the Shares ) and the assumption of certain liabilities relating to such assets, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (the Contribution );

WHEREAS, prior to the time the Mergers become effective pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the Effective Time ), after the Contribution, the Transferor will distribute 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Transferee solely in exchange for 169,550 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Transferor ( Transferor Common Stock ) held by Sibelco, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (the Redemption ); and

WHEREAS, the Transferor and the Transferee intend that the Contribution and Redemption qualify as a tax-free transaction pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(D) and Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ).

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound and in consideration of the mutual provisions set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 


ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Section  1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise, and will be construed in accordance with the rules promulgated under the Securities Act; provided , however, that none of the Transferor or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, on the one hand, shall be considered an Affiliate of Sibelco or the Transferee or any of their respective wholly owned Subsidiaries, on the other hand.

Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Applicable Law means any supra-national, federal, national, state, municipal or local statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order (whether executive, legislative, judicial or otherwise), judgment, injunction, notice, decree or other requirement or rule of law or legal process (including common law), or any other order of, or agreement issued, promulgated or entered into by, any Governmental Authority.

Assignment has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2 .

Assumed Indebtedness means Indebtedness under instruments evidencing Indebtedness that are primarily related to the Business or the Transferred Assets;

Assumed Liabilities means all Liabilities of the Transferor to the extent relating to the Business or the Transferred Assets, whether arising on, prior to or following the Closing Date, including the following, but expressly excluding the Excluded Liabilities:

(a) all Liabilities for accounts payable to the extent relating to the Business or the Transferred Assets, other than any Liabilities for non-trade accounts payable between the Transferor, on the one hand, and any member of the Transferor Group, on the other hand;

(b) all Liabilities of the Transferor arising under the Transferred Contracts and the Permits included in the Transferred Assets;

(c) all Assumed Indebtedness;    

(d) all Liabilities, whether arising prior to, on or following the Closing Date, relating to the employment and termination of employment of (i) Transferred Employees and (ii) any employee providing services to the Business who ceased to be an employee of Transferor on or after July 1, 2017; and

(e) all HPQ Co Tax Obligations (as defined in the Tax Matters Agreement).

 

2


Business means the global high purity quartz mining and production business of the Transferor, which includes the production of co-products generated by the high purity quartz mining and production including mica, feldspar and hydrofluorosilicic acid.

Business Day means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close in Brussels, Belgium New Canaan, Connecticut or New York City, New York.

Closing has the meaning set forth in Section  2.4 .

Closing Date has the meaning set forth in Section  2.4 .

Code has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Contract means any binding contract, agreement, instrument, lease, license or commitment.

Effective Time has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Encumbrance means any charge, security interest, pledge, condition, equitable interest, hypothecation, mortgage, lien (statutory or other), option, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, encumbrance, easement, encroachment, right of way, right of first refusal, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of ownership.

Excluded Assets means all assets, rights and properties, of any kind of nature, of the Transferor and its Affiliates other than the Transferred Assets, including:

(a) all Real Property of the Transferor other than the Transferred Facilities;

(b) all machinery, equipment, furniture and other items of tangible personal property of the Transferor not located at the Transferred Facilities or otherwise used in connection with the Business;

(c) all Intellectual Property rights of the Transferor other than the Transferred Intellectual Property;

(d) all rights under all Contracts of the Transferor, other than the Transferred Contracts;

(e) all cash, cash equivalents, bank deposits, investment accounts, lockboxes, certificates of deposit, marketable securities, bank accounts, corporate credit cards and other similar cash items of the Transferor, other than the Transferred Cash;

(f) any non-trade intercompany notes and accounts receivable between the Transferor, on the one hand, and any member of the Transferor Group, on the other hand;

 

3


(g) all minute books, records, stock ledgers and Tax records of the Transferor, and all other records that the Transferor is required by Applicable Law to retain;

(h) the shares of the capital stock of any member of the Transferor Group and all of any Transferor Group member’s ownership interest in any Person;

(i) all insurance policies, binders and claims and rights thereunder and proceeds thereof;

(j) all Tax Returns of the Transferor;

(k) all rights in connection with and assets of any Transferor Plan;

(l) all rights arising under any Excluded Liability; and

(m) all rights of the Transferor under this Agreement.

Notwithstanding clause (g) and (j) above, the Transferor shall provide the Transferee with copies of, or access to, all Tax Returns, Tax records and other materials to the extent required under the Tax Matters Agreement.

Excluded Liabilities means:

(a) all intercompany Liabilities for trade accounts payable or other amounts due and owing between the Transferor, on the one hand, and any member of the Transferor Group, on the other hand;

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided in ARTICLE 3 hereof, all Liabilities arising in connection with any Transferor Plan;

(c) all Liabilities for Indebtedness, other than the Assumed Indebtedness;

(d) all Liabilities arising under or related to all Contracts, other than Transferred Contracts; and

(e) all other Liabilities of the Transferor other than the Assumed Liabilities.

Fair Market Value means the value of any Transferred Asset or Assumed Liability, that would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction for cash between an informed and willing buyer and an informed and willing seller, neither of whom is under any compulsion to purchase or sell, respectively, and without regard to the particular circumstances of the buyer or seller, conveyance of operatorship associated with any specified interest or property or a control premium.

Governmental Authority means any (a) nation, region, state, county, city, town, village, district or other jurisdiction, (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government, (c) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department or other entity and any court or other tribunal), (d) multinational or

 

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supra-national organization exercising judicial, legislative or regulatory power, including the European Commission, or (e) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial, fiscal, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing power of any nature of any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government, in each case, anywhere throughout the world.

Indebtedness means, without duplication: (i) the outstanding principal amount and other payment obligations (including any premiums, penalties, make-whole payments, termination fees, breakage costs and other fees and expenses that are due upon prepayment of such obligations), under any obligations (A) for borrowed money; or (B) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments; (ii) all payment obligations under any interest rate, currency, swap, caps, collars or other hedging agreements; (iii) any lease obligation that is properly characterized as a capitalized lease under U.S. GAAP, to the extent of the amount so characterized; (iv) all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable and other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business; (v) all “earn-out”, contingent purchase price, deferred purchase price or similar contingent payment obligations under any Contract that relates to the acquisition of any business; (vi) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to acquired property; (vii) all obligations in respect of accrued or declared but unpaid dividends or other distributions; (viii) all obligations (contingent or otherwise), under any letters of credit, performance bonds, surety bonds, corporate guarantees or similar instruments under which advances or other amounts have been drawn; and (ix) the amount of any guaranty of each of the foregoing and all accrued interest in respect of each of the foregoing.

Intellectual Property means all of the following anywhere in the world and all legal rights, title or interest in the following arising under Applicable Law: (i) all patents and applications for patents and all related reissues, reexaminations, divisions, renewals, extensions, provisionals, continuations and continuations in part; (ii) all mask works, mask work registrations and mask work applications and all other corresponding rights; (iii) all registered or unregistered words, devices or symbols that serve as or are capable of serving as an indication of source when used in connection with goods, services or the Business, including trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, corporate names, logos, slogans, assumed fictional business names, Internet domain names and registrations and applications for registration of any of the foregoing, including extensions and renewals, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, and combinations thereof and the goodwill associated therewith; (iv) copyrights, copyright registrations and copyright applications, copyrightable works and all other corresponding rights; (v) all design rights, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice); (vi) trade secrets and know-how, technology, technical data, confidential business information, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, research and development information, financial, marketing and business data, pricing and cost information, business and marketing plans, advertising and promotional materials, customer, distributor, reseller and supplier lists and information, correspondence, records, and other documentation, and other proprietary information of every kind; (vii) all Software, firmware, development tools, algorithms, files, records, technical drawings and related documentation, data and manuals; (viii) all databases and data collections; and (ix) all other intellectual property and proprietary rights, whether registered or unregistered, existing now or in the future in any part of

 

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the world. For purposes of this definition, the term registered includes registrations, applications for registration, intent-to-use applications or other registrations or applications related to trademarks, copyrights and any other Intellectual Property that is the subject of an application, certificate, filing, registration or other document issued, filed with, or recorded by any Governmental Authority.

Liability means any debt, loss, damage, adverse claim, fines, penalties, liability or obligation (whether direct or indirect, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, matured or unmatured, determined or determinable, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due, and whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise).

Losses means Liabilities, including all reasonable legal costs and expenses relating thereto.

Merger Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Mineral Rights mean all mineral rights, surface and subsurface rights, water rights and rights in water, rights of way, licenses, easements, ingress, egress and access rights, and all other rights and interests granting the Transferor or one or more of its Subsidiaries the rights and ability to mine, extract, remove, process, transport and market the minerals produced by the Business, in the ordinary course thereof.

Party has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Pension Plan has the meaning set forth in Section  3.13 .

Permit means all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or consents of a Governmental Authority.

Person means any individual or any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, association or other entity of any kind.

Proceeding means any action, bid protest, arbitration, litigation, suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative, whether formal or informal, and whether public or private), demand or order, in each case, commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Authority or arbitrator.

Real Property means all land, together with all buildings, structures, improvements and fixtures located thereon and all easements, rights of way, and appurtenances relating thereto.

Redemption has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Redemption Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section  2.6 .

Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

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Sibelco has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Software means computer software, including all source code and object code versions thereof and any documentation related thereto.

Subsidiary of any person means another person, an amount of the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, greater than 50% of the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first person.

Tax and Taxes means (a) any income, capital gain or loss, franchise, profits, gross receipts, ad valorem, net worth, transfer, VAT, sales, use, real or personal property, payroll, withholding, employment, social security, excise, stamp, registration, alternative, add-on minimum, unclaimed property, escheat or other tax of whatever kind (including any fee, assessment or other charges in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) payable to any taxing authority or other Governmental Authority and (b) any interest, fines, penalties or additions imposed with respect thereto.

Tax Matters Agreement means the agreement with respect to Taxes that Transferor and Transferee are entering into concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

Tax Return means any return or report of Taxes due, any claim for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar return, report, statement, declaration, or document required to be filed under the Code or other Applicable Law, including any attachments, schedules, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

Transfer Documents means, collectively, such deeds, bills of sale, invoices, assignments, patent rights assignments, assumptions (including assignment and assumption agreements), affidavits and other instruments of sale, conveyance, transfer and assignment between the Transferor and the Transferee as may be necessary under Applicable Law to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Transferee has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Transferee Indemnified Parties has the meaning set forth in Section  4.1 .

Transferor has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Transferor Common Stock has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Transferor Group means the Transferor and its controlled Affiliates.

Transferor Indemnified Parties has the meaning set forth in Section  4.2 .

 

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Transferor Plan means any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ( ERISA ) whether or not subject to ERISA) and any other plan, Contract, arrangement, policy, fund or program (whether written or unwritten, insured or self-insured) involving direct or indirect compensation, including insurance coverage, severance benefits, health or welfare benefits, deferred compensation, bonuses, stock options, stock purchase, phantom stock, stock appreciation or other forms of equity- and cash-based incentive compensation or post-retirement compensation (i) sponsored, maintained or contributed to (or with respect to which any obligation to contribute has been undertaken) by the Transferor for the benefit of any of the Transferred Employees or their beneficiary, or (ii) with respect to which the Transferor could reasonably be expected to have any Liabilities on behalf of any such Transferred Employee or beneficiary; provided that any governmental plan or program requiring the mandatory payment of social insurance Taxes or similar contributions to a governmental fund with respect to the wages of an employee will not be considered a “Transferor Plan.”

Transferred Assets means all of the Transferor’s or its applicable Subsidiaries’ right, title and interest in and to the following (and only the following) assets, rights and properties:

(a) the Real Property owned or leased by the Transferor set forth in Schedule 1.1(c) (the Transferred Facilities ), including any Mineral Rights appurtenant thereto;

(b) all machinery, equipment, vehicles, spare parts, furniture and other items of tangible personal property, including personal computers and telephones, located, or used exclusively, at the Transferred Facilities or exclusively used by or assigned to the Transferred Employees;

(c) all inventory, including all finished inventory, work in process and raw materials, of the Business as of the Closing Date located at the Transferred Facilities or in transit to or from the Transferred Facilities;

(d) all of the rights of the Transferor or its applicable Subsidiary under the Contracts set forth in Schedule 1.1(e) or otherwise exclusively related to the Business (the Transferred Contracts );

(e) all notes and accounts receivable arising exclusively from the Business, but excluding any non-trade related intercompany notes and accounts receivable between the Transferor, on the one hand, and any member of the Transferor Group, on the other hand;

(f) an amount in cash equal to $94,000 per day for each day during the period from and including July 1, 2017 until the Closing Date (the Transferred Cash );

(g) to the extent transferable under Applicable Law, all Permits held by the Transferor set forth in Schedule 1.1(f) or exclusively related to the Business;

(h) all Intellectual Property rights held by the Transferor or its applicable Subsidiary as set forth in Schedule 1.1(g) or otherwise exclusively related to, or used or licensed exclusively in connection with, the Business (the Transferred Intellectual Property );

(i) to the extent transferable under Applicable Law, all books and records exclusively used in or exclusively relating to the Business, including all advertising materials, client and customer lists, supplier and vendor lists, purchase orders, sales and purchase invoices, production

 

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reports, personnel and employment records, and financial and accounting records exclusively used in or exclusively relating to the Business, other than (i) the corporate books and records of the Transferor, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (ii) all Tax Returns and other Tax records described in clauses (g) and (j) of the definition of Excluded Assets;

(j) all rights under confidentiality agreements to the extent relating to the Business;

(k) other than the Excluded Assets, all claims, rights, credits, causes of action, defenses, rights of set-off against third parties and rights to indemnification relating to or arising from any of the Transferred Assets or Assumed Liabilities, including unliquidated rights under warranties; and

(l) other than the Excluded Assets, all other assets, rights and properties, wherever located, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, whether owned, leased or licensed, that are exclusively used in connection with the Business.

Transferred Cash has the meaning set forth in the definition of Transferred Assets.

Transferred Contracts has the meaning set forth in the definition of Transferred Assets.

Transferred Employee means all employees of the Transferor set forth on Schedule 1.1(h) .

Transferred Intellectual Property has the meaning set forth in the definition of Transferred Assets.

U.S.  Dollars or U.S.$ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

VAT means value added tax as provided for in the European Council Directive 2006/112/EC (or as implemented by a member state of the European Union), goods and services Tax or any other Tax of a similar nature.

Section  1.2 Construction. In this Agreement, unless expressly provided otherwise: the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined;

(b) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms;

(c) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”;

(d) any definition of or reference to any agreement, contract, document, instrument or other record herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, contract, document, instrument or other record as from time to time amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein);

 

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(e) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns;

(f) 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;

(g) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits, Schedules and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections of, Exhibits and Schedules and Annexes to, this Agreement;

(h) the headings, captions and table of contents for this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement;

(i) references to sums of money are expressed in the lawful currency of the United States of America, and “$”, “US$” and “Dollars” refer to U.S. Dollars; and

(j) if any period referred to herein expires on a day which is not a Business Day, or any event or condition is required by the terms of this Agreement to occur or be fulfilled (including the making of any payment required hereunder) on a day which is not a Business Day, such period shall expire on or such event or condition shall not be required to occur or be fulfilled until, as the case may be, the next succeeding Business Day.

ARTICLE 2

THE TRANSACTION

Section  2.1 Contribution of Transferred Assets. The Transferor hereby transfers and contributes the Transferred Assets to the Transferee and the Transferee hereby accepts the Transferred Assets from the Transferor, in each case on an as-is, where-is basis and subject to any Encumbrances that may exist thereon.

Section  2.2 Assumption of Assumed Liabilities. The Transferor hereby assigns and transfers (collectively, the Assignment ) to the Transferee the Assumed Liabilities. The Transferee hereby accepts the Assignment and assumes and agrees to pay or otherwise perform or discharge, when due, all of the Assumed Liabilities.

Section  2.3 Value of Capital Contribution. The Transferred Assets are contributed to, and the Assumed Liabilities are assumed from, the Transferee at their Fair Market Value.

Section  2.4 Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the Closing ) will be deemed to take place at the offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, at 10:00 a.m. on the date hereof. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the Closing Date .

Section  2.5 Share Issuance. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Transferee agrees to issue, transfer and deliver to the Transferor, and the Transferor hereby agrees to accept and acquire from the Transferee, the Shares at the Closing, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than restrictions on transfer imposed by state and federal securities laws). The closing of the transactions provided for in Section 2 hereof shall take place on the date hereof and shall be effected by delivery to the Transferor of a certificate representing the Shares.    

 

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Section  2.6 Redemption . Prior to the Effective Time, the Transferor shall enter into a redemption agreement with Sibelco in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Redemption Agreement ), pursuant to which, among other things, after the Contribution, the Transferor will distribute the 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Transferee solely in exchange for 169,550 shares of Transferor Common Stock held by Sibelco, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Redemption Agreement.

Section 2.7 Consents.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, this Agreement does not constitute an agreement to sell, convey, assign, assume, transfer or deliver any interest in any Transferred Asset, or any claim, right, benefit or obligation arising thereunder or resulting therefrom if a sale, conveyance, assignment, assumption, transfer or delivery, or an attempt to make such a sale, conveyance, assignment, assumption, transfer or delivery, without the consent of a third party would (i) constitute a breach or other contravention of any Applicable Law or the rights of such third party, (ii) be ineffective with respect to any party to a Contract concerning such Transferred Asset or (iii) upon transfer, in any way adversely affect the rights of the Transferee under such Transferred Asset. If the sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer or delivery by the Transferor to the Transferee of any interest in, or assumption by the Transferee of any liabilities or obligations under, any Transferred Asset requires the consent of a third party, or, with respect to Transferred Contracts, a novation approved by the relevant Governmental Authority or consent of the Contract counterparty, then such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, delivery or assumption will be subject to such consent or novation being obtained. Without limiting Section  2.7(b) , if any Transferred Asset may not be assigned to the Transferee by reason of the absence of any such consent, the Transferee will not be required to assume any Assumed Liability arising under such Transferred Asset.

(b) If any consent in respect of an Transferred Asset has not been obtained on or before the Closing Date, the Transferor will continue to use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent as promptly as practicable after the Closing until such time as such consent has been obtained and to cooperate in any lawful and reasonable arrangement which will provide the Transferee the benefits including any indemnities of any such Transferred Asset. Once a consent for the sale, conveyance, assignment, assumption, transfer and delivery of an Transferred Asset is obtained, the Transferor will promptly assign, transfer, convey and deliver such Transferred Asset to the Transferee, and the Transferee will assume the obligations under such Transferred Asset assigned to it from and after the date of assignment to the Transferee. If and when such consents are obtained or such other required actions have been taken, the transfer of such Transferred Asset will be effected in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c) The Transferor will hold in trust for and pay to the Transferee as promptly as practicable upon receipt thereof all income, proceeds and other monies received by the Transferor or any member of the Transferor Group in connection with its use of any asset, claim, right or benefit (net of any Taxes, reduced by any deductions available in connection therewith,

 

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and any other costs imposed upon the Transferor Group) in connection with the arrangements under this Section  2.7 . The Transferee will promptly provide to the Transferor whatever cooperation is required or reasonably requested for the Transferor to meet its obligations on a timely basis under any Contract or in relation to any such asset, claim, right or benefit.

(d) The failure by the Transferor or the Transferee, as applicable, to obtain any required consent in respect of any Transferred Asset on or before the Closing Date will not relieve any Party from its obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at the Closing.

ARTICLE 3

EMPLOYEE MATTERS

Section  3.1 Transfer by the Transferor. As soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement and unless prohibited by law, the Transferor and the Transferee shall cooperate with each other and take such actions as may be necessary to transfer the employment of each Transferred Employee from the Transferor to the Transferee with effect from the Closing Date on terms comparable in the aggregate to each such Transferred Employee’s then existing terms of employment with the Transferor. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement, any Liability relating to any Transferred Employee who does not accept employment with Transferee shall constitute an Assumed Liability.

Section  3.2 Cooperation of Transferor and Transferee. The Transferor and the Transferee shall use commercially reasonable endeavours to encourage the Transferred Employees to accept the transfer of employment from the Transferor to the Transferee as contemplated by Section  3.1 .

Section  3.3 Welfare Plan Matters; Recognition of Service Credit Under Transferor’s Plans; Waiver of Pre-Existing Conditions and Crediting of Deductibles. No later than the Closing Date, the Transferee shall establish or cause to be established, at its own expense, benefit plans that provide life insurance, health care, dental care, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, disability and other group welfare benefits for the Transferred Employees. The Transferee shall provide to each Transferred Employee full credit for such Transferred Employee’s service with the Transferor prior to the Closing Date for all purposes, including for purposes of any statutory entitlement in accordance with Applicable Law, severance pay calculations and eligibility, vesting, benefit accruals and determination of the level of benefits (including, for purposes of vacation, severance and retirement benefits), under any benefit plan in which such Transferred Employee participates on or following the Closing Date to the same extent recognized by the Transferor immediately prior to the Closing Date, except that such service shall not be required to be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits. The Transferee shall cause (i) the waiver of all limitations as to pre-existing conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Transferred Employees under any such welfare benefit plans to the extent that such conditions, exclusions or waiting periods would not apply under the Transferor Plans, and (ii) for the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs (or, if later, in the calendar year in which the Transferred Employees and their dependents commence participation in the applicable Transferee welfare plans), the crediting of each Transferred Employee with any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to participation in such welfare plans in satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements thereunder.

 

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Section  3.4 Employee Records . The Transferor and the Transferee each shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide each other such employee records and information as is necessary or appropriate to carry out their obligations under Applicable Law (including, without limitation, any relevant privacy protection laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdictions) or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, for the purposes of administering its employee benefit plans and policies.

Section  3.5 Accrued Salary and Paid Time Off . The Transferee shall assume and honor all accrued and unpaid salary, wages and overtime, and accrued and earned but unused vacation time, sick time and other paid time off benefits for each Transferred Employee as of the Closing Date. To the extent that a Transferred Employee is entitled under any Applicable Law or any policy of the Transferor or its Affiliates to be paid for any such accrued and unpaid salary and overtime or accrued or earned but unused vacation time, sick time and other paid time off benefits as of the Closing Date, Transferee shall discharge the Liability for such payment in respect thereof.

Section  3.6 Accrued Bonuses; Long Term Incentive Plan . The Transferee shall assume and honor all accrued annual bonus compensation in respect of each Transferred Employee as of the Closing Date to the extent not already paid prior to the Closing Date, and pay such annual bonus compensation to the Transferred Employees in a manner consistent with the applicable Transferor annual bonus plan to which the relevant annual bonus accrual relates. In addition, the Transferee shall assume and honor all accrued and unpaid cash incentive awards under the Unimin Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (Revised May 27, 2014) in respect of the Transferred Employees as of the Closing Date, and shall make payments to Transferred Employees in accordance with the terms of such plan as in effect on the Closing Date (subject to modification of the applicable performance goals as reasonably determined to be necessary in good faith by the Transferee to reflect the transactions contemplated hereunder) and any applicable payment elections previously made by such Transferred Employees.

Section  3.7 Flexible Spending Arrangements . The Transferee agrees to cause a flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement account plan of the Transferee ( Transferee’s Flex Plan ) to accept a spin-off of the flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement accounts from the Transferor’s flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement account plan ( Transferor’s Cafeteria Plan ) and to honor and continue through the end of the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs the elections made by each Transferred Employee under the Transferor’s Cafeteria Plan in respect of the flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement accounts that are in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date. As of or as soon as practicable following the Closing Date, the Transferor shall cause to be transferred from the Transferor’s Cafeteria Plan to the Transferee’s Flex Plan the excess of the aggregate accumulated contributions to the flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement accounts made prior to the Closing Date during the year in which the Closing Date occurs by Transferred Employees over the aggregate reimbursement payouts made prior to the Closing Date for such year from such accounts prior to the Closing Date to the Transferred Employees. If the aggregate reimbursement payouts from the flexible spending and dependent care

 

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reimbursement accounts made prior to the Closing Date during the year in which the Closing Date occurs made to the Transferred Employees exceed the aggregate accumulated contributions to such accounts prior to the Closing Date for such year by the Transferred Employees, Transferee shall cause such excess to be transferred to the Transferor as soon as practicable following the Closing Date. On and after the Closing Date, Transferee shall assume and be solely responsible for all claims for reimbursement by the Transferred Employees under the flexible spending and dependent care reimbursement accounts of Transferor’s Cafeteria Plan, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Closing Date, that have not been paid in full as of the Closing Date.

Section  3.8 Tax-Qualified Defined Contribution/Profit Sharing Plans . The Transferee shall take (or cause its Affiliates to take) any and all necessary action to cause the trustee of a tax-qualified defined contribution/profit sharing plan or plans of Transferee or one of its Affiliates, if requested to do so by a Transferred Employee, to accept a direct “rollover” of all or a portion of such Transferred Employee’s account balances (including any outstanding loans) from Transferor’s or its Affiliates’ tax-qualified defined contribution/profit sharing plan or plans, including any such plan that has a qualified cash or deferred arrangement within the meaning of Section 401(k) of the Code.

Section  3.9 Self-Insured Transferor Plan Liabilities. All liabilities arising out of health or disability coverage claims incurred by or on behalf of any Transferred Employee (or his or her covered dependents) under self-insured Transferor Plans shall be reimbursed by the Transferee promptly following receipt of written notice from the Transferor containing the specific financial detail of the applicable claim. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transferee’s Liability pursuant to the preceding sentence shall equal the excess of (i) the amount of such claims incurred, over (ii) the aggregate amount of premiums collected or paid from or on behalf of such Transferred Employee for coverage under such self-insured Transferor Plans; provided that the Transferee’s Liability for such claims shall not include any amount of such claims that are paid under any stop-loss insurance policy in force with respect to such Transferor Plan. For purposes of the foregoing, (i) a health claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability, and (ii) a disability claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred upon the date of disability, as determined by the disability benefit claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability.

Section  3.10 Workers’ and Unemployment Compensation. All workers’ compensation liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by a Transferred Employee that results from an accident, incident or event occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest as a result of performing services for the Business shall be assumed by the Transferee and covered by workers’ compensation insurance coverage to be obtained by the Transferee. To the extent that the Transferee is unable to cover any such liabilities under workers’ compensation insurance coverage to be obtained by the Transferee, such liabilities will remain under the worker’s compensation insurance coverage of the Transferor and the Transferee shall, promptly following receipt of written notice from the Transferor containing the specific financial detail of the applicable claim, reimburse the Transferor for any such liabilities to the extent that the payment for such liabilities are subject to a deductible under the applicable Transferor insurance policy or exceed the coverage limits under the applicable Transferor insurance policy or stop-loss coverage. Effective as of the

 

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Closing Date, the Transferee will be responsible for obtaining workers’ compensation insurance, including providing all collateral required by the insurance carriers and providing all notices to Transferred Employees required by applicable workers’ compensation laws and establishing new or transferred unemployment insurance employer accounts, policies and claims handling contracts with the applicable government agencies

Section  3.11 Company Car Leases. The Transferee shall assume and honor all automobile leases and liabilities thereunder relating to automobiles leased by the Transferor for the benefit of Transferred Employees as of the Closing Date. To the extent that the Transferor is unable to assign, and the Transferee is unable to assume, such automobile leases due to the limitations of the applicable lease Contracts or otherwise, such automobile leases will remain with the Transferor and the Transferee shall, on a monthly basis and promptly following receipt of written notice from the Transferor containing the specific financial detail of the applicable monthly lease Liability, reimburse the Transferor for any such liabilities incurred under such automobile leases.

Section  3.12 Employee Tax Matters. Transferor and its Affiliates and Transferee shall adopt the “alternate procedure” for preparing and filing IRS Forms W-2 (Wage and Tax Statements), as described in Revenue Procedure 2004-53. Under this procedure, Transferee, as successor employer, shall provide, as applicable, all required Forms W-2 to all Transferred Employees subject to income Taxes in the United States reflecting all wages paid and Taxes withheld by Transferor or its Affiliate, as the predecessor and Transferee as the successor employer for the entire year in which the Closing Date occurs. In addition, Transferor and its Affiliates and Transferee shall adopt the “alternative procedure” of Revenue Procedure 2004-53 for purposes of filing IRS Forms W-4 (Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate) and W-5 (Earned Income Credit Advance Payment Certificate).

Section  3.13 Collectively Bargained Employees . The Transferee agrees to take all actions that are legally required to assume each collective bargaining agreement and all liabilities arising on or following the Closing Date thereunder in respect of any Transferred Employees pursuant to each collective bargaining agreement that covers any such Transferred Employees, except that Transferee shall not assume any obligations or liabilities under the pension plan administered and sponsored by Transferor on the date hereof (the Pension Plan ). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this ARTICLE 3 , the Transferee further agrees that the provisions of this ARTICLE 3 , except as otherwise provided herein with respect to the Pension Plan, shall be subject to any applicable provisions of any collective bargaining agreement in respect of the Transferred Employees, and to the extent that the provisions of this ARTICLE 3 are inconsistent with or otherwise in conflict with the provisions of any such collective bargaining agreement, the provisions of such collective bargaining agreement shall govern and control. Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section  3.1 , effective as of the Closing, the Transferred Employees covered by any collective bargaining agreement assumed in the manner contemplated hereunder shall cease to be employed by the Transferor and shall become the employees of the Transferee. The Transferor and the Transferee shall cooperate in connection with any required notification to the Transferred Employees, the representatives thereof, the applicable unions or any relevant Governmental Authorities concerning the transactions contemplated hereby and shall take such other reasonable actions as determined in good faith by each of them to be necessary to cause the provisions of this section to apply without limitation to the maximum extent permitted under Applicable Law.

 

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Section  3.14 No Obligation. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as (i) requiring the Transferor or the Transferee to continue any specific employee benefit plan, or (ii) an amendment to any compensation or benefit plan or arrangement for any purpose. The Transferor and the Transferee acknowledge and agree that all provisions contained in this ARTICLE 3 are included for the sole benefit of the Transferor and the Transferee, and that nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, will create any third-party beneficiary or other rights (x) in any other person, including any Transferred Employee or any dependent or beneficiary thereof, or (y) to continued employment with the Transferee for any specified period of time following the Closing Date.

ARTICLE 4

INDEMNIFICATION

Section  4.1 Indemnification by the Transferor. Subject to the limitations expressly set forth in this ARTICLE 4 , the Transferor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Transferee and its Affiliates and each of its and their directors, officers, employees, shareholders, members, partners, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the Transferee Indemnified Parties ) from and against any and all Losses incurred by the Transferee Indemnified Parties to the extent, directly or indirectly, arising or resulting from any Excluded Asset or Excluded Liability.

Section  4.2 Indemnification by the Transferee. Subject to the limitations expressly set forth in this ARTICLE 4 , Sibelco and the Transferee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Transferor and its Affiliates and each of its and their directors, officers, employees, shareholders, members, partners, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, the Transferor Indemnified Parties and, together with the Transferee Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties and, each, an Indemnified Party ) from and against any and all Losses incurred by the Transferor Indemnified Parties to the extent, directly or indirectly, arising or resulting from any Transferred Asset or Assumed Liability.

Section  4.3 Calculation of Losses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Party shall not be liable for any Loss incurred by any other Party:

(a) to the extent that the Liability giving rise to the Loss is attributable to: (i) an action or omission by the Transferee or its Affiliates (other than members of the Transferor Group), or its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents (in each case to the extent acting in such capacity), after the Closing that is expressly required by this Agreement or at the express written direction of the Transferor or any member of the Transferor Group (or its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents); (ii) an action or omission by any member of the Transferor Group, or its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents (in each case to the extent acting in such capacity), after the Closing that is expressly required by this Agreement or at the express written direction of Sibelco or Sibelco’s Affiliates (other than the Transferor Group) (or its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents); or (iii) a breach by the other Party or its Affiliates (or its or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents) of any obligation under this Agreement; or

 

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(b) for any punitive damages, except to the extent actually required by a Governmental Authority to be paid to a third party.

Section  4.4 Mitigation of Losses. Each Indemnified Party shall, and cause its Affiliates to, use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any Loss upon becoming aware of any event or circumstance that would be reasonably expected to, or does, give rise thereto, including incurring commercially reasonable costs in respect of such indemnifiable Loss.

Section  4.5 Third Party Claims; Notice of Direct Claims .

(a) In order for any Person to be entitled to any indemnification provided for under this ARTICLE 4 in respect of, arising out of or involving a claim made by any Person (other than a Party) against an Indemnified Party (a Third Party Claim ), such Indemnified Party must notify the indemnifying Party in writing of the Third Party Claim within ten (10) Business Days after receipt by such Indemnified Party of written notice of the Third Party Claim (or sooner, to the extent the nature of the Third Party Claim requires a response in a shorter period of time); provided that failure to give such notice shall not affect the right to indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure. Thereafter, the Indemnified Party shall deliver to the indemnifying Party, as promptly as reasonably practicable following such Indemnified Party’s receipt thereof, copies of all written notices and documents (including any court papers) received by such Indemnified Party relating to the Third Party Claim.

(b) If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnified Party, the indemnifying Party shall be entitled (at its election) to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party by giving to the Indemnified Party, within twenty (20) days of receipt of a written notice of the Third Party Claim, written notice of its intention to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim. If the indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnified Party shall nonetheless have the right to employ counsel separate from the counsel employed by the indemnifying Party; provided that the indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any fees of such separate counsel with respect to the defense of such Third Party Claim, unless the engagement of such separate counsel is consented to by the indemnifying Party in writing or in the reasonable opinion of the Indemnified Party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between such Indemnified Party and the indemnifying Party that would make such separate representation advisable. If the indemnifying Party does not assume such defense, and for any period during which the indemnifying Party has not assumed such defense, the indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of one single counsel employed (and reasonably acceptable to the indemnifying Party) by such Indemnified Party (which reasonable fees and expenses shall be considered Losses for purposes of this Agreement). If the indemnifying Party chooses to defend a Third Party Claim or prosecute a claim in connection therewith, each Indemnified Party shall provide all necessary cooperation in such defense or prosecution, including in making any counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third Party Claim, or any cross-complaint against any Person (other than

 

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the indemnifying Party or any of its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnifying Party will not have any right to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim where such Third Party Claim (i) seeks injunctive or equitable relief against the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates or (ii) involves criminal allegations.

(c) If the indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party may not settle, compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided , that the consent of the Indemnified Party will not be required if: (i) the indemnifying Party agrees in writing to pay any amounts payable pursuant to such settlement or any judgment; (ii) such settlement includes a full, complete and unconditional written release of each Indemnified Party from further Liability; (iii) except in any case where court approval is needed of such a settlement, such settlement does not include any statement as to or an admission of fact, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party or its Affiliates; and (iv) such settlement does not in any manner involve any injunction or equitable relief against any Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. The Indemnified Party will not agree to any settlement of, or the entry of any judgment (other than a judgment of dismissal on the merits with prejudice and without costs) arising from, any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnifying Party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(d) In the event an Indemnified Party has a claim against an indemnifying Party under Section  4.1 or Section  4.2 , as applicable, that does not involve a Third Party Claim, such Indemnified Party shall deliver notice of such claim to the indemnifying Party stating the amount of the Loss, if known, and method of computation thereof, and containing a reference to the provisions of this Agreement in respect of which such right of indemnification is claimed or arises, within twenty (20) Business Days of becoming aware of the facts or circumstances giving rise to such claim; provided that failure to give such notice shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the indemnifying Party shall have been materially prejudiced as a result of such failure. The Indemnified Party and the indemnifying Party shall, for a period of not less than twenty (20) Business Days following receipt by the indemnifying Party of the notice of such claim, negotiate in good faith to resolve the claim, and such Indemnified Party shall not commence proceedings with respect to such claim prior to the end of such period.

Section  4.6 Exclusivity of Remedies. Following the Closing, (i) this ARTICLE 4 shall provide the exclusive remedy of the Transferee for any claim (other than a claim with respect to Taxes) arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) pursuant to ARTICLE 5, the Tax Matters Agreement shall provide the exclusive remedy of the Transferee for any claim with respect to Taxes arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, no breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein shall give rise to any right on the part of any Party, after consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, to rescind this agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Section  4.7 Double Recovery . No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover any amount pursuant to any provision of this Agreement in respect of any claim to the extent such Indemnified Party has already recovered that amount in respect of such claim under the same or any other provision of this Agreement or pursuant to any other agreement with any Affiliate of the other Indemnified Party, or to the extent that recovery has already been made under this Agreement in respect of the same subject matter and in the amount of the Loss claimed.

ARTICLE 5

TAXES

All of the Parties’ rights and obligations with respect to Taxes (including liability for Taxes that become due and payable as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, rights to indemnification and obligations to indemnify for Taxes, preparation and filing of Tax Returns, control of audits, reviews, examinations, and other similar administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes and entitlement to refunds), whether arising on, before, or after the Closing Date, will be governed by the Tax Matters Agreement.

ARTICLE 6

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section  6.1 Representations or Warranties. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Parties that it has all requisite corporate or equivalent power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is made without any other representation or warranty.

Section  6.2 Further Assurances . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from time to time, as and when requested by one Party of any other Party, such other Party shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable and at the requesting Party’s expense, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and shall take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions, as such requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the allocation of Transferred Assets and Excluded Assets, on the one hand, and Assumed Liabilities and Excluded Liabilities, on the other hand, as soon as reasonably practicable.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Transferee or the Transferor determines after the Closing that assets of the Transferor constituting Transferred Assets were not transferred to the Transferee at or prior to the Closing, or that any Liabilities of the Transferor constituting Assumed Liabilities were not assumed by the Transferee at or prior to the Closing, in each case, in accordance with this Agreement, it shall notify the other Party and the Parties shall cause such Transferred Assets to be conveyed, assigned or transferred to the Transferee at no additional cost to the Transferee, or shall cause such Assumed Liabilities to be assumed by the Transferee at no cost to the Transferor. In the event that the Transferee or the Transferor determines after the Closing that assets constituting Excluded Assets were erroneously transferred to the Transferee at or prior to the Closing, or that any Liabilities of any member the Transferor constituting Excluded Liabilities were erroneously assumed by the Transferee at or prior to the Closing, it shall notify the other Party and the Parties shall cause such Excluded Assets to be conveyed, assigned or transferred back to the Transferor at no additional cost to the Transferor, or shall cause such Excluded Liabilities to be assumed by the applicable Transferor at no additional cost to the Transferee.

 

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(c) To the extent that, on or after the Closing Date, (i) the Transferor or any Affiliate of the Transferor receives any payment or other amount in respect of any Transferred Asset, any asset of the Transferee or any goods sold, or services provided, by the Transferee, the Transferor shall promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) days after receipt of such payment or other amount, remit such payment or other amount to the Transferee and (ii) the Transferee or any Affiliate of the Transferee receives any payment or other amount in respect of any Excluded Asset, any asset of the Transferor or any goods sold, or services provided, by the Transferor, the Transferee shall promptly, but in no event later than ten (10) days after receipt of such payment or other amount, remit such payment or other amount to the Transferor.

Section  6.3 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, or, if confirmed, faxed or emailed, or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

  (a) if to the Transferee, to:

Sibelco North America, Inc.

c/o SCR-Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Email: laurence.boens@sibelco.com

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00;

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

 

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  (b) if to Sibelco, to:

SCR-Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

 

  (c) if to the Transferor to:

Unimin Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: +1 (203) 966-1977

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

and

Jones Day

North Point

901 Lakeside Avenue

Cleveland, OH 44114

 

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Attention: James P. Dougherty

Email: jpdougherty@jonesday.com

Attention: Benjamin L. Stulberg

Email: blstulberg@jonesday.com

Facsimile: +1 (216) 579 0212

Section  6.4 Amendment and Waivers. This Agreement may not be amended or modified prior to the Effective Time (or the earlier termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms), or, except by an instrument in writing, consented to in writing by each of the Parties (and subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the Transferor (acting pursuant to Section 2.3(a)(iii) of the Stockholders Agreement of the Transferor)), thereafter. Each Party may (a) extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party contained in this Agreement, or (c) waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions for the benefit of such Party contained in this Agreement provided that (i) any such extension or waiver by a Party will be valid only if set forth in a written document signed on behalf of the Party against whom such extension or waiver is to be effective; (ii) no extension or waiver will apply to any time for performance, inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or noncompliance with any covenant or condition, as the case may be, other than that which is specified in the written extension or waiver; (iii) no failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or any of the documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the Parties, operates as a waiver of such right or remedy, and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy precludes any other or further exercise of such right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy; and (iv) after the Effective Time, the Transferor may only, in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), act pursuant to Section 2.3(a)(iii) of the Stockholders Agreement of the Transferor.

Section  6.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto and, solely to the extent referenced herein, the Merger Agreement) and the Tax Matters Agreement contain the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether oral or written) relating to such subject matter. None of the Parties shall be liable or bound to any other Party in any manner by any representations, warranties or covenants relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth herein or therein.

Section  6.6 Assignment, Successors and Third Party Rights. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give, or be construed to give, to any Person, other than the Parties and such successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, remedies or claims under or with respect to this Agreement or any provisions hereof.

 

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Section  6.7 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law in a mutually acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.

Section  6.8 Schedules. The Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement.

Section  6.9 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Transferor.

Section  6.10 Governing Law. This Agreement and all actions (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of the Parties in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof

Section  6.11 Specific Performance. The Parties acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the performance of terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court referred to Section  6.10 above, without proof of actual damages (and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. The Parties further agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, nor to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy for any such breach.

Section 6.12 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) In any Action between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Parties (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware; (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court; and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware and appellate courts thereof. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section  6.12 in any such Action by mailing

 

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copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to Section  6.3 . However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of a Party to effect service of process on any other Party by any other legally available method.

(b) EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Section  6.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the other Parties.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date indicated in the first sentence of this Agreement.

 

SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee
UNIMIN CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Campbell Jones
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
SIBELCO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Business Contribution Agreement

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

UNIMIN CORPORATION

Unimin Corporation (the Corporation ), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL ), hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Unimin Corporation. The Corporation was originally incorporated pursuant to the DGCL on January 13, 1970, when the original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State (the Original Certificate ). The Original Certificate was restated by filing a Restated Certificate of Incorporation on June 14, 1996 (the Restated Certificate ).

2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this A&R Certificate ), which restates and amends the Restated Certificate, has been declared advisable by the board of directors (the Board of Directors ) of the Corporation, duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation (the Stockholders ) and duly executed and acknowledged by the officers of the Corporation (each, an Officer ) in accordance with Sections 103, 228, 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

3. The Restated Certificate is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

FIRST . The name of the Corporation is Covia Holdings Corporation.

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

THIRD . The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

FOURTH . The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 765,000,000 shares of capital stock, classified as (i) 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share ( Preferred Stock ), and (ii) 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share ( Common Stock ). Upon the Effective Time, each one (1) share of Common Stock either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation in treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be converted into 89.0403467639676 shares of Common Stock.


The designations and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of Preferred Stock and Common Stock are as follows:

1. Provisions Relating to Preferred Stock.

a. Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, the shares of each series to have such designations and powers, preferences, and rights, and qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereafter prescribed (a Preferred Stock Designation ).

b. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more series, and with respect to each series of Preferred Stock, to fix and state by the resolution or resolutions from time to time adopted providing for the issuance thereof the designation and the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions relating to each series of Preferred Stock, including, but not limited to, the following:

i. whether or not the series is to have voting rights, full, special or limited, or is to be without voting rights, and whether or not such series is to be entitled to vote on one or more matters as a separate class either alone or together with the holders of one or more other classes or series of stock;

ii. the number of shares to constitute the series and the designations thereof;

iii. the preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, with respect to any series;

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

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

 

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

vii. the rights, if any, of the holders of any series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation, and the preference, if any, to or the relation to, the rights of any other class or series upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation;

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

ix. such other powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions with respect to any series as the Board of Directors determines to be advisable.

c. The shares of each series of Preferred Stock may vary from the shares of any other series thereof in any or all of the foregoing respects. The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares of Preferred Stock designated for any existing series by a resolution increasing the number of shares designated as such series from the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock not designated for any other series. The Board of Directors may decrease the number of shares of Preferred Stock designated as any existing series to a number not less than the number of shares of such series then outstanding by a resolution decreasing the number of shares of Preferred Stock designated as such existing series, and the number of shares no longer designated as such series shall become authorized, unissued, and undesignated shares of Preferred Stock.

2. Provisions Relating to Common Stock.

a. Subject to the terms of the Stockholders Agreement dated June 1, 2018, among the Corporation, SCR-Sibelco N.V. ( Sierra ) and the Stockholders named therein (the Stockholders Agreement ), the following provisions shall apply with respect to Common Stock:

 

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i. Each share of Common Stock shall have identical rights and privileges in every respect. Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of Preferred Stock and any series thereof. Except as may otherwise be provided in this A&R Certificate, in a Preferred Stock Designation or by applicable law, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all questions presented to the Stockholders, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of members of the Board of Directors (each such member, a Director ) and for all other purposes, and the holders of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote at or receive notice of any meeting of Stockholders. Each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to notice of any Stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Corporation (the Bylaws , as in effect at the time in question) and applicable law on all matters put to a vote of the Stockholders.

ii. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this A&R Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this A&R Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or pursuant to the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto).

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

iv. Except as otherwise provided in a Preferred Stock Designation, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or any class or series thereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the Stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them. Except as otherwise provided in a Preferred Stock Designation, a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, as such terms are used in this Paragraph (d), shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or to include any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or other entity or a sale, lease, exchange or conveyance of all or a part of the assets of the Corporation.

 

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v. Except as otherwise provided in a Preferred Stock Designation, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of Common Stock or Preferred Stock entitled to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), and no vote of the holders of either Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

3. General.

a. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this A&R Certificate, any then-existing Preferred Stock Designation and the Stockholders Agreement, the Corporation may issue shares of Preferred Stock and Common Stock from time to time for such consideration (not less than the par value thereof) as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, which is expressly authorized to fix the same in its sole and absolute discretion subject to the foregoing conditions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall have been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid stock and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in respect of such shares.

b. Subject to the Stockholders Agreement, the Corporation shall have authority to create and issue rights and options entitling their holders to purchase shares of the Corporation’s capital stock of any class or series or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall be empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise, and other terms of such options or rights; provided , however , that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto shall not be less than the par value thereof.

c. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.

FIFTH . Subject to the Stockholders Agreement, the total number of Directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Each Director shall serve for a term of one year or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

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SIXTH . Prior to the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth business day following the date on which Sierra and its affiliates (as such term is used in the Stockholders Agreement) no longer beneficially own more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and (ii) the close of business on the business day following public announcement by Sierra that Sierra has made an election that the “Trigger Date” has occurred (the earlier of (i) and (ii), the Trigger Date ), any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual meeting or special meeting of the Stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote of Stockholders, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is or are signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. On and after the Trigger Date, subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Stockholders must be taken at a duly held annual or special meeting of Stockholders and may not be taken by any consent in writing of such Stockholders.

SEVENTH . Special meetings of Stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies; provided , however , that prior to the Trigger Date, special meetings of the Stockholders may also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation at the request of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. From and after the Trigger Date, and subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the Stockholders do not have the power to call a special meeting of Stockholders.

EIGHTH . In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by the DGCL, subject to the Stockholders Agreement, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws shall not be adopted, altered, amended or repealed by the Stockholders (i) prior to the Trigger Date, except by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (considered for this purpose as one class) or (ii) after the Trigger Date, except by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 66 2/3% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (considered for this purpose as one class).

NINTH . Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and the Stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 291 of the DGCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of the DGCL order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the Stockholders or class of Stockholders, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the Stockholders or class of Stockholders, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or

 

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arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the Stockholders or class of Stockholders, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.

TENTH . No Director shall be liable to the Corporation or the Stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as it now exists. In addition to the circumstances in which a Director is not personally liable as set forth in the preceding sentence, a Director shall not be liable to the fullest extent permitted by any amendment to the DGCL hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a Director.

The Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to each Director or Officer to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article Tenth shall be prospective only and shall not affect any limitation on liability of a Director for acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of such amendment, repeal or modification.

ELEVENTH . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation, on behalf of itself and its subsidiaries, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Corporation and its subsidiaries in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, the business opportunities that are from time to time presented to Sierra or any of its officers, directors, agents, members, affiliates and subsidiaries (other than the Corporation and its subsidiaries) (each, a Specified Party ), or are business opportunities in which a Specified Party participates or desires to participate, even if the opportunity is one that the Corporation or its subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each such Specified Party shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Corporation and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or any stockholder, for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or officer or controlling stockholder or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Specified Party pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Corporation or its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Specified Party who is a Director and who is offered any business opportunity in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer (a Directed Opportunity ) shall be obligated to communicate such Directed Opportunity to the Corporation; provided , however , that all of the protections of this Article Eleventh shall otherwise apply to the Specified Parties with respect to such Directed Opportunity, including, without limitation, the ability of the Specified Parties to pursue or acquire such Directed Opportunity or to direct such Directed Opportunity to another person.

 

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Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article Eleventh, nor the adoption of any provision of this A&R Certificate or the Bylaws, nor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any modification of law, shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any right or protection of any person granted pursuant hereto existing at, or arising out of or related to any event, act or omission that occurred prior to, the time of such amendment, repeal, adoption or modification (regardless of when any proceeding (or part thereof) relating to such event, act or omission arises or is first threatened, commenced or completed).

If any provision or provisions of this Article Eleventh shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article Eleventh (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article Eleventh containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article Eleventh (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article Eleventh containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect the Directors, Officers, its employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

This Article Eleventh shall not limit any protections or defenses available to, or indemnification or advancement rights of, any Director or Officer under this A&R Certificate, the Bylaws or applicable law. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any securities of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article Eleventh.

TWELFTH . The Corporation elects not to be governed by, and shall not be subject to the provisions of, Section 203 of the DGCL, as now in effect or hereafter amended, or any successor statute thereto, as permitted under and pursuant to subsection (b)(3) thereof.

THIRTEENTH . The Corporation shall have the right, subject to any express provisions or restrictions contained in this A&R Certificate, the Bylaws or the Stockholders Agreement, from time to time, to amend this A&R Certificate or any provision hereof in any manner now or hereafter provided by law, and all rights and powers of any kind conferred upon a Director or Stockholder by this A&R Certificate or any amendment hereof are subject to such right of the Corporation.

FOURTEENTH . Notwithstanding any other provision of this A&R Certificate or the Bylaws (and in addition to any other vote that may be required by law, this A&R Certificate, the Bylaws or the Stockholders Agreement), following the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% in voting power of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (voting together as one class) shall be required to amend, alter or repeal ARTICLES FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, ELEVENTH and FOURTEENTH of this A&R Certificate or to adopt any provision inconsistent therewith.

 

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FIFTEENTH . Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this A&R Certificate or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article Fifteenth.

SIXTEENTH . This A&R Certificate shall become effective (the Effective Time ) at 8 AM ET on June 1, 2018.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this A&R Certificate as of this 31st day of May, 2018.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name: Campbell Jones

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation ]

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES AND RECORDS

1.1 Registered Office . The registered office of Covia Holdings Corporation (the Corporation) in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation may be changed from time to time by the board of directors of the Corporation (the Board) in the manner provided by law.

1.2 Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

1.3 Books and Records . The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

ARTICLE 2

STOCKHOLDERS

2.1 Annual Meeting . The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time as may be fixed by resolution of the Board, unless, subject to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as it may be further amended and restated from time to time (the Certificate of Incorporation), the stockholders have acted by written consent as permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, or any successor provisions thereto ( DGCL ). Any proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any annual meeting of stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.

2.2 Special Meeting . Special meetings of stockholders may be called in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any special meeting of the stockholders previously scheduled by the Board.


2.3 Record Date .

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no such record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

(c) Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, in order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting is fixed by the Board, (i) when no prior action of the Board is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) if prior action by the Board is required by law, the record date for such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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2.4 Stock List . A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of such stockholder, shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to the list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. The stock list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled by this section to examine the list required by this section or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders.

2.5 Place of Meeting . The Board shall designate the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting of the stockholders. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive offices of the Corporation. The Board, acting in its sole discretion, may establish guidelines and procedures in accordance with applicable provisions of the DGCL and any other applicable law for the participation by stockholders and proxyholders in a meeting of stockholders by means of remote communications, and may determine that any meeting of stockholders will not be held at any place but will be held solely by means of remote communication. Stockholders and proxyholders complying with such procedures and guidelines and otherwise entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be deemed present in person and entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication.

 

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2.6 Notice of Meeting . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, notice of the meeting, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the notice shall be given not less than ten (10) days nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, in a manner pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on books of the Corporation. The Corporation may provide stockholders with notice of a meeting by electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law.

2.7 Quorum and Adjournment of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting (the Voting Stock ), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series (or classes or series) of stock is required, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or series (or classes or series), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum of such class or series with respect to the vote on that matter. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation are held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted by quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in fiduciary capacity. The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares so represented at a meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is such a quorum. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these Bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive notice of the adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting. At the adjournment meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

 

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2.8 Proxies . At all meetings of stockholders, each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting may authorize another person to act for such stockholder by proxy given in any manner permitted by law. Any copy, facsimile transmission or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile transmission or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. No proxy may be voted or acted upon after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of such proxy, unless such proxy provides for a longer period. Every proxy is revocable at the pleasure of the stockholder executing it unless the proxy states that it is irrevocable and applicable law makes it irrevocable. A stockholder may revoke any proxy that is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or by filing another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary.

2.9 Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations .

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board (or any committee thereof) or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (1) was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these Bylaws and at the time of the annual meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) subject to Section 2.9(c)(v) , complies with the notice procedures set forth in these Bylaws as to such business or nomination. Clause (i)(C) of this Section 2.9(a)(i) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ), and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of the stockholders.

(ii) Without qualification, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.9(a)(i)(C) of these Bylaws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action under the DGCL. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (which date shall, for purposes of the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders after its shares of Common Stock are first publicly traded, be deemed to have occurred on May 11, 2018); provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business

 

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on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice (whether given pursuant to this S ection 2.9(a)(ii) or Section 2.9(a)(iii)) to the Secretary must:

(A) set forth, as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (1) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, if any, (2) (a) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (b) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a Derivative Instrument ) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, (c) a description of any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Company, (d) any short interest in any security of the Company (for purposes of these Bylaws a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security) directly or indirectly owned by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, (e) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (f) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner and (g) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder and such beneficial owner, if any, is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including

 

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without limitation any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s and such beneficial owner’s, if any, immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than ten (10) days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date), (3) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (4) a representation that the stockholder was a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such nomination or other business before the meeting, and (5) a representation as to whether such stockholder or any such beneficial owner intends or is part of a group that intends to (a) deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or to elect each such nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination. If requested by the Corporation, the information required under clauses (1) and (2) of the preceding sentence of this Section 2.9(a)(ii)(A) shall be supplemented by such stockholder and any such beneficial owner not later than ten (10) days after the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose such information as of such record date;

(B) if the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, set forth (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, in such business and (2) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

(C) set forth, as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board (1) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the

 

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rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (2) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

(D) with respect to each nominee for election or reelection to the Board, include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9(a)(v) of these Bylaws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by these Bylaws shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(iv) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.9(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if such stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.

 

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(v) To be eligible to be a nominee for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws for persons nominated for election or reelection pursuant to Section 2.9(a)(i)(C) of these Bylaws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such person and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request) and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such person (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement (other than the Stockholders Agreement dated June 1, 2018, among the Corporation and SCR-Sibelco NV ( Sibelco ) (the Stockholders Agreement )), arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a Voting Commitment ) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, and (C) in such person’s individual capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply with all applicable publicly disclosed corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders .

Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to a notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board, any committee thereof, or stockholders (if stockholders are permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Bylaws) or (ii)  provided , that the Board or stockholders (if stockholders are permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 2.2 of these Bylaws) has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in these Bylaws and at the time of the special meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) subject to Section 2.9(c)(v) complies with the notice procedures set forth in these Bylaws. In the event a special meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.9(a)(ii) of these Bylaws with respect to any nomination (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement

 

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required by Section 2.9(a)(v) of these Bylaws) shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting and the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made by the Corporation of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General .

(i) Except as otherwise expressly provided in any applicable rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act, only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible to serve as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws (including whether the stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made or solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by Section 2.9(a)(ii)(A)(5) of these Bylaws) and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

(ii) For purposes of these Bylaws, public announcement shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by Dow Jones News Service, the Associated Press, or any other national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of these Bylaws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in these Bylaws; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to Section 2.9(a)(i)(C) or Section 2.9(b) of these Bylaws. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation ( Preferred Stock ) if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

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(iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.9 , unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.9 , to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.

(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.9 , prior to the Trigger Date (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), Sibelco shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 2.9 with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

2.10 Conduct of Business . The Chairman of the Board, or if he or she is not present, the Chairman’s designee, shall conduct the meetings of stockholders. The Secretary, if present, shall act as secretary of such meetings, or if he or she is not present, then a secretary shall be appointed by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of the meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman of the meeting, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting of stockholders to stockholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman of the meeting or the Board shall determine, (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for commencement thereof, and (e) limitations on the amount of time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Should any person in attendance become unruly or obstruct the meeting proceedings, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to have such person removed from the meeting. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article 2 . The chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that any proposed item of business was not brought before the meeting in accordance with the

 

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provisions of this Article 2 and shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

2.11 Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote . Subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Stockholders Agreement and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, at any meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected, so long as a quorum is present, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes validly cast in such election. Except as otherwise provided by law, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, any regulation applicable to the Corporation and its securities, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors and certain non-binding advisory votes described below, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in power voting of the shares of stock of the Corporation present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders. With respect to any non-binding advisory matter as to which there are more than two possible vote choices, a plurality of the votes validly cast shall be the recommendation of the stockholders. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, cumulative voting for the election of directors shall be prohibited

2.12 Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls . The Board by resolution may, and when required by law, shall, appoint one or more inspectors, which inspector or inspectors may include individuals who serve the Corporation in other capacities, including, without limitation, as officers, employees, agents or representatives, to act at the meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders and the appointment of an inspector is required by law, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law. The chairman of the meeting shall fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting.

ARTICLE 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

3.1 General Powers . Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. In addition to the powers and authorities by these Bylaws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. The directors shall act only as a Board, and the individual directors shall have no power as such.

 

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3.2 Number, Tenure and Qualifications . The initial number of directors will be thirteen (13). Subject to the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Stockholders Agreement and to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

3.3 Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board shall be held on such dates, and at such times and places, as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.

3.4 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or a majority of the Board then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board may fix the place, date and time of the meetings. Any business may be conducted at a special meeting of the Board.

3.5 Notice of Special Meetings . Notice of any special meeting of the Board shall be given to each director by the person calling the meeting at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice to directors may be given by telecopier, telephone or other means of electronic transmission.

3.6 Action by Consent of Board of Directors . Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, including by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting, and may be stated as such in any document or instrument filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

3.7 Conference Telephone Meetings . Members of the Board, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

3.8 Quorum . Subject to Section 3.9 , the whole number of directors equal to a majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.

 

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3.9 Vacancies . Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Stockholders Agreement, applicable law, and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board, or a sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

3.10 Records . The Board shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registers and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.

3.11 Compensation . Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have authority to fix the compensation of directors, including fees and reimbursement of expenses. The Corporation will cause each non-employee director serving on the Board to be reimbursed for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by him or her in connection with such service.

3.12 Regulations . To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Stockholders Agreement and these Bylaws, the Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of meetings of the Board and for the management of the affairs and business of the Corporation as the Board may deem appropriate.

ARTICLE 4

COMMITTEES

4.1 Designation; Powers . The Board may designate one or more committees each committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, including, if they shall so determine, an executive committee. Any such designated committee, to the extent permitted by law and the to the extent provided in the resolutions of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any such designated committee may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it.

4.2 Procedure; Meetings; Quorum . Any committee designated pursuant to Section 4.1 shall choose its own chairman, shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board when requested, and shall meet at such times and at such place or places as may be provided by the charter of such committee or by resolution of such committee or resolution of the Board. At every meeting of any such committee, the presence of a majority of all the members thereof shall constitute a

 

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quorum and, at any meeting at which a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be the act of the committee. The Board shall adopt a charter for each committee for which a charter is required by applicable laws, regulations or stock exchange rules, may adopt a charter for any other committee, and may adopt other rules and regulations for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws or any such charter, and each committee may adopt its own rules and regulations of government, to the extent not inconsistent with these Bylaws or any charter or other rules and regulations adopted by the Board.

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

ARTICLE 5

OFFICERS

5.1 Officers . The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and such other officers as the Board from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors. All officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article 5 . Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board or by any committee thereof. The Board or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or such committee or by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Vice President shall refer to any employee of the Corporation whose employment title is “Vice President” regardless of whether such employee was elected as a Vice President by the Board.

5.2 Term of Office . Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been duly elected or appointed and shall have qualified or until his death or until he shall resign, but any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board or, except in the case of an officer or agent elected by the Board, by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his successor, his death, his resignation or his removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

 

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5.3 Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to his office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him by the Board. He shall make reports to the Board and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chairman of the Board may also serve as Chief Executive Officer, if so elected by the Board.

5.4 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chairman of the Board in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs. The Chief Executive Officer shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairman of the Board or the Chairman’s designee, perform all duties of the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, checks, orders, contracts, leases, notes, drafts and all other documents and instruments in connection with the business of the Corporation.

5.5 President . The President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board.

5.6 Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President and Vice President, if any, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him by the Board.

5.7 Treasurer . The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board. He shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him from time to time by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

5.8 Secretary . The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the stockholders and shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws and as required by law. The Secretary shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal. The Secretary shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board, the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

 

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5.9 Vacancies . A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer.

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

ARTICLE 6

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS

6.1 Stock Certificates and Transfers . Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock may be uncertificated shares. The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued and shall exhibit the holder’s name and number of shares. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, which may be maintained by a third party registrar or transfer agent, by the holder thereof in person or by his attorney, upon, in the case of certificated shares, surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require and, in the case of uncertificated shares, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of uncertificated shares and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form, at which time the Corporation shall issue a new certificate (or uncertificated share(s)) to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate(s), if any, and record the transaction upon its books.

 

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Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation certifying the number of shares owned by such holder in the Corporation. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

6.2 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

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

6.4 Regulations Regarding Certificates . Subject to applicable law, the Board shall have the power and authority to make all such rules and regulations as they may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration or the replacement of certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation. The Corporation may enter into additional agreements with stockholders to restrict the transfer of stock of the Corporation in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

7.1 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year and may be changed by resolution of the Board.

7.2 Dividends . Except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares of capital stock, which dividends may be paid in either cash, property or shares of capital stock of the Corporation. A member of the Board, or a member of any committee designated by the Board shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the director reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation, as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities and/or net profits of the Corporation, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of surplus or other funds from which dividends might properly be declared and paid.

 

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7.3 Seal . The corporate seal shall have enscribed thereon the words “Corporate Seal,” the year of incorporation and around the margin thereof the words “Covia Holdings Corporation — Delaware.”

7.4 Waiver of Notice . Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, including by electronic transmission, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and does not further participate in the meeting.

7.5 Resignation . Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice, including by electronic transmission, of such resignation to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. No formal action shall be required of the Board or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

7.6 Indemnification .

(a) Scope

(i) Each person who was or is a party, is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any Proceeding (other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of a Subject Enterprise or by reason of any act or omission by such person in such capacity, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all Expenses and liabilities which were suffered or reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith, so long as such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

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(ii) Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, or has agreed to become, a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of a Subject Enterprise, or by reason of any act or omission by such person in such capacity, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all Expenses suffered or incurred by such person in connection therewith, so long as such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation. Such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

(iii) Notwithstanding Section 7.6(a)(ii) , no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been finally adjudged to be liable to the Corporation in a final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or the court in which such Proceeding shall have been brought or is pending, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

(iv) Notwithstanding Section 7.6(a)(i) and Section 7.6(a)(ii) , except as provided in Section 7.6(c) or the last sentence of Section 7.6(d) , the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person against the Corporation or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees only if (i) such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board prior to its initiation or (ii) the Corporation, by action of its Board, provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under applicable law.

(v) The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, advance all Expenses incurred by a present or former director or officer in defending any Proceeding prior to the final disposition of such Proceeding upon written request of such person and delivery of an undertaking by such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation. Such advances shall be paid by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time.

 

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(b) The Corporation may, by action of its Board, provide indemnification and advancement of expenses to employees and agents of the Corporation, individually or as a group, within the same scope and effect as the indemnification of its directors and officers.

(c) To obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses under these Bylaws, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including documentation and information which is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding. Upon written request by a claimant who is a current director and officer of the Corporation for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this paragraph (c), a determination by the Corporation, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), even though less than a quorum of the Board, (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (iii) if there are no such Disinterested Directors, or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion, or (iv) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Corporation. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Corporation; provided, however, that the claimant may, within ten (10) days after written notice of selection shall be given, deliver to the Corporation written objection to such selection, which may only be asserted on the grounds that the Independent Counsel does not meet the definition of Independent Counsel as defined by these Bylaws. Such determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than ninety (90) days after receipt by the Corporation of a written request for indemnification. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. In any proceeding brought to enforce the right of a person to receive indemnification to which such person is entitled under this Section 7.6 , the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law and these Bylaws presume that such person is entitled to indemnification and the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. A prior determination by the Corporation (including the Board or any committee thereof, its independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct does not itself constitute evidence that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any proceeding brought to enforce a claim for advances to which a person is entitled under Section 7.6(a)(v) , the person seeking an advance need only show that he or she has satisfied the requirements expressly set forth in Section 7.6(a)(v) .

(d) If the Board or the Independent Counsel, as applicable, shall have failed to make a determination as to entitlement to indemnification within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Corporation of such request, such claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of such claimant’s option to such entitlement. Alternatively, such claimant, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the

 

21


American Arbitration Association. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself: (i) create a presumption that the claimant did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that the claimant had reasonable cause to believe that the claimant’s conduct was unlawful; or (ii) otherwise adversely affect the rights of the claimant to indemnification, except as may be provided herein. All Expenses incurred by such person in connection with successfully establishing such person’s right to indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Section 7.6 , in whole or in part, shall also be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(e) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 7.6(c) of these Bylaws that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination and shall be precluded from asserting that such determination has not been made in any judicial Proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 7.6(d) of these Bylaws.

(f) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial Proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 7.6(d) of these Bylaws that the procedures and presumptions of these Bylaws are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such Proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of these Bylaws.

(g) The right to indemnification and the payment of Expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in these Bylaws shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of these Bylaws shall in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.

(h) If any provision or provisions of this Section 7.6 shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Section 7.6 (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Section 7.6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Section 7.6 (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Section 7.6 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable. If this Section 7.6 or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless (A) indemnify each director and officer of the Corporation as to Expenses and liabilities paid in settlement with respect to any Proceeding, including an action by or in the right of the Corporation, and (B) advance Expenses to each director or officer of the Corporation entitled to advancement of expenses under Section 7.6(a)(v) in accordance therewith, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Section 7.6 that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

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(i) For purposes of this Section 7.6 :

(A) Disinterested Director means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought.

(B) Expenses means all reasonable costs, expenses, fees and charges, including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with the prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include, without limitation, (1) expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from, incurred by the claimant in connection with, arising out of, or in respect of or relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (2) expenses incurred by the claimant in connection with interpretation, enforcement or defense of such claimant’s rights, by litigation or otherwise, (3) any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on the claimant as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under these Bylaws, and (4) any interest, assessments or other changes in respect of the foregoing.

(C) Independent Counsel means a law firm of at least 50 attorneys or a member of a law firm of at least 50 attorneys that is experienced in matters of corporate law and that neither is presently nor in the past five years has been retained to represent (1) the Corporation or the claimant or any affiliate thereof in any matter material to either such party or (2) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s right to indemnification under these Bylaws.

(D) Officer means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice President (as defined in Section 5.1 ), any other officer elected by the Board, and such other officers as are determined to be entitled to indemnification by resolution of the Board.

(E) Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust, governmental agency or body or any other legal entity.

 

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(F) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, claim, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, form or informal hearing, inquiry or investigation, litigation, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed judicial, administrative or arbitration proceeding (including, without limitation, any such proceeding under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other federal law, state law, statute or regulation), whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature.

(G) Subject Enterprise means the Corporation or any of the Corporation’s direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries or any other entity, including, but not limited to, another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, employee benefit plan, joint venture, trust or other enterprise for which a person is or was serving as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary at the request of the Corporation.

(j) Any Person entitled to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses, in each case pursuant to this Section 7.6 (an Indemnitee ) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and/or insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including Sibelco). The Corporation hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Corporation shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Section 7.6 , (ii) the Corporation shall be primarily liable for all such obligations and any indemnification afforded to an Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Expense, liability or matter that is the subject of this Section 7.6 , whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which an Indemnitee may be associated (including Sibelco) to indemnify such Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses or liabilities to such Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Corporation hereunder, (iv) the Corporation shall be required to indemnify each Indemnitee and advance Expenses to each Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights such Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which such Indemnitee may be associated (including Sibelco) or insurer of any such Person, and (v) the Corporation irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases to the fullest extent permitted by law any other Person with whom or which an Indemnitee may be associated (including Sibelco) from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Corporation hereunder. Notices . Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or permitted by law, all notices to any stockholder or director shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to the stockholders and directors, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, or by sending such notice by commercial courier service, or by facsimile or other electronic transmission, provided that notice to stockholders by electronic transmission shall be given in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder or director at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively, notice to any stockholder shall be deemed given: (i) if by facsimile, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by electronic mail, when

 

24


directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (iii) if by posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder; and (v) if by mail, when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.

7.8 Facsimile Signatures . In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws and subject to applicable law, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board or a committee thereof.

7.9 Time Periods . Except as otherwise provided by law, in applying any provision of these Bylaws which require that an act be done or not done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.

7.10 Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records . Each director and each member of any committee designated by the Board shall, in the performance of his duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Corporation and upon information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees designated by the Board, or by any other person as to the matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 8

AMENDMENTS

8.1 Amendments .

(a) Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Stockholders Agreement the Board is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws. These Bylaws shall not be adopted, altered, amended or repealed by the stockholders (i) prior to the Trigger Date (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), except by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than a majority in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class) or (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, except by the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 66 2/3% in voting power of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (considered for this purpose as one class).

 

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, neither Section 3.9 of these Bylaws nor this Section 8.1 shall be amended, altered or repealed by the Board, and no provision of these Bylaws inconsistent therewith shall be adopted by the Board, without (in addition to any other vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law) (i) prior to the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon and (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, alteration or repeal of Section 7.6 shall adversely affect any right or protection existing under these Bylaws immediately prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, including any right or protection of a present or former director or officer thereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment.

 

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Exhibit 4.1

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

SCR-SIBELCO NV

THE OTHER STOCKHOLDERS NAMED HEREIN

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

 

 

Dated as of June 1, 2018


CONTENTS

 

CLAUSE    PAGE  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     4  

Section 1.1 Definitions

     4  

Section 1.2 Interpretation

     7  

ARTICLE II BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     7  

Section 2.1 Board Composition

     7  

Section 2.2 Vacancies

     9  

Section 2.3 Transactions Requiring Fairmount Director Approval

     10  

ARTICLE III PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

     11  

Section 3.1 Pre-emptive Right

     11  

Section 3.2 Procedure

     12  

ARTICLE IV RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

     13  

Section 4.1 Lockups

     13  

Section 4.2 Permitted Transfers

     13  

ARTICLE V ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     14  

Section 5.1 Standstill Restriction

     14  

Section 5.2 Ownership Cap

     15  

Section 5.3 Information Rights

     15  

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     15  

Section 6.1 Representations and Warranties

     15  

Section 6.2 Survival

     16  

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

     16  

Section 7.1 Further Assurances

     16  

Section 7.2 Notices

     16  

Section 7.3 Headings

     17  

Section 7.4 Severability

     17  

Section 7.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries; No Additional Representations

     17  

Section 7.6 Successors and Assigns; Assignment

     18  

Section 7.7 Amendment

     18  

Section 7.8 Waiver

     18  

Section 7.9 Governing Law

     18  

Section 7.10 Submission to Jurisdiction

     19  

Section 7.11 Waiver of Jury Trial

     19  

 

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CONTENTS

 

CLAUSE    PAGE  

Section 7.12 Specific Enforcement

     19  

Section 7.13 Counterparts

     20  

Section 7.14 Enforcement by Fairmount Directors

     20  

EXHIBIT A Form of Joinder Agreement

     22  

 

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INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

Defined Term    Page  

Affiliate

     4  

Agreement

     3, 4  

Applicable Law

     4  

Board

     7  

Business Day

     4  

Bylaws

     4  

Capital Stock

     4  

Certificate of Incorporation

     4  

Change of Control of Sibelco

     4  

Common Stock

     4  

Company

     3  

Director

     7  

Effective Date

     3  

Employment Agreement

     5  

Exchange

     5  

Exchange Act

     5  

Executive Director

     8  

Fair Market Value

     5  

Fairmount

     3  

Fairmount Director

     8  

Fairmount Independent Directors

     9  

Governmental Authority

     5  

IFRS

     5  

Independence Requirement

     9  

Independent Director

     5  

Issuance Cut-off

     12  

Issuance Notice

     12  

Joinder Agreement

     5  

Merger

     3  

Merger Agreement

     3  

Merger Sub

     3  

Merger Sub LLC

     3  

Mergers

     3  

New Securities

     5  

Non-qualifying Director

     9  

Person

     5  

Pre emptive Acceptance Notice

     12  

Pre-emptive Exercise Period

     12  

Pre-emptive Pro Rata Portion

     5  

Proportional Director Number

     8  

Prospective Purchaser

     12  

Public Offering

     5  

Related Party Claim

     11  

Removed Directors

     8  

Representative

     5  

Restricted Period

     10  

Rule 13e-3 Transaction

     6  

Second Merger

     3  

 

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Securities Act

     6  

Shares

     6  

Sibelco

     3  

Sibelco Director

     7, 8  

Sibelco’s Proportional Ownership

     6  

Sibelco-related Party

     6  

Stock Equivalents

     6  

Stockholder

     3  

Stockholders

     3  

Third Annual Meeting Date

     7  

Transfer

     6  

Trigger Date

     6  

 

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STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (as executed and as it may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, as provided herein, this Agreement ), dated as of June 1, 2018 (the Effective Date ), is entered into by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the Company ), SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company ( Sibelco ), and each Person identified on Schedule A attached hereto and executing a signature page hereto and each other Person who after the Effective Date acquires securities of the Company and agrees to become a party to, and bound by, this Agreement as a “Stockholder” by executing a Joinder Agreement (each, a Stockholder and, collectively with Sibelco, the Stockholders ). The Company, Sibelco and the Stockholders are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the Parties and individually as Party.

R E C I T A L S

WHEREAS, on December 11, 2017 the Company entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement ) by and among the Company, Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Merger Sub ), Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ( Merger Sub LLC ) and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Fairmount ), pursuant to which, among other things, the parties thereto agreed to effect: (i) a business combination through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Fairmount (the Merger ), with Fairmount being the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and (ii) a further business combination through the second merger of Fairmount into Merger Sub LLC (the Second Merger and, together with the Merger, the Mergers ) immediately following the consummation of the Merger, with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company;

WHEREAS, as a condition to the closing of the Mergers, the Company and the Stockholders have entered into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholders desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth their understanding and agreement as to the shares of Company Common Stock held by the Stockholders, including the voting, tender and transfer of such shares under the circumstances set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

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ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions

Definitions. When used in this Agreement with initial capital letters, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1 :

Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly (including through one or more intermediaries), controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person, including any partner, member, stockholder or other equity holder of such Person or manager, director, officer or employee of such Person (where control for the purposes of this definition means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract, as trustee or executor, or otherwise);

Agreement has the meaning set forth in the Preamble;

Applicable Law means all applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules, regulations, ordinances, policies or guidelines promulgated, or judgments, decisions, orders or decrees entered by any Governmental Authority;

Business Day means any day, other than Saturday or Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close in Brussels, Belgium, Cleveland, Ohio or New York City, New York;

Bylaws means the bylaws of the Company, as may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time;

Capital Stock means the Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company, whether authorized or issued as of or after the Effective Date;

Certificate of Incorporation means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed on the Effective Date with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time;

Change of Control of Sibelco means, with respect to Sibelco, (i) the acquisition by any other Person, directly or indirectly, of record or beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting securities of Sibelco, (ii) the acquisition by any other Person of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of Sibelco, or (iii) the acquisition by any other Person of the ability to vote or direct the voting securities of Sibelco for the election of a majority of Sibelco’s directors;

Common Stock means a share of common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company, together with any other class of common stock of the Company and any securities issued in respect thereof, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or similar reorganization;

 

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Employment Agreement means the employment agreement between the Company and the Executive Director dated as of the Effective Date as may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time;

Exchange means the New York Stock Exchange;

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

Fair Market Value of any asset as of any date means the purchase price that a willing buyer having all relevant knowledge would pay a willing seller for such asset in an arm’s length transaction, as determined in good faith by the Fairmount Independent Directors, based on such factors as the Fairmount Independent Directors, in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment, considers relevant;

Governmental Authority means any national, federal, state, local, foreign or supranational government, any court, administrative, regulatory or other governmental agency, commission or authority or any non-governmental self-regulatory agency, commission or authority;

IFRS means the International Financial Reporting Standards and IFRS Interpretations Committee interpretations as adopted by the European Union, in each case, as in effect from time to time;

Independent Director means any Director who qualifies as an “independent” director under the applicable rules of the Exchange;

Joinder Agreement means the Joinder Agreement to this Agreement in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A ;

New Securities means any authorized but unissued Shares or any Stock Equivalents;

Person means a natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity;

Pre-emptive Pro Rata Portion means, for any Stockholder as of any particular time, a fraction determined by dividing (a) the number of voting Shares owned by such Stockholder immediately prior to such time by (b) the aggregate number of voting Shares owned by all of the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such time.

Public Offering means any underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement filed in accordance with the Securities Act;

Representative means, with respect to any Person, any and all officers, directors, employees, consultants, financial advisors, counsel, accountants and other agents of such Person;

 

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Rule 13e-3 Transaction means any transaction initiated by Sibelco or any of the Sibelco-related Parties or Representatives that would qualify as a “Rule 13e-3 transaction” as defined in Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act;

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

Sibelco’s Proportional Ownership means, as of any date of determination, the percentage represented by the quotient of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that are beneficially owned by Sibelco and any Sibelco-related Party (it being understood that, for the avoidance of doubt, “beneficially owned” shall not include ownership of options or shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any equity security of the Company), and (ii) the number of all outstanding shares of Common Stock;

Shares means shares of:

 

(a) Common Stock; and

 

(b) any other Capital Stock,

in each case together with any Stock Equivalents thereon, purchased, owned or otherwise acquired by a Stockholder as of or after the Effective Date, and any securities issued in respect of any of the foregoing, or in substitution therefor, in connection with any stock split, dividend or combination, or any reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, exchange or similar reorganization;

Sibelco-related Party means any Affiliate of Sibelco, other than the Company and its Subsidiaries;

Stock Equivalents means any security or obligation that is by its terms, directly or indirectly, convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Shares, and any option, warrant or other right to subscribe for, purchase or acquire Shares or Stock Equivalents (disregarding any restrictions or limitations on the exercise of such rights);

Transfer means to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of law or otherwise, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any shares of Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents owned by a Person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in any Capital Stock or Stock Equivalents owned by a Person. Transfer, when used as a noun, shall have a correlative meaning. For the avoidance of doubt, any Transfer of any equity securities of Sibelco or any Sibelco-related Party that does not, directly or indirectly, hold any Shares shall not be considered a Transfer for the purposes of this Agreement; and

Trigger Date has the meaning set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Section 1.2 Interpretation

When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereby”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” or “$” will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

ARTICLE II

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 2.1 Board Composition

 

(a) Board Composition . From the Effective Date until the day following the third annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company following the Effective Date (the Third Annual Meeting Date ), each Stockholder shall vote all voting Shares owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other necessary actions within his, her or its control (including in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise), and the Company and the board of directors of the Company (each a Director and, collectively, the Board ) shall take all necessary actions within its and their control:

 

  (i) to ensure that the number of Directors constituting the Board is fixed and remains at all times at 13 Directors, subject to Section 2.1(b) ;

 

  (ii) prior to the Trigger Date,

 

  (A) to nominate and vote to elect, subject to Section 2.2 , the following individuals to serve as Directors:

 

  (I) the seven (7) individuals nominated by Sibelco and appointed to the Board at the Effective Time in accordance with the Merger Agreement (as may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.1(b) ) (each, a Sibelco Director );

 

  (II) the five (5) individuals nominated by Fairmount and appointed at the Effective Time in accordance with the Merger Agreement (as may be reduced in accordance with Section 2.1(b) ) (each, a Fairmount Director ); and

 

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  (III) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the Executive Director ), from time to time; and

 

  (iii) from and after the Trigger Date,

 

  (A) to cause the number of Sibelco Directors to at all times equal the product of Sibelco’s Proportional Ownership and the total number of Directors authorized to serve on the Board, rounded down to the nearest whole number (the Proportional Director Number ) by the removal or resignation of the number of Sibelco Directors (the Removed Directors ) necessary to reduce the total number of Sibelco Directors then serving on the Board to the Proportional Director Number; and

 

  (B) to nominate and vote to elect, subject to Section 2.2 , the following individuals to serve as Directors:

 

  (I) the Proportional Director Number of individuals nominated by Sibelco (each such Director a “Sibelco Director” for purposes of this Agreement);

 

  (II) the number of individuals equal to the difference of 12 (or 10, if Sibelco has made an election prior to the Trigger Date to reduce the size of the Board in accordance with Section 2.1(b)) and the Proportional Director Number, nominated by the Fairmount Directors then in office (each such Director a “Fairmount Director” for purposes of this Agreement); and

 

  (C) the Executive Director, from time to time.

For the avoidance of doubt, subject to Section 2.2 , at no time prior to the Third Annual Meeting will the number of Sibelco Directors be greater than one more than half of the total Board and the sole and exclusive right of Sibelco or any Sibelco-related Party to nominate any Director is limited to Section 2.1(a)(ii)(A)(I) or Section 2.1(a)(iii)(B)(I) .

 

(b) Sibelco Board Size Election. Sibelco may, by giving written notice to the Company (at least 30 days prior to the applicable effective time described in clause (A) or (B) below), elect to reduce the number of Directors constituting the Board from 13 to 11 (by causing the removal of (i) one (1) Sibelco Director, to be determined by Sibelco and (ii) one (1) Fairmount Director, to be determined by the Fairmount Directors then in office) with effect from either (A) the day following the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company following the Effective Date or (B) the day following the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company following the Effective Date; provided, however that Sibelco’s right to make such election shall terminate on the Trigger Date. If

 

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  Sibelco makes such election in accordance with this Section 2.1(b) , each Stockholder shall vote all voting Shares owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control, and shall take all other necessary actions within his, her or its control (including in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise), and the Company and the Board shall take all necessary actions within its and their control to give effect to such election.

 

(c) Independence Requirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at least three of the Fairmount Directors shall at all times qualify as Independent Directors (the Independence Requirement, and each Fairmount Director qualifying as an Independent Director, a Fairmount Independent Director ). In the event that the Independence Requirement is not satisfied due to the number of Fairmount Independent Directors being less than three as a result of any Fairmount Independent Director no longer qualifying as an Independent Director (a Non-qualifying Director ) such Non-qualifying Director shall be removed from the Board and the vacancy created by such removal shall be filled in accordance with Section 2.2(a)(ii).

 

(d) Board Composition Following Third Annual Meeting Date. For the avoidance of doubt, from the Third Annual Meeting Date, the size and composition of the Board may be adjusted by the Board in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, subject to the applicable listing rules of the Exchange.

Section 2.2 Vacancies

 

(a) Directors. From the Effective Date until the Third Annual Meeting Date,

 

  (i) in the event that a vacancy is created on the Board at any time due to the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a Director:

 

  (A) in the event such Director is a Sibelco Director, then the remaining Sibelco Directors shall have the right to designate an individual to fill such vacancy; and

 

  (B) in the event such Director is a Fairmount Director, then the remaining Fairmount Directors shall have the right to designate an individual to fill such vacancy; provided, however, that prior to the Trigger Date, if the remaining Fairmount Directors fail to designate in writing a representative to fill a vacancy created on the Board due to the death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal of a Fairmount Director and such failure shall continue for more than 30 days after notice of such failure from the Company to the remaining Fairmount Directors, then the vacant position shall be filled by an individual designated by the Sibelco Directors then in office; provided further, that any such individual shall be removed from such position if the remaining Fairmount Directors so direct and simultaneously designate a new Fairmount Director,

 

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  in accordance with the foregoing sentence; and the Company and each Stockholder (whether in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder, director, member of a board committee, officer of the Company or otherwise) hereby agree to take such actions as may be necessary or desirable within his, her or its control (including, in the case of a Stockholder, by voting all voting Shares owned by such Stockholder or over which such Stockholder has voting control) to ensure the election or appointment of such designee to fill such vacancy on the Board; and

 

  (ii) in the event that any vacancy is created on the Board at any time due to the removal of one or more Directors as required by Section 2.1(a)(iii)(A) , then the remaining Directors shall have the right to immediately designate a replacement for each Removed Director to fill such vacancy; provided , that any such replacement shall be an Independent Director.

 

(b) Executive Director. From the Effective Date until the Third Annual Meeting Date, if the individual holding the title of Executive Director is removed or resigns as Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, such individual shall be removed as a Director, and the Company’s successor Chief Executive Officer, appointed pursuant to the Bylaws and any other applicable organizational document, shall be appointed as the “Executive Director”.

Section 2.3 Transactions Requiring Fairmount Director Approval

 

(a) Transactions Requiring Approval. For a period of three years beginning on the Effective Date (the Restricted Period ), the following transactions shall require the approval of a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors:

 

  (i) the issuance of additional classes of Capital Stock or series of equity securities either (A) to Sibelco or any Sibelco-related Party in whole or in part, or (B) as the Fairmount Independent Directors otherwise determine may involve an actual or potential conflict of interest between Sibelco and the other stockholders of the Company;

 

  (ii) the entry into any transaction (including any amendment, modification or supplement to any agreement existing on or prior to the Effective Time) between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Sibelco or any Sibelco-related Party, on the other hand, (A) requiring annual payments in excess of $2,000,000 or with respect to which aggregate consideration exceeds $10,000,000, (B) which is otherwise material to the Company, or (C) which is not on arm’s length terms; provided , however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.3(a) shall not apply to any transactions entered into pursuant to any agreements existing on or prior to the Effective Time; and

 

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  (iii) the commencement, enforcement, waiver, release, assignment, settlement or compromise of any claims or causes of action held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, against Sibelco or any Sibelco-related Party, on the other hand (a Related Party Claim ).

 

(b) Other Transactions Requiring Approval. During the Restricted Period, any transaction, pursuant to which Sibelco would be entitled to more or different consideration, on a per share of Common Stock basis, compared to all other stockholders of the Company, must be approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors and the definitive agreements for such transaction must also contain a non-waivable condition that the transaction has been approved by the majority of the stockholders of the Company, excluding Sibelco and any Sibelco-related Party.

 

(c) Management of Related Party Claims. During the Restricted Period, the conduct, defence and management of any Related Party Claim shall be delegated to the Fairmount Independent Directors or a committee thereof.

 

(d) Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. In addition to any approvals required by Applicable Law, any amendment, modification, supplement or restatement to the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (i) made during the Restricted Period must be approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors and (ii) made after the Restricted Period, if such amendment, modification, supplement or restatement is inconsistent with the rights of the Stockholders under this Agreement at such time, must be approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors.

ARTICLE III

PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS

Section 3.1 Pre-emptive Right

 

(a) Issuance of New Securities. The Company hereby grants to Sibelco a separate right to purchase its Pre-emptive Pro Rata Portion of any New Securities that the Company may from time to time propose to issue or sell to any Person, excluding any New Securities issued in connection with:

 

  (i) a grant to any existing or prospective consultants, employees, officers or directors pursuant to any stock option, employee stock purchase or similar equity-based plans or other compensation agreement;

 

  (ii) any acquisition by the Company of the stock, assets, properties or business of any Person;

 

  (iii) a stock split, stock dividend or any similar recapitalization; or

 

  (iv) any issuance of warrants or other similar rights to purchase Common Stock to lenders or other institutional investors in any arm’s length transaction providing debt financing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries approved by the Board.

 

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Section 3.2 Procedure

 

(a) Additional Issuance Notices. The Company shall give written notice (an Issuance Notice ) of any proposed issuance or sale of New Securities described in Section 3.1(a) to Sibelco within five Business Days following any meeting of the Board at which any such issuance or sale is approved. The Issuance Notice shall, if applicable, be accompanied by a written offer from any prospective purchaser seeking to purchase the applicable New Securities (a Prospective Purchaser ) and shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the proposed issuance or sale, including:

 

  (i) the number and description of New Securities proposed to be issued;

 

  (ii) the proposed issuance date, which shall be at least ten Business Days from the date of the Issuance Notice;

 

  (iii) the proposed purchase price per share of New Securities and all other material terms of the offer or sale; and

 

  (iv) if the consideration to be paid by the Prospective Purchaser includes non-cash consideration, the Fair Market Value thereof.

 

(b) Exercise of Pre-emptive Rights. Sibelco shall for a period of ten Business Days following the receipt of an Issuance Notice (the Pre-emptive Exercise Period ) have the right to elect to purchase (or to have a designee purchase) all or any portion of its Pre-emptive Pro Rata Portion of any New Securities on the terms and conditions, including the purchase price, set forth in the Issuance Notice by delivering a written notice to the Company (a Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice ) specifying the number of New Securities it desires to purchase up to its Pre-emptive Pro Rata Portion. Subject to the last sentence of Section 3.2(c) , the failure of Sibelco to deliver a Pre-emptive Acceptance Notice by the end of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period shall constitute a waiver of its rights under this Section 3.2(b) with respect to the purchase of such New Securities, but shall not affect its rights with respect to any future issuances or sales of New Securities.

 

(c) Sales to the Prospective Purchaser. Following the expiration of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period, the Company shall be free to complete the proposed issuance or sale of New Securities described in the Issuance Notice with respect to which Sibelco declined or failed to exercise the pre-emptive right set forth in this Section 3.1 on terms no less favorable in all material respects to the Company than those set forth in the Issuance Notice (except that the amount of New Securities to be issued or sold by the Company may be reduced); provided that: (i) such issuance or sale is closed within 60 Business Days after the expiration of the Pre-emptive Exercise Period (the Issuance Cut-off); and (ii) the price at which the New Securities are sold to the Prospective Purchaser is at least equal to or higher than the purchase price described in the Issuance Notice. In the event the Company has not sold such New Securities by the Issuance Cut-off, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any New Securities without first again offering such securities to Sibelco in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.1 .

 

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(d) Closing of the Issuance. Upon the issuance or sale of any New Securities in accordance with this Section 3.1 , the Company shall deliver the New Securities, free and clear of any liens (other than those arising hereunder and those arising pursuant to applicable securities laws). Sibelco shall deliver to the Company the purchase price for the New Securities purchased by it by certified or bank check or wire transfer of immediately available funds. Each party to the purchase and sale of New Securities shall take all such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the purchase and sale including, entering into such additional agreements as may be necessary or appropriate.

ARTICLE IV

RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

Section 4.1 Lockups.

 

(a) Stockholder Lockup. For a period of 45 days beginning on the Effective Date, Sibelco and any Stockholder who is also a Director, shall not, and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, each of them shall cause their respective controlled Affiliates not to, Transfer or agree to Transfer any Shares to any Person that is not an Affiliate of such Stockholder.

 

(b) Sibelco Lockup. During the Restricted Period, unless approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors, Sibelco will not, and will cause its controlled Affiliates not to Transfer or agree to Transfer any Shares to any Person (other than an Affiliate of Sibelco) or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) if such Person or group would, following such Transfer, beneficially own in excess of: (i) 15% of the voting power of the outstanding Shares (other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by Section 4.1(b)(ii)) ; or (ii) 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Shares, unless such Person agrees to make an offer to purchase all shares of Common Stock held by the stockholders of the Company for the same consideration and otherwise on substantially the same terms and conditions.

Section 4.2 Permitted Transfers

Notwithstanding Section 4.1 or any other provision herein, during the Restricted Period and at all other times, Sibelco may Transfer Shares:

 

(a) to any wholly owned Affiliate of Sibelco; provided that such Affiliate shall enter into a Joinder Agreement;

 

(b) pursuant to any Public Offering of shares of Common Stock (including pursuant to “spin-off” or “split-off” transactions or related action involving a Person holding Sibelco’s interest in the Company); or

 

(c) in connection with a Change of Control of Sibelco.

 

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ARTICLE V

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

Section 5.1 Standstill Restriction

 

(a) Standstill. During the Restricted Period, unless approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors, Sibelco will not, and will cause its Representatives and Affiliates not to:

 

  (i) engage or propose to engage in any Rule 13e-3 Transaction, provided that Sibelco shall be permitted to make a confidential proposal to the Independent Directors with respect to a Rule 13e-3 Transaction that would not reasonably be expected to require the Company or any of its Affiliates to make any public announcement or other public disclosure;

 

  (ii) effect or seek, offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) to effect, or announce any intention to effect or otherwise participate in, directly or indirectly, any “solicitation” of “proxies” (as such terms are defined in the proxy rules of the SEC promulgated pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act) to vote, or seek to advise or influence any Person with respect to the voting of, any Common Stock;

 

  (iii) enter into any discussions or arrangements with any other Person with respect to the matters addressed in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) ; or

 

  (iv) enter into or agree, effect or seek, offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) to effect, or announce any intention to effect or cause or participate in or in any way assist, facilitate or encourage any other Person to effect or seek, offer or propose (whether publicly or otherwise) to effect or participate in: (A) any acquisition of any record or beneficial title of Shares or any material portion of the assets of the Company; (B) any tender or exchange offer, merger or other business combination involving the Company; or (C) any recapitalization, restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or other extraordinary transaction with respect to the Company.

 

(b) Permitted Acquisitions. Notwithstanding Section 5.1(a) , Sibelco and its Representatives and Affiliates shall not be prohibited from acquiring any Common Stock:

 

  (i) by way of stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations or other distributions by the Company to all holders of Common Stock on a pro rata basis;

 

  (ii) if approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors;

 

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  (iii) if permitted pursuant to the exercise of pre-emptive rights set forth in Section 3.1 ; or

 

  (iv) if permitted pursuant to Section 5.2 .

Section 5.2 Ownership Cap

Unless approved by a majority of the Independent Directors, Sibelco will not, and will cause the Sibelco-related Parties not to acquire any Shares if such acquisition would result in Sibelco and the Sibelco-related Parties beneficially owning more than:

 

(a) 70% of the outstanding Common Stock during the Restricted Period; or

 

(b) 80.1% of the outstanding Common Stock after the Restricted Period.

Section 5.3 Information Rights

 

(a) For so long as Sibelco and its Affiliates are deemed to control the Company in accordance with IFRS, the Company shall provide Sibelco with such information and assistance as Sibelco reasonably requests to allow Sibelco to prepare a set of consolidated financial statements, consisting of a balance sheet and related statements of income and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flow, in accordance with IFRS.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 6.1 Representations and Warranties

Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company that:

 

(a) For each such Stockholder that is not an individual, such Stockholder is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.

 

(b) Such Stockholder has full capacity, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate or other action of such Stockholder. Such Stockholder has duly executed and delivered this Agreement.

 

(c) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority.

 

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Section  6.2 Survival. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained in Section 6.1 shall survive the date of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof).

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Further Assurances

In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and each Stockholder hereby agree, at the request of the Company or any Stockholder, to execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and to take any other actions and do any things necessary to carry out the provisions hereof and give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 7.2 Notices

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, or, if confirmed, faxed or emailed, or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

  

Covia Holdings Corporation

  

258 Elm Street,

  

New Canaan, CT 06840

  

United States of America

  

Attention: General Counsel

  

Facsimile: +1 (203) 966-1977

with a copy to:

  

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

  

601 Lexington Avenue

  

New York, NY 10022

  

United States of America

  

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

  

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

  

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

  

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

  

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001

If to Sibelco:

  

SCR-Sibelco NV

  

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

  

Belgium

 
  

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

   Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00

 

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with a copy to:    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP
   601 Lexington Avenue
   New York, NY 10022
   United States of America
   Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.
   Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com
   Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.
   Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com
   Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001

Section 7.3 Headings

The headings, table of contents and index of defined terms contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 7.4 Severability

If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law in a mutually acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.

Section 7.5 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries; No Additional Representations

 

(a) This Agreement (including the documents, exhibits, schedules and instruments referred to herein), (i) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) is not intended to and shall not confer upon any Person other than the Parties (and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns) any rights or remedies hereunder (other than the Fairmount Directors).

 

(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that none of the Company, the Stockholders or any other Person has (i) made any representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the respective businesses of the Company, such Stockholder or such other Person, or the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding such businesses furnished or made available to the parties and (ii) relied on any representation or warranty of the Company, any Stockholder or any other Person, as applicable, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Section 7.6 Successors and Assigns; Assignment

Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided, however, that Sibelco may assign its rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Parties to any wholly owned Affiliate of Sibelco that holds or owns Shares; provided further, however, that any such assignment shall not relieve Sibelco of its obligations hereunder. Any purported assignment in violation of the preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the preceding two sentences and the rights and restrictions on Transfers set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns

Section 7.7 Amendment

No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by all the Parties and, if applicable, duly approved by such Party’s board of directors or a duly authorized committee thereof; provided, however, that any amendment or modification of this Agreement must be approved by a majority of the Fairmount Independent Directors during the Restricted Period and, thereafter, by a majority of the Independent Directors. Any such written amendment or modification will be binding upon the Company and each Stockholder.

Section 7.8 Waiver

No waiver by any Party of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the Party so waiving. No waiver by any Party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Agreement shall operate or be construed 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. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 7.8 shall diminish any of the explicit and implicit waivers described in this Agreement.

Section 7.9 Governing Law

This Agreement and all actions (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of the Company or any Stockholder in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

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Section 7.10 Submission to Jurisdiction

In any suit, action or proceeding between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Parties (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware; (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court; and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware and appellate courts thereof. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section 7.10 in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to Section 7.2 . However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of a Party to effect service of process on any other Party by any other legally available method.    

Section 7.11 Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.    

Section 7.12 Specific Enforcement

The Parties acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and (as an integral and essential part of the transactions contemplated hereby without which the parties would not have entered into this Agreement) to enforce specifically the performance of terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court referred to in Section 7.10 , without proof of actual damages (and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. The Parties further agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, nor to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy for any such breach.

 

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Section 7.13 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the other Parties.

Section 7.14 Enforcement by Fairmount Directors

All of the Company’s rights under this Agreement may be enforced by the Fairmount

Directors; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall require the Fairmount Directors to act on behalf of, or enforce any rights of, the Company. Any recovery in connection with an action brought by the Fairmount Directors hereunder shall be for the proportionate benefit of all Stockholders.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

The Company:

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name: Campbell Jones

Title:   Executive Vice President and

            Chief Operating Officer

Sibelco:
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name: Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name: Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

 

Signature Page to the Stockholders Agreement


EXHIBIT A

Form of Joinder Agreement

JOINDER AGREEMENT

This JOINDER AGREEMENT (this Joinder Agreement ), dated as of [    ], 201[    ], is entered into by [Stockholder] ( Joining Stockholder ), for the benefit of the parties to the Stockholders Agreement (as defined below).

Reference is hereby made to the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of [    ], 201[    ] (the Stockholders Agreement ), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation, SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company, and each Person identified on Schedule A attached thereto. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.

This Joinder Agreement is being executed and delivered by the undersigned in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement.

1. Joinder by Joining Stockholder . Joining Stockholder agrees to, and does become party to, the Stockholders Agreement and agrees to be and is bound by all of such terms and conditions thereof applicable to a Stockholder as set forth in the Stockholders Agreement. This Joinder Agreement shall serve as a counterpart signature page to the Stockholders Agreement and by executing below, the undersigned is deemed to have executed the Stockholders Agreement as if an original party thereto, effective as of the date hereof.

2. Miscellaneous . This Joinder Agreement is a part of, and governed by the terms of, the Stockholders Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Article VII of the Stockholders Agreement is hereby incorporated, mutatis mutandis, into this Joinder Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Joinder Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above

 

By:                                                                                                   
Name:
Title:


Schedule A

Stockholders

None.

Exhibit 4.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

and

SCR-SIBELCO NV

Dated as of June 1, 2018

 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of June 1, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), by and among (i) Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), and (ii) SCR-Sibelco NV (together with its respective permitted transferees, collectively, the “ Shareholders ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, SCR-Sibelco NV, Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Merger Sub ”), Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“ Merger Sub LLC ”), and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Fairmount ”), are party to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2017 (as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Merger Agreement ”), pursuant to which: (i) Merger Sub will merge with and into Fairmount (the “ Merger ”), with Fairmount surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and, (ii) immediately following the consummation of the Merger, Fairmount will merge with and into Merger Sub LLC (the “ Second Merger ” and, together with the Merger, the “ Mergers ”), with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

WHEREAS, concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Shareholders desire to provide for certain registration rights in respect of certain Shares that are held or will be held by the Shareholders.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows, effective as of the date hereof:

Section 1. Certain Definitions . As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Piggyback Rights ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(b).

Additional Piggyback Shares ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a)(iii).

Affiliate ” as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities (the ownership of more than 50% of the voting securities of an entity shall for purposes of this definition be deemed to be “control”), by contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Company nor any Person controlled by the Company shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Holder.

Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.

 


Assumption Agreement ” means an agreement in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto whereby a permitted transferee of Registrable Securities who acquires such Registrable Securities becomes a party to, and agrees to be bound, to the same extent as its transferor, by the terms of this Agreement.

automatic shelf registration statement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4.

Board ” means the board of directors of the Company or an authorized committee thereof.

Business Day ” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday, federal or New York State holiday or other day on which commercial banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

Claims ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.9(a).

Company ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble and, for purposes of this Agreement, such term shall include any Subsidiary or parent company of Covia Holdings Corporation and any successor to Covia Holdings Corporation or any Subsidiary or parent company of Covia Holdings Corporation who becomes the issuer of Shares.

Company Block Trade Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Company Shelf Underwriting ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Company Shelf Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Company Underwritten Block Trade ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Confidential Information ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.13.

Demand Exercise Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Demand Party ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Demand Registration ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Demand Registration Request ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.

 

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Expenses ” means any and all fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with Section 2 of this Agreement, including, without limitation: (i) SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees and all listing fees and fees with respect to the inclusion of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or on any other U.S. or non-U.S. securities market on which the Shares are or may be listed or quoted, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States or compliance with the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions and in connection with the preparation of a “blue sky” survey, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of outside “blue sky” counsel and securities counsel in foreign jurisdictions (but no more than one such counsel in any one jurisdiction), (iii) word processing, printing and copying expenses (including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing any prospectus or free writing prospectus), (iv) messenger and delivery expenses, (v) expenses incurred in connection with any road show, (vi) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, (vii) with respect to each registration or underwritten offering, the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Shareholders (such counsel, the “ Selling Shareholder Counsel ”), together in each case with any local counsel (but no more than one such counsel in any one jurisdiction), (viii) fees and disbursements of all independent public accountants (including the expenses of any audit/review and/or “cold comfort” letter and updates thereof) and fees and expenses of other Persons, including geology/mining valuation firms or other special experts, retained by the Company, (ix) fees and expenses payable to a Qualified Independent Underwriter, (x) fees and expenses of any transfer agent or custodian and (xi) any other fees and disbursements of underwriters, if any, customarily paid by issuers of securities (other than underwriting discounts and commissions), and reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the underwriters in connection with any filing with or review by FINRA.

Fairmount ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holder ” or “ Holders ” means (1) any Shareholder who is a party to this Agreement or (2) any transferee of Registrable Securities to whom any Shareholder who is a party to this Agreement shall assign or transfer any rights hereunder in accordance with this Agreement, provided that such transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement in respect of such Registrable Securities pursuant to an Assumption Agreement.

Initiating Holders ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Majority Participating Holders ” means Participating Holders holding more than 50% of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities by such Participating Holders pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.

Manager ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(c).

Merger ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

 

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Merger Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Merger Sub LLC ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Mergers ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Minimum Threshold ” means $50 million.

Opt-Out Request ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.15.

Participating Holders ” means all Holders of Registrable Securities that are proposed to be included in any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2.

Partner Distribution ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(iii).

Person ” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, trust, joint stock company, business trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other legal entity of any kind or nature whatsoever.

Piggyback Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.2(a).

Postponement Period ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(b).

Qualified Independent Underwriter ” means a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121 (or any successor provision thereto).

Registrable Securities ” means (a) any Shares held by the Holders at any time (including those held as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion or exercise of Share Equivalents), whether now owned or acquired by the Holders at a later time, (b) any Shares issued or issuable, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or with respect to the Shares referenced in clause (a) above by way of stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares or in connection with a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, share exchange, consolidation or other reorganization and (c) any securities issued in replacement of or exchange for any securities described in clause (a) or (b) above. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) a registration statement covering the sale of such Registrable Securities has been declared or is automatically effective, as applicable, under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with such effective registration statement, or (B) such securities shall have been sold under Rule 144 (or any successor provision thereto).

Rule 144 ” and “ Rule 144A ” each have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.2.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or such other federal agency that at such time administers the Securities Act.

 

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Second Merger ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Recitals.

Section 2.3(a) Block Trade Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a).

Section 2.3(a) Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a).

Section 2.3(a)(x) Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(a).

Section 2.3(b) Block Trade Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(b).

Section 2.3(b) Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(b).

Section 2.3(b)(x) Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(b).

Section 2.3(c) Sale Number ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.3(c).

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC issued under such Act, as they may from time to time be in effect.

Shareholders ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Preamble.

Shares ” means the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and any and all securities of any kind whatsoever that may be issued after the date hereof in respect of, or in exchange for, such shares of common stock pursuant to a merger, consolidation, stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of the Company or otherwise.

Share Equivalents ” means, with respect to the Company, all options, warrants and other securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for (at any time or upon the occurrence of any event or contingency and without regard to any vesting or other conditions to which such securities may be subject), or depositary receipts or depositary shares representing or evidencing, Shares (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares).

Shelf Registrable Securities ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Shelf Underwriting ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Shelf Underwriting Notice ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Shelf Underwriting Request ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Subsidiary ” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company on the date hereof and any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company organized or acquired after the date hereof.

 

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Underwritten Block Trade ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(e).

Valid Business Reason ” means any of the following: (a) the Board determines, in good faith, that (i) the registration or offering of Registrable Securities at that time would require the disclosure of material, non-public information and (ii) the disclosure of such information would be materially detrimental to the Company because such action would (A) materially interfere with the Company’s ability to effect a material proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company, (B) require premature disclosure of material, non-public information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (C) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act; (b) the Company does not yet have appropriate financial statements of any acquired or to be acquired entities available for filing; and (c) if any of the Shareholders are “affiliates” of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 144), any regular quarterly “black-out” period during which all directors and executive officers of the Company are not permitted to trade under the insider trading policy of the Company then in effect.

WKSI ” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.1(a)(i).

Section 2. Registration Rights .

2.1. Demand Registrations .

(a) (i) Subject to Sections 2.1(b) and 2.3, at any time and from time to time beginning 180 days following the date hereof, any of the Shareholders (each, a “ Demand Party ” and, together, the “ Demand Parties ”) shall have the right to require the Company to file one or more registration statements under the Securities Act covering all or any part of its Registrable Securities by delivering a written request therefor to the Company specifying the number of Registrable Securities to be included in such registration and the intended method of distribution thereof. Any such request by any Demand Party pursuant to this Section 2.1(a)(i) is referred to herein as a “ Demand Registration Request ” and the registration so requested is referred to herein as a “ Demand Registration ” (with respect to any Demand Registration, the Holder(s) making such demand for registration being referred to as the “ Initiating Holders ”). Any Demand Registration Request may request that the Company register Registrable Securities on an appropriate form, including a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act and, if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, a “ WKSI ”), an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The Company shall give written notice (the “ Demand Exercise Notice ”) of such Demand Registration Request to each of the Holders of Registrable Securities at least five (5) Business Days prior to the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act.

(ii) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in a Demand Registration (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Registrable Securities that shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such registration pursuant to Section 2.2 (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Participating Holder) within five (5) days following the receipt of any such Demand Exercise Notice.

 

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(iii) The Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible, but subject to Section 2.1(b), use its commercially reasonable efforts to (x) file with the SEC (no later than sixty (60) days from the Company’s receipt of the applicable Demand Registration Request) and cause to be declared or automatically effective, as applicable, such registration under the Securities Act as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter (including, without limitation, by means of a shelf registration pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act if so requested and if the Company is then eligible to use such a registration) with respect to the Registrable Securities that the Company has been so requested to register, for distribution in accordance with the intended method of distribution, including a distribution to, and resale by, the members or partners of a Holder (a “ Partner Distribution ”) and (y) if requested by the Initiating Holders and to the extent applicable, obtain acceleration of the effective date of the registration statement relating to such registration.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall, at the request of any Holder seeking to effect a Partner Distribution, file any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendments, or include in the initial registration statement any disclosure or language, or include in any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment any disclosure or language, and otherwise take any action, deemed necessary or advisable by such Holder to effect such Partner Distribution.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.1(a), the Demand Registration rights granted in Section 2.1(a) are subject to the following limitations: (i) the Company shall not be required to (a) cause a registration pursuant to Section 2.1(a) to be declared or automatically effective, as applicable, or (b) facilitate an offering of Shares, in either case within a period of ninety (90) days after the effective date of any other registration of the Company filed pursuant to the Securities Act (other than a Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes or forms filed in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or stock purchase and/or dividend reinvestment plan) or pricing date of any offering made pursuant to such registration statement; (ii) the Company shall not be required to effect more than (x) five (5) Demand Registrations on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration at the request of the Shareholders (it being understood that if a single Demand Registration Request is delivered by more than one Shareholder, the registration requested by such Demand Registration Request shall constitute only one Demand Registration); provided , however , that the Shareholders shall each be entitled to request an unlimited number of Demand Registrations on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration (including pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act) or take-downs or other offerings off an existing Form S-3; (iii) each registration or offering in respect of a Demand Registration Request made by any Holder must include, in the aggregate, Shares having an aggregate market value of at least the lesser of (a) the Minimum Threshold (based on the Shares included in such registration by all Holders participating in such registration) and (b) the Initiating Holder’s remaining Shares; (iv) a Holder may not request that the Company file a shelf registration statement until the Company is

 

7


eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3; and (v) if a Valid Business Reason exists, then (x) the Company may postpone filing a registration statement or facilitating an offering relating to a Demand Registration Request until five (5) Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than forty-five (45) days (seventy-five (75) days in the case of a Valid Business Reason relating to the Company not having appropriate financial statements of any acquired or to be acquired entities available for filing) after the date the Valid Business Reason is initially determined to exist and (y) in case a registration statement has been filed relating to a Demand Registration Request, the Company may, to the extent a Valid Business Reason exists, suspend use of or, if required by the SEC, cause such registration statement to be withdrawn and its effectiveness terminated or may postpone amending or supplementing such registration statement until five (5) Business Days after such Valid Business Reason no longer exists, but in no event for more than thirty (30) days after the date the Valid Business Reason is initially determined to exist (such period of postponement or withdrawal under this clause (v), the “ Postponement Period ”). The Company shall give written notice to the Initiating Holders and any other Holders that have requested registration pursuant to Section 2.1 or Section 2.2 of its determination to postpone or suspend use of or withdraw a registration statement and of the fact that the Valid Business Reason for such postponement or suspension or withdrawal no longer exists, in each case, promptly after the occurrence thereof; provided , however , the Company shall not be permitted to postpone or suspend use of or withdraw a registration statement after the expiration of any Postponement Period until twelve (12) months after the expiration of such Postponement Period.

If the Company shall give any notice of postponement or suspension or withdrawal of any registration statement pursuant to clause (v) above, the Company shall not, during the Postponement Period, register any Shares, other than pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 (or an equivalent registration form then in effect). Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company that the Company has determined to suspend use of, withdraw, terminate or postpone amending or supplementing any registration statement pursuant to clause (v) above, such Holder will discontinue its disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement. If the Company shall have suspended use of, withdrawn or terminated a registration statement filed under Section 2.1(a)(i) (whether pursuant to clause (v) above or as a result of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental agency or court), the Company shall not be considered to have effected a Demand Registration for the purposes of this Agreement until the Company shall have permitted use of such suspended registration statement or filed a new registration statement covering the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or terminated registration statement and such registration statement shall have been declared effective and shall not have been withdrawn. If the Company shall give any notice of suspension, withdrawal or postponement of a registration statement, the Company shall, not later than five (5) Business Days after the Valid Business Reason that caused such suspension, withdrawal or postponement no longer exists (but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the date of the suspension, postponement or withdrawal), as applicable, permit use of such suspended registration statement or use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of the Registrable Securities covered by the withdrawn or postponed registration statement in accordance with this Section 2.1 (unless the Initiating

 

8


Holders shall have withdrawn such request, in which case the Company shall not be considered to have effected a Demand Registration for the purposes of this Agreement and such request shall not count as a Demand Registration Request under this Agreement), and following such permission or such effectiveness such registration shall no longer be deemed to be suspended, withdrawn or postponed pursuant to clause (v) of Section 2.1(b) above.

(c) In connection with any Demand Registration (including any Shelf Underwriting or Underwritten Block Trade (as defined below)), the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration shall have the right to designate the lead managing underwriter (any lead managing underwriter for the purposes of this Agreement, the “ Manager ”) in connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to such registration and each other managing underwriter for any such underwritten offering and counsel for the Participating Shareholders; provided that in each case, each such underwriter is reasonably satisfactory to the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

(d) No Demand Registration shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of Section 2.1(a) (i) if the registration statement relating thereto (x) does not become effective, (y) is not maintained effective for a period of at least one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date thereof or such shorter period during which all Registrable Securities included in such registration statement have actually been sold ( provided , however , that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder of Registrable Securities refrains from selling any securities included in such registration statement at the request of the Company or an underwriter of the Company), or (z) is subject to a stop order, injunction, or similar order or requirement of the SEC during such period, (ii) if any of the Registrable Securities requested by such Initiating Holder to be included in such Demand Registration are not so included pursuant to Section 2.3 (even where some or most of such Holder’s Registrable Securities are included in such Demand Registration), (iii) if the method of disposition is a firm commitment underwritten public offering and any of the applicable Registrable Securities identified in the preliminary prospectus or preliminary prospectus supplement, as applicable, for such offering as being sold by the Participating Holders have not been sold pursuant thereto (other than as a result of a default or breach thereunder by such Initiating Holder(s)) or (iv) if the conditions to closing specified in any underwriting agreement, purchase agreement or similar agreement entered into in connection with the registration relating to such request are not satisfied (other than as a result of a default or breach thereunder by such Initiating Holder(s)) or are otherwise not waived by such Initiating Holder(s).

(e) In the event that the Company files a shelf registration statement under Rule 415 of the Securities Act pursuant to a Demand Registration Request and such registration becomes effective (such registration statement, a “ Shelf Registration Statement ”), the Initiating Holders with respect to such Demand Registration Request and the other Demand Parties with Registrable Securities registered on such Shelf Registration Statement (or, in the case of an automatic shelf registration statement, the Demand Parties) shall have the right at any time or from time to time to elect to sell pursuant to an underwritten offering Registrable Securities available for sale pursuant to such registration statement. Any such Initiating Holder or Demand Party shall make such election by delivering to the Company a written request (a “ Shelf

 

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Underwriting Request ”) for such underwritten offering specifying the number of Registrable Securities that such Initiating Holder or Demand Party, as applicable, desires to sell pursuant to such underwritten offering (the “ Shelf Underwriting ”). As promptly as practicable, but no later than two (2) Business Days after receipt of a Shelf Underwriting Request, the Company shall give written notice (the “ Shelf Underwriting Notice ”) of such Shelf Underwriting Request to the Holders of other Registrable Securities registered on such Shelf Registration Statement (“ Shelf Registrable Securities ”). The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, shall include in such Shelf Underwriting (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Shelf Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Shelf Registrable Securities that shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Shelf Underwriting (which request shall specify the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder) within five (5) days after the receipt of the Shelf Underwriting Notice. The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible (and in any event within twenty (20) days after the receipt of a Shelf Underwriting Request), but subject to Section 2.1(b), use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Shelf Underwriting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 2.1(b), if a Demand Party wishes to engage in an underwritten block trade or similar transaction or other transaction with a 2-day or less marketing period (collectively, “ Underwritten Block Trade ”) pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (either through filing an automatic shelf registration statement or through a take-down from an already effective Shelf Registration Statement), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, such Demand Party only needs to notify the Company of the Underwritten Block Trade two (2) Business Days prior to the day such Underwritten Block Trade is to commence, and the Company shall notify the other Holders (the “ Company Block Trade Notice ”) on the same day, and such other Holders must elect whether or not to participate by the next Business Day (i.e., one (1) Business Day prior to the date such offering is to commence). The Company shall as expeditiously as possible, but subject to Section 2.1(b), use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Underwritten Block Trade (which may close as early as two (2) Business Days after the date it commences); provided , however , that the Demand Party requesting such Underwritten Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and the underwriters prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement (including filing an automatic shelf registration statement), prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Underwritten Block Trade. In the event a Demand Party requests such an Underwritten Block Trade, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1 or in Section 2.2, any holder of Shares who is not a Holder shall have no right to notice of or to participate in such Underwritten Block Trade at any time. The Company shall, at the request of any Initiating Holder, file any prospectus supplement or, if the applicable Shelf Registration Statement is an automatic shelf registration statement, any post-effective amendments and otherwise take any action necessary to include therein all disclosure and language deemed necessary or advisable by the Initiating Holders or any other Holder of Shelf Registrable Securities to effect such Shelf Underwriting. Once a Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, the Demand Parties may request, and the Company shall be required to facilitate, subject to Section 2.1(b), an unlimited number of Shelf Underwritings with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1(e), each Shelf Underwriting must include, in the aggregate, Shares having an aggregate market value of at least the lesser of (a) the Minimum Threshold (based on the Shares included in such Shelf Underwriting by all Holders participating in such Shelf Underwriting) and (b) the Initiating Holder’s remaining Shares.

 

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(f) Any Initiating Holder may revoke a Demand Registration Request delivered by such Initiating Holder at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Demand Registration and such Demand Registration shall have no further force or effect and such request shall not count as a Demand Registration Request under this Agreement.

(g) In the event that any Holder fails to take all steps necessary to commence an Underwritten Block Trade within two (2) Business Days of the date on which a Company Block Trade Notice is sent to such Holder, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, the Demand Party requesting the Underwritten Block Trade shall have the right to exclude such Holder from participating in such Underwritten Block Trade.

2.2. Piggyback Registrations .

(a) If the Company proposes or is required (pursuant to Section 2.1 or otherwise) to register any Shares for its own account or for the account of any other shareholder under the Securities Act (other than a Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes or forms filed in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or stock purchase and/or dividend reinvestment plan or a registration statement registering Shares that are issuable solely upon conversion of Share Equivalents), the Company shall give written notice (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) of its intention to do so to each of the Holders of Registrable Securities at least five (5) Business Days prior to the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act. Upon the written request of any such Holder, made within five (5) days following the receipt of any such Piggyback Notice (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder and the intended method of distribution thereof), the Company shall, subject to Sections 2.2(c), 2.2(f), 2.3 and 2.6 hereof, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities, the Holders of which have so requested the registration thereof, to be registered under the Securities Act with the securities that the Company at the time proposes to register to permit the sale or other disposition by the Holders (in accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof) of the Registrable Securities to be so registered, including, if necessary, by filing with the SEC a post-effective amendment or a supplement to the registration statement filed by the Company or the prospectus related thereto. There is no limitation on the number of such piggyback registrations pursuant to the preceding sentence that the Company is obligated to effect. No registration of Registrable Securities effected under this Section 2.2(a) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect Demand Registrations under Section 2.1 hereof. If the Company proposes or is required (pursuant to Section 2.1 or otherwise) to sell pursuant to an underwritten offering Registrable Securities available for sale pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Company Shelf Underwriting ”), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, give written notice of such Company Shelf Underwriting (a “ Company Shelf Notice ”) to each Holder of Shelf Registrable Securities. In addition to any equity securities that the Company proposes to sell for its own account in such Company Shelf Underwriting, the Company shall,

 

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subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6, include in such Company Shelf Underwriting the Shelf Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Shelf Registrable Securities that shall have made a written request to the Company for inclusion in such Company Shelf Underwriting (which request shall specify the maximum number of Shelf Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder) within five (5) Business Days after the receipt of the Company Shelf Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) if the Company wishes to engage in an Underwritten Block Trade pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Company Underwritten Block Trade ”), then notwithstanding the foregoing time periods, the Company only needs to notify the Holders of the Company Underwritten Block Trade two (2) Business Days prior to the day such Company Underwritten Block Trade is to commence and the Company shall notify the Holders and such Holders must elect whether or not to participate by the next Business Day (i.e., one (1) Business Day prior to the date such Underwritten Block Trade is to commence), and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Company Underwritten Block Trade (which may close as early as two (2) Business Days after the date it commences), and (y) if a Demand Party wishes to engage in an Underwritten Block Trade pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, then the provisions set forth in Section 2.1(e) shall apply to such Underwritten Block Trade. In the event the Company or a Demand Party requests a Company Underwritten Block Trade or an Underwritten Block Trade, as applicable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.1 or in this Section 2.2, any holder of Shares who does not constitute a Holder shall have no right to notice of or to participate in such Company Underwritten Block Trade or Underwritten Block Trade, as applicable.

(b) The Company, subject to Sections 2.3 and 2.6 and the final sentence of Section 2.2(a), may elect to include in any registration statement and offering pursuant to demand registration rights by any Person or otherwise, (i) authorized but unissued Shares or Shares held by the Company as treasury shares and (ii) any other Shares that are requested to be included in such registration pursuant to the exercise of piggyback registration rights granted by the Company after the date hereof and that are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, or otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement (“ Additional Piggyback Rights ”); provided , however , that, with respect to any underwritten offering, including a block trade, such inclusion shall be permitted only to the extent that it is pursuant to, and subject to, the terms of the underwriting agreement or arrangements, if any, entered into by the Initiating Holders or the Majority Participating Holders in such underwritten offering.

(c) If, at any time after giving a Piggyback Notice and prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration, (i) any Initiating Holder determines for any reason not to proceed with the proposed registration, the Company may at its election give written notice of such determination to each Holder of record of Registrable Securities and thereupon will be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such registration and (ii) other than in connection with a Demand Registration, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register or to delay registration of such equity securities, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to all Holders of record of Registrable Securities and (x) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such abandoned registration, without prejudice, however, to the rights of Holders under Section 2.1, and (y) in the case of a determination to delay such registration of its equity securities, shall be permitted to delay the registration of such Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other equity securities.

 

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(d) Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 by giving written notice to the Company of its request to withdraw; provided , however , that such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration or as otherwise required by the underwriters.

(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the piggyback registration rights granted pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall automatically terminate at such time as both (i) the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by the Shareholders no longer constitute at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding Shares and (ii) no Shareholder is an “affiliate” of the Company (within the meaning of Rule 144).

 

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2.3. Allocation of Securities Included in Registration Statement .

(a) If any requested registration made pursuant to Section 2.1 (including a Shelf Underwriting) involves (x) an underwritten offering and the Manager of such offering shall advise the Company and any Holder of Registrable Securities included in such underwritten offering that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company or any other Persons exercising Additional Piggyback Rights exceeds the largest number (the “ Section 2.3(a)(x) Sale Number ”) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Initiating Holders and the Majority Participating Holders, or (y) an Underwritten Block Trade and the number of securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Block Trade by the Holders of Registrable Securities or any other Persons exceeds the number that are sold in any such Underwritten Block Trade (the “ Section 2.3(a) Block Trade Sale Number ” and, together with the Section 2.3(a)(x) Sale Number, the “ Section 2.3(a) Sale Number ”), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such underwritten offering:

(i) first, all Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders thereof (including pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2(a)); provided , however , that if the number of such Registrable Securities exceeds the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the number of such Registrable Securities (not to exceed the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number) to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering (including pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2(a)), based on the number of Registrable Securities then owned by each such Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion;

(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, any securities that the Company proposes to register or sell, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number; and

(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(a) is less than the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights (“ Additional Piggyback Shares ”), based on the number of Additional Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Additional Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(a) Sale Number.

 

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(b) If any registration or offering made pursuant to Section 2.2 involves (x) an underwritten primary offering on behalf of the Company after the date hereof and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering by the Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company or any other Persons exercising Additional Piggyback Rights exceeds the largest number (the “ Section 2.3(b)(x) Sale Number ”) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Company or (y) a Company Underwritten Block Trade and the number of securities requested to be included in such Company Underwritten Block Trade by the Company, the Holders of Registrable Securities or any other Persons exceeds the number that are sold in any such Company Underwritten Block Trade (the “ Section 2.3(b) Block Trade Sale Number ” and, together with the Section 2.3(b)(x) Sale Number, the “ Section 2.3(b) Sale Number ”), the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include in such underwritten offering:

(i) first, all equity securities that the Company proposes to register or sell for its own account;

(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2(a), based on the number of Registrable Securities then owned by each such Holder requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Holders requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number; and

(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(b) is less than the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the number of Additional Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Additional Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(b) Sale Number.

(c) If any registration pursuant to Section 2.2 involves an underwritten offering that was initially requested by any Person(s) (other than a Holder) to whom the Company has granted registration rights that are not inconsistent with the rights granted in, and do not otherwise conflict with the terms of, this Agreement and the Manager shall advise the Company that, in its view, the number of securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering exceeds the number (the “ Section 2.3(c) Sale Number ”) that can be sold in an orderly manner in such underwritten offering within a price range acceptable to the Company, the Company shall include in such underwritten offering:

(i) first, the securities requested to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among such Person(s) requesting the registration and all Holders requesting that Registrable Securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights pursuant to Section 2.2(a), based on the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, then owned by each of the foregoing requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of securities or Registrable Securities, as applicable, owned by all such Holders and Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number;

 

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(ii) second, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities and securities to be included pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated on a pro rata basis among all Persons requesting that securities be included in such underwritten offering pursuant to the exercise of Additional Piggyback Rights, based on the number of Additional Piggyback Shares then owned by each Person requesting inclusion in relation to the aggregate number of Additional Piggyback Shares owned by all Persons requesting inclusion, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number; and

(iii) third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities and securities to be included pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.3(c) is less than the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number, the remaining securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be allocated to shares the Company proposes to register or sell for its own account, up to the Section 2.3(c) Sale Number.

(d) If, as a result of the proration provisions set forth in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 2.3, any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that such Holder has requested be included, such Holder may elect to withdraw such Holder’s request to include Registrable Securities in the registration to which such underwritten offering relates or may reduce the number requested to be included; provided, however, that (x) such request must be made in writing prior to the earlier of the execution of the underwriting agreement or the execution of the custody agreement with respect to such registration and (y) such withdrawal or reduction shall be irrevocable and, after making such withdrawal or reduction, such Holder shall no longer have any right to include Registrable Securities in the registration as to which such withdrawal or reduction was made to the extent of the Registrable Securities so withdrawn or reduced. If more than one of the Shareholders desires to register or sell Shares and the number of Shares to be sold by the Shareholders collectively is to be reduced for any reason pursuant to Section 2.3 or otherwise, than the Shareholders may allocate among themselves the number of Shares each may register or sell (but capped at the maximum amount of Shares they are permitted collectively to sell in such registration or offering).

2.4. Registration Procedures . If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of this Agreement to effect or cause the registration of and/or participate in any offering or sale of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Agreement (or use commercially reasonable efforts to accomplish the same), the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

 

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(a) prepare and file all filings with the SEC and FINRA required for the consummation of the offering, including preparing and filing with the SEC a registration statement on an appropriate registration form of the SEC for the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof (including, without limitation, a Partner Distribution), which registration form (i) shall be selected by the Company (except as provided for in a Demand Registration Request) and (ii) shall, in the case of a shelf registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders thereof and such registration statement shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable registration form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and remain continuously effective for such period as any Participating Holder pursuant to such registration statement shall reasonably request ( provided , however , that as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto (other than any amendment by means of a document filed by the Company under the Exchange Act) or any free writing prospectus related thereto, the Company will furnish to the Demand Parties, counsel for each of the Participating Holders and counsel for the Manager, if any, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including all exhibits thereto and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the SEC), which documents will be subject to the reasonable review and reasonable comment of such counsel (including any objections to any information pertaining to any Participating Holder and its plan of distribution and otherwise to the extent necessary, if at all, to complete the filing or maintain the effectiveness thereof), and the Company shall make the changes reasonably requested by such counsel and shall not file any registration statement or amendment thereto (other than any amendment by means of a document filed by the Company under the Exchange Act), any prospectus or supplement thereto or any free writing prospectus related thereto to which counsel for the Participating Holders, the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object); provided , however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company be required to file any document with the SEC that in the view of the Company or its counsel contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein not misleading; provided , further , that any Participating Holder shall be entitled to review and provide reasonable comment on disclosure regarding itself included or proposed to be included in any such filing;

(b) (i) subject to Section 2.1(b), prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith and such free writing prospectuses and Exchange Act reports as may be necessary to keep such registration statement continuously effective for such period as any Participating Holder pursuant to such registration statement shall reasonably request and to comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, and any prospectus so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement and (ii) provide notice to such sellers of Registrable Securities and the Manager, if any, of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration statement would be appropriate;

 

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(c) furnish, without charge, to each Participating Holder and each underwriter, if any, of the securities covered by such registration statement such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, each free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, in each case, in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and other documents, as such seller and underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller (the Company hereby consenting to the use in accordance with all applicable laws of each such registration statement (or amendment or post-effective amendment thereto) and each such prospectus (or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto) or free writing prospectus by each such Participating Holder and the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or prospectus);

(d) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or state “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as any sellers of Registrable Securities or any managing underwriter, if any, shall reasonably request in writing, and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such sellers or underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions in accordance with the intended methods of disposition (including keeping such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect), except that in no event shall the Company be required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it would not, but for the requirements of this paragraph (d), be required to be so qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(e) promptly notify each Participating Holder and each managing underwriter, if any: (i) when the registration statement, any pre-effective amendment, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto, any post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any free writing prospectus has been filed with the SEC and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of any request by the SEC or state securities authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus related thereto or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement 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 of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or state “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the existence of any fact of which the Company becomes aware that results in the registration statement or any amendment thereto, the prospectus related thereto or any supplement thereto, any document incorporated therein by reference, any free writing prospectus or the information conveyed to any purchaser at the time of sale to such purchaser containing an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make any statement therein (other than with respect

 

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to a registration statement, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (which notice shall notify the Participating Holders only of the occurrence of such an event and shall provide no additional information regarding such event to the extent such information would constitute material non-public information); and (vi) if at any time the representations and warranties contemplated by any underwriting agreement, securities sale agreement, or other similar agreement, relating to the offering shall cease to be true and correct; and, if the notification relates to an event described in clause (v), unless the Company has declared that a Postponement Period exists, the Company shall promptly prepare and furnish to each such seller and each underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading;

(f) comply (and continue to comply) in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the registration statement (and in any event within forty-five (45) days, or ninety (90) days if it is a fiscal year, after the end of such twelve month period described hereafter), an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering the period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first calendar quarter after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

(g) cause all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be listed on the principal securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed (if any), if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange;

(h) in connection with any underwritten offering, cause its senior management, other employees and independent public accountants (in the case of the independent public accountants, subject to any applicable accounting guidance regarding their participation in the offering or the due diligence process) and other experts to participate in, make themselves available at reasonable times upon reasonable request, supply such information as may reasonably be requested and to otherwise facilitate and cooperate with the preparation of the registration statement and prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto (including participating in meetings, drafting sessions and due diligence sessions) taking into account the Company’s reasonable business needs;

(i) in connection with any underwritten offering, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available at reasonable times upon reasonable request its senior management and other employees for participation in “road shows” and other marketing efforts and otherwise provide reasonable assistance to the underwriters (taking into account the Company’s reasonable business needs and the requirements of the marketing process) in the marketing of Registrable Securities;

 

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(j) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement and, in the case of any secondary equity offering, provide and enter into any reasonable agreements with a custodian for the Registrable Securities;

(k) enter into such customary agreements (including, if applicable, an underwriting agreement) and take such other actions as the Initiating Holder or the Majority Participating Holders or the underwriters shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities (it being understood that the Holders of the Registrable Securities that are to be distributed by any underwriters shall be parties to any such underwriting agreement);

(l) in connection with any underwritten offering, use its commercially reasonable efforts (i) to obtain opinions from the Company’s counsel, including local counsel, and a “cold comfort” letter, updates thereof and consents from the independent public accountants who have certified the financial statements of the Company (and/or any other financial statements) included or incorporated by reference in the applicable registration statement, in each case, in customary form and covering such matters as are customarily covered by such opinions and “cold comfort” letters (including, in the case of such “cold comfort” letter, events subsequent to the date of such financial statements) delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings, which opinions and letters shall be dated the dates such opinions and “cold comfort” letters are customarily dated and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the underwriters, (ii) to obtain customary letters from the Company’s reserve valuation experts addressed to the underwriters and (iii) to furnish to each Participating Holder upon its request and to each underwriter, if any, copies of such opinions and letters addressed to such underwriter;

(m) deliver promptly to each Demand Party, to counsel for each of the Participating Holders and to each managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company, its counsel or independent public accountants relating to discussions with the SEC or its staff with respect to the registration statement, and, upon receipt of such confidentiality agreements as the Company may reasonably request, make reasonably available for inspection by counsel for the Participating Holders, by counsel for any underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to such registration statement and by any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Participating Holders or any such underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company as may reasonably be requested, and cause the Company’s officers and other employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such counsel for the Participating Holders, counsel for an underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration statement;

(n) use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance or obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, in each case, as promptly as reasonably practicable;

 

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(o) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not later than the effective date of the registration statement and, if applicable, provide the applicable transfer agent with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company;

(p) cooperate with the Participating Holders and the managing underwriter, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (or book-entry designations) not bearing any restrictive legends representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, and cause such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names in accordance with the underwriting agreement at least one (1) Business Day prior to any sale of Registrable Securities to the underwriters or, if not an underwritten offering, in accordance with the instructions of the Participating Holders at least one (1) Business Day prior to any sale of Registrable Securities and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof (and, in the case of Registrable Securities registered on a Shelf Registration Statement, at the request of any Holder, prepare and deliver certificates (or book-entry designations) representing such Registrable Securities not bearing any restrictive legends and deliver or cause to be delivered an opinion or instructions to the transfer agent in order to allow such Registrable Securities to be sold from time to time);

(q) take no direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided , however , that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Company, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to make any such prohibition inapplicable;

(r) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by the applicable registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the Participating Holders or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended methods thereof;

(s) take all such other commercially reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(t) take all reasonable action to ensure that any free writing prospectus utilized in connection with any registration covered by Section 2.1 or 2.2 complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, will not conflict with a related prospectus, prospectus supplement and related documents and, when taken together with the related prospectus, prospectus supplement and related documents, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(u) in connection with any underwritten offering, if at any time the information conveyed to a purchaser at the time of sale includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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, promptly file with the SEC such amendments or supplements to such information as may be necessary so that the statements as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances, be misleading;

 

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(v) in connection with any underwritten offering, to the extent required by the rules and regulations of FINRA, retain a Qualified Independent Underwriter reasonably acceptable to the Manager; and

(w) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any managing underwriters, their counsel, the Participating Holders and counsel for the Participating Holders in connection with the preparation and filing of any applications, notices, registrations and responses to requests for additional information with FINRA, the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, or any other national securities exchange on which the Shares are or are to be listed.

To the extent the Company is a WKSI at the time any Demand Registration Request is submitted to the Company, and such Demand Registration Request requests that the Company file an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) (an “ automatic shelf registration statement ”) on Form S-3, the Company shall file an automatic shelf registration statement that covers those Registrable Securities that are requested to be registered. To the extent the Company has filed an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to remain a WKSI (and not become an ineligible issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act)) during the period during which such automatic shelf registration statement is required to remain effective. If the Company is requested to register Registrable Securities on an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company shall pay the applicable filing fee related to such Registrable Securities at the time of filing of the automatic shelf registration statement. If the automatic shelf registration statement has been outstanding for at least three (3) years, at or prior to the end of the third year the Company shall, upon request, refile a new automatic shelf registration statement covering the Registrable Securities that remain outstanding. If at any time when the Company is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status the Company determines that it is not a WKSI, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to refile the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.

If the Company files any shelf registration statement for the benefit of the holders of any of its securities other than the Holders, and the Holders do not request that their Registrable Securities be included in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company agrees that it shall include in such registration statement such disclosures as may be required by Rule 430B under the Securities Act (referring to the unnamed selling security holders in a generic manner by identifying the initial offering of the securities to the Holders) in order to ensure that the Holders may be added to such shelf registration statement at a later time through the filing of a prospectus supplement rather than a post-effective amendment.

 

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The Company may require as a condition to the Company’s obligations under this Section 2.4 that each Participating Holder as to which any registration is being effected (i) furnish the Company such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request, provided that such information is necessary for the Company to consummate such registration and shall be used only in connection with such registration and (ii) provide any underwriters participating in the distribution of such securities such information as the underwriters may request and execute and deliver any agreements, certificates or other documents as the underwriters may request.

Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clause (v) of paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4, such Holder will discontinue such Holder’s disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4 and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that was in effect at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the applicable period mentioned in paragraph (b) of this Section 2.4 shall be extended by the number of days during such period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each Participating Holder covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by paragraph (e) of this Section 2.4. The period(s) during which the Holders are required to discontinue disposition of securities pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed forty-five (45) days with respect to any one such period within any 365 day period (either alone or in combination with a Postponement Period pursuant to Section 2.1(b) hereof).

To the extent that any Holder is or may be deemed to be an “underwriter” of Registrable Securities pursuant to any SEC comments or policies, the Company agrees that such Holder shall be entitled to conduct the due diligence that an underwriter would normally conduct in connection with an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act, including without limitation receipt of customary opinions and comfort letters addressed to such Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable accounting or auditing guidance).

2.5. Registration Expenses .

(a) The Company shall pay all Expenses with respect to any registration or offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, whether or not a registration statement becomes effective or the offering is consummated.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the provisions of this Section 2.5 shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to cause these expense provisions to comply with state “blue sky” laws of each state in which the offering is made, and (y) in connection with any underwritten offering hereunder, each Participating Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and any transfer taxes, if any, attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities, pro rata with respect to payments of discounts and commissions in accordance with the number of Shares sold in the offering by such Holder. In addition, each Participating Holder shall pay the expenses of its own counsel and advisors, except to the extent provided in the definition of “Expenses”.

 

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2.6. Certain Limitations on Registration Rights . In the case of any registration under Section 2.1 involving an underwritten offering, or, in the case of a registration under Section 2.2, if the Company has determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all securities to be included in such underwritten offering shall be subject to such underwriting agreement and no Person may participate in such underwritten offering unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided therein and completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires and other documents (including custody agreements and powers of attorney, if any) that must be executed in connection therewith; provided, however, that all such documents shall be consistent with the provisions hereof and (ii) provides such other information to the Company or the underwriter as may be necessary to register such Person’s securities.

2.7. Limitations on Sale or Distribution of Other Securities .

(a) Each Holder agrees (whether or not such Holder can participate in any such offering), (i) to the extent requested by a managing underwriter, if any, of any underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration or offering effected pursuant to Section 2.1 (including any Shelf Underwriting pursuant to Section 2.1(e)), not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, any Shares or Share Equivalents (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, not to exceed ninety (90) days from the pricing date of such offering or such shorter period as the managing underwriter, the Company or any executive officer or director of the Company shall agree to (and the Company hereby also so agrees (except that the Company may effect any sale or distribution of any such securities pursuant to a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes or forms filed in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or stock purchase and/or dividend reinvestment plan), to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all directors and executive officers of the Company, to so agree), and (ii) to the extent requested by a managing underwriter of any underwritten public offering effected by the Company for its own account (including without limitation any offering in which one or more Holders is selling Shares pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights under Section 2.2 hereof), not to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144, any Shares or Share Equivalents (other than as part of such underwritten public offering) during the time period reasonably requested by the managing underwriter, which period shall not exceed ninety (90) days from the pricing date of such offering or such shorter period as the managing underwriter, the Company or any executive officer or director of the Company shall agree to. Each Holder agrees to execute and deliver customary lock-up agreements for the benefit of the underwriters with such form and substance as the managing underwriter shall reasonably determine.

 

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(b) The Company hereby agrees that, in connection with an offering pursuant to Section 2.1 (including any Shelf Underwriting pursuant to Section 2.1(e)) or Section 2.2, the Company shall not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, any Shares or Share Equivalents (other than as part of such underwritten public offering, a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or any successor or other forms promulgated for similar purposes or forms filed in connection with an exchange offer or any employee benefit or stock purchase and/or dividend reinvestment plan), until a period of ninety (90) days (or such shorter period to which the Majority Participating Holders shall agree) shall have elapsed from the pricing date of such offering, except to the extent otherwise agreed to by the underwriters as provided in any lock-up agreement required in connection with such offering; and the Company shall (i) so provide in any registration rights agreements hereafter entered into with respect to any of its securities and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all directors and executive officers of the Company to so agree.

2.8. No Required Sale . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to create an independent obligation on the part of any Holder to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to any effective registration statement. A Holder is not required to include any of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement, is not required to sell any of its Registrable Securities that are included in any effective registration statement, may sell any of its Registrable Securities in any manner in compliance with applicable law (including pursuant to Rule 144) even if such shares are already included on an effective registration statement, and may request that Registrable Securities be registered or sold pursuant to a registration statement even if such Shares are eligible to be sold pursuant to Rule 144.

2.9. Indemnification .

(a) In the event of any registration or offer and sale of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant to this Section 2, the Company will (without limitation as to time), and hereby agrees to, and hereby does, indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Participating Holder, its directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members, general and limited partners, affiliates, successors and assigns (and the directors, officers, fiduciaries, employees, stockholders, members, general and limited partners, affiliates, successors and assigns thereof), and each other Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any such Participating Holder and each director, officer, employee, stockholder, fiduciary, managing director, affiliate, successor, assign or partner of such controlling Person (and all controlling Persons of any such Persons or other controlling Persons), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, actions or proceedings (whether commenced or threatened) and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel and any amounts paid in any settlement effected with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) to which each such indemnified party may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise in respect thereof (collectively, “ Claims ”), insofar as such Claims arise out of, are based upon, relate to or are in connection with (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained

 

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in any preliminary, final or summary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, together with the documents incorporated by reference therein, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company and relating to any action required of or inaction by the Company in connection with any such offering of Registrable Securities, and the Company will reimburse any such indemnified party for any documented legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company shall not be liable to any such indemnified party in any such case to the extent such Claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact made in such registration statement or amendment thereof or supplement thereto or in any such prospectus or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus or free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such indemnified party specifically for use therein. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such seller.

(b) Each Participating Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.9) to the extent permitted by law the Company, its officers who signed the applicable registration statement and its directors, each Person controlling the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and each director, officer, employee, stockholder, fiduciary, managing director, affiliate, successor, assign or partner of such controlling Person (and all controlling Persons of any such Persons or other controlling Persons) with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact in, or omission or alleged omission of any material fact from, such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, if such statement or alleged statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written information furnished to the Company or its representatives by or on behalf of such Participating Holder specifically for use therein, and each such Participating Holder, shall reimburse such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the aggregate amount that any such Participating Holder shall be required to pay pursuant to this Section 2.9 (including pursuant to indemnity, contribution or otherwise) shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds actually received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim; provided , further , that such Participating Holder shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that prior to the filing of any such registration statement or prospectus or amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus utilized in connection therewith, such Participating Holder has furnished in writing to the Company information expressly for use in such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or

 

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free writing prospectus which corrected or made not misleading information previously furnished to the Company. The Company and each Participating Holder hereby acknowledge and agree that, unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing by such Participating Holders to the contrary, for all purposes of this Agreement, the only information furnished or to be furnished to the Company for use in any such registration statement, preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus, are statements specifically relating to (i) the beneficial ownership of Shares by such Participating Holder and its Affiliates as disclosed in the section of such document entitled “Selling Shareholders” or “Principal and Selling Shareholders” or other variations thereof and (ii) the name and address of such Participating Holder. If any additional information about such Holder or the plan of distribution (other than for an underwritten offering) is required by law to be disclosed in any such document, then such Holder shall not unreasonably withhold its agreement referred to in the immediately preceding sentence. Such indemnity and reimbursement of expenses shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.

(c) Indemnification similar to that specified in the preceding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.9 (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by the Company and each Participating Holder with respect to any required registration or other qualification of securities under any applicable securities and state “blue sky” laws.

(d) Any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement shall notify promptly the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of any action or proceeding with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this Section 2.9, but the failure of any indemnified party to provide such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 2.9, except to the extent the indemnifying party is materially and actually prejudiced thereby and shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.9. In case any action or proceeding is brought against an indemnified party and such indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof (as required above), the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, unless in the reasonable opinion of outside counsel to the indemnified party a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such Claim, to assume the defense thereof jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to the extent that it chooses, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party that it so chooses, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided , however , that (i) if the indemnifying party fails to take reasonable steps necessary to defend diligently the action or proceeding within thirty (30) days after receiving notice from such indemnified party that the indemnified party believes it has failed to do so; (ii) if such indemnified party who is a defendant in any action or proceeding that is also brought against the indemnifying party reasonably shall have concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party that are not available to the indemnifying party or that may conflict with or are different from those available to

 

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another indemnified party with respect to such Claim; or (iii) if representation of both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct, then, in any such case, the indemnified party shall have the right to assume or continue its own defense and the indemnifying party shall be liable for any expenses therefor. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (A) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(e) If for any reason the foregoing indemnity is unavailable, unenforceable or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Sections 2.9(a), (b) or (c), then each applicable indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable to such indemnified party as a result of any Claim in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and the indemnified party, on the other hand, with respect to such Claim. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. If, however, the allocation provided in the second preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative faults but also the relative benefits of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if any contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding sentences of this Section 2.9(e). The amount paid or payable in respect of any Claim shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.9(e) to the contrary, no indemnifying party (other than the Company) shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.9(e) to contribute any amount greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such indemnifying party from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement giving rise to such Claim, less the amount of any indemnification payment made by such indemnifying party pursuant to Sections 2.9(b) and (c). In addition, no Holder of Registrable Securities or any Affiliate thereof shall be required to pay any amount under this Section 2.9(e) unless such Person or entity would have been required to pay an amount pursuant to Section 2.9(b) if it had been applicable in accordance with its terms.

 

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(f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained herein shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any indemnified party may have pursuant to law or contract and shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made or omitted by or on behalf of any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by any such party.

(g) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section 2.9 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred; provided, however, that the recipient thereof hereby undertakes to repay such payments if and to the extent it shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such recipient is not entitled to such payment hereunder.

2.10. Limitations on Registration of Other Securities; Representation . From and after the date of this Agreement, for so long as the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by the Shareholders constitute at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Shareholders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company giving such holder or prospective holder any registration rights the terms of which are (i) more favorable taken as a whole than the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder unless the Company shall also give such rights to such Holders or (ii) on parity with the registration rights granted to the Holders hereunder.

2.11. No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company shall not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent in any material respects with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement.

Section 3. Underwritten Offerings .

3.1. Requested Underwritten Offerings . If requested by the underwriters for any underwritten offering pursuant to a registration requested under Section 2.1, the Company shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Such underwriting agreement shall (i) be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Majority Participating Holders, (ii) contain terms not materially inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement to the extent the underwriters of such offering agree to such terms and (iii) contain such representations and warranties by, and such other agreements on the part of, the Company and such other terms as are customary and generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including, without limitation, indemnities and contribution agreements as are customary for the lead underwriter for such offering and agreed to by the Majority Participating Holders. Any Participating Holder shall be a party to such underwriting agreement and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided , however , that the Company shall not be

 

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required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. Unless otherwise agreed by the Majority Participating Holders and the underwriters, each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement for indemnity, contribution or otherwise shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such underwriting agreement and in no event shall relate to anything other than information about such Holder specifically provided by such Holder for use in the registration statement and prospectus (in each case unless otherwise agreed by the underwriters and the Majority Participating Holders).

3.2. Piggyback Underwritten Offerings . In the case of a registration pursuant to Section 2.2, if the Company shall have determined to enter into an underwriting agreement in connection therewith, all of the Participating Holders’ Registrable Securities to be included in such registration shall be subject to such underwriting agreement. Any Participating Holder shall be a party to such underwriting agreement and may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Participating Holder and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of such Participating Holder; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to make any representations or warranties with respect to written information specifically provided by a Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement. Unless otherwise agreed by the Majority Participating Holders and the underwriters, each such Participating Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Participating Holder, its ownership of and title to the Registrable Securities, any written information specifically provided by such Participating Holder for inclusion in the registration statement and its intended method of distribution; and any liability of such Participating Holder to any underwriter or other Person under such underwriting agreement shall in no case be greater than the amount of the net proceeds received by such Participating Holder upon the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such underwriting agreement and in no event shall relate to anything other than information about such Holder specifically provided by such Holder for use in the registration statement and prospectus (in each case unless otherwise agreed by the underwriters and Majority Participating Holders).

 

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Section 4. General .

4.1. Rule 144 and Rule 144A . The Company covenants that (i) so long as it remains subject to the reporting provisions of the Exchange Act, it will use commercially reasonable efforts to timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act (including, but not limited to, the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1)(i) of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“ Rule 144 ”)) or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales by such Holder under Rule 144, Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended (“ Rule 144A ”), or any similar rules or regulations hereafter adopted by the SEC, and (ii) it will take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (A) Rule 144, (B) Rule 144A or (C) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the reasonable request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. To the extent any Holder desires to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, the Company agrees to provide customary instructions to the transfer agent to remove any restrictive legends from such Shares and to provide or cause any customary opinions of counsel to be delivered to the transfer agent in connection with any such sale. In addition, the Company agrees to remove any restrictive legend from the Registrable Securities upon the reasonable request of any Holder as soon as reasonably permitted by applicable law and customary practice (including customary transfer agent practices).

4.2. Nominees for Beneficial Owners . If Registrable Securities are held by a nominee for the beneficial owner thereof, the beneficial owner thereof may, at its option, be treated as the Holder of such Registrable Securities for purposes of any request or other action by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (or any determination of any number or percentage of shares constituting Registrable Securities held by any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement); provided, however, that the Company shall have received assurances reasonably satisfactory to it of such beneficial ownership.

4.3. Amendments and Waivers . For three years following the date hereof, no provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is approved by a majority of the Foxtrot Independent Directors (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among the Company, SCR-Sibelco NV and the other stockholders of the Company party thereto) or by the sole Foxtrot Independent Director, so long as at least one Foxtrot Independent Director is a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. Additionally, except as otherwise provided herein, no modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective against the Company or any Holder unless such modification, amendment or waiver is approved in writing by the Company and such Holder. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other or future exercise of any such right, power or privilege.

 

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4.4. Notices . All notices, requests, consents, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt); (b) when received by the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested); (c) on the date sent by facsimile or email of a PDF document (with confirmation of transmission) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient; or (d) on the third (3rd) day after the date mailed, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such communications must be sent to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this Section 4.4):

 

  if to the Company:
  Covia Holdings Corporation
  258 Elm Street,
  New Canaan, CT 06840
  United States of America
  Attention:   General Counsel
  Facsimile:   +1 (203) 966-1977
  with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

  New York, NY 10022
  Attention:   Peter Lyons
  E-mail:   peter.lyons@freshfields.com
  Attention:   Omar Pringle, Esq.
  Email:   omar.pringle@freshfields.com
  Facsimile:   +1 (212) 277 4001
 

if to the Shareholders:

 

SCR-Sibelco NV

 

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

  Belgium  
  Attention:   Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel
  Facsimile:   +32 3 223 67 00
 

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

 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

 

32


  601 Lexington Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
  Attention:   Peter Lyons
  Facsimile:   (212) 284-4965
  E-mail:   peter.lyons@freshfields.com

If to any other Holder, at such Holder’s address as set forth on such Holder’s signature page hereto or to an Assumption Agreement.

4.5. Successors and Assigns . Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and the respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the parties hereto, whether so expressed or not. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Shareholders. No Holder shall have the right to assign all or part of its rights and obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; provided, that any Holder may assign this Agreement to one or more of its Affiliates without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto, and any Holder may assign this Agreement to one or more third parties who acquire Shares from such Holder other than in a public underwritten offering or sales generally into the open market pursuant to Rule 144 so long as the Shares being acquired by such third party or parties has an aggregate market value of at least the Minimum Threshold; provided, further, that such Holder’s Affiliate (or Affiliates) or other permitted transferee executes and delivers to the Company an Assumption Agreement. Upon any such assignment, such assignee shall have and be able to exercise and enforce all rights of the assigning Holder that are assigned to it and, to the extent such rights are assigned, any reference to the assigning Holder shall be treated as a reference to the assignee. If any Holder shall acquire additional Registrable Securities, such Registrable Securities shall be subject to all of the terms, and entitled to all the benefits, of this Agreement.

4.6. Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the other documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto that form part hereof constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter hereof.

4.7. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of New York.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of New York, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of

 

33


venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in any such court and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by certified or registered mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court.

EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 4.7.

4.8. Interpretation; Construction .

(a) The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof. Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

(b) The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

4.9. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

4.10. Severability . The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or any circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision

 

34


shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such invalid or unenforceable provision and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such invalidity or unenforceability affect the validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application thereof, in any other jurisdiction.

4.11. Remedies . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, without the posting of any bond, and, if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

4.12. Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.13. Confidentiality . Each Holder agrees that any non-public information that such Holder may receive relating to the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to this Agreement (the “ Confidential Information ”) will be held strictly confidential and will not be disclosed by it to any Person without the express written permission of the Company; provided, however, that the Confidential Information may be disclosed (i) in the event of any compulsory legal process or compliance with any applicable law, subpoena or other legal process or in connection with any filings that the Holder may be required to make with any regulatory authority; provided , however , that in the event of compulsory legal process, unless prohibited by applicable law or that process, each Holder agrees (A) to give the Company prompt notice thereof and to cooperate with the Company in securing a protective order in the event of compulsory disclosure and (B) that any disclosure made pursuant to public filings will be subject to the prior reasonable review of the Company, (ii) to any foreign or domestic governmental or quasi-governmental regulatory authority, including without limitation, any stock exchange or other self-regulatory organization having jurisdiction over such party, (iii) to each Holder’s or its Affiliate’s and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, partners, accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors for use relating solely to management of the investment or administrative purposes with respect to such Holder or Affiliate thereof, and (iv) to each Holder’s or its Affiliate’s direct or indirect partners, members or investors, or potential partners, members or investors and their respective advisors, provided that such Holder or its applicable Affiliate informs such Person that such information is confidential and directs such Person to use such information only for purpose of assisting in determining whether to invest in, or monitoring, modifying or exiting its investment in, the Company (or a Holder, Affiliate of a Holder or a direct or indirect owner of a Holder).

 

35


4.14. Restructuring . To the extent that the Board of the Company elects to effect a restructuring or recapitalization of the Company or substantially all of the business of the Company through a subsidiary or parent company of the Company or otherwise, the provisions of this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted, and the Holders and the Company shall enter into such further agreements and arrangements as shall be reasonably necessary or appropriate to provide the Holders with substantially the same registration rights as they would have under this Agreement, giving due consideration to the nature of the new public entity, the nature of the securities to be offered and tax and other relevant considerations.

4.15. Opt-Out Rights . Each Holder shall have the right, at any time and from time to time (including after receiving information regarding any potential public offering), to elect to not receive any notice that the Company or any other Holders otherwise are required to deliver pursuant to this Agreement by delivering to the Company a written statement signed by such Holder that it does not want to receive any notices hereunder (an “ Opt-Out Request ”); in which case and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement the Company and other Holders shall not be required to, and shall not, deliver any notice or other information required to be provided to Holders hereunder to the extent that the Company or such other Holders reasonably expect would result in a Holder acquiring material non-public information within the meaning of Regulation FD promulgated under the Exchange Act. An Opt-Out Request may state a date on which it expires or, if no such date is specified, shall remain in effect indefinitely. A Holder who previously has given the Company an Opt-Out Request may revoke such request at any time, and there shall be no limit on the ability of a Holder to issue and revoke subsequent Opt-Out Requests; provided that each Holder shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the administrative burden on the Company arising in connection with any such Opt-Out Requests.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

36


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

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

  Name: Campbell Jones
 

Title:   Executive Vice President and

            Chief Operating Officer

SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

  Name: Kurt Decat
  Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

  Name: Laurence Boens
  Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


Exhibit A

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Assumption Agreement (this “ Assumption Agreement ”) is made as of [            ], by and [among] [between] [            ] (the “ Transferring Holder ”) and [            ] (the “ New Holder ”), in accordance with that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as amended from time to time, the “ Agreement ”), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (the “ Company ”) and the other Holders party thereto.

WHEREAS , the Agreement requires the New Holder, as a condition to the assignment of Transferring Holder’s rights under the Agreement, to become a party to the Agreement by executing this Assumption Agreement, and upon the New Holder signing this Assumption Agreement, the Agreement will be deemed to be amended to include the New Holder thereunder;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1 Party to the Agreement . By execution of this Assumption Agreement, as of the date hereof the New Holder is hereby made a party to the Agreement with all rights and obligations of a Shareholder. The New Holder hereby agrees to become a party to the Agreement and to be bound by, and subject to, all of the representations, covenants, terms and conditions of the Agreement that are applicable to, and assignable under the Agreement by, the Transferring Holder, in the same manner as if the New Holder were an original signatory to the Agreement. Execution and delivery of this Assumption Agreement by the New Holder shall also constitute execution and delivery by the New Holder of the Agreement, without further action of any party.

Section 2 Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement unless otherwise noted.

Section 3 Representations and Warranties of the New Holder .

3.1 Authorization . The New Holder has all requisite [corporate] power and authority and has taken all action necessary in order to duly and validly approve the New Holder’s execution and delivery of, and performance of its obligations under, this Assumption Agreement. This Assumption Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the New Holder and constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the New Holder, enforceable against the New Holder in accordance with its terms.

3.2 No Conflict . The New Holder is not under any obligation or restriction, whether or otherwise, nor shall it assume any such obligation or restriction, that does or would materially interfere or conflict with the performance of its obligations under this Assumption Agreement.

Section 4 Further Assurances . Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Assumption Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.


Section 5 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of New York.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in the State of New York, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in any such court and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by certified or registered mail to such party’s address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court.

EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION, (B) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.

Section 6 Counterparts . This Assumption Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail), each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 7 Entire Agreement . This Assumption Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the other documents referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto which form part hereof constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, relating to the subject matter hereof.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound hereby, the undersigned parties have executed this Assumption Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

TRANSFERRING HOLDER
[        ]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
NEW HOLDER
[        ]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Notice Address: [        ]
[        ]
[        ]
Attention: [        ]
Facsimile: [        ]
Email: [            ]

 

Accepted and Agreed to as of

the date first written above:

CORPORATION

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 10.1

REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

This REDEMPTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) dated as of May 31, 2018 by and between UNIMIN CORPORATION , a Delaware corporation ( Unimin ), and SCR-SIBELCO NV , a company incorporated under the laws of Belgium ( Sibelco ). Unimin and Sibelco are each referred to herein individually as a party and collectively as the parties .

WHEREAS , Unimin and Sibelco have entered into a business contribution agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018 (the Business Contribution Agreement ) with Sibelco North America, Inc. ( HPQ Co ), pursuant to which Unimin conveyed and contributed certain assets to HPQ Co solely in exchange for 999 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of HPQ Co, and the assumption of certain liabilities relating to such assets, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement; and

WHEREAS , pursuant to the Business Contribution Agreement, Unimin now desires to sell the HPQ Co Shares solely in exchange for the redemption of certain shares of common stock of Unimin held by Sibelco, on the terms and conditions set forth below.

NOW THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section  1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set out below shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) Closing shall mean the consummation of the Redemption.

 

(b) HPQ Co Shares shall mean one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock of HPQ Co, par value $0.01 per share.

 

(c) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

(d) Redemption shall mean the redemption of the Unimin Shares acquired by Unimin from Sibelco, as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(e) Unimin Shares shall mean one hundred sixty-nine thousand and five hundred fifty (169,550) shares of common stock of Unimin, par value $1.00 per share, owned by the Sibelco.

Section  2. Redemption . Unimin hereby agrees to redeem the Unimin Shares owned by Sibelco and, in consideration therefor, Sibelco hereby agrees to assign, transfer and convey the Unimin Shares to Unimin by duly executing and delivering to Unimin a stock power substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

Section  3. Consideration . In consideration of the Redemption, Unimin hereby agrees to assign, transfer and convey the HPQ Co Shares, being all of the outstanding shares of common stock of HPQ Co, to Sibelco by duly executing and delivering to Sibelco a stock power substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B .


Section  4. Representations and Warranties . Each party represents and warrants to the other parties that it has all requisite corporate or equivalent power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is made without any other representation or warranty.

Section  5. Closing . The Closing will be deemed to take place at the offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, immediately following execution of this Agreement, at which time the parties hereto shall make all the deliveries contemplated in this Agreement.

Section  6. Further Assurances . The parties hereby covenant, at any time and from time to time after delivery of this instrument, at the other party’s request and without further consideration, to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such further documents and instruments, and to take all such further actions as shall be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

Section  7. No Third-Party Beneficiaries . There are not any intended third-party beneficiaries of any provision of the Agreement.

Section  8. Amendments; No Waivers .

 

(a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section  9. Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by either party without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment without such consent shall be void. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section  10. Governing Law . This Agreement shall governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of the conflicts of laws thereof: provided , however, that the laws of the respective jurisdictions of incorporation of each of the parties hereto shall govern the relative rights, obligations, powers, duties and other internal affairs of such party and its board of directors.

Section  11. Captions . The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored as in the construction or interpretation hereof.


Section  12. Severability . If any term, provision, covenant, restriction or other condition of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or law, or public policy, all other terms, provisions, covenants, restrictions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated to the extent possible.

Section  13. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

Section  14. Enforcement; Expenses of Litigation .

 

(a) Each party hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware State or United States Federal court sitting within the State of Delaware with respect to disputes arising out of this Agreement.

 

(b) Upon final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any disputes arising out of this Agreement, the party against which judgment has been entered shall reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the defense or prosecution, as the case may be, of such dispute.

Section  15. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section  16. Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section  17. Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

  Name:   Campbell Jones
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

  Name:   Kurt Decat
  Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

  Name:   Laurence Boens
  Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to HPQ Redemption Agreement


EXHIBIT A

STOCK POWER

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SCR-Sibelco NV hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto Unimin Corporation 169,550 shares of the common stock, par value $1.00 (the Shares ) of Unimin Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Corporation ), standing in its name on the books of the Corporation, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP attorney to transfer the said Shares on the books of the Corporation maintained for that purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: May 31, 2018


By:  

                                          

Name: Kurt Decat
Title:
By:  

                                      

Name: Laurence Boens
Title:

Signature Page to HPQ Stock Power


EXHIBIT B

STOCK POWER

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Unimin Corporation hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto SCR-Sibelco NV 1,000 shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 (the Shares ) of Sibelco North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Corporation ), standing in its name on the books of the Corporation, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP attorney to transfer the said Shares on the books of the Corporation maintained for that purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: May 31, 2018


By:

 

                                                           

Name: Campbell Jones

Title:

Signature Page to HPQ Stock Power

Exhibit 10.2

TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

UNIMIN CORPORATION,

SCR-SIBELCO NV,

AND

SIBELCO NORTH AMERICA, INC.

DATED AS OF MAY 31, 2018


TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT

This TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of May 31, 2018, by and among Unimin Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Unimin ”), SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company (“ Sibelco ”), and Sibelco North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a newly-formed, direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Unimin (“ HPQ Co ”). Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Business Contribution Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Unimin has determined that it would be appropriate and desirable to completely separate the HPQ Business from Unimin;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, Unimin is the common parent of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code that has elected to file consolidated U.S. Federal income tax returns (“ Unimin Affiliated U.S. Tax Group ”);

WHEREAS, Unimin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sibelco;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Business Contribution Agreement, Unimin and HPQ Co have agreed to separate the HPQ Business from Unimin by means of the Contribution, which will be followed by the Distribution;

WHEREAS, Unimin and HPQ Co intend that (i) the Contribution qualifies as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code pursuant to which no gain or loss is recognized by Unimin or HPQ Co, including under Sections 357, 361 and 1032 of the Code and with each of Unimin and HPQ Co as a party to the reorganization; (ii) the Distribution qualifies for non-recognition of gain or loss, including under Sections 355 and 361 of the Code; and (iii) neither the Contribution nor the Distribution will result in a FIRPTA Tax (collectively, the “ Tax-Free Status ”);

WHEREAS, the HPQ Business was conducted directly by Unimin prior to the Contribution;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the Parties of liabilities for certain Taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms.

1.1 General. For purposes of this Agreement (including the Recitals), the following terms have the following meanings:

 

2


“Adjustment Request” means any claim or request filed with any Tax Authority for the adjustment, refund, or credit of Taxes, including (i) any adjustment pursuant to an amended Tax Return and (ii) any claim for a refund or credit of Taxes.

“Affiliate” means any entity that is directly or indirectly “controlled” by either the person in question or an Affiliate of such person. “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. The term Affiliate shall refer to Affiliates of a person as determined at the relevant time for the determination, provided that, for the period from and after the Distribution: (i) no member of the Unimin Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of the HPQ Co Group and no member of the HPQ Co Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of the Unimin Group, (ii) Sibelco shall not be considered an Affiliate of either HPQ Co or Unimin, and (iii) no Person shall be considered an affiliate of either HPQ Co or Unimin based on any direct or indirect control by Sibelco, or of Sibelco.

“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Alternative Cash Redemption” means any of the following: (i) the redemption of certain shares of Unimin Capital Stock in exchange for a note or other evidence of indebtedness; (ii) the repayment, satisfaction, or other discharge of a note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the redemption described in the immediately-preceding clause (i); or (iii) the repayment, satisfaction, or other discharge of a note or other evidence of indebtedness issued in exchange for cash used to fund or otherwise effect the Cash Redemption.

“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Business Contribution Agreement” means the Business Contribution Agreement by and among Sibelco, Unimin and HPQ Co dated as of May 31, 2018.

“Business Day” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Cash Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Contribution” means the transfer and contribution of the assets comprising the HPQ Business by Unimin to HPQ Co solely in exchange for 100% of the issued and outstanding HPQ Co Common Stock and the assumption by HPQ Co of liabilities relating to such assets and the HPQ Business pursuant to the Business Contribution Agreement.

Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.2(f) .

“Distribution” means the distribution by Unimin of all of the HPQ Co Common Stock held by Unimin to Sibelco solely in exchange for 169,550 shares of Unimin Common Stock held by Sibelco pursuant to the Redemption Agreement.

“Distribution Date” means the date on which the Distribution occurs.

 

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“Federal Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by Subtitle A of the Code, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Federal Other Tax” means any Tax (other than Federal Income Taxes) imposed by the Code, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest” has the meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Section 355(d) and (e) of the Code.

“Filing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.1 .

“Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Income Tax or Other Tax for any Tax Period by or as a result of (i) a final and unappealable decision, judgment, decree or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) a final settlement, compromise or other agreement with the relevant Tax Authority, an agreement that constitutes a determination under Section 1313(a)(4) of the Code, an agreement contained in an IRS Form 870-AD, a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Section 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under State, local or foreign law; (iii) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations; or (iv) payment of such Tax, if assessed by a Tax Authority, pursuant to an agreement in writing by, as relevant, Sibelco, Unimin and HPQ Co (or any of their Affiliates) to accept such assessment.

“FIRPTA Tax” means any Tax imposed on Unimin under Sections 897, 1441, 1442, or 1445 of the Code, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Foreign Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession, that is an income tax as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.901-2, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Foreign Other Tax” means any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or United States possession (other than any Foreign Income Taxes), and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“Foreign Tax” means any Foreign Income Tax and/or Foreign Other Tax.

“Governmental Authority” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Group” means the Unimin Group or the HPQ Co Group, or both, as the context requires.

 

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“HPQ Business” means the global high purity quartz mining and production business of Unimin, which includes the production of co-products generated by the high purity quartz mining and production including mica, feldspar and hydrofluorosilicic acid.

“HPQ Co” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“HPQ Co Active Trade or Business” means the active conduct (within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) by HPQ Co and its “separate affiliated group” (within the meaning of in Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of the HPQ Business as conducted immediately prior to the Spin-Off.

“HPQ Co Adjustment” means any proposed adjustment by a Tax Authority or claim for refund or credit asserted in a Tax Contest to the extent that, under this Agreement, HPQ Co would be exclusively liable for any resulting Tax or exclusively entitled to receive any resulting Tax Benefit.

“HPQ Co Capital Stock” means all classes or series of stock of HPQ Co, including (i) the HPQ Co Common Stock, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock in HPQ Co for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

“HPQ Co Carryback” means any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess tax credit, or other similar Tax Attribute of any member of the HPQ Co Group which may or must be carried from one Tax Period to another prior Tax Period under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

“HPQ Co Common Stock” means the single class of authorized and outstanding common stock of HPQ Co immediately after the Distribution.

“HPQ Co Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return” means any consolidated Tax Return for Federal Income Taxes for the affiliated group (within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) of which HPQ Co is the common parent.

“HPQ Co Foreign Combined Income Tax Return” means a consolidated, combined, unitary or other similar Tax Return for Foreign Income Taxes or any Tax Return for Foreign Income Taxes with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unity, in each case, that actually includes, by election or otherwise, two or more members of the HPQ Co Group.

“HPQ Co Group” means HPQ Co and its Affiliates, if any, as determined immediately after the Distribution and thereafter.

“HPQ Co Group Return” means any HPQ Co Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, HPQ Co Foreign Combined Income Tax Return, or HPQ Co State Combined Income Tax Return.

“HPQ Co Percentage” means 23.63%.

“HPQ Co Separate Return” means any Return of HPQ Co or any member of the HPQ Co Group that is not an HPQ Co Group Return.

 

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“HPQ Co State Combined Income Tax Return” means a consolidated, combined, unitary or other similar Tax Return for State Income Taxes that actually includes, by election or otherwise, two or more members of the HPQ Co Group.

“HPQ Co Tax Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section  17 .

“Income Tax” means any Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax and/or Foreign Income Tax.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Merger Agreement ” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 11, 2017, by and among Sibelco, Unimin, Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Unimin, and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Non-Controlling Party” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.2(f) .

“Non-Filing Party” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.5 .

“Other Tax” means any Federal Other Tax, State Other Tax, and/or Foreign Other Tax.

“Past Practices” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.2(a) .

“Payment Date” means (i) with respect to any Tax Return for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the due date for any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section 6655 of the Code, the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing the Return determined under Section 6072 of the Code, and the date the Return is filed; and (ii) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof, without regard to whether any entity is treated as disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

“Post-Distribution Period” means any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period beginning the day after the Distribution Date.

“Pre-Distribution Period” means any Tax Period ending on or before the Distribution Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the Distribution Date.

Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes” means any Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Income Taxes and any Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Other Taxes.

“Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Income Taxes” means the product of (i) any Income Taxes of the Unimin Group (or an individual member thereof) for a Pre-Distribution Period that are unpaid as of the Distribution (including such Taxes payable after the Distribution pursuant to a Tax Contest, Final Determination, settlement, judgment, or otherwise) times (ii) the HPQ Co Percentage.

 

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“Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Other Taxes” means the following Other Taxes for a Pre-Distribution Period that are unpaid as of the Distribution (including such Taxes payable after the Distribution pursuant to a Tax Contest, Final Determination, settlement, judgment, or otherwise): (i) property (real or personal), other ad valorem, unclaimed property, escheat, excise, use or other similar taxes based on or assessed with respect to any Transferred Asset or Assumed Liability; (ii) severance, production, excise and other similar taxes based on operations, including mining, production, severance or extraction, at the Transferred Facilities; (iii) sales, valued added, goods and services and other similar taxes related to any product or service derived from the Transferred Facilities; and (iv) taxes imposed under Subtitle C of the Code and any similar employment, unemployment, withholding, social security, disability or payroll taxes imposed under applicable state, local, or non-U.S. Tax Law with respect to the Transferred Employees.

“Prime Rate” means the base rate on corporate loans charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. from time to time, compounded daily on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 (as applicable) days and actual days elapsed.

“Proceeding” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Proposed Acquisition Transaction” means a transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7 to enter into a transaction or series of transactions), whether such transaction is supported by Sibelco, HPQ Co or Unimin, as applicable, management or shareholders, is a hostile or unsolicited acquisition, or otherwise, as a result of which Unimin or HPQ Co would merge or consolidate with any other Person or as a result of which any Person or any group of related Persons would (directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire, from Unimin or HPQ Co and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock, as applicable and including through a stock offering or other issuance, a number of shares of Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership of Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section 355(e) of the Code, equal or exceed the Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in relation to (A) the value of all outstanding shares of Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series, or (B) the total combined voting power of all outstanding shares of Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock as of the date of such transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition Transaction shall not include (i) the adoption by Unimin or HPQ Co of a shareholder rights plan that meets the requirements of Revenue Ruling 90-11, (ii) issuances of stock by Unimin or HPQ Co that satisfy Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d) or (iii) transfers of stock on an established securities market that are described in Safe Harbor VII of Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7(d). For this purpose, any recapitalization, repurchase or redemption

 

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of Unimin Common Stock or other Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Common Stock or other HPQ Capital Stock (as the case may be) and any amendment to the certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents) of Unimin or HPQ Co (as the case may be) shall be treated as an indirect acquisition of such stock by any shareholder to the extent such shareholder’s percentage interest, in interests that are treated as outstanding equity in Unimin or HPQ Co (as the case may be) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, increases by vote or value. This definition and the application thereof are intended to monitor compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.

“Redemption Agreement” means the Redemption Agreement between Unimin and Sibelco dated as of May 31, 2018.

“Remaining Business” means any business conducted by Unimin and its Affiliates prior to the Distribution other than the HPQ Co Business, and all business conducted by Unimin and its Affiliates after the Contribution.

“Representation Letters” means the representation letters delivered or deliverable by Unimin and HPQ Co (and their officers) in connection with the rendering by Tax Advisors of the Tax Opinion.

“Responsible Company” means, with respect to any Tax Return, the Company having the primary responsibility for preparing and filing such Tax Return under this Agreement.

Restricted Actions ” means, with respect to HPQ Co, the actions listed in Sections 7.2(a) , (b) and (c)  and, with respect to Unimin, the actions listed in Sections 7.3(a) , (b) and (c) .

“Ruling” means a private letter ruling issued by the IRS to Sibelco, Unimin, HPQ Co, or any of their Affiliates to the effect that a transaction will not affect the Tax-Free Status.

“Ruling Request” means any letter filed by Sibelco, Unimin, HPQ Co, or any of their Affiliates with the IRS requesting a Ruling (including all attachments, exhibits, and other materials submitted with such ruling request letter) and any amendment or supplement to such ruling request letter.

“Separate Return” means an HPQ Co Separate Return or a Unimin Separate Return, or both, as the context requires.

“Sibelco” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

“Sibelco Guaranty” means the guaranty of Sibelco set forth in Section  17 .

“Spin-Off” means the Contribution and the Distribution.

“State Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by any State of the United States or by any political subdivision of any such State which is based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to: (i) net income or profits or net receipts, however denominated (including any capital

 

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gains, minimum Tax, or any Tax on items of Tax preference, but not including sales, use, real or personal property, value added, escheat, excise (other than excise taxes based on or measure by net income, receipts, or earnings), goods and services, customs or transfer or similar Taxes) or (ii) multiple bases (including franchise, doing business and occupation Taxes) if one or more bases upon which such Tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i), together, in each case, with any interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“State Other Tax” means any Tax imposed by any State of the United States or by any political subdivision of any such State (other than any State Income Taxes), including, for the avoidance of doubt, sales, use, real or personal property, value added, escheat, excise, goods and services, customs, or transfer or similar Taxes, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

“State Tax” means any State Income Taxes and/or State Other Taxes.

“Straddle Period” means any Tax Period that begins on or before and ends after the Distribution Date.

“Supplemental Tax Opinion” means an opinion of a Tax Advisor regarding the effect of a transaction, event, or other action on the Tax-Free Status. Any such opinion shall assume that the Spin-Off would have qualified for Tax-Free Status, if the transaction, event, or other action in question did not occur and may assume the accuracy of, and may rely upon, customary assumptions, representations and undertakings reasonably satisfactory to Sibelco, Unimin and HPQ Co, contained in a certificate delivered by an officer of Sibelco, Unimin or HPQ Co as the case may be.

“Tax” or “Taxes” means (i) any income, capital gain or loss, franchise, profits, gross receipts, estimated, ad valorem, net worth, transfer, value added, sales, use, real or personal property, payroll, withholding, employment, social security, excise, stamp, registration, alternative, add-on minimum, unclaimed property, escheat or other tax of whatever kind (including any fee, assessment or other charges in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) payable to any Tax Authority or other Governmental Authority and (ii) any interest, fines, penalties or additions imposed with respect thereto.

“Tax Adjustment” means an adjustment of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or other Tax Attribute.

“Tax Advisor” means an independent tax counsel or an accounting firm of recognized national standing in the United States or other applicable jurisdiction that imposes the Tax in respect of which advice is rendered or an opinion is delivered, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, if acceptable to the Parties, the Tax Advisor for a matter can be the auditor of any of the Parties.

“Tax Attribute” means a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment credit, unused foreign tax credit, excess charitable contribution, general business credit or any other Tax Item that could reduce a Tax.

 

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“Tax Authority” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the administration, assessment, or collection of such Tax for such Governmental Authority.

“Tax Benefit” means any refund, credit, or other reduction in Taxes.

“Tax Contest” means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

“Tax-Free Status” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Tax Item” means, with respect to any Income Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit.

“Tax Law” means the any law, statute, code, regulation, rule, ordinance, policy, guideline, decision, decree, order, ruling or other requirement of any Governmental Authority relating to any Tax.

“Tax Materials” means the Representation Letters and any other materials delivered or deliverable by Sibelco, Unimin, HPQ Co or any other member of their respective Group in connection with the rendering by a Tax Advisor of the Tax Opinion.

“Tax Matters Dispute” has the meaning set forth in Section  14.1 .

“Tax Opinion” means the opinion of Deloitte LLP deliverable to Unimin relating to the Tax-Free Status of the Spin-Off.

“Tax Period” means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Tax Law.

“Tax Records” means any Tax Returns, Tax Return workpapers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records (whether or not in written, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms and whether or not stored on electronic or any other medium) required to be maintained under the Code or other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.

“Tax-Related Losses” means (i) all U.S. federal, state and local and foreign Taxes imposed on Sibelco, Unimin, or HPQ Co, as applicable, pursuant to any settlement, Final Determination, judgment or otherwise; (ii) all accounting, legal and other professional fees, and court costs incurred by Sibelco, Unimin, or HPQ Co in connection with such Taxes; and (iii) all costs, expenses and damages associated with stockholder litigation or controversies and any amount paid by Unimin (or any Unimin Affiliate) or HPQ Co (or any HPQ Co Affiliate) in respect of the liability of shareholders, whether paid to shareholders or to the IRS or any other Tax Authority, in each case of clause (i), (ii), or (iii), resulting from the failure of the Spin-Off to qualify (in whole or in part) for Tax-Free Status.

 

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“Tax Return” or “Return” means any return or report of Taxes due, any claim for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar return, report, statement, declaration, or document required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law, including any attachments, schedules, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

“Tax Return Objection Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.5 .

“Transfer Taxes” means all sales, use, transfer, recordation, documentary, stamp or similar Other Taxes.

“Transferred Assets” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Transferred Employees” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Transferred Facilities” has the meaning set forth in the Business Contribution Agreement.

“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Period.

“Unapproved Unimin Action ” means any act or failure to act by Unimin or any Unimin Affiliate that was undertaken, approved, or authorized without the approval of a majority of the Unimin Non-Sibelco Directors.

“Unimin” shall have the meaning set forth in the first sentence of this Agreement.

“Unimin Active Trade or Business” means the active conduct (within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) by Unimin and its “separate affiliated group” (within the meaning of Section 355(b)(3)(B) of the Code) of the Remaining Business as conducted immediately prior to the Spin-Off.

“Unimin Adjustment” means any proposed adjustment by a Tax Authority or claim for refund or credit asserted in a Tax Contest to the extent that, under this Agreement, Unimin would be exclusively liable for any resulting Tax or exclusively entitled to receive any resulting Tax Benefit.

“Unimin Affiliated U.S. Tax Group” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

“Unimin Capital Stock” means all classes or series of stock of Unimin, including (i) the Unimin Common Stock, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock in Unimin for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

“Unimin Common Stock” means the single class of common stock of Unimin authorized and outstanding on the Distribution Date.

 

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“Unimin Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return” means any consolidated Tax Return for Federal Income Taxes for the Unimin Affiliated U.S. Tax Group.

“Unimin Foreign Combined Income Tax Return” means a consolidated, combined, unitary or other similar Tax Return for Foreign Income Taxes or any Tax Return for Foreign Income Taxes with respect to any profit and/or loss sharing group, group payment or similar group or fiscal unity, in each case, that actually includes, by election or otherwise, two or more members of the Unimin Group.

“Unimin Group” means Unimin and its Affiliates, if any, excluding any entity that is a member of the HPQ Co Group after the Distribution.

“Unimin Group Return” means any Unimin Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, Unimin Foreign Combined Income Tax Return, or Unimin State Combined Income Tax Return.

“Unimin Listed Action” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.4(a) .

Unimin Non-Sibelco Director ” means any member of the Board of Directors of Unimin other than a Unimin Sibelco Director.

“Unimin Separate Return” means any Return of Unimin or any member of the Unimin Group that is not a Unimin Group Return.

Unimin Sibelco Director ” means any member of the Unimin Board of Directors chosen by Sibelco.

“Unimin State Combined Income Tax Return” means a consolidated, combined, unitary or other similar Tax Return for State Income Taxes that actually includes, by election or otherwise, two or more members of the Unimin Group.

(b) Interpretation. For purposes of this Agreement: (i) Unimin, Sibelco, and HPQ Co are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Companies ” or the “ Parties ” and, as the context requires, individually referred to herein as the “ Company ” or a “ Party ”; (ii) words “ include ”, “ includes ” and “ including ” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”; (iii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns; (iv) 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; (v) except as otherwise provided (e.g., with respect to references to the Code), all references herein to a “ Section ” or “ Sections ” shall be construed to refer to Sections of this Agreement; (vi) the headings and captions for this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement; and (vii) if any period referred to herein expires on a day which is not a Business Day, or any event or condition is required by the terms of this Agreement to occur or be fulfilled (including the making of any payment required hereunder) on a day which is not a Business Day, such period shall expire on or such event or condition shall not be required to occur or be fulfilled until, as the case may be, the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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2. Allocation of and Indemnification for Tax Liabilities.

2.1 General Rule.

(a) Unimin Liability. Unimin shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the HPQ Co Group from and against any and all liability for, Taxes that are allocated to Unimin under this Section  2 (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).

(b) HPQ Co Liability. HPQ Co shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Unimin (or any Affiliate of Unimin, as applicable) from and against any and all liability for, Taxes that are allocated to HPQ Co under this Section  2 (including any increase in such Tax as a result of a Final Determination).

2.2 Allocation of United States Federal Income Taxes and Federal Other Taxes. Except as provided in Section  2.5 , Federal Income Taxes and Federal Other Taxes shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Income Taxes Relating to Federal Consolidated Income Tax Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on (i) any Unimin Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) any HPQ Co Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return.

(b) Allocation of Income Taxes Relating to Federal Separate Income Tax Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin Separate Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any (i) Unimin Separate Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) HPQ Co Separate Return.

(c) Allocation of Federal Other Taxes. With respect to any Federal Other Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes, and HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. With respect to any Federal Other Taxes for any Post-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes attributable to the Remaining Business and HPQ Co shall be responsible for such Taxes attributable to the HPQ Business.

2.3 Allocation of State Income and State Other Taxes. Except as provided in Section  2.5 , State Income Tax and State Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:

 

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(a) Allocation of State Income Taxes Relating to State Combined Income Tax Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin State Combined Income Tax Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on (i) any Unimin State Combined Income Tax Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) any HPQ Co State Combined Income Tax Return.

(b) Allocation of State Income Taxes Relating to Separate Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin Separate Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any (i) Unimin Separate Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) HPQ Co Separate Return.

(c) Allocation of State Other Taxes. With respect to any State Other Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes, and HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. With respect to any State Other Taxes for any Post-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes attributable to the Remaining Business and HPQ Co shall be responsible for such Taxes attributable to the HPQ Business.

2.4 Allocation of Foreign Taxes. Except as provided in Section  2.5 , Foreign Income Tax and Foreign Other Tax shall be allocated as follows:

(a) Allocation of Foreign Income Taxes Relating to Foreign Combined Income Tax Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin Foreign Combined Income Tax Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on (i) any Unimin Foreign Combined Income Tax Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) any HPQ Co Foreign Combined Income Tax Return.

(b) Allocation of Foreign Income Taxes Relating to Separate Returns. Unimin shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any Unimin Separate Return, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes due with respect to or required to be reported on any (i) Unimin Separate Return to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes and (ii) HPQ Co Separate Return.

(c) Allocation of Foreign Other Taxes. With respect to any Foreign Other Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes, except to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes, and HPQ Co shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes to the extent such Taxes are Pre-Distribution Period HPQ Business Taxes. With respect to any Foreign Other Taxes for any Post-Distribution Period, Unimin shall be responsible for any and all such Taxes attributable to the Remaining Business and HPQ Co shall be responsible for such Taxes attributable to the HPQ Business.

 

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2.5 Certain Transaction Taxes .

(a) HPQ Co Liability. HPQ Co shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Unimin (and its Affiliates) or Sibelco, as applicable, from and against any and all liability for:

 

  (i) Any Tax resulting from a breach by HPQ Co of any covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Business Contribution Agreement or the Redemption Agreement; and

 

  (ii) Any Tax-Related Losses for which HPQ Co is responsible pursuant to Section  7.4 .

(b) Unimin Liability. Unimin shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the HPQ Co Group or Sibelco, as applicable, from and against any and all liability for:

 

  (i) Any Tax resulting from a breach by Unimin of any covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Business Contribution Agreement or any the Redemption Agreement; and

 

  (ii) Any Tax-Related Losses for which Unimin is responsible pursuant to Section  7.4 .

(c) Sibelco Liability. Sibelco shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the HPQ Co Group or Unimin (and its Affiliates), as applicable, from and against any and all liability for:

 

  (i) Any Tax resulting from a breach by Sibelco of any covenant or representation in this Agreement, the Business Contribution Agreement or any the Redemption Agreement;

 

  (ii) Any Tax-Related Losses for which Sibelco is responsible pursuant to Section  7.4 ; and

 

  (iii) Any U.S. withholding tax for which Sibelco is responsible pursuant to Section  7.5.

(d) Certain Transfer Taxes. The Parties agree that any and all Transfer Taxes imposed in connection with the transfer of the HPQ Co Assets from Unimin to HPQ Co pursuant to the Spin-Off shall be borne equally by Unimin and HPQ Co. Unimin shall determine the manner in which any Transfer Taxes and any corresponding transactions are reported for Tax purposes, including any position that no Transfer Taxes are due and payable and, unless otherwise required pursuant to a Final Determination, no member of the HPQ Co Group shall take any action that is inconsistent with the manner in which such Transfer Taxes are reported. The Parties shall reasonably cooperate to minimize Transfer Taxes. Unimin shall file (or cause to be filed) all necessary documentation with respect to such Transfer Taxes on a timely basis; provided that the HPQ Co Group shall cooperate with the preparation of any such documentation and, to the extent required by applicable Tax law, will timely file such documentation.

 

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3. Proration of Taxes for Straddle Periods. With respect to any Straddle Period, Unimin and HPQ Co shall treat, and, if applicable, elect to treat the close of the Distribution Date as the last day of the Tax Period. If no such election is permitted, the Taxes for the Straddle Period shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period as follows: (i) in the case of real or personal property taxes, taxes based on capital that are not Income Taxes, or a flat minimum amount tax, the total amount of such Taxes multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Straddle Period through and including the Distribution Date and the denominator of which is the total number of days in such Straddle Period; and (ii) in the case of all other Taxes, including Income Taxes, based upon an actual closing of the books methodology, as determined in accordance with the relevant books and records; provided that, if the Distribution Date is not on a date for which there is a closing of the financial accounting records for HPQ Co, the closing of the books methodology will be applied to ratably allocate Tax Items for the month which includes the Distribution Date, except that any extraordinary Tax Items shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution and Post-Distribution Period on a closing of the books basis (based on the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)(C)).

4. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.

4.1 Responsibility for Preparation. Subject to the other provisions of this Section  4 , Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed when due (including extensions) by the Person that is obligated to file such Tax Returns under the Code or other applicable Tax Law (the “ Filing Party ”).

4.2 Preparation of Tax Returns.

(a) General Rule. Except as provided in Section  4.2(b) , with respect to any Tax Return for a Tax Period ending on or before the Distribution Date or any Straddle Period, such Tax Return shall be prepared in accordance with past practices, accounting methods, elections or conventions ( “Past Practices” ) used with respect to the Tax Returns in question (unless there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or unless there is no adverse effect (current or future) to Unimin), and to the extent any items are not covered by Past Practices (or in the event that there is no reasonable basis for the use of such Past Practices or there is no adverse effect (current or future) to Unimin), in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by Unimin. Except as provided in Section  4.2(b) , Unimin shall prepare any Tax Return for a Tax Period that begins after the Distribution Date that it has the obligation or the right to prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, under Section  4.1 in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by Unimin, provided that HPQ Co and Unimin may mutually agree in writing within 90 days after the Spin-Off to change one or more of the tax accounting methods or practices related to HPQ Co or the HPQ Business.

(b) Reporting of Transactions. The Tax treatment reported on any Tax Return of Sibelco, Unimin, HPQ Co or any of their respective Affiliates that relates to the Spin Off shall be consistent with the treatment thereof in the Tax Opinion, except as otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent there is a Tax treatment relating to the Spin-Off that is not covered by the Tax Opinion, then the Tax treatment shall be determined by the Responsible Company with respect to such Tax Return and the other Companies shall be deemed to agree to such Tax treatment unless (i) there is no reasonable basis for such Tax treatment, (ii) such Tax treatment is

 

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inconsistent with the Tax treatment contemplated in the Tax Opinion, except as otherwise required by applicable law, or (iii) more favorable Tax treatment is available, as confirmed by an opinion of a Tax Advisor (which opinion and Tax Advisor shall be reasonably acceptable to the Responsible Company). Any dispute regarding such proper Tax treatment shall be referred for resolution pursuant to Section  14 , sufficiently in advance of the filing date of such Tax Return (including extensions) to permit timely filing of the Tax Return; provided that, if the Tax Advisor is not able to render a final decision prior to the due date for filing the applicable Tax Return, such Tax Return shall be initially filed as prepared by the Responsible Company, but reflecting all non-disputed comments provided by the other Companies, and, as promptly as practicable after the Tax Advisor finally resolves the dispute, such Tax Return shall be amended as necessary to reflect the determination of the Tax Advisor.

4.3 HPQ Co Carrybacks and Claims for Refund. HPQ Co hereby agrees that, unless Unimin consents in writing, (i) neither HPQ Co, nor any Affiliate of HPQ Co, shall make or file any Adjustment Request with respect to any Unimin Group Returns, and (ii) HPQ Co and its Affiliates shall make or file any available elections to waive the right to claim any HPQ Co Carryback arising in a Post-Distribution Period to any Pre-Distribution Period with respect to any Unimin Group Returns, and neither HPQ Co, nor any Affiliate of HPQ Co, shall make or file any affirmative election to claim any such HPQ Co Carryback; provided , however , that HPQ Co and Unimin agree that any such Adjustment Request shall be made with respect to any HPQ Co Carryback, upon the reasonable request of HPQ Co, if such HPQ Co Carryback is necessary to prevent the loss of the Tax Benefit of such HPQ Co Carryback and such Adjustment Request, based on Unimin’s sole, reasonable determination, will cause no Tax detriment to the Unimin Group or any member of the Unimin Group (unless HPQ Co agrees to reimburse Unimin for the Tax detriment (including as a result of any disallowance in whole or in part of the HPQ Co Carryback) at no net cost to Unimin). Any Adjustment Request which Unimin consents to make under this Section  4.3 shall be prepared and filed by Unimin or the applicable member of the Unimin Group, and HPQ Co shall be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses with respect to such request and filing.

4.4 Basis of Transferred Assets and Apportionment of Other Tax Attributes. As soon as reasonably practicable following the Distribution Date, Unimin shall notify HPQ Co in writing of the adjusted Tax basis of the assets transferred to HPQ Co in the Contribution and the portion, if any, of any earnings and profits, overall foreign loss or other Tax Attribute from Pre-Distribution Periods, including consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Attributes, which Unimin determines shall be allocated or apportioned to HPQ Co under applicable Tax Law. Unimin shall provide reasonable timely updates to HPQ Co of the adjusted Tax basis of assets and the allocation of Tax Attributes as Unimin finalizes Tax Returns for the Unimin Group and as adjustments, if any, are subsequently made to such Tax Returns. HPQ Co and all members of the HPQ Co Group shall prepare all Tax Returns in accordance with such written notice. As soon as practicable after receipt of a written request from HPQ Co, Unimin shall provide copies of any studies, reports, and workpapers supporting the adjusted Tax basis of the transferred assets and other Tax Attributes allocable to HPQ Co. Any dispute regarding the adjusted Tax basis and apportionment of any other Tax Attribute shall be resolved pursuant to the provisions of Section 14 . All Tax Returns prepared by the Unimin Group and the HPQ Co Group shall be consistent with the adjusted Tax basis and any allocation or apportionment as determined pursuant to this Section  4.4 .

 

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4.5 Review and Comment Rights . With respect to any Tax Return reflecting Taxes for which both Unimin or any Affiliate of Unimin, on the one hand, and HPQ Co or any Affiliate of HPQ Co, on the other, are responsible under Section  2 , the Filing Party shall provide the other party (the “ Non-Filing Party ”) with a draft of each such Tax Return for the Non-Filing Party’s review and comment, in the case of a Tax Return for Income Taxes, at least 30 days or, in the case of a Tax Return for Other Taxes, at least 15 days (or, in the case of Tax Returns for Other Taxes, such shorter period as circumstances may reasonably require) prior to the due date for filing the applicable Tax Return (including extensions). The Non-Filing Party shall have, in the case of a Tax Return for Income Taxes, ten days or, in the case of a Tax Return for Other Taxes, five days (or, in the case of Tax Returns for Other Taxes, such shorter period as circumstances may reasonably require) from receipt of such draft Tax Return to submit in writing any objection to such Tax Return, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for any such objection, provided that any such objections shall be limited only to items that reasonably could be expected to result in an indemnity obligation or right to a refund under this Agreement for the Non-Filing Party (a “ Tax Return Objection Notice ”). If the Non-Filing Party does not timely submit a Tax Return Objection Notice in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, then the Non-Filing Party shall be deemed to have agreed to the applicable Tax Return as prepared by the Filing Party. If the Non-Filing Party timely submits a Tax Return Objection Notice, then the Parties shall work together in good faith to resolve the objections raised in such notice; provided that, if the Parties are not able to resolve all objections raised in a Tax Return Objection Notice prior to the due date for filing the applicable Tax Return (including extensions), such Tax Return shall be filed as prepared by the Filing Party, but reflecting all non-disputed comments provided by the Non-Filing Party, and, at the Non-Filing Party’s election, the remaining disputed items shall be referred for resolution pursuant to Section  14 , in which case, after the Tax Advisor finally resolves the dispute, such Tax Return shall be amended as necessary to reflect the determination of the Tax Advisor.

5. Tax Payments.

5.1 Payment of Taxes with Respect to Any Group Return. Unimin shall pay to the IRS or other applicable Tax Authority any Tax due with respect to any Unimin Group Return and HPQ Co shall pay to the IRS or other applicable Tax Authority any Tax due with respect to any HPQ Co Group Return; provided that any such Taxes described in Section  5.3 shall be governed by Section  5.3 ; provided , further , that Section  7.4(e) shall apply with respect to payments of Tax-Related Losses, and Section  7.5 shall apply with respect to payments of any U.S. withholding taxes imposed in respect of, or as a result of, the Cash Redemption.

5.2 Payment of Separate Company Taxes and Other Taxes. Each Company shall pay, or shall cause to be paid, to the applicable Tax Authority when due all Taxes owed by such Company or a member of such Company’s Group with respect to a Separate Return of Income Taxes and with respect to Other Taxes, provided that any such Taxes described in Section  5.3 shall be governed by Section  5.3 ; provided , further , that Section  7.4(e) shall apply with respect to payments of Tax-Related Losses, and Section  7.5 shall apply with respect to payments of any U.S. withholding taxes imposed in respect of, or as a result of, the Cash Redemption.

 

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5.3 Payment of Taxes With Respect to Joint Taxes. In the case of any Tax Return reflecting Taxes for which both Unimin or any Affiliate of Unimin, on the one hand, and HPQ Co or any Affiliate of HPQ Co, on the other, are responsible under Section  2 :

(a) Computation and Payment of Tax Due. At least five Business Days prior to any Payment Date for any Tax Return, the Responsible Company shall compute the amount of Taxes required to be paid to the applicable Tax Authority with respect to such Tax Return on such Payment Date. The Responsible Company shall pay such amount to such Tax Authority on or before such Payment Date (and provide notice and proof of payment to the other Company).

(b) Computation and Payment of Liability With Respect To Tax Due. Within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the due date (including extensions) for filing any such Tax Return (excluding any Tax Return with respect to payment of estimated Taxes or Taxes due with a request for extension of time to file) or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed, if Unimin is the Responsible Company, then HPQ Co shall pay to Unimin the amount allocable to the HPQ Co Group under the provisions of Section  2 , and if HPQ Co is the Responsible Company, then Unimin shall pay to HPQ Co the amount allocable to the Unimin Group under the provisions of Section  2 , in each case, plus interest computed at the Prime Rate on the amount of the payment based on the number of days from the earlier of (i) the due date of the Tax Return (including extensions) or (ii) the date on which such Tax Return is filed, to the date of payment.

(c) Adjustments Resulting in Underpayments. In the case of any adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination with respect to any Tax Return, the Responsible Company shall pay to the applicable Tax Authority when due any additional Tax due with respect to such Return required to be paid as a result of such adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination. The Responsible Company shall compute the amount attributable to the HPQ Co Group (or the Unimin Group) in accordance with Section  2 and HPQ Co shall pay to Unimin any amount due Unimin (or Unimin shall pay HPQ Co any amount due HPQ Co) within 30 days from the later of (i) the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company or (ii) the date of receipt of a written notice and demand from the Responsible Company for payment of the amount due, accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. Any payments required under this Section  5.3(c) shall include interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the additional Tax was paid by the Responsible Company to the date of the payment under this Section  5.3(c) .

5.4 Indemnification Payments. All indemnification payments under this Agreement shall be made by Sibelco, Unimin, or HPQ Co, as applicable, directly to Sibelco, Unimin, or HPQ Co, as applicable, and all such payments shall, to the extent applicable, be treated by Sibelco, Unimin, HPQ Co and their respective Affiliates in the manner set forth in Section  13 ; provided , however , that if the Companies mutually agree with respect to any such indemnification payment, any member of the Unimin Group, on the one hand, may make such indemnification payment to any member of the HPQ Co Group, on the other hand, and vice versa.

 

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5.5 Recomputations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if one Party makes a payment on account of Taxes to another Party under this Agreement, including with respect to a Tax indemnified against, and the amount of such payment, because of an amended Return, Tax Authority adjustment, Final Determination, carryover of a Tax Item or otherwise, would be increased or decreased if computed at a later date, at the written request of either Party, the Parties shall recompute such payment at such later date and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made between the Parties promptly following such recomputation.

6. Tax Benefits.

6.1 General. Except as set forth below, Unimin shall be entitled to any refund or portion thereof (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which Unimin is liable hereunder, HPQ Co shall be entitled to any refund or portion thereof (and any interest thereon received from the applicable Tax Authority) of Income Taxes and Other Taxes for which HPQ Co is liable hereunder and a Company receiving a refund (including by way of credit or offset) to which another Company is entitled (in whole or in part) hereunder shall pay over such refund or portion thereof (net of charges imposed on the Company receiving the refund) to such other Company within 30 days after such refund is received (together with interest computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date the refund was received to the date the refund was paid over).

6.2 Reimbursements. If a member of the HPQ Co Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination to any Taxes for which a member of the Unimin Group is liable hereunder (or to any Tax Attribute of a member of the Unimin Group) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a “with and without” basis (treating any such Tax Benefit as the last item claimed for the taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryforwards)), or if a member of the Unimin Group actually realizes in cash any Tax Benefit as a result of an adjustment pursuant to a Final Determination to any Taxes for which a member of the HPQ Co Group is liable hereunder (or to any Tax Attribute of a member of the HPQ Co Group) and such Tax Benefit would not have arisen but for such adjustment (determined on a “with and without” basis (treating any such Tax Benefit as the last item claimed for the taxable year, including after the utilization of any available net operating loss carryforwards)), HPQ Co or Unimin, as the case may be, shall make a payment to either Unimin or HPQ Co, as appropriate, within 30 days following such actual realization of the Tax Benefit, in an amount equal to such Tax Benefit actually realized in cash (including any Tax Benefit actually realized as a result of the payment) plus interest on such amount computed at the Prime Rate based on the number of days from the date of such actual realization of the Tax Benefit to the date of payment of such amount under this Section  6.2 . For the avoidance of doubt, a Tax Benefit is actually realized when the amount of Tax payable is reduced below the amount that would otherwise be payable without the Tax Benefit.

6.3 Cooperation. If as a result of (x) an assessment by a Tax Authority, (y) an amended Return or (z) otherwise, there is an increase in Taxes for which one Group is liable hereunder because of additional income, reduction in a Tax Attribute or otherwise, then the other Group shall at the request of the first Group file an amended Return or otherwise pursue any Tax Benefits claim available to the other Group as a result of the Tax adjustment to the first Group, provided that the first Group has furnished the other Group with (i) an opinion of a Tax Advisor

 

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reasonably satisfactory to the other Group to the effect that it is at least more likely than not that the other Group will prevail in obtaining Tax Benefits or otherwise reducing the Taxes of the other Group because of the Tax adjustment to the first Group, and (ii) an acknowledgement that the first Group will reimburse the other Group for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the other Group in connection with making such Tax Benefit claim.

7. Tax-Free Status.

7.1 Tax Opinion and Tax Materials .

(a) General. Each of Sibelco, HPQ Co and Unimin hereby represents and agrees for itself and on behalf of its Affiliates that (i) it has reviewed the Tax Materials and, subject to any qualifications therein, all information contained in such Tax Materials that concerns or relates to such Company or any member of its respective Group or other Affiliate will be true, correct and complete, from the time presented or made through the Distribution Date and thereafter as relevant, (ii) it is unaware of any fact or circumstance that is inconsistent with the Tax Materials or the conclusions of the Tax Opinion, and (iii) no member of its respective Group or other Affiliate has any plan or intention to take any action or fail to take any action if such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with the Tax Materials or would be a Restricted Action.

7.2 Restrictions on HPQ Co. The following actions listed in Sections 7.2(a) , (b) , and (c)  shall constitute Restricted Actions in respect of HPQ Co.

(a) General. HPQ Co taking, failing to take, or permitting any HPQ Co Affiliate to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any information, statement, representation, undertaking or covenant in the Tax Materials or in the Tax Opinion.

(b) ATB . HPQ Co failing to continue to be engaged in the HPQ Co Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code at any time from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date.

(c) Additional Restricted Actions . Any of the following actions by HPQ from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date: (i) entry into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent HPQ Co has the right to prohibit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction involving HPQ Co, permitting any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur or otherwise providing its approval or board of directors’ recommendation to a Proposed Acquisition Transaction involving HPQ Co, (ii) merging or consolidating with any other Person or liquidating or partially liquidating, (iii) in a single transaction or series of transactions selling or transferring (other than sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business) all or substantially all of the assets that were transferred to HPQ Co pursuant to the Contribution or selling or transfer 30% or more of the gross assets of the HPQ Co Active Trade or Business or 30% or more of the consolidated gross assets of the HPQ Co Group (such percentages to be measured based on fair market value as of the Distribution Date), (iv) redeeming or otherwise repurchasing (directly or through a HPQ Co Affiliate) any HPQ Co Capital Stock, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue

 

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Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (v) amending its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or taking any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the voting rights of HPQ Co Capital Stock (including through the conversion of one class of HPQ Co Capital Stock into another class of HPQ Co Capital Stock) or (vi) taking any other action or actions which in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this subparagraph (c) ) otherwise results in one or more Persons (whether or not acting in concert) acquiring directly or indirectly stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in HPQ Co.

7.3 Restrictions on Unimin. The following actions listed in Sections 7.3(a) , (b) and (c)  shall constitute Restricted Actions in respect of Unimin.

(a) General . Unimin taking, failing to take, or permitting any Unimin Affiliate to take or fail to take, any action where such action or failure to act would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any information, statement, representation, undertaking or covenant in the Tax Materials or in the Tax Opinion.

(b) ATB. Unimin failing to continue to be engaged in the Unimin Active Trade or Business for purposes of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, taking into account Section 355(b)(3) of the Code at any time from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date.

(c) Additional Restricted Actions. Any of the following actions by Unimin from the date hereof until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date: (i) entering into any Proposed Acquisition Transaction or, to the extent Unimin has the right to prohibit any Proposed Acquisition Transaction involving Unimin, permitting any Proposed Acquisition Transaction to occur or otherwise provide its approval or board of directors’ recommendation to a Proposed Acquisition Transaction involving Unimin, (ii) merging or consolidating with any other Person or liquidating or partially liquidating, (iii) in a single transaction or series of transactions selling or transferring (other than sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business) 30% or more of the gross assets of the Unimin Active Trade or Business or 30% or more of the consolidated gross assets of the Unimin Group (such percentages to be measured based on fair market value as of the Distribution Date), (iv) redeeming or otherwise repurchasing (directly or through a Unimin Affiliate) any Unimin Capital Stock, except to the extent such repurchases satisfy Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30 (as in effect prior to the amendment of such Revenue Procedure by Revenue Procedure 2003-48), (v) amending its certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents), or take any other action, whether through a stockholder vote or otherwise, affecting the voting rights of Unimin Capital Stock (including through the conversion of one class of Unimin Capital Stock into another class of Unimin Capital Stock) or (vi) taking any other action or actions which in the aggregate (and taking into account any other transactions described in this subparagraph (c) ) otherwise results in one or more Persons (whether or not acting in concert) acquiring directly or indirectly stock representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest in Unimin. Provided , however , that (x) no transaction occurring or contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall be considered a Restricted Action and (y) the issuance of Unimin shares pursuant to Merger Agreement shall be taken into account in determining whether any other acquisition of Unimin shares prior to the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date results in acquisition of stock representing a Fifty-Percent of Greater Interest in Unimin.

 

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7.4 Liability for Tax-Related Losses .

(a) Unimin. Unless Section  7.4(c) is applicable, Unimin shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Sibelco, HPQ Co, Affiliates of HPQ Co, and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any one or more of the following: (i) the acquisition of all or a portion of Unimin’s Capital Stock and/or it assets (and/or any of its Affiliate’s stock or assets) by any Person, (ii) any negotiations, understandings, agreements or arrangements by or on behalf of Unimin with respect to transactions or events (including stock issuances or option grants) or a series of transactions or events that cause the Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly stock of Unimin representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (iii) any action or failure to act by Unimin after the Distribution (including any amendment to Unimin’s certificate of incorporation) affecting the voting rights of Unimin stock, or (iv) any act or failure to act by Unimin or any Unimin Affiliate which constitutes a Restricted Action (collectively, a Unimin Listed Action ); provided , however , that, Unimin shall not be liable under this Section  7.4(a) for any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any Unimin Listed Action that is an Unapproved Unimin Action.

(b) HPQ Co. HPQ Co shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Sibelco, Unimin, Affiliates of Unimin, and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that are attributable to or result from any one or more of the following: (i) the acquisition of all or a portion of HPQ Co’s Capital Stock and/or it assets (and/or any of its Affiliate’s stock or assets) by any Person, (ii) any negotiations, understandings, agreements or arrangements by or on behalf of HPQ Co with respect to transactions or events (including stock issuances or option grants) or a series of transactions or events that cause the Distribution to be treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly stock of HPQ Co representing a Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest therein, (iii) any action or failure to act by HPQ Co after the Distribution (including any amendment to HPQ Co’s certificate of incorporation) affecting the voting rights of HPQ Co stock, (iv) any act or failure to act by HPQ Co or any HPQ Co Affiliate which constitutes a Restricted Action, or (v) any breach by HPQ Co of its agreement and representation set forth in Section  7.1(a) .

(c) Sibelco. Sibelco shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless HPQ Co, Unimin, and their Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any Tax-Related Losses that arise: (i) solely as a direct result of any Proposed Acquisition Transaction that was caused by Sibelco’s disposition of or entering into another transaction with respect to Unimin Capital Stock or HPQ Co Capital Stock, without the written consent of Unimin that is not an Unapproved Unimin Action, until the first day after the two-year anniversary of the Distribution Date or (ii) from any act or failure to act by Unimin or any Unimin Affiliate which constitutes a Unimin Listed Action which is an Unapproved Unimin Action. In addition to the foregoing in this Section  7.4(c) , Sibelco shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Unimin and its Affiliates and

 

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each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, any Tax-Related Losses to the extent any Tax-Related Losses are not subject to Section  7.4(a) or (b) ( provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event will this sentence of Section  7.4(c) in any way limit the Sibelco Guaranty under Section  17 ).

(d) FIRPTA Taxes . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Sibelco shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Unimin and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, one hundred percent (100%) of any FIRPTA Tax incurred on the Spin-Off.

(e) Payments. Payments of amounts for Tax-Related Losses allocated under this Section  7.4 shall be paid by HPQ Co, Sibelco, or Unimin, as applicable, to the Party which paid the Tax-Related Loss to a Tax Authority, with such indemnity being payable within two (2) Business Days after such payment, and shall be treated in the manner set forth in Section  13 .

7.5 Cash Redemption. Sibelco shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless Unimin and its Affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors and employees from and against, any U.S. withholding taxes (including any FIRPTA Taxes) imposed in respect of, or as a result of, the Cash Redemption, any Alternative Cash Redemption, or a combination thereof, with such indemnity being payable within two Business Days after such payment.

8. Assistance and Cooperation.

8.1 Assistance and Cooperation. The Companies shall cooperate (and cause their respective Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each other’s agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters relating to the Companies and their Affiliates including (i) preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and amount of any Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to and amount of any refund of Taxes, (iii) examinations of Tax Returns, and (iv) any administrative or judicial proceeding in relating to Taxes assessed or proposed to be assessed.

8.2 Tax Return Information .

(a) General. Each Company shall provide to the other Company information and documents relating to its Group required by the other Company to prepare Tax Returns, including information concerning any Tax Attributes that were allocated pursuant to this Agreement. Any information or documents that the Responsible Company requires in order to prepare such Tax Returns shall be provided in such form as the Responsible Company reasonably requests and in sufficient time for the Responsible Company to file such Tax Returns on a timely basis.

(b) Rulings and Supplemental Tax Opinions . If Sibelco, HPQ Co or Unimin requests the assistance of any other Party in obtaining a Ruling or Supplemental Tax Opinion, reasonable assistance (including delivery of customary or reasonable representations through an officer’s certificate not to be inconsistent with the Tax Materials) will be rendered as expeditiously as possible. The requesting Party shall bear all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the other Party in connection with obtaining such a Ruling or Supplemental Tax Opinion, with payment due within ten Business Days after receiving an invoice therefor.

 

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8.3 Confidentiality . Any information or documents provided under this Section  8 shall be kept confidential by the Company receiving the information or documents, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes. No Party shall be required to provide any other Person with any information and documentation requested under this Section  8 if the provision of such information or documentation would result in a waiver of attorney-client privilege or other applicable privilege or protection or would violate any Law.

9. Tax Records. Unimin shall preserve and keep all Tax Records exclusively relating to the assets and activities of its Group for Pre-Distribution Periods, and Unimin shall preserve and keep all other Tax Records relating to Taxes of the Groups for Pre-Distribution Periods until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitations, or (ii) seven years after the Distribution Date. After such later date occurs, Unimin may dispose of such Tax Records upon 90 days’ prior written notice to HPQ Co. HPQ Co shall have the opportunity, at its cost and expense, to copy or remove, within such 90-day period, all or part of such Tax Records.

10. Tax Contests.

10.1 Notice. Within ten days after a Company becomes aware of the commencement of a Tax Contest that may give rise to Taxes for which the another Company is responsible pursuant to this Agreement, such Company shall notify the other Company or Companies of such Tax Contest. Such notice shall provide that the notifying Company may seek indemnification from the other Company or Companies under this Agreement and shall attach copies of the pertinent portion of any written communication from a Tax Authority and contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters. A failure of a Company to comply with this Section  10.1 shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its indemnification obligation under this Agreement, except to the extent such failure materially prejudices the ability of the indemnifying party to contest the liability for the relevant Tax or increases the amount of such liability.

10.2 Control of Tax Contests .

(a) Separate Company Taxes. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Separate Return for Income Taxes, the Filing Party shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.2(e) , (f) , (g) , (h) and (i) .

(b) Unimin Group Return. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Unimin Group Return, Unimin shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.2(e) , (f) , (g) , (h) and (i) .

 

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(c) HPQ Co Group Return. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any HPQ Co Group Return, HPQ Co shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest, including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.2(e) , (f) , (g) , (h) and (i) .

(d) Other Taxes. In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Other Taxes (i) Unimin shall control the defense or prosecution of the portion of the Tax Contest directly and exclusively related to any Unimin Adjustment, including settlement of any such Unimin Adjustment and (ii) HPQ Co shall control the defense or prosecution of the portion of the Tax Contest directly and exclusively related to any HPQ Co Adjustment, including settlement of any such HPQ Co Adjustment, and (iii) Unimin and HPQ Co shall jointly control the defense or prosecution of adjustments for which Unimin, HPQ Co or any of their Affiliates could each be liable and any and all administrative matters not directly and exclusively related to any Unimin Adjustment or HPQ Co Adjustment.

(e) Tax-Related Losses . Either Sibelco, HPQ Co or Unimin shall have exclusive control over the Tax Contest involving any Tax Adjustment proposed, asserted or assessed pursuant to any Tax Contest relating to or involving any Tax-Related Losses to the extent such Party is allocated such Tax under Section  7.4 , including exclusive authority with respect to any settlement of such Tax liability, subject to Sections 10.2(f) , (g) , (h) and (i) .

(f) Settlement Rights. For Tax Contests other than those that are jointly controlled by the Parties pursuant to Section  10.2(d) , unless waived by the Non-Controlling Party in writing, in connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest as a result of which adjustment the Non-Controlling Party may reasonably be expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment (or any payment under Section  6 ) to the Controlling Party under this Agreement: (i) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party informed in a timely manner of all actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Controlling Party with respect to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (ii) the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party copies of any written materials relating to such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest received from any Tax Authority; (iii) the Controlling Party shall timely provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of any correspondence or filings submitted to any Tax Authority or judicial authority in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (iv) the Controlling Party shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party and offer the Non-Controlling Party a reasonable opportunity to comment before submitting any written materials prepared or furnished in connection with such potential adjustment in such Tax Contest; (v) the Controlling Party shall defend such Tax Contest diligently and in good faith; and (vi) the Controlling Party shall not settle or compromise such Tax Contest without the prior written consent of the Non-Controlling Party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The failure of the Controlling Party to take any action specified in the preceding sentence with respect to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was materially prejudiced by such failure. In the case of any Tax Contest described in Section  10.2(a) , (b) , (c) , or (d) , “ Controlling Party ” means the Company entitled to control the Tax Contest under such Section and “ Non-Controlling Party ” means the other Company or Companies.

 

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(g) Tax Contest Participation. Unless waived by the Non-Controlling Party in writing, the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with written notice reasonably in advance of, and the Non-Controlling Party shall have the right to attend, any formally scheduled meetings with Tax Authorities or hearings or proceedings before any judicial authorities in connection with any potential adjustment in a Tax Contest pursuant to which the Non-Controlling Party may reasonably be expected to become liable to make any indemnification payment (or any payment under Section  6 ) to the Controlling Party under this Agreement. The failure of the Controlling Party to provide any notice specified in this Section  10.2(g) to the Non-Controlling Party shall not relieve the Non-Controlling Party of any liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Controlling Party under this Agreement except to the extent that the Non-Controlling Party was materially prejudiced by such failure.

(h) Power of Attorney. HPQ Co shall execute and deliver (or cause any member of the HPQ Co Group to deliver), Unimin shall execute and deliver (or cause any member of the Unimin Group to deliver), and Sibelco shall execute and deliver any power of attorney or other similar document reasonably requested by the any other Party that is the Controlling Party in connection with any Tax Contest described in this Section  10 .

(i) Cooperation. The Parties will cooperate and act in good faith with each other in the conduct of Tax Contests as reasonably requested by either of them, including (i) the retention and provision on a timely basis of books, records, documentation or other information relating to such Tax Contest, (ii) the filing or execution of any document that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with the Tax Contest, (iii) the use of commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any documentation from a governmental authority or a third party that may be necessary or helpful in connection with the Tax Contest and (iv) the making of its employees and facilities reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to facilitate such cooperation.

11. Effective Date . This Agreement shall be effective as of the Distribution Date.

12. Survival. This Agreement shall remain in force and be binding so long as the applicable period for assessments or collections of Tax or the right to claim or use any Tax Benefit (including extensions) remains unexpired for any Taxes or Tax Benefits contemplated by, or indemnified against in, this Agreement plus two years; provided that to the extent a claim for indemnification is made prior to the expiration of this Agreement, this Agreement shall survive until such claim is finally resolved.

13. Treatment of Payments.

13.1 General. In the absence of any change in Tax treatment under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, any indemnity payment between HPQ Co and Unimin made under this Agreement, including pursuant to Section  2 , 4.3 , 5 or 7.4 , and any Tax Benefit payment made under this Agreement, including pursuant to Section  6 , shall be treated, for all Tax purposes, as made immediately before the Distribution as a distribution (or, as context requires, an assumption of a liability under the Business Contribution Agreement or otherwise) by HPQ Co to (or from) Unimin or as a contribution by Unimin to HPQ Co, as appropriate. To the extent one Company makes a payment of interest to another Company relating to a payment of Tax under this Agreement, the interest payment shall be treated as interest expense to the payor and as interest income by the recipient and the amount of such payment shall not be adjusted to take into account any associated Tax Benefit to the payor or increase in Tax to the recipient.

 

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13.2 After-Tax Basis. All indemnity payments under this Agreement, including pursuant to Section  2 , 4.3 , 5 or 7.4 , shall be (i) increased to take account of any net Tax cost actually incurred by the indemnified party arising from the receipt or accrual of indemnity payments (grossed up for such increase) and (ii) reduced to take account of any net Tax Benefit actually realized by the indemnified party arising from the incurrence or payment of any amount or other loss indemnified against. In computing the amount of any such Tax cost or Tax Benefit, the indemnified party shall be deemed to recognize all other items of income, gain, loss deduction or credit, including the utilization of any available net operating loss carryforwards, before recognizing any item arising from the receipt of any indemnity payment hereunder or the incurrence or payment of any amount or other loss indemnified against hereunder. For purposes of this Section  13.2 , an indemnified party shall be deemed to have “actually incurred” or “actually realized” a net Tax cost or a net Tax Benefit to the extent that, and at such time as, the amount of Taxes payable (including Taxes payable on an estimated basis) by such indemnified party is increased above or reduced below, as the case may be, the amount of Taxes that such indemnified party would be required to pay but for the receipt or accrual of the indemnity payment or the incurrence or payment of such amount indemnified against as the case may be. The Companies shall make any adjusting payment between each other as is required under this Section  13.2 within ten (10) days of the date an indemnified party is deemed to have actually realized or actually incurred each net Tax Benefit or net Tax cost. The amount of any increase or reduction hereunder shall be adjusted to reflect any Final Determination with respect to the indemnified party’s liability for Taxes and any payments necessary to reflect such adjustment shall be made within ten (10) days of such determination.

14. Disagreements.

14.1 General Procedures. The Companies will use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve in an amicable manner all disagreements and misunderstandings connected with their respective rights and obligations under this Agreement (including those, if any, relating to the interpretation, implementation or compliance with the provisions of this Agreement). In furtherance thereof, in the event of any dispute or disagreement with respect to this Agreement (a “ Tax Matters Dispute ”) between Sibelco, any member of the Unimin Group and any member of the HPQ Co Group, the Tax departments of the Companies (and their advisers if requested) shall negotiate in good faith to resolve the Tax Matters Dispute. In the event that such good faith negotiations do not resolve the Tax Matters Dispute, any one of the Parties that is party to the dispute may by delivering a request in writing to the other(s), subject the Tax Matters Dispute to the procedures set forth in Section  14.2 .

14.2 Tax Advisor Resolution. In the case of any Tax Matters Dispute governed by this Section  14.2 , the disputing Parties shall appoint a Tax Advisor to resolve such dispute. In this regard, the Tax Advisor shall make determinations with respect to the disputed items based solely on representations and factual submissions made by the Parties to the Tax Matters Dispute and their respective representatives, and shall not conduct an independent review, and shall function only as an expert and not as an arbitrator and shall be required to make a determination in favor of one Party only. The Parties shall require the Tax Advisor to resolve any Tax Matters Dispute submitted no later than thirty Business Days after submission of such dispute to the Tax Advisor, but (unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parties) in no event later than the due date for the payment of Taxes or the filing of the applicable Tax Return, if applicable, and agree that

 

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all decisions by the Tax Advisor with respect thereto shall be final and conclusive and binding on the Parties. The Tax Advisor shall resolve any and all Tax Matters Disputes in a manner consistent with this Agreement and, to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, in a manner consistent with Past Practices, except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law. The Parties shall require the Tax Advisor to render all determinations in writing and to set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such determination. The fees and expenses of the Tax Advisor shall be borne equally by the prevailing Party or Parties, on the one hand, and the non-prevailing Party or Parties, on the other.

15. Late Payments. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any amount owed by one Company to another Company under this Agreement that is not paid when due shall bear interest from the due date until paid at the Prime Rate plus two percent, compounded semiannually.

16. Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Company and its Affiliates shall bear their own expenses incurred in connection with preparation of Tax Returns, Tax Contests, and other matters related to Taxes under the provisions of this Agreement.

17. Sibelco Guaranty . Sibelco hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Unimin and its Affiliates the due and punctual payment in full of all the payment obligations of HPQ Co and its Affiliates under this Agreement (including under Sections 2, 5, 6, and 7.4(b)) (the “HPQ Co Tax Obligations”). If, for any reason whatsoever, HPQ Co and its Affiliates fail to or are unable to duly, punctually, and fully pay the HPQ Co Tax Obligations, Sibelco will forthwith pay (or cause to be paid) the HPQ Co Tax Obligations. Sibelco agrees that the Sibelco Guaranty is irrevocable, absolute, independent, and unconditional and the Sibelco Guaranty will not be affected by any circumstances that constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety, other than the payment in full of the HPQ Co Tax Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Sibelco agrees that the Sibelco Guaranty is (i) a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability or performance, and (ii) independent of the obligations of HPQ Co and its Affiliates under this Agreement and a separate action may be brought against and prosecuted against Sibelco if, but only if, HPQ Co and its Affiliates fail to or are unable to duly, punctually, and fully pay the HPQ Co Tax Obligations, whether or not any action is or may be brought against HPQ Co and its Affiliates.

18. General Provisions.

18.1 Notices . All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing (including by facsimile) and will be deemed to have been duly given when: (a) delivered by hand to the Party to be notified; (b) sent by facsimile if sent during the normal business hours of the Party to be notified, and if not, then on the next Business Day; or (c) received by the Party to be notified, if sent by an internationally recognized overnight delivery service, specifying the soonest possible time and date of delivery, in each case to the appropriate addresses and facsimile numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses, and facsimile numbers as a Party may designate by notice to the other parties from time to time). All such notices and other communications shall be sent:

 

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if to Unimin:

Unimin Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: +1 (203) 966-1977

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

if to HPQ Co:

Sibelco North America, Inc.

c/o SCR-Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Email: laurence.boens@sibelco.com

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00;

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

 

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if to Sibelco:

SCR-Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001;

18.2 Amendment and Waivers. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing, consented to in writing by each of the Parties. Each Party may (a) extend the time for performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party contained in this Agreement or (c) waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions for the benefit of such Party contained in this Agreement, provided that (i) any such extension or waiver by a Party will be valid only if set forth in a written document signed on behalf of the Party against whom such extension or waiver is to be effective; (ii) no extension or waiver will apply to any time for performance, inaccuracy in any representation or warranty or noncompliance with any covenant or condition, as the case may be, other than that which is specified in the written extension or waiver and (iii) no failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement or any of the documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement, and no course of dealing between the Parties, operates as a waiver of such right or remedy, and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy precludes any other or further exercise of such right or remedy or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

18.3 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any Law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect for so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Company. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Companies shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Companies as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

18.4 No Duplication of Payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Agreement shall require a Company to make any payment attributable to any indemnification for Taxes or payment of Taxes hereunder, or to any Tax Benefit, for which payment has previously been compensated by such Company or another Company hereunder.

 

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18.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile or portable document format (PDF) transmission) in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

18.6 Governing Law. Each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive personal jurisdiction of the New York Courts for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby. Each Party agrees to commence any such action, suit or proceeding either in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York located in the borough of Manhattan or, if such Proceeding may not be brought in such court for jurisdictional reasons, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. Each Party further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth in Section  18.1 , shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding in New York with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction in this Section  18.6 . Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby in the New York Courts, and hereby and thereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Proceeding brought in any New York Court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

18.7 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Any purported assignment without such consent shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may assign this Agreement without consent in connection with (a) a merger transaction in which such Party is not the surviving entity and the surviving entity acquires or assumes all or substantially all of such Party’s assets, or (b) the sale of all or substantially all of such Party’s assets; provided , however , that such assignment shall be effective only if, and as of the time when, the assignee expressly assumes in writing all of the obligations of the assigning Party under this Agreement, and the assigning Party provides written notice and evidence of such assignment and assumption to the non-assigning Party. No assignment permitted by this Section  18.7 shall release the assigning Party from liability for the full performance of its obligations under this Agreement

18.8 Subsidiaries. If, at any time, Unimin or HPQ Co acquires or creates one or more subsidiaries that are includable in the Unimin Group or the HPQ Co Group, as applicable, they shall be subject to this Agreement and all references to the Unimin Group or the HPQ Co Group herein shall thereafter include a reference to such subsidiaries. Unimin and HPQ Co shall each cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Affiliate or subsidiary (direct or indirect) of such Company.

 

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18.9 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

18.10 Currency. Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, all references to currency, monetary values and dollars set forth herein means United States dollars, and all payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Parties.

18.11 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HEREBY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY: (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTY HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 18.11 .

18.12 Limitation of Liability . IN NO EVENT SHALL SIBELCO, ANY MEMBER OF THE UNIMIN GROUP OR THE HPQ CO GROUP BE LIABLE TO SIBELCO, ANY MEMBER OF THE HPQ CO GROUP OR THE UNIMIN GROUP, RESPECTIVELY, FOR ANY SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

18.13 Public Announcements. Each Party agrees that no public release or announcement concerning this Agreement or the other transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except as such release or announcement may be required by Applicable Law or by the rules and regulations of any stock exchange upon which the securities of a Party are listed, in which case the Party required to make the release or announcement shall, to the extent practicable, allow the other Parties reasonable time to comment on such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by a duly authorized on the date first set forth above:

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Campbell Jones
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement


Sibelco North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement


SCR-SIBELCO NV, a Belgian public company
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV, a Belgian public company
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Tax Matters Agreement

Exhibit 10.3

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of June 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Producer”) and SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company (“Distributor”).

WHEREAS, Producer seeks to have Distributor serve as a distributor of certain of its Products as hereinafter defined under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Distributor seeks to distribute the Products in accordance with the terms set forth herein and further seeks a license to use certain trademarks owned by Producer in conjunction with its sale of Producer’s Products;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, intending to be bound, agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Distributor .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Producer hereby appoints Distributor as an authorized distributor for the Producer materials listed on the attached Exhibit A (“Products”) on an exclusive basis for the Industries listed on attached Exhibit B (each, an “Industry”) within the geographical area listed on attached Exhibit C (the “Trading Area”), and Distributor hereby accepts such appointment. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement, and except as specifically set forth herein, there are no additional agreements, understandings, representations, covenants, warranties or guaranties, written or oral, between the parties, relating to the subject matter of the Agreement. Prior arrangements, agreements and understandings, if any, are superseded by this Agreement. Distributor may perform its responsibilities under this Agreement through its subsidiaries. Further, Distributor may appoint any third party to act as a sub-distributor, upon obtaining Producer’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(b) The relationship of the parties created pursuant to this Agreement is, and is intended to be, that of independent contractors. Distributor will not by any action represent itself as having the authority to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of Producer. Distributor understands and acknowledges that its relationship with Producer is that of a buyer to a seller and that Distributor is not an agent, partner or franchisee of Producer. Distributor will purchase Products and resell them in Distributor’s own name, for Distributor’s own account, and at Distributor’s own risk. Under no circumstances will this Agreement be construed as appointing Distributor as a commercial or other agent of Producer pursuant to the laws of any country.

2. Distributor Responsibilities . The Distributor shall:

(a) Diligently sample (by passing to Producer sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area), sell, advertise and promote the sale of the Products to the Industry in the Trading Area to fulfill the Products sales objectives mutually established by the parties from time to time;


(b) Maintain a bona fide sales department adequately staffed, trained and equipped to enable Distributor to serve the Industry in the Trading Area adequately and properly, to give customers technical sales assistance, address and resolve customer complaints and to fulfill its other obligations under this Agreement;

(c) Maintain adequate sales and warehouse facilities as well as a representative and adequate stock of the Products to meet the demands of the Industry in the Trading Area;

(d) Prepare and maintain, and submit to the Producer on a monthly basis, all documentation and reports reasonably required from time to time to be prepared, maintained or submitted, including but not limited to, the following: customer, sales, freight and inventory data regarding the Products, pricing and volume data, and call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Producer may from time to time reasonably request;

(e) Maintain adequate supply of all current literature (including product data sheets, safety data sheets (“SDS”), brochures, etc.) relating to the Products and to provide customers and prospective customers with copies of the same at the time of Product inquiry or sale and, in particular, maintain and provide all customers of Products with appropriate safety related literature and SDS in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard;

(f) Participate in trade shows and exhibitions in the Trading Area where, in Distributor’s reasonable business judgment, such participation will promote the Products;

(g) Not make any representation or warranty with respect to any Products, other than as expressly provided by Producer;

(h) Conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

(i) In the event Distributor purchases any Products in bulk and then bags such material prior to sale to customers, Distributor shall (i) use bagging and packaging materials which will fully comply with any and all applicable laws and regulations including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard; and (ii) only sell and distribute Products in bags or containers bearing a health warning which has either been: (A) approved in writing by Producer or (B) provided by Producer;

(j) Sell, advertise and promote the Products only to customers in the Industry within the Trading Area and promptly refer all orders for Products from outside the Trading Area, and any orders for Products from inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industry, in each case where Distributor is not authorized to sell such Products, to Producer or its nominee.

 

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3. Producer s Responsibilities .

(a) Provided Distributor is not in breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Producer shall (i) sell the Products to the Distributor as provided in this Agreement; (ii) supply Distributor without charge with reasonable quantities of its regular promotional materials relating to the Products, including safety and technical data sheets, bulletins and such other data as Producer may from time to time have for promotional purposes; (iii) provide Distributor with reasonable technical assistance; (iv) provide Distributor with reasonable assistance to address and resolve customer complaints; and, (v) fulfill sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area.

(b) Producer shall conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

4. Pricing .

(a) Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing in effect through and including December 31, 2018, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the initial price of each Product to be sold to Distributor under this Agreement for re-sale by Distributor in a Trading Area shall be set at a price equal to 90% of the average net re-sale price of such Product charged by Distributor to customers in such Trading Area (exclusive of any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other similar tax levied or that may be levied by any federal, state, governmental or other taxing authorities in connection with the sales of the Products, and any applicable transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees or surcharges) over the immediately preceding calendar year, January 1, 2017 through and including December 31, 2017.

(b) Subject to Section 4(c) below, commencing on February 1, 2019, effective as of February 1 of each calendar year occurring during the Term and continuing in effect for the remainder of the subject calendar year, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the price of each Product to be sold to Distributor under this Agreement for re-sale by Distributor in a Trading Area shall be set at a price equal to 90% of the average net re-sale price of such Product charged by Distributor to customers in such Trading Area (exclusive of any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other similar tax levied or that may be levied by any federal, state, governmental or other taxing authorities in connection with the sales of the Products, and any applicable transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees or surcharges) over the immediately preceding calendar year; provided that, if the foregoing adjustment would result in a price increase or decrease of greater than 10% as a result of extraordinary market circumstances (for example, a temporary shortage of supply due to unforeseen circumstances), or if Producer’s documented production costs have increased by greater than 10% over the immediately preceding calendar year, the parties shall negotiate in good faith an appropriate price adjustment that excludes, to the extent possible, the impact of such extraordinary market circumstance.

 

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(c) The price at which a Product shall be sold by Producer to Distributor during a calendar year, as determined pursuant to Section 4(b) above, shall be subject to adjustment, as described below in this Section 4(c), from time to time during such calendar year in the event that the currency exchange rate between the currency of the country where the Producer’s producing plant is located and the currency of the country where the Distributor’s customer who is purchasing such Product is located is increased or decreased by greater than 10% above or below the amount of such currency exchange rate at the later to occur of (i) January 1 of the then current calendar year, or (ii) the last date, if any, on which the price of such Product was previously adjusted by the parties under this Section 4(c) during the then calendar year. The parties shall negotiate in good faith an appropriate price adjustment that excludes, to the extent possible, the impact of any such fluctuation in the currency exchange rate. For purposes of this Section 4(c), currency exchange rate shall mean the applicable currency exchange rate reported by the Wall Street Journal or, if the Wall Street Journal shall cease to report such information, as reported by such other internationally recognized reporting service as agreed between the parties.

(d) With respect to any Product shipped directly from the Producer’s plant or warehouse (each, the “Producer Location”) to the Distributor’s customer, the manner of shipment shall be the incoterm (ICC Incoterms 2010) requested by such customer. With respect to any Product shipped directly from the Producer Location to Distributor’s warehouse, the manner of shipment shall be the incoterm (ICC Incoterms 2010) as agreed between the parties. In all instances, the allocation of risk and transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees and surcharges shall be as provided in the subject incoterm. Delivery dates and shipment dates are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

(e) Distributor shall pay Producer for Products in US dollars in the full amount invoiced by Producer, without deduction or set-off of any kind. Payment shall be made net sixty (60) days after the date of shipment.

5. Warranty .

(a) Producer warrants solely to Distributor only that (i) Products furnished hereunder shall conform to applicable specifications and (ii) Distributor shall acquire good and marketable title to the Products, and no other warranty shall be implied. Provided that Distributor gives notice in accordance with Section 5(b) below, if Products sold hereunder fail to conform to applicable specifications, demonstrated to Producer’s reasonable satisfaction to have existed at the time of departure from Producer’s plant, Producer, reserving the right to inspect Products, shall, at Producer’s option, replace at Producer’s expense F.O.B. Distributor’s plant or give Distributor credit for Products determined to be non- conforming. Producer shall not be obligated to replace or provide credit for Products that shall have been subjected to alteration, contamination, improper maintenance or storage, misapplication, misuse, negligence or accident during or after shipment from Producer’s plant. The remedy set forth in this Section 5(a) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Distributor for breach of warranty. In no event shall Distributor’s remedy exceed the purchase price of the non- conforming Products, plus any transportation and logistics costs paid by Producer to supply replacement materials to Distributor as described above in this Section 5(a) and Producer shall not be liable for any other loss or damage, whether direct or indirect. THE WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 5 ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTS SOLD HEREUNDER.

 

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ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED AND SHALL NOT APPLY. Distributor is solely responsible for determining suitability for use and Producer shall in no event be liable in this respect. The giving or failure to give advice, recommendation or safety warnings of any character by Producer shall not impose any liability upon Producer.

(b) It shall be the duty of Distributor to thoroughly inspect the Products purchased from Producer. Except for claims based on latent defects (which the parties recognize may not be discoverable through an inspection), all claims of any nature relating to the Products for any defect, non-conformity or discrepancy in quantity or delivery date, shall be made in writing to Producer’s customer service department within 30 days of receipt of such Products by Distributor. Failure to make any such written claim within the above-prescribed period shall constitute waiver of any such claims and shall be deemed acceptance of such materials, quantities or delivery dates.

(c) Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (including loss of (anticipated) profits) arising in any way out of this Agreement, however caused and on any theory of liability, except with respect to claims based on intentional fraud or intentional misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, if any of the foregoing damages are awarded to a third party and a party has a right to bring a claim against the other party under this Agreement in respect of such third party claim, such damages will be considered direct damages.

6. Safety Warning and Handling .

(a) WARNING: RESIN COATED PROPPANTS - POSSIBLE DUST EXPLOSION HAZARD AND MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. WARNING: FRACTURING SAND AND RESIN COATED PROPPANTS - MAY CAUSE DELAYED LUNG INJURY AND CANCER HAZARD. BOTH MATERIALS CONTAIN FREE CRYSTALLINE SILICA. DO NOT BREATHE DUST. PROLONGED INHALATION OF THE ABOVE AND OF AIRBORNE SILICA CONTAINED IN SILICA SAND, CRISTOBALITE AND MATERIALS CONTAINING SILICA CAN CAUSE DELAYED LUNG INJURY AND/OR RESPIRATORY DISEASE, INCLUDING SILICOSIS, A PROGRESSIVE DISABLING AND SOMETIMES FATAL LUNG DISEASE. THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER HAS DETERMINED THAT SILICA DUST (WHICH INCLUDES CRYSTALLINE AND MICROCRYSTALLINE SILICA), CRISTOBALITE DUST AND CRYSTALLINE SILICA INHALED FROM OCCUPATIONAL SOURCES CAN CAUSE CANCER IN HUMANS. AVOID CREATING DUST WHEN HANDLING, USING OR STORING. FOLLOW OSHA OR OTHER RELEVANT SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND USE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO KEEP EXPOSURE BELOW RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LIMITS. AVOID PROLONGED OR REPEATED SKIN CONTACT. THE RISK OF LUNG DISEASE IS INCREASED IF SMOKING IS COMBINED WITH SILICA RESPIRATION. CURRENT SAFETY DATA SHEET IS AVAILABLE AND SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL. PROPER RESPIRATORY PROTECTION, SILICA DUST PREVENTION AND APPLICABLE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATORY PROTOCOLS MUST BE STRICTLY OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING MATERIALS

 

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SUPPLIED BY PRODUCER TO MINIMIZE RISK OF INJURY DUE TO INHALATION OF AIRBORNE SILICA. RESIN COATED PROPPANTS: UNLOADING OPERATIONS - DO NOT EXCEED 5 PSI WHEN UNLOADING THIS MATERIAL TO MINIMIZE THE CREATION OF AIRBORNE DUST AND POSSIBLE DUST EXPLOSION HAZARD.

(b) PRODUCER WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO DISTRIBUTOR FOR ANY HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY PRODUCER HEREUNDER. Distributor warrants that it will adequately warn all of its employees and customers who may come in contact with materials supplied by Producer of the above described health hazards. Further, Distributor warrants it will fully comply with all applicable health and safety regulations and orders relating to the workplace handling of Products supplied by Producer. Distributor agrees that if the Products supplied hereunder are resold by Distributor, Distributor will include in its contract for resale provisions which include the full substance of those contained in this Section 6, including the foregoing safety warning.

7. Producer Label, Products and Information . Distributor agrees that it will not remove from any Product purchased hereunder, or obliterate, any label, decal, trademark, product warning or instruction, patent or manufacturer’s lot numbers placed thereon by Producer.

8. Trademarks .

(a) The Distributor shall not use or register any trademark used by or registered in the name of Producer, or any affiliate of Producer (“Producer Trademarks”), or any word or trademark that is similar in sight, sound or meaning, or otherwise likely to be confused therewith, in any manner except as permitted by Producer in connection with the promotion, advertising, and sale of each of the Products. Distributor shall observe all applicable quality standards specified by Producer as to the manner of use of the Producer Trademarks applicable to each of the Products being distributed by Distributor in the packaging, labeling, promoting, advertising and/or selling of such Products by Distributor. On Producer’s request, all packaging, labels, promotional and advertising materials created by Distributor and containing any Producer Trademark, as well as the promotion of any of the Products with the applicable Producer Trademark by Distributor at any trade show, shall be subject to review and approval by Producer. Upon termination of this Agreement, Distributor shall cease immediately all use of the Producer Trademarks, and shall remove them or cause them to be removed from all signs, advertisements, letterheads, bill heads, forms, listings and any other things on which they may be used by the Distributor, and shall discontinue all representations from which it might be inferred that Distributor is an authorized distributor of any of the Products of Producer. The Distributor acknowledges Producer’s exclusive ownership of Producer Trademarks and acquires no right, title or interest in or to the Producer Trademarks hereunder.

(b) Producer hereby grants to the Distributor for the Term, and subject to the terms and conditions herein, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable right to use the Producer Trademarks in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Products in the Trading Area in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any guidelines issued by Producer from time to time. During the Term, Distributor shall have the right to indicate to the public that it is an authorized Distributor of the Products.

 

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9. Product Changes . Producer reserves the right from time to time, in its absolute discretion, without incurring any liability to the Distributor with respect to any purchase order previously placed or inventory held by Distributor, or otherwise, to discontinue or to limit its production or alter the specifications of any Product or Product line, to terminate or limit deliveries of any Product or Product line, the production of which is so discontinued, limited or altered, and to add new and additional products or product lines; provided, that, any new products or product lines shall first be offered to Distributor for exclusive resale in the Industry in the Trading Area pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

10. Term; Termination .

(a) This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated pursuant to subsections (b) through (f) hereof, continue for a term of twenty (20) years following the Effective Date (“Term”).

(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Distributor, if Distributor’s annual sales volumes of Products by Industry or Trading Area fall below the Applicable Minimum for two consecutive calendar years during the Term; provided however that if Producer has supplied Product volumes less than 2016 levels in such year(s), Producer may only terminate if Distributor failed to sell at least 80% of the Product supply made available by Producer to Distributor in such year(s). For purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Minimum” means the amount set forth on Exhibit B with respect to each Industry or on Exhibit C with respect to each Trading Area, as the context requires.

(c) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Distributor, if Distributor: (i) fails to make any payment called for under this Agreement by the date falling ten (10) days after the due date, and such failure has continued for twenty (20) or more days after Distributor receives written notice from Producer specifying the failure to pay by such date; (ii) breaches any of its obligations or restrictions in Section 2(h), 2(j), 7 or 8; or (iii) for any reason, suffers the loss of any license or permit required by law that is necessary for Distributor to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement, and such loss has continued for thirty (30) or more days.

(d) Either party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to the other party (i) if such other party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations in this Agreement (other than those obligations addressed in Section 10(b) or 10(c)), and such failure has continued for thirty (30) or more days after such party receives written notice from the other party specifying the nature of the alleged breach; (ii) if such other party voluntarily commences any proceeding or files a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law; or (iii) if an involuntary proceeding is commenced or petition is filed against such other party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of such party under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law, and such proceeding or petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after first initiated.

(e) This Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate without any further action required by any party upon Distributor, directly or indirectly, ceasing to own more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Producer.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a termination is based on Section 10(b), 10(c) or 10(d) and the circumstance giving rise to such termination is attributable to only a particular Industry or jurisdiction of the Trading Area, then the termination may only apply to such particular Industry or jurisdiction. If this Agreement is only terminated in part, it will continue in full force and effect with respect to the remaining Industry(ies) and jurisdictions of the Trading Area.

11. Rights on Termination . Termination of this Agreement shall not affect any right of Producer or Distributor that shall have arisen prior to such termination, except that:

(a) Producer thereafter has the right, but shall be under no obligation, to deliver to Distributor any Product for which it may have accepted an order from Distributor, whether such order was scheduled for delivery prior to the date of such termination or subsequent thereto, but Distributor agrees to immediately pay the agreed price for said Products if delivered.

(b) In the event that Producer shall determine not to deliver to Distributor, Distributor may, or at Producer’s option shall, assign any unfilled customers’ orders on hand at time of termination for the Products to Producer and Producer will ship and bill the customer directly, provided that customer’s credit is satisfactory to Producer. On such orders Producer will pay Distributor a selling commission of 5% of Distributor’s quoted price to the customer for such Products. No further orders beyond those on hand at termination would be handled in this manner.

(c) Producer has the right, but shall be under no obligation, to take back or transfer to another distributor any of the Products which Distributor has not sold within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of termination and wishes to return to Producer. If such returned Products are unused, undamaged and in a salable condition, as reasonably determined by Producer, Producer will repay to Distributor an amount equal to Distributor’s reasonably substantiated Laid In Cost therefore. Appropriate adjustments will be made in the case of used or damaged goods. For purposes of this Agreement, “Laid-In Cost” means the sum of (i) the price paid by Distributor to Producer for such inventory, plus (ii) any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other non-refundable or non-creditable taxes paid by Distributor (excluding income tax) for such inventory, plus (iii) the cost of freight, insurance, warehouse handling, and any other direct expenses paid by Distributor related to the movement of such inventory from the Producer Location to Distributor’s warehouse or distribution center.

(d) All promotional literature, data sheets, sales aids, and other similar materials or effects which the Producer may have furnished to the Distributor in connection with its activities hereunder, will be returned immediately upon notice of termination. Such material will be shipped to Producer to any location selected by Producer within the Trading Area. Distributor shall cease immediately upon termination of this Agreement any activity which could reasonably be understood as Distributor representing that it is a Producer distributor.

 

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12. Indemnification .

(a) Subject to Sections 5 and 13, Distributor will indemnify, defend and hold Producer harmless from and against any and all claims and demands in each case made by third parties and all resulting liabilities, obligations, costs, losses and expenses, including court or arbitration costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees, that Producer may suffer to the extent resulting from or arising out of: (i) any breach by Distributor (or any sub-distributor) of any of its obligations or any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement; (ii) any unauthorized act of Distributor, its sub-distributors, or any of their agents or employees; (iii) the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of Distributor or its sub-distributors; or (iv) the relationship between Distributor and any of its sub-distributors (even if approved in accordance with Section 1(a)), or the termination thereof. At Producer’s election, in its sole discretion, Distributor will take reasonable steps to defend Producer with respect to any claim by a third party that is subject to the foregoing indemnity obligation in any action, suit or other proceeding and select counsel that is reasonably satisfactory to Producer, and Producer may participate in (at Producer’s expense) all aspects of, any such proceeding, including any settlement thereof (subject to Section 12(b)). Where Producer elects to defend the claim, Distributor may participate (at its expense) in all aspects of any proceeding, including any settlement of the claim (subject to Section 12(b)).

(b) The indemnified party will provide prompt written notice of a claim to the indemnifying party; provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 12, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. The indemnifying party agrees to timely reimburse the indemnified party for expenses incurred in connection with a claim for which the indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 12. The party that has assumed the defense of any claim pursuant to Section 12(a) may not settle the claim without the written consent of the other party unless (i) the terms of such settlement do not impose any obligations or restrictions on the indemnified party, (ii) the full amount of any monetary settlement is paid by the indemnifying party, and (iii) the indemnified party receives as part of such settlement a legal, binding and enforceable unconditional release providing that such third party claim and any claimed liability of the indemnified party with respect to the third party claim is fully satisfied by reason of such settlement and that the indemnified party is being released from any and all obligations and liabilities it may have with respect to the third party claim.

13. Limitations on Liability . Neither Producer nor the Distributor shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Distributor’s distributorship of the Products, be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Distributor, or otherwise. Irrespective of whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or non-renewal of the Distributor’s distributorship of the Products.

14. Notice . Except for purchase orders and invoices, which may be sent by e-mail or such other written means as the parties may agree from time to time, all notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as may be subsequently designated by the parties in the manner provided herein, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by nationally recognized overnight courier service:

 

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To Producer:

  

To Distributor:

Covia Holdings Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

  

SCR- Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

15. Excusable Non-Performance . A party shall not be liable for failure to perform any part of this Agreement, except for the payment of money (which obligation is not affected by this Section 15), to the extent and duration that such failure to perform is on account of Acts of God or any government, fire, strike, labor dispute, accident, war, insurrection, embargoes, delays of carriers or suppliers, or for any other causes beyond such party’s reasonable control or without its fault (“Force Majeure”). In the case of any delay or failure that either party anticipates will cause an excusable delay hereunder, such party will, within ten (10) days of becoming aware of such delay or failure, give the other party written notice thereof, including a description of the steps (if any) such party is taking to alleviate the underlying issue.

16. General .

(a) This Agreement, including the attached Exhibits, which are incorporated herein, contains the entire agreement and understanding between Producer and Distributor with respect to the distribution of the Products and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the same. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by both Producer and Distributor. It is recognized that Distributor may from time to time issue a purchase order or other similar transactional form or document, and that, other than with respect to the identification of specific quantities of Product being ordered from Producer, any terms and conditions contained on such forms and documents shall be of no force and effect, and shall not constitute a modification or amendment of this Agreement absent Producer’s specific, written agreement.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the other party’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, not including the 1980 United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods and notwithstanding the principles, if any, that would otherwise govern the choice of applicable law. Each party agrees that any and all litigation it may initiate arising out of the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in the State of New York in any court having competent subject matter jurisdiction over such dispute. Additionally, each party hereby submits itself to the jurisdiction of any court in the State of New York having competent subject matter jurisdiction.

 

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(d) The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver of either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent a subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

(e) The section headings used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) The terms of Sections 4(b), 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17 and this Section 16 (each to the extent applicable after the Term) will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

17. Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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

 

PRODUCER     DISTRIBUTOR
Covia Holdings Corporation     SCR-Sibelco NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Its:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Operating Officer

    Its:   Member of Executive Committee
      SCR-Sibelco NV
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Its:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Distribution Agreement (Covia as Producer)


EXHIBIT A

Products

 

Product Name

  

Industry

  

Producer Location

Nepheline Flour    Performance Coatings, Polymer Solutions    NSO, Tamms
Silica Flour Microcrystalline    Performance Coatings, Polymer Solutions    Tamms, Elco, NSO
Kaolin Ground    Performance Coatings, Polymer Solutions    McIntyre

 

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EXHIBIT B

Industries

 

Industry

  

Applicable Minimum

Performance Coatings,

Polymer Solutions

   21,800 metric tons

 

14


EXHIBIT C

Trading Area

 

Jurisdiction

  

Applicable Minimum

World    21,800 metric tons

 

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Exhibit 10.4

DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of June 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Distributor”) and SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company (“Producer”).

WHEREAS, Producer seeks to have Distributor serve as a distributor of certain of its Products as hereinafter defined under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Distributor seeks to distribute the Products in accordance with the terms set forth herein and further seeks a license to use certain trademarks owned by Producer in conjunction with its sale of Producer’s Products;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, intending to be bound, agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Distributor .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Producer hereby appoints Distributor as an authorized distributor for the Producer materials listed on the attached Exhibit A (“Products”) on an exclusive basis for the Industries listed on attached Exhibit B (each, an “Industry”) within the geographical area listed on attached Exhibit C (the “Trading Area”), and Distributor hereby accepts such appointment. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement, and except as specifically set forth herein, there are no additional agreements, understandings, representations, covenants, warranties or guaranties, written or oral, between the parties, relating to the subject matter of the Agreement. Prior arrangements, agreements and understandings, if any, are superseded by this Agreement. Distributor may perform its responsibilities under this Agreement through its subsidiaries. Further, Distributor may appoint any third party to act as a sub-distributor, upon obtaining Producer’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(b) The relationship of the parties created pursuant to this Agreement is, and is intended to be, that of independent contractors. Distributor will not by any action represent itself as having the authority to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of Producer. Distributor understands and acknowledges that its relationship with Producer is that of a buyer to a seller and that Distributor is not an agent, partner or franchisee of Producer. Distributor will purchase Products and resell them in Distributor’s own name, for Distributor’s own account, and at Distributor’s own risk. Under no circumstances will this Agreement be construed as appointing Distributor as a commercial or other agent of Producer pursuant to the laws of any country.

2. Distributor Responsibilities . The Distributor shall:

(a) Diligently sample (by passing to Producer sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area), sell, advertise and promote the sale of the Products to the Industry in the Trading Area to fulfill the Products sales objectives mutually established by the parties from time to time;


(b) Maintain a bona fide sales department adequately staffed, trained and equipped to enable Distributor to serve the Industry in the Trading Area adequately and properly, to give customers technical sales assistance, address and resolve customer complaints and to fulfill its other obligations under this Agreement;

(c) Maintain adequate sales and warehouse facilities as well as a representative and adequate stock of the Products to meet the demands of the Industry in the Trading Area;

(d) Prepare and maintain, and submit to the Producer on a monthly basis, all documentation and reports reasonably required from time to time to be prepared, maintained or submitted, including but not limited to, the following: customer, sales, freight and inventory data regarding the Products, pricing and volume data, and call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Producer may from time to time reasonably request;

(e) Maintain adequate supply of all current literature (including product data sheets, safety data sheets (“SDS”), brochures, etc.) relating to the Products and to provide customers and prospective customers with copies of the same at the time of Product inquiry or sale and, in particular, maintain and provide all customers of Products with appropriate safety related literature and SDS in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard;

(f) Participate in trade shows and exhibitions in the Trading Area where, in Distributor’s reasonable business judgment, such participation will promote the Products;

(g) Not make any representation or warranty with respect to any Products, other than as expressly provided by Producer;

(h) Conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

(i) In the event Distributor purchases any Products in bulk and then bags such material prior to sale to customers, Distributor shall (i) use bagging and packaging materials which will fully comply with any and all applicable laws and regulations including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard; and (ii) only sell and distribute Products in bags or containers bearing a health warning which has either been: (A) approved in writing by Producer or (B) provided by Producer;

(j) Sell, advertise and promote the Products only to customers in the Industry within the Trading Area and promptly refer all orders for Products from outside the Trading Area, and any orders for Products from inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industry, in each case where Distributor is not authorized to sell such Products, to Producer or its nominee.

 

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3. Producer’s Responsibilities .

(a) Provided Distributor is not in breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Producer shall (i) sell the Products to the Distributor as provided in this Agreement; (ii) supply Distributor without charge with reasonable quantities of its regular promotional materials relating to the Products, including safety and technical data sheets, bulletins and such other data as Producer may from time to time have for promotional purposes; (iii) provide Distributor with reasonable technical assistance; (iv) provide Distributor with reasonable assistance to address and resolve customer complaints; and, (v) fulfill sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area.

(b) Producer shall conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

4. Pricing .

(a) Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing in effect through and including December 31, 2018, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the initial price of each Product to be sold to Distributor under this Agreement for re-sale by Distributor in a Trading Area shall be set at a price equal to 90% of the average net re-sale price of such Product charged by Distributor to customers in such Trading Area (exclusive of any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other similar tax levied or that may be levied by any federal, state, governmental or other taxing authorities in connection with the sales of the Products, and any applicable transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees or surcharges) over the immediately preceding calendar year, January 1, 2017 through and including December 31, 2017.

(b) Subject to Section 4(c) below, commencing on February 1, 2019, effective as of February 1 of each calendar year occurring during the Term and continuing in effect for the remainder of the subject calendar year, except as otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the price of each Product to be sold to Distributor under this Agreement for re-sale by Distributor in a Trading Area shall be set at a price equal to 90% of the average net re-sale price of such Product charged by Distributor to customers in such Trading Area (exclusive of any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other similar tax levied or that may be levied by any federal, state, governmental or other taxing authorities in connection with the sales of the Products, and any applicable transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees or surcharges) over the immediately preceding calendar year; provided that, if the foregoing adjustment would result in a price increase or decrease of greater than 10% as a result of extraordinary market circumstances (for example, a temporary shortage of supply due to unforeseen circumstances), or if Producer’s documented production costs have increased by greater than 10% over the immediately preceding calendar year, the parties shall negotiate in good faith an appropriate price adjustment that excludes, to the extent possible, the impact of such extraordinary market circumstance.

 

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(c) The price at which a Product shall be sold by Producer to Distributor during a calendar year, as determined pursuant to Section 4(b) above, shall be subject to adjustment, as described below in this Section 4(c), from time to time during such calendar year in the event that the currency exchange rate between the currency of the country where the Producer’s producing plant is located and the currency of the country where the Distributor’s customer who is purchasing such Product is located is increased or decreased by greater than 10% above or below the amount of such currency exchange rate at the later to occur of (i) January 1 of the then current calendar year, or (ii) the last date, if any, on which the price of such Product was previously adjusted by the parties under this Section 4(c) during the then calendar year. The parties shall negotiate in good faith an appropriate price adjustment that excludes, to the extent possible, the impact of any such fluctuation in the currency exchange rate. For purposes of this Section 4(c), currency exchange rate shall mean the applicable currency exchange rate reported by the Wall Street Journal or, if the Wall Street Journal shall cease to report such information, as reported by such other internationally recognized reporting service as agreed between the parties.

(d) With respect to any Product shipped directly from the Producer’s plant or warehouse (each, the “Producer Location”) to the Distributor’s customer, the manner of shipment shall be the incoterm (ICC Incoterms 2010) requested by such customer. With respect to any Product shipped directly from the Producer Location to Distributor’s warehouse, the manner of shipment shall be the incoterm (ICC Incoterms 2010) as agreed between the parties. In all instances, the allocation of risk and transportation and logistics related costs, duties, fees and surcharges shall be as provided in the subject incoterm. Delivery dates and shipment dates are estimates only and are not guaranteed.

(e) Distributor shall pay Producer for Products in US dollars in the full amount invoiced by Producer, without deduction or set-off of any kind. Payment shall be made net sixty (60) days after the date of shipment.

5. Warranty .

(a) Producer warrants solely to Distributor only that (i) Products furnished hereunder shall conform to applicable specifications and (ii) Distributor shall acquire good and marketable title to the Products, and no other warranty shall be implied. Provided that Distributor gives notice in accordance with Section 5(b) below, if Products sold hereunder fail to conform to applicable specifications, demonstrated to Producer’s reasonable satisfaction to have existed at the time of departure from Producer’s plant, Producer, reserving the right to inspect Products, shall, at Producer’s option, replace at Producer’s expense F.O.B. Distributor’s plant or give Distributor credit for Products determined to be non- conforming. Producer shall not be obligated to replace or provide credit for Products that shall have been subjected to alteration, contamination, improper maintenance or storage, misapplication, misuse, negligence or accident during or after shipment from Producer’s plant. The remedy set forth in this Section 5(a) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Distributor for breach of warranty. In no event shall Distributor’s remedy exceed the purchase price of the non- conforming Products, plus any transportation and logistics costs paid by Producer to supply replacement materials to Distributor as described above in this Section 5(a) and Producer shall not be liable for any other loss or damage, whether direct or indirect. THE WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 5 ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTS SOLD HEREUNDER.

 

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ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED AND SHALL NOT APPLY. Distributor is solely responsible for determining suitability for use and Producer shall in no event be liable in this respect. The giving or failure to give advice, recommendation or safety warnings of any character by Producer shall not impose any liability upon Producer.

(b) It shall be the duty of Distributor to thoroughly inspect the Products purchased from Producer. Except for claims based on latent defects (which the parties recognize may not be discoverable through an inspection), all claims of any nature relating to the Products for any defect, non-conformity or discrepancy in quantity or delivery date, shall be made in writing to Producer’s customer service department within 30 days of receipt of such Products by Distributor. Failure to make any such written claim within the above-prescribed period shall constitute waiver of any such claims and shall be deemed acceptance of such materials, quantities or delivery dates.

(c) Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (including loss of (anticipated) profits) arising in any way out of this Agreement, however caused and on any theory of liability, except with respect to claims based on intentional fraud or intentional misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, if any of the foregoing damages are awarded to a third party and a party has a right to bring a claim against the other party under this Agreement in respect of such third party claim, such damages will be considered direct damages.

6. Safety Warning and Handling .

(a) WARNING: RESIN COATED PROPPANTS—POSSIBLE DUST EXPLOSION HAZARD AND MAY CAUSE ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. WARNING: FRACTURING SAND AND RESIN COATED PROPPANTS—MAY CAUSE DELAYED LUNG INJURY AND CANCER HAZARD. BOTH MATERIALS CONTAIN FREE CRYSTALLINE SILICA. DO NOT BREATHE DUST. PROLONGED INHALATION OF THE ABOVE AND OF AIRBORNE SILICA CONTAINED IN SILICA SAND, CRISTOBALITE AND MATERIALS CONTAINING SILICA CAN CAUSE DELAYED LUNG INJURY AND/OR RESPIRATORY DISEASE, INCLUDING SILICOSIS, A PROGRESSIVE DISABLING AND SOMETIMES FATAL LUNG DISEASE. THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER HAS DETERMINED THAT SILICA DUST (WHICH INCLUDES CRYSTALLINE AND MICROCRYSTALLINE SILICA), CRISTOBALITE DUST AND CRYSTALLINE SILICA INHALED FROM OCCUPATIONAL SOURCES CAN CAUSE CANCER IN HUMANS. AVOID CREATING DUST WHEN HANDLING, USING OR STORING. FOLLOW OSHA OR OTHER RELEVANT SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS AND USE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING AND ADEQUATE VENTILATION TO KEEP EXPOSURE BELOW RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LIMITS. AVOID PROLONGED OR REPEATED SKIN CONTACT. THE RISK OF LUNG DISEASE IS INCREASED IF SMOKING IS COMBINED WITH SILICA RESPIRATION. CURRENT SAFETY DATA SHEET IS AVAILABLE AND SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE HANDLING THIS MATERIAL. PROPER RESPIRATORY PROTECTION, SILICA DUST PREVENTION AND APPLICABLE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATORY PROTOCOLS MUST BE STRICTLY OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES WHEN HANDLING MATERIALS

 

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SUPPLIED BY PRODUCER TO MINIMIZE RISK OF INJURY DUE TO INHALATION OF AIRBORNE SILICA. RESIN COATED PROPPANTS: UNLOADING OPERATIONS—DO NOT EXCEED 5 PSI WHEN UNLOADING THIS MATERIAL TO MINIMIZE THE CREATION OF AIRBORNE DUST AND POSSIBLE DUST EXPLOSION HAZARD.

(b) PRODUCER WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO DISTRIBUTOR FOR ANY HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY PRODUCER HEREUNDER. Distributor warrants that it will adequately warn all of its employees and customers who may come in contact with materials supplied by Producer of the above described health hazards. Further, Distributor warrants it will fully comply with all applicable health and safety regulations and orders relating to the workplace handling of Products supplied by Producer. Distributor agrees that if the Products supplied hereunder are resold by Distributor, Distributor will include in its contract for resale provisions which include the full substance of those contained in this Section 6, including the foregoing safety warning.

7. Producer Label, Products and Information . Distributor agrees that it will not remove from any Product purchased hereunder, or obliterate, any label, decal, trademark, product warning or instruction, patent or manufacturer’s lot numbers placed thereon by Producer.

8. Trademarks .

(a) The Distributor shall not use or register any trademark used by or registered in the name of Producer, or any affiliate of Producer (“Producer Trademarks”), or any word or trademark that is similar in sight, sound or meaning, or otherwise likely to be confused therewith, in any manner except as permitted by Producer in connection with the promotion, advertising, and sale of each of the Products. Distributor shall observe all applicable quality standards specified by Producer as to the manner of use of the Producer Trademarks applicable to each of the Products being distributed by Distributor in the packaging, labeling, promoting, advertising and/or selling of such Products by Distributor. On Producer’s request, all packaging, labels, promotional and advertising materials created by Distributor and containing any Producer Trademark, as well as the promotion of any of the Products with the applicable Producer Trademark by Distributor at any trade show, shall be subject to review and approval by Producer. Upon termination of this Agreement, Distributor shall cease immediately all use of the Producer Trademarks, and shall remove them or cause them to be removed from all signs, advertisements, letterheads, bill heads, forms, listings and any other things on which they may be used by the Distributor, and shall discontinue all representations from which it might be inferred that Distributor is an authorized distributor of any of the Products of Producer. The Distributor acknowledges Producer’s exclusive ownership of Producer Trademarks and acquires no right, title or interest in or to the Producer Trademarks hereunder.

(b) Producer hereby grants to the Distributor for the Term, and subject to the terms and conditions herein, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable right to use the Producer Trademarks in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Products in the Trading Area in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any guidelines issued by Producer from time to time. During the Term, Distributor shall have the right to indicate to the public that it is an authorized Distributor of the Products.

 

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9. Product Changes . Producer reserves the right from time to time, in its absolute discretion, without incurring any liability to the Distributor with respect to any purchase order previously placed or inventory held by Distributor, or otherwise, to discontinue or to limit its production or alter the specifications of any Product or Product line, to terminate or limit deliveries of any Product or Product line, the production of which is so discontinued, limited or altered, and to add new and additional products or product lines; provided, that, any new products or product lines shall first be offered to Distributor for exclusive resale in the Industry in the Trading Area pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

10. Term; Termination .

(a) This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated pursuant to subsections (b) through (f) hereof, continue for a term of twenty (20) years following the Effective Date (“Term”).

(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Distributor, if Distributor’s annual sales volumes of Products by Industry or Trading Area fall below the Applicable Minimum for two consecutive calendar years during the Term; provided however that if Producer has supplied Product volumes less than 2016 levels in such year(s), Producer may only terminate if Distributor failed to sell at least 80% of the Product supply made available by Producer to Distributor in such year(s). For purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Minimum” means the amount set forth on Exhibit B with respect to each Industry or on Exhibit C with respect to each Trading Area, as the context requires.

(c) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Distributor, if Distributor: (i) fails to make any payment called for under this Agreement by the date falling ten (10) days after the due date, and such failure has continued for twenty (20) or more days after Distributor receives written notice from Producer specifying the failure to pay by such date; (ii) breaches any of its obligations or restrictions in Section 2(h), 2(j), 7 or 8; or (iii) for any reason, suffers the loss of any license or permit required by law that is necessary for Distributor to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement, and such loss has continued for thirty (30) or more days.

(d) Either party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to the other party (i) if such other party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations in this Agreement (other than those obligations addressed in Section 10(b) or 10(c)), and such failure has continued for thirty (30) or more days after such party receives written notice from the other party specifying the nature of the alleged breach; (ii) if such other party voluntarily commences any proceeding or files a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law; or (iii) if an involuntary proceeding is commenced or petition is filed against such other party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of such party under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law, and such proceeding or petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after first initiated.

(e) This Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate without any further action required by any party upon Distributor, directly or indirectly, ceasing to own more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Producer.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a termination is based on Section 10(b), 10(c) or 10(d) and the circumstance giving rise to such termination is attributable to only a particular Industry or jurisdiction of the Trading Area, then the termination may only apply to such particular Industry or jurisdiction. If this Agreement is only terminated in part, it will continue in full force and effect with respect to the remaining Industry(ies) and jurisdictions of the Trading Area.

11. Rights on Termination . Termination of this Agreement shall not affect any right of Producer or Distributor that shall have arisen prior to such termination, except that:

(a) Producer thereafter has the right, but shall be under no obligation, to deliver to Distributor any Product for which it may have accepted an order from Distributor, whether such order was scheduled for delivery prior to the date of such termination or subsequent thereto, but Distributor agrees to immediately pay the agreed price for said Products if delivered.

(b) In the event that Producer shall determine not to deliver to Distributor, Distributor may, or at Producer’s option shall, assign any unfilled customers’ orders on hand at time of termination for the Products to Producer and Producer will ship and bill the customer directly, provided that customer’s credit is satisfactory to Producer. On such orders Producer will pay Distributor a selling commission of 5% of Distributor’s quoted price to the customer for such Products. No further orders beyond those on hand at termination would be handled in this manner.

(c) Producer has the right, but shall be under no obligation, to take back or transfer to another distributor any of the Products which Distributor has not sold within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of termination and wishes to return to Producer. If such returned Products are unused, undamaged and in a salable condition, as reasonably determined by Producer, Producer will repay to Distributor an amount equal to Distributor’s reasonably substantiated Laid In Cost therefore. Appropriate adjustments will be made in the case of used or damaged goods. For purposes of this Agreement, “Laid-In Cost” means the sum of (i) the price paid by Distributor to Producer for such inventory, plus (ii) any sales, use, property, excise, occupation, import or export tax or other non-refundable or non-creditable taxes paid by Distributor (excluding income tax) for such inventory, plus (iii) the cost of freight, insurance, warehouse handling, and any other direct expenses paid by Distributor related to the movement of such inventory from the Producer Location to Distributor’s warehouse or distribution center.

(d) All promotional literature, data sheets, sales aids, and other similar materials or effects which the Producer may have furnished to the Distributor in connection with its activities hereunder, will be returned immediately upon notice of termination. Such material will be shipped to Producer to any location selected by Producer within the Trading Area. Distributor shall cease immediately upon termination of this Agreement any activity which could reasonably be understood as Distributor representing that it is a Producer distributor.

 

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12. Indemnification .

(a) Subject to Sections 5 and 13, Distributor will indemnify, defend and hold Producer harmless from and against any and all claims and demands in each case made by third parties and all resulting liabilities, obligations, costs, losses and expenses, including court or arbitration costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees, that Producer may suffer to the extent resulting from or arising out of: (i) any breach by Distributor (or any sub-distributor) of any of its obligations or any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement; (ii) any unauthorized act of Distributor, its sub-distributors, or any of their agents or employees; (iii) the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of Distributor or its sub-distributors; or (iv) the relationship between Distributor and any of its sub-distributors (even if approved in accordance with Section 1(a)), or the termination thereof. At Producer’s election, in its sole discretion, Distributor will take reasonable steps to defend Producer with respect to any claim by a third party that is subject to the foregoing indemnity obligation in any action, suit or other proceeding and select counsel that is reasonably satisfactory to Producer, and Producer may participate in (at Producer’s expense) all aspects of, any such proceeding, including any settlement thereof (subject to Section 12(b)). Where Producer elects to defend the claim, Distributor may participate (at its expense) in all aspects of any proceeding, including any settlement of the claim (subject to Section 12(b)).

(b) The indemnified party will provide prompt written notice of a claim to the indemnifying party; provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 12, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. The indemnifying party agrees to timely reimburse the indemnified party for expenses incurred in connection with a claim for which the indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 12. The party that has assumed the defense of any claim pursuant to Section 12(a) may not settle the claim without the written consent of the other party unless (i) the terms of such settlement do not impose any obligations or restrictions on the indemnified party, (ii) the full amount of any monetary settlement is paid by the indemnifying party, and (iii) the indemnified party receives as part of such settlement a legal, binding and enforceable unconditional release providing that such third party claim and any claimed liability of the indemnified party with respect to the third party claim is fully satisfied by reason of such settlement and that the indemnified party is being released from any and all obligations and liabilities it may have with respect to the third party claim.

13. Limitations on Liability . Neither Producer nor the Distributor shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Distributor’s distributorship of the Products, be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Distributor, or otherwise. Irrespective of

whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or non-renewal of the Distributor’s distributorship of the Products.

14. Notice . Except for purchase orders and invoices, which may be sent by e-mail or such other written means as the parties may agree from time to time, all notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as may be subsequently designated by the parties in the manner provided herein, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by nationally recognized overnight courier service:

 

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To Producer:                                        

  

To Distributor:

SCR- Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

  

Covia Holdings Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

15. Excusable Non-Performance . A party shall not be liable for failure to perform any part of this Agreement, except for the payment of money (which obligation is not affected by this Section 15), to the extent and duration that such failure to perform is on account of Acts of God or any government, fire, strike, labor dispute, accident, war, insurrection, embargoes, delays of carriers or suppliers, or for any other causes beyond such party’s reasonable control or without its fault (“Force Majeure”). In the case of any delay or failure that either party anticipates will cause an excusable delay hereunder, such party will, within ten (10) days of becoming aware of such delay or failure, give the other party written notice thereof, including a description of the steps (if any) such party is taking to alleviate the underlying issue.

16. General .

(a) This Agreement, including the attached Exhibits, which are incorporated herein, contains the entire agreement and understanding between Producer and Distributor with respect to the distribution of the Products and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the same. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by both Producer and Distributor. It is recognized that Distributor may from time to time issue a purchase order or other similar transactional form or document, and that, other than with respect to the identification of specific quantities of Product being ordered from Producer, any terms and conditions contained on such forms and documents shall be of no force and effect, and shall not constitute a modification or amendment of this Agreement absent Producer’s specific, written agreement.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns. Neither party may assign this Agreement without the other party’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, not including the 1980 United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods and notwithstanding the principles, if any, that would otherwise govern the choice of applicable law. Each party agrees that any and all litigation it may initiate arising out of the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in the State of New York in any court having competent subject matter jurisdiction over such dispute. Additionally, each party hereby submits itself to the jurisdiction of any court in the State of New York having competent subject matter jurisdiction.

 

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(d) The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver of either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent a subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

(e) The section headings used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) The terms of Sections 4(b), 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17 and this Section 16 (each to the extent applicable after the Term) will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

17. Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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

 

DISTRIBUTOR     PRODUCER
Covia Holdings Corporation     SCR-Sibelco NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name: Campbell Jones     Name: Kurt Decat

Its:       Executive Vice President and

            Chief Operating Officer

    Its:      Member of Executive Committee
    SCR-Sibelco NV
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name: Laurence Boens
      Its:      Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Distribution Agreement (Sibelco as Producer)


EXHIBIT A

Products

 

Product Name                        

  

Industry

  

Producer Location

Sodium Feldspar Chips    Tiles and Engobes    Turkey
Ball Clay Shredded/Blended    Tiles and Engobes   

Kingsteignton,

Mertsalovo

 

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EXHIBIT B

Industries

 

Industry                                         

  

Applicable Minimum

Tiles and Engobes    80,000 metric tons

 

14


EXHIBIT C

Trading Area

 

Jurisdiction                                         

  

Applicable Minimum

North America and Mexico    80,000 metric tons

.

 

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Exhibit 10.5

EXCLUSIVE AGENCY AGREEMENT

THIS EXCLUSIVE AGENCY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of June 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Producer”) and SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company (“Agent”).

WHEREAS, Producer seeks to have Agent serve as its exclusive agent to promote, market and solicit orders for Producer’s Products from customers in the Industries and within the Trading Areas, each as defined below, under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Agent seeks to promote, market and solicit orders for the sale of the Products to customers in the Industries within the Trading Areas, and in accordance with the terms set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and provisions herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the parties hereto the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Sales Agent .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Producer hereby appoints Agent and Agent hereby accepts appointment as the Producer’s exclusive sales agent for the Producer materials listed on the attached Exhibit A (“Products”) for the Industries listed on attached Exhibit B (each, an “Industry”) within the geographical area listed on attached Exhibit C (the “Trading Area”), and Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent shall have the right to solicit orders for Products only from persons and entities in the Industries and having their places of business within the Trading Area. Agent shall be the exclusive agent for the Producer for sale of Products in the Trading Area for the term of this Agreement. Except as specifically provided herein to the contrary, any sale of Products in the Industries in the Trading Area shall be credited as sales made by Agent and Agent shall be entitled to the commission provided herein. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement, and except as specifically set forth herein, there are no additional agreements, understandings, representations, covenants, warranties or guaranties, written or oral, between the parties, relating to the subject matter of the Agreement. Prior arrangements, agreements and understandings, if any, are superseded by this Agreement. Agent may perform its responsibilities under this Agreement through its subsidiaries. Further, Agent may appoint any third party to act as a sub-agent, upon obtaining Producer’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

(b) The relationship of the parties created pursuant to this Agreement is, and is intended to be, that of independent contractors. Agent will not by any action represent itself as having the authority to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of Producer.

2. Agent Responsibilities. The Agent shall :

(a) Diligently sample (by passing to Producer sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area), advertise and promote the sale of the Products to the Industry in the Trading Area to fulfill the Products sales objectives mutually established by the parties from time to time;

 

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(b) Maintain a bona fide sales department adequately staffed, trained and equipped to enable Agent to serve the Industry in the Trading Area adequately and properly, to give customers technical sales assistance, address and resolve customer complaints and to fulfill its other obligations under this Agreement;

(c) Prepare and submit to the Producer call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Producer may from time to time reasonably request;

(d) Maintain adequate supply of all current literature (including product data sheets, safety data sheets (“SDS”), brochures, etc.) relating to the Products and to provide customers and prospective customers with copies of the same at the time of Product inquiry or order solicitation, acceptance or thereafter, and, in particular, maintain and provide all customers of Products with appropriate safety related literature and SDS in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard;

(e) Participate in trade shows and exhibitions in the Trading Area where, in Agent’s reasonable business judgment, such participation will promote the Products;

(f) Not make any representation or warranty with respect to any Products, other than as expressly provided by Producer;

(g) Conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

(h) Not promote, market or solicit orders for any Products outside the Trading Area, or inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industries, in each case where Agent is not authorized to sell such Products, without Producer’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in Producer’s absolute discretion; and,

(i) Sell, advertise and promote the Products only to customers in the Industry within the Trading Area and promptly refer all orders for Products from outside the Trading Area, and any orders for Products from inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industry, in each case where Agent is not authorized to sell such Products, to Producer or its nominee.

3. Producer s Responsibilities .

(a) Provided Agent is not in breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Producer shall: (i) supply Agent without charge with reasonable quantities of its regular promotional materials relating to the Products, including safety and technical data sheets, bulletins and such other data as Producer may from time to time have for promotional purposes; (ii) provide Agent with

 

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reasonable technical assistance; (iii) provide Agent with reasonable assistance to address and resolve customer complaints; (iv) fulfill sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area; and, (v) prepare and maintain, and submit to the Agent on a monthly basis, all documentation and reports reasonably required from time to time to be prepared, maintained or submitted, including but not limited to, the following: customer, sales, freight and inventory data regarding the Products, pricing and volume data, and call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) Producer shall conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

4. Quotations , Orders and Payment by Industry Customers .

(a) Agent will make quotations in respect to the sales of the Products only in accordance with the Producer’s then current policies and procedures, on prices agreed between the parties in advance and on the Producer’s terms and conditions of sale, including the terms of payment specified by the Producer. The Agent will assist the Producer in obtaining the appropriate documentation needed for Industry customers (for example, credit reports, sales tax exemptions, etc.).

(b) Orders for sales generated by Agent may be submitted to the Producer either by the Agent or the Industry customer. If Agent receives any order for Products, it will promptly forward it to the Producer. The Producer will establish and promulgate the criteria for sales orders to be generated by Agent and Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to secure sales orders that meet the Producer’s criteria. The Producer will have the right at any time to reject any order in whole or in part for good cause. Good cause shall include the following: (i) the sales order fails to meet the Producer’s criteria, (ii) the Industry customer fails to meet the Producer’s credit criteria, (iii) lack of Product availability due to no fault of the Producer, or (iv) poor payment history by the Industry customer.

(c) The Producer will bill the Industry customer for the purchased Products. Agent will not bill Industry customers for the Products unless expressly requested to do so by the Producer in writing. Payments against purchase orders are to be made directly to the Producer, without intervention by Agent unless expressly requested in writing by the Producer in each instance. If Agent receives any payment from an Industry customer, Agent will immediately forward the entire amount of such payment to the Producer.

(d) Producer will have the right, in its sole discretion, to issue credits, make discounts and allowances, and/or accept returns of the Products.

 

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5. Commissions .

(a) The Producer shall pay to the Agent, as compensation for its services during the Term, a commission of five percent (5%) of Net Sales of Products generated by Agent to the Industries in the Trading Area for which payment is received by Producer from any Industry customer. Payment of commission shall be made by the Producer to Agent on or before 45 days following the calendar quarter of receipt by Producer of payment for Products from its Industry customers. At the time of payment of commission, the Producer shall furnish the Agent with an itemized statement setting forth the computation of commissions. For purposes of this Agreement, Net Sales means gross sales of Products by Agent in the Trading Area less: (i) transportation costs; (ii) replacement costs; (iii) rebates; (iv) warehouse, terminal and handling costs and (v) import and export fees.

(b) In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Producer shall be obligated to pay commissions only with respect to purchase orders for Products procured from Industry customers in the Trading Area prior to termination of this Agreement and subsequently accepted by the Producer and for which Producer has received payment from the applicable Industry customer. Any adjustments which may be required pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof shall be made notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, there shall be deducted from any commissions due the Agent an amount equal to: (i) commissions previously paid or credited to the Agent for sales of Products which are thereafter returned by the Industry customer; and (ii) the applicable portion of commissions previously paid or credited to the Agent for sales of Products as to which any allowance or adjustment is credited to the Industry customer for any reason.

(d) The Agent and the Producer will agree on an acceptable quarterly expense level for the Agent. The Producer will pay the agreed upon amount to the Agent in advance at the beginning of each calendar quarter following receipt of a proper invoice. Any additional expenditures or extraordinary expenses must be approved in advance by the Producer in order to be reimbursed.

6. Trademarks .

(a) The Agent shall not use or register any trademark used by or registered in the name of Producer, or any affiliate of Producer, (“Producer Trademarks”), or any word or trademark that is similar in sight, sound or meaning, or otherwise likely to be confused therewith, in any manner except as permitted by Producer in connection with the promotion, advertising, and sale of each of the Products. Agent shall observe all applicable quality standards specified by Producer as to the manner of use of the Producer Trademarks applicable to each of the Products being distributed by Agent in the packaging, labeling, promoting, advertising and/or selling of such Products by Agent. On Producer’s request, all packaging, labels, promotional and advertising materials created by Agent and containing any Producer Trademark, as well as the promotion of any of the Products with the applicable Producer Trademark by Agent at any trade show, shall be subject to review and approval by Producer. Upon termination of this Agreement, Agent shall cease immediately all use of the Producer Trademarks, and shall remove them or cause them to be removed from all signs, advertisements, letterheads, bill heads, forms, listings and any other things on which they may be used by the Agent, and shall discontinue all representations from which it might be inferred that Agent is an authorized Agent of any of the Products of Producer. The Agent acknowledges Producer’s exclusive ownership of Producer Trademarks and acquires no right, title or interest in or to the Producer Trademarks hereunder.

 

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(b) Producer hereby grants to the Agent for the Term, and subject to the terms and conditions herein, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable right to use the Producer Trademarks in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Products in the Trading Area in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any guidelines issued by Producer from time to time. During the Term, Agent shall have the right to indicate to the public that it is an authorized Agent of the Products.

7. Product Changes . Producer reserves the right from time to time, in its absolute discretion, without incurring any liability to the Agent with respect to any purchase order previously placed or inventory held by Agent, or otherwise, to discontinue or to limit its production or alter the specifications of any Product or Product line, to terminate or limit deliveries of any Product or Product line, the production of which is so discontinued, limited or altered, and to add new and additional products or product lines; provided, that, any new products or product lines shall first be offered to Agent for exclusive agency rights in the Industry in the Trading Area pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

8. Term; Termination

(a) This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated pursuant to subsections (b) through (e) hereof, continue for a term of twenty (20) years following the Effective Date (“Term”).

(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Agent, if Agent’s annual volume of orders generated of Products by Industry or Trading Area fall below the Applicable Minimum for two consecutive calendar years during the Term; provided however that if Producer has made available Product volumes less than 2016 levels in such year(s), Producer may only terminate if Agent failed to generate orders for at least 80% of the Product supply made available by Producer to Agent in such year(s). For the purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Minimum” means the amount set forth on Exhibit B with respect to each Industry or on Exhibit C with respect to each Trading Area, as the context requires.

(c) Agent may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Producer, if Producer fails to make any payment called for under this Agreement by the date falling ten (10) days after the due date, and such failure has continued for twenty (20) or more days after Producer receives written notice from Agent specifying the failure to pay by such date.

(d) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Agent, if Agent: (i) breaches any of its obligations or restrictions in Section 2(g), 2(i), 2(h) or 6; or (ii) for any reason, suffers the loss of any license or permit required by law that is necessary for Agent to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement, and such loss has continued for thirty (30) or more days.

 

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(e) Either party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to the other party (i) if such other party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations in this Agreement (other than those obligations addressed in Section 8(b) or 8(c)), and such failure has continued for thirty (30) or more days after such party receives written notice from the other party specifying the nature of the alleged breach; (ii) if such other party voluntarily commences any proceeding or files a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law; or (iii) if an involuntary proceeding is commenced or petition is filed against such other party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of such party under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law, and such proceeding or petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after first initiated.

(f) This Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate without any further action required by any party upon Agent, directly or indirectly, ceasing to own more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Producer.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a termination is based on Section 8(b), 8(c) or 8(d) and the circumstance giving rise to such termination is attributable to only a particular Industry or jurisdiction of the Trading Area, then the termination may only apply to such particular Industry or jurisdiction. If this Agreement is only terminated in part, it will continue in full force and effect with respect to the remaining Industry(ies) and jurisdictions of the Trading Area.

9. Rights on Termination . Upon termination of this Agreement, the Agent shall cease all marketing and promotion of, and the solicitation of purchase orders for, the Products and promptly return to the Producer all promotional literature, data sheets, sales aids and other similar materials or effects which the Producer may have furnished to the Agent in connection with its activities hereunder. Upon any termination of this Agreement, the Producer shall not be liable to the Agent for loss of future commissions, goodwill, investments, advertising or promotional costs or like expenses. Neither Producer nor the Agent shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency, be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Agent, or otherwise. Irrespective of whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or nonrenewal of the Agent’s agency.

 

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10. Indemnification .

(a) Subject to Section 11, Agent will indemnify, defend and hold Producer harmless from and against any and all claims and demands in each case made by third parties and all resulting liabilities, obligations, costs, losses and expenses, including court or arbitration costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees, that Producer may suffer to the extent resulting from or arising out of: (i) any breach by Agent (or any sub-agent) of any of its obligations or any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement; (ii) any unauthorized act of Agent, its sub-agent, or any of their agents or employees; (iii) the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of Agent or its sub-agents; or (iv) the relationship between Agent and any of its sub-agents (even if approved in accordance with Section 1(a)), or the termination thereof. At Producer’s election, in its sole discretion, Agent will take reasonable steps to defend Producer with respect to any claim by a third party that is subject to the foregoing indemnity obligation in any action, suit or other proceeding and select counsel that is reasonably satisfactory to Producer, and Producer may participate in (at Producer’s expense) all aspects of, any such proceeding, including any settlement thereof (subject to Section 10(b)). Where Producer elects to defend the claim, Agent may participate (at its expense) in all aspects of any proceeding, including any settlement of the claim (subject to Section 10(b)).

(b) The indemnified party will provide prompt written notice of a claim to the indemnifying party; provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 10, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. The indemnifying party agrees to timely reimburse the indemnified party for expenses incurred in connection with a claim for which the indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 10. The party that has assumed the defense of any claim pursuant to Section 10(a) may not settle the claim without the written consent of the other party unless (i) the terms of such settlement do not impose any obligations or restrictions on the indemnified party, (ii) the full amount of any monetary settlement is paid by the indemnifying party, and (iii) the indemnified party receives as part of such settlement a legal, binding and enforceable unconditional release providing that such third party claim and any claimed liability of the indemnified party with respect to the third party claim is fully satisfied by reason of such settlement and that the indemnified party is being released from any and all obligations and liabilities it may have with respect to the third party claim.

11. Limitations on Liability . Neither Producer nor the Agent shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Agent, or otherwise. Irrespective of whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency. Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (including loss of (anticipated) profits) arising in any way out of this Agreement, however caused and on any theory of liability, except with respect to claims based on intentional fraud or intentional misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, if any of the foregoing damages are awarded to a third party and a party has a right to bring a claim against the other party under this Agreement in respect of such third party claim, such damages will be considered direct damages.

 

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12. Notice. Except for purchase orders and invoices, which may be sent by e-mail or such other written means as the parties may agree from time to time, all notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as may be subsequently designated by the parties in the manner provided herein, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by nationally recognized overnight courier service:

 

To Producer:

  

To Agent:

Covia Holdings Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

  

SCR- Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

13. Excusable Non-Performance . A party shall not be liable for failure to perform any part of this Agreement, except for the payment of money (which obligation is not affected by this Section 13), to the extent and duration that such failure to perform is on account of Acts of God or any government, fire, strike, labor dispute, accident, war, insurrection, embargoes, delays of carriers or suppliers, or for any other causes beyond such party’s reasonable control or without its fault (“Force Majeure”). In the case of any delay or failure that either party anticipates will cause an excusable delay hereunder, such party will, within ten (10) days of becoming aware of such delay or failure, give the other party written notice thereof, including a description of the steps (if any) such party is taking to alleviate the underlying issue.

14. General .

(a) This Agreement, including the attached Exhibits, which are incorporated herein, contains the entire agreement and understanding between Producer and Agent with respect to the Agent’s agency and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the same. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by both Producer and Agent. It is recognized that Agent may from time to time issue transactional forms or documents, and that any terms and conditions contained on such forms and documents shall be of no force and effect, and shall not constitute a modification or amendment of this Agreement absent Producer’s specific, written agreement.

(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Agent hereunder may not be assigned, delegated, or transferred without the prior written consent of Producer, and any attempted assignment, delegation or transfer in violation of this provision shall be void and automatically terminate this Agreement.

 

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(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, not including the 1980 United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods and notwithstanding the principles, if any, that would otherwise govern the choice of applicable law. Each party agrees that any and all litigation it may initiate arising out of the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in the State of New York in any court having competent subject matter jurisdiction over such dispute. Additionally, each party hereby submits itself to the jurisdiction of any court in the State of New York having competent subject matter jurisdiction.

(d) The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver of either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent a subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

(e) The section headings used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

(f) The terms of Sections 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and this Section 14 (each to the extent applicable after the Term) will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

15. Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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

 

AGENT

   

PRODUCER

SCR-Sibelco NV     Covia Holdings Corporation
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

    By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Kurt Decat     Name:   Campbell Jones
Its:       Member of Executive Committee     Its:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Operating Officer

SCR-Sibelco NV      
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

     
Name:   Laurence Boens      
Its:       Member of Executive Committee      

Signature Page to Agency Agreement (Sibelco as Agent)


EXHIBIT A

Products

 

Product Name

  

Industry

  

Producer

Location

Kaolin Dried and Pulverised    Sanitaryware    Hephzibah
Nepheline Flour    Ceramic Ware, Sanitaryware    NSO, Tamms
Silica Flour Microcrystalline    Ceramic Ware, Industrial Ceramics    Tamms, Elco
Plastic Prepared Body    Sanitaryware    Apodaca
Kaolin Ground    Ceramic ware, Industrial Ceramics    McIntyre
Calcium Carbonate Ground    Feed Amendments    Apodaca

Coatings & Polymers:

 

Product Name

  

Industry

  

Producer Location

Granusil    Architectural and Decorative, Plastics, Adhesives and Sealants    Emmett, Guion, Jaltipan, Junction City, Lampazos, Lugoff, Oregon, Ottawa, Pevely, Portage, St. Canut
Silica Sand 1    Architectural and Decorative, Industrial Coatings, Rubber, Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants    Any location operated by Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., or its Subsidiaries, prior to the Effective Date
Imsil    Architectural and Decorative, Industrial Coatings, Rubber, Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants    Elco
Minbloc    Plastics    Tamms, NSO
Minex Fine    Architectural & Decorative, Plastics, Industrial Coatings, Rubber    Tamms, Troy Grove, NSO
Minex IG    Industrial Coatings, Architectural and Decorative, Plastics    NSO
Silver Bond    Architectural and Decorative, Plastics, Industrial Coatings, Rubber,    San Jose, Lampazos
Hifill N    Plastics    NSO, Troy Grove, Tamms
Hifill, HiWhite (Aerogem)    Architectural and Decorative, Industrial Coatings, Rubber, Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants    Apodaca, Huntingburg

 

 

1   No orders of Silica Sand shall be considered in determining if Agent’s annual volume of orders generated falls below the Applicable Minimum.

 

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Portaryte, Portaflame, Portafill    Architectural and Decorative, Industrial Coatings, Rubber, Plastics, Adhesives & Sealants    Apodaca
Snobrite    Adhesives & Sealants, Rubber, Architectural & Decorative, Industrial Coatings, Plastics    McIntyre

 

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EXHIBIT B

Industries

 

Industry

  

Applicable Minimum

Sanitaryware    3,000 metric tons
Ceramic Ware    600 metric tons
Industrial Ceramics    100 metric tons
Feed Amendments    200 metric tons
Coatings & Polymers:

 

Industry

  

Applicable Minimum 2

Rubber    37,900 metric tons
Plastics    13,900 metric tons
Architectural and Decorative    191,500 metric tons
Industrial Coatings    33,700 metric tons
Adhesives and Sealants    6,000 metric tons
Solder Mask, Epoxy Molding Compounds, Printed Circuit Boards    130 metric tons

 

 

2   No orders of Silica Sand shall be considered in determining if Agent’s annual volume of orders generated falls below the Applicable Minimum.

 

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EXHIBIT C

Trading Area

 

Jurisdiction

  

Applicable Minimum

World, except for North America and Mexico    3,900 metric tons

Coatings & Polymers:

 

Jurisdiction

  

Applicable Minimum 3

North America, Mexico, Caribbean    283,000 metric tons

 

 

3   No orders of Silica Sand shall be considered in determining if Agent’s annual volume of orders generated falls below the Applicable Minimum.

 

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Exhibit 10.6

EXCLUSIVE AGENCY AGREEMENT

THIS EXCLUSIVE AGENCY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of June 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Agent”) and SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company (“Producer”).

WHEREAS, Producer seeks to have Agent serve as its exclusive agent to promote, market and solicit orders for Producer’s Products from customers in the Industries and within the Trading Areas, each as defined below, under the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Agent seeks to promote, market and solicit orders for the sale of the Products to customers in the Industries within the Trading Areas, and in accordance with the terms set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and provisions herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged by the parties hereto the parties agree as follows:

1. Appointment of Sales Agent .

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Producer hereby appoints Agent and Agent hereby accepts appointment as the Producer’s exclusive sales agent for the Producer materials listed on the attached Exhibit A (“Products”) for the Industries listed on attached Exhibit B (each, an “Industry”) within the geographical area listed on attached Exhibit C (the “Trading Area”), and Agent hereby accepts such appointment. Agent shall have the right to solicit orders for Products only from persons and entities in the Industries and having their places of business within the Trading Area. Agent shall be the exclusive agent for the Producer for sale of Products in the Trading Area for the term of this Agreement; provided that, if Producer (i) reasonably determines that it has excess inventory of feldspar or mica, (ii) provides Agent with written notice reasonably describing such excess inventory (including the amount thereof), and (iii) permits Agent the first right to solicit orders for such excess inventory for a period of ten (10) days following receipt of such notice, then following expiration of such ten (10)-day period, Producer may directly sell such excess inventory that is not otherwise covered by an order obtained by Agent to the Industry in the Trading Area on a non-exclusive basis. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein to the contrary, any sale of Products in the Industries in the Trading Area (including any feldspar or mica sold by Producer pursuant to the foregoing exception) shall be credited as sales made by Agent and Agent shall be entitled to the commission provided herein. The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties on the subject matter of this Agreement, and except as specifically set forth herein, there are no additional agreements, understandings, representations, covenants, warranties or guaranties, written or oral, between the parties, relating to the subject matter of the Agreement. Prior arrangements, agreements and understandings, if any, are superseded by this Agreement. Agent may perform its responsibilities under this Agreement through its subsidiaries. Further, Agent may appoint any third party to act as a sub-agent, upon obtaining Producer’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned.

 

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(b) The relationship of the parties created pursuant to this Agreement is, and is intended to be, that of independent contractors. Agent will not by any action represent itself as having the authority to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of Producer.

2. Agent Responsibilities . The Agent shall:

(a) Diligently sample (by passing to Producer sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area), advertise and promote the sale of the Products to the Industry in the Trading Area to fulfill the Products sales objectives mutually established by the parties from time to time;

(b) Maintain a bona fide sales department adequately staffed, trained and equipped to enable Agent to serve the Industry in the Trading Area adequately and properly, to give customers technical sales assistance, address and resolve customer complaints and to fulfill its other obligations under this Agreement;

(c) Prepare and submit to the Producer call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Producer may from time to time reasonably request;

(d) Maintain adequate supply of all current literature (including product data sheets, safety data sheets (“SDS”), brochures, etc.) relating to the Products and to provide customers and prospective customers with copies of the same at the time of Product inquiry or order solicitation, acceptance or thereafter, and, in particular, maintain and provide all customers of Products with appropriate safety related literature and SDS in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements including, as applicable, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard;

(e) Participate in trade shows and exhibitions in the Trading Area where, in Agent’s reasonable business judgment, such participation will promote the Products;

(f) Not make any representation or warranty with respect to any Products, other than as expressly provided by Producer;

(g) Conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

(h) Not promote, market or solicit orders for any Products outside the Trading Area, or inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industries, in each case where Agent is not authorized to sell such Products, without Producer’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in Producer’s absolute discretion; and,

(i) Sell, advertise and promote the Products only to customers in the Industry within the Trading Area and promptly refer all orders for Products from outside the Trading Area, and any orders for Products from inside the Trading Area for use outside the Industry, in each case where Agent is not authorized to sell such Products, to Producer or its nominee.

 

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3. Producer’s Responsibilities .

(a) Provided Agent is not in breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Producer shall: (i) supply Agent without charge with reasonable quantities of its regular promotional materials relating to the Products, including safety and technical data sheets, bulletins and such other data as Producer may from time to time have for promotional purposes; (ii) provide Agent with reasonable technical assistance; (iii) provide Agent with reasonable assistance to address and resolve customer complaints; (iv) fulfill sample requests of existing and potential customers in the Trading Area; and, (v) prepare and maintain, and submit to the Agent on a monthly basis, all documentation and reports reasonably required from time to time to be prepared, maintained or submitted, including but not limited to, the following: customer, sales, freight and inventory data regarding the Products, pricing and volume data, and call reports regarding visits to existing and potential customers in the Trading Area, all in such form and at such times as Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

(b) Producer shall conduct its business in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with all applicable laws including, without limitation, those pertaining to taxes and the prohibition of corruption, bribery and the offering of inducements to public or semi-public officials, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

4. Quotations, Orders and Payment by Industry Customers .

(a) Agent will make quotations in respect to the sales of the Products only in accordance with the Producer’s then current policies and procedures, on prices agreed between the parties in advance and on the Producer’s terms and conditions of sale, including the terms of payment specified by the Producer. The Agent will assist the Producer in obtaining the appropriate documentation needed for Industry customers (for example, credit reports, sales tax exemptions, etc.).

(b) Orders for sales generated by Agent may be submitted to the Producer either by the Agent or the Industry customer. If Agent receives any order for Products, it will promptly forward it to the Producer. The Producer will establish and promulgate the criteria for sales orders to be generated by Agent and Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to secure sales orders that meet the Producer’s criteria. The Producer will have the right at any time to reject any order in whole or in part for good cause. Good cause shall include the following: (i) the sales order fails to meet the Producer’s criteria, (ii) the Industry customer fails to meet the Producer’s credit criteria, (iii) lack of Product availability due to no fault of the Producer, or (iv) poor payment history by the Industry customer.

(c) The Producer will bill the Industry customer for the purchased Products. Agent will not bill Industry customers for the Products unless expressly requested to do so by the Producer in writing. Payments against purchase orders are to be made directly to the Producer, without intervention by Agent unless expressly requested in writing by the Producer in each instance. If Agent receives any payment from an Industry customer, Agent will immediately forward the entire amount of such payment to the Producer.

 

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(d) Producer will have the right, in its sole discretion, to issue credits, make discounts and allowances, and/or accept returns of the Products.

5. Commissions .

(a) The Producer shall pay to the Agent, as compensation for its services during the Term, a commission of five percent (5%) of Net Sales of Products generated by Agent to the Industries in the Trading Area for which payment is received by Producer from any Industry customer. Payment of commission shall be made by the Producer to Agent on or before 45 days following the calendar quarter of receipt by Producer of payment for Products from its Industry customers. At the time of payment of commission, the Producer shall furnish the Agent with an itemized statement setting forth the computation of commissions. For purposes of this Agreement, Net Sales means gross sales of Products by Agent in the Trading Area less: (i) transportation costs; (ii) replacement costs; (iii) rebates; (iv) warehouse, terminal and handling costs and (v) import and export fees.

(b) In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Producer shall be obligated to pay commissions only with respect to purchase orders for Products procured from Industry customers in the Trading Area prior to termination of this Agreement and subsequently accepted by the Producer and for which Producer has received payment from the applicable Industry customer. Any adjustments which may be required pursuant to Section 5(c) hereof shall be made notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, there shall be deducted from any commissions due the Agent an amount equal to: (i) commissions previously paid or credited to the Agent for sales of Products which are thereafter returned by the Industry customer; and (ii) the applicable portion of commissions previously paid or credited to the Agent for sales of Products as to which any allowance or adjustment is credited to the Industry customer for any reason.

(d) The Agent and the Producer will agree on an acceptable quarterly expense level for the Agent. The Producer will pay the agreed upon amount to the Agent in advance at the beginning of each calendar quarter following receipt of a proper invoice. Any additional expenditures or extraordinary expenses must be approved in advance by the Producer in order to be reimbursed.

6. Trademarks .

(a) The Agent shall not use or register any trademark used by or registered in the name of Producer, or any affiliate of Producer, (“Producer Trademarks”), or any word or trademark that is similar in sight, sound or meaning, or otherwise likely to be confused therewith, in any manner except as permitted by Producer in connection with the promotion, advertising, and sale of each of the Products. Agent shall observe all applicable quality standards specified by Producer as to the manner of use of the Producer Trademarks applicable to each of the Products being distributed by Agent in the packaging, labeling, promoting, advertising and/or

 

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selling of such Products by Agent. On Producer’s request, all packaging, labels, promotional and advertising materials created by Agent and containing any Producer Trademark, as well as the promotion of any of the Products with the applicable Producer Trademark by Agent at any trade show, shall be subject to review and approval by Producer. Upon termination of this Agreement, Agent shall cease immediately all use of the Producer Trademarks, and shall remove them or cause them to be removed from all signs, advertisements, letterheads, bill heads, forms, listings and any other things on which they may be used by the Agent, and shall discontinue all representations from which it might be inferred that Agent is an authorized Agent of any of the Products of Producer. The Agent acknowledges Producer’s exclusive ownership of Producer Trademarks and acquires no right, title or interest in or to the Producer Trademarks hereunder.

(b) Producer hereby grants to the Agent for the Term, and subject to the terms and conditions herein, a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable right to use the Producer Trademarks in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Products in the Trading Area in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and any guidelines issued by Producer from time to time. During the Term, Agent shall have the right to indicate to the public that it is an authorized Agent of the Products.

7. Product Changes . Producer reserves the right from time to time, in its absolute discretion, without incurring any liability to the Agent with respect to any purchase order previously placed or inventory held by Agent, or otherwise, to discontinue or to limit its production or alter the specifications of any Product or Product line, to terminate or limit deliveries of any Product or Product line, the production of which is so discontinued, limited or altered, and to add new and additional products or product lines; provided, that, any new products or product lines shall first be offered to Agent for exclusive agency rights in the Industry in the Trading Area pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

8. Term; Termination

(a) This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall, unless earlier terminated pursuant to subsections (b) through (e) hereof, continue for a term of twenty (20) years following the Effective Date (“Term”).

(b) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Agent, if Agent’s annual volume of orders generated of Products by Industry or Trading Area fall below the Applicable Minimum for two consecutive calendar years during the Term; provided however that if Producer has made available Product volumes less than 2016 levels in such year(s), Producer may only terminate if Agent failed to generate orders for at least 80% of the Product supply made available by Producer to Agent in such year(s). For the purposes of this Agreement, “Applicable Minimum” means the amount set forth on Exhibit B with respect to each Industry or on Exhibit C with respect to each Trading Area, as the context requires.

(c) Agent may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Producer, if Producer fails to make any payment called for under this Agreement by the date falling ten (10) days after the due date, and such failure has continued for twenty (20) or more days after Producer receives written notice from Agent specifying the failure to pay by such date.

 

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(d) Producer may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to Agent, if Agent: (i) breaches any of its obligations or restrictions in Section 2(g), 2(i), 2(h) or 6; or (ii) for any reason, suffers the loss of any license or permit required by law that is necessary for Agent to carry out any of its obligations under this Agreement, and such loss has continued for thirty (30) or more days.

(e) Either party may terminate this Agreement, effective upon written notice to the other party (i) if such other party fails to observe or perform any of its obligations in this Agreement (other than those obligations addressed in Section 8(b) or 8(c)), and such failure has continued for thirty (30) or more days after such party receives written notice from the other party specifying the nature of the alleged breach; (ii) if such other party voluntarily commences any proceeding or files a petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law; or (iii) if an involuntary proceeding is commenced or petition is filed against such other party seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of such party under any bankruptcy, receivership or similar law, and such proceeding or petition is not dismissed within sixty (60) days after first initiated.

(f) This Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate without any further action required by any party upon Agent, directly or indirectly, ceasing to own more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Producer.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if a termination is based on Section 8(b), 8(c) or 8(d) and the circumstance giving rise to such termination is attributable to only a particular Industry or jurisdiction of the Trading Area, then the termination may only apply to such particular Industry or jurisdiction. If this Agreement is only terminated in part, it will continue in full force and effect with respect to the remaining Industry(ies) and jurisdictions of the Trading Area.

9. Rights on Termination . Upon termination of this Agreement, the Agent shall cease all marketing and promotion of, and the solicitation of purchase orders for, the Products and promptly return to the Producer all promotional literature, data sheets, sales aids and other similar materials or effects which the Producer may have furnished to the Agent in connection with its activities hereunder. Upon any termination of this Agreement, the Producer shall not be liable to the Agent for loss of future commissions, goodwill, investments, advertising or promotional costs or like expenses. Neither Producer nor the Agent shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency, be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Agent, or otherwise. Irrespective of whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or nonrenewal of the Agent’s agency.

 

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10. Indemnification .

(a) Subject to Section 11, Agent will indemnify, defend and hold Producer harmless from and against any and all claims and demands in each case made by third parties and all resulting liabilities, obligations, costs, losses and expenses, including court or arbitration costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees, that Producer may suffer to the extent resulting from or arising out of: (i) any breach by Agent (or any sub-agent) of any of its obligations or any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement; (ii) any unauthorized act of Agent, its sub-agent, or any of their agents or employees; (iii) the negligent acts or omissions or willful misconduct of Agent or its sub-agents; or (iv) the relationship between Agent and any of its sub-agents (even if approved in accordance with Section 1(a)), or the termination thereof. At Producer’s election, in its sole discretion, Agent will take reasonable steps to defend Producer with respect to any claim by a third party that is subject to the foregoing indemnity obligation in any action, suit or other proceeding and select counsel that is reasonably satisfactory to Producer, and Producer may participate in (at Producer’s expense) all aspects of, any such proceeding, including any settlement thereof (subject to Section 10(b)). Where Producer elects to defend the claim, Agent may participate (at its expense) in all aspects of any proceeding, including any settlement of the claim (subject to Section 10(b)).

(b) The indemnified party will provide prompt written notice of a claim to the indemnifying party; provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice will not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this Section 10, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. The indemnifying party agrees to timely reimburse the indemnified party for expenses incurred in connection with a claim for which the indemnified party is entitled to indemnification under this Section 10. The party that has assumed the defense of any claim pursuant to Section 10(a) may not settle the claim without the written consent of the other party unless (i) the terms of such settlement do not impose any obligations or restrictions on the indemnified party, (ii) the full amount of any monetary settlement is paid by the indemnifying party, and (iii) the indemnified party receives as part of such settlement a legal, binding and enforceable unconditional release providing that such third party claim and any claimed liability of the indemnified party with respect to the third party claim is fully satisfied by reason of such settlement and that the indemnified party is being released from any and all obligations and liabilities it may have with respect to the third party claim.

11. Limitations on Liability . Neither Producer nor the Agent shall, by reason of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency be liable to the other for any indemnification, compensation, reimbursement or damages on account of the loss of prospective profits on anticipated sales, or on account of expenditures, investments, leases or commitments in connection with the business or goodwill of Producer or the Agent, or otherwise. Irrespective of whether such obligations or liabilities may be contemplated in the laws of the Trading Area or elsewhere, both parties hereby waive any rights (if any) each may have to such indemnification, compensation, reimbursement and damages in the event of the termination or non-renewal of the Agent’s agency. Neither party shall be liable to the other party for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (including loss of (anticipated) profits) arising in any way out of this Agreement, however caused and on any theory of liability, except with respect to claims based on intentional fraud or intentional misconduct. For the avoidance of doubt, if any of the foregoing damages are awarded to a third party and a party has a right to bring a claim against the other party under this Agreement in respect of such third party claim, such damages will be considered direct damages.

 

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12. Notice . Except for purchase orders and invoices, which may be sent by e-mail or such other written means as the parties may agree from time to time, all notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below, or to such other addresses as may be subsequently designated by the parties in the manner provided herein, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by nationally recognized overnight courier service:

 

To Producer:

  

To Agent:

SCR- Sibelco NV    Covia Holdings Corporation
Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp    258 Elm Street,
Belgium    New Canaan, CT 06840
Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal    United States of America
Counsel    Attention: General Counsel

13. Excusable Non-Performance . A party shall not be liable for failure to perform any part of this Agreement, except for the payment of money (which obligation is not affected by this Section 13), to the extent and duration that such failure to perform is on account of Acts of God or any government, fire, strike, labor dispute, accident, war, insurrection, embargoes, delays of carriers or suppliers, or for any other causes beyond such party’s reasonable control or without its fault (“Force Majeure”). In the case of any delay or failure that either party anticipates will cause an excusable delay hereunder, such party will, within ten (10) days of becoming aware of such delay or failure, give the other party written notice thereof, including a description of the steps (if any) such party is taking to alleviate the underlying issue.

14. General .

(a) This Agreement, including the attached Exhibits, which are incorporated herein, contains the entire agreement and understanding between Producer and Agent with respect to the Agent’s agency and supersedes and replaces all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to the same. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by both Producer and Agent. It is recognized that Agent may from time to time issue transactional forms or documents, and that any terms and conditions contained on such forms and documents shall be of no force and effect, and shall not constitute a modification or amendment of this Agreement absent Producer’s specific, written agreement.

 

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(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of Agent hereunder may not be assigned, delegated, or transferred without the prior written consent of Producer, and any attempted assignment, delegation or transfer in violation of this provision shall be void and automatically terminate this Agreement.

(c) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, not including the 1980 United Nations Convention for the International Sale of Goods and notwithstanding the principles, if any, that would otherwise govern the choice of applicable law. Each party agrees that any and all litigation it may initiate arising out of the interpretation, enforcement or breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in the State of New York in any court having competent subject matter jurisdiction over such dispute. Additionally, each party hereby submits itself to the jurisdiction of any court in the State of New York having competent subject matter jurisdiction.

(d) The failure of either party to require the performance of any term or obligation of this Agreement, or the waiver of either party of any breach of this Agreement, shall not prevent a subsequent enforcement of such term or obligation or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.

(e) The section headings used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

(f) The terms of Sections 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15 and this Section 14 (each to the extent applicable after the Term) will survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason.

15. Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and

year first above written.

 

PRODUCER       AGENT
SCR-Sibelco NV       Covia Holdings Corporation
By:   

/s/ Kurt Decat

      By:   

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name: Kurt Decat

Its:      Member of Executive Committee

     

Name: Campbell Jones

Its:       Executive Vice President and

            Chief Operating Officer

SCR-Sibelco NV         
By:   

/s/ Laurence Boens

     
Name: Laurence Boens      
Its:      Member of Executive Committee      

Signature Page to Agency Agreement (Covia as Agent)


EXHIBIT A

Products

 

Product Name

  

Industry

  

Producer Location

Silica Flour       Display Glass    Da-Chia

Composite

Flour

   Silica    Foundry    Nilsia

Caustic

Magnesia

   Calcined    Feed Amendments    Australia

Sodium

Chips

   Feldspar    Tiles and Engobes    Turkey
Rutile    Welding: Electronics    Australia
Feldspar and Mica    All industries using Feldspar and Mica    Spruce Pine, NC, USA (supply subject to availability)

 

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EXHIBIT B

Industries

 

Industry

  

Applicable Minimum

Display Glass    2,600 metric tons
Foundry    700 metric tons
Feed Amendments    22,000 metric tons
Tiles and Engobes    38,000 metric tons
Welding: Electronics    4,000 metric tons
All industries using Feldspar and Mica    no minimum (supply subject to availability)

 

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EXHIBIT C

Trading Area

 

Jurisdiction

  

Applicable Minimum

North America, Mexico    65,300 metric tons

 

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Exhibit 10.7

NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

THIS NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), is dated as of June 1, 2018 (the Effective Date ), by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation ( Covia ) and SCR-Sibelco NV, a Belgian public company ( Sibelco ). Covia and Sibelco are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the Parties and individually as a Party . Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS , Sibelco, Covia, Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia ( Merger Sub ), Bison Merger Sub I, LLC ( Merger Sub LLC ), a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia, and Fairmount Santrol Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Fairmount ), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 11, 2017 (the Merger Agreement ), providing for, among other things and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement: (i) the merger of Merger Sub with and into Fairmount (the Merger ), with Fairmount surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia; and (ii) a further merger of Fairmount with and into Merger Sub LLC (the Second Merger and, together with the Merger, the Mergers ), with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia.

WHEREAS , on or about the date hereof, Covia and Sibelco (or certain of their controlled Affiliates) will enter into the Distribution Agreement and the Agency Agreement.

WHEREAS , in connection with, and as an inducement to the willingness of the Parties to consummate, the Mergers and consistent with the Merger Agreement, the Parties wish to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

ACTIVITIES

Section 1.1 Covia/Fairmount Activities

 

(a) The Parties each agree that Covia and its controlled Affiliates may:

 

  (i) sell, market or distribute: (A) silica sand, calcium carbonate, lime, feldspathics, clay (including ball clay and kaolin), nepheline, coated materials, phenolic resins and coated materials, and Black Lab materials and services, or other energy focused minerals (including API Barite and API Bentonite) (the Covia/Fairmount Products ); (B) recycled materials (other than recycled glass or as otherwise agreed between the parties); or (C) any product that is not a Covia/Fairmount Product ((B) and (C) being the Sibelco Products ) to customers in the energy, foundry, glass, construction and building, sports and recreation, retail and DIY, biomass, ceramics, chemicals and agriculture industries (the Covia/Fairmount Markets ) in any of the United States of America and its overseas territories, Canada or Mexico (the Covia/Fairmount Territories );


  (ii) sell, market or distribute the Covia/Fairmount Products to customers in the energy market anywhere in the world;

 

  (iii) sell, market or distribute silica sand and coated silica sand to customers in the water treatment market in the Covia/Fairmount Territories;

 

  (iv) sell, market or distribute the Covia /Fairmount Products for foundry applications outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories to customers that were foundry customers of Fairmount at the Effective Time;

 

  (v) sell, market, distribute or produce coated products to or for customers in the energy market anywhere in the world;

 

  (vi) sell, market or distribute Black Lab products in existing markets as of the Effective Time; and

 

  (vii) produce any Covia/Fairmount Products in any of the Covia/Fairmount Territories.

 

(b) For so long as Sibelco, together with its controlled Affiliates, owns more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Covia (the Restricted Period ), and except as provided in Article II , Covia will not, and will cause its controlled Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, whether as principal, partner, officer, director, stockholder or otherwise, alone or in association with any other person, own, manage, operate, control, participate in, acquire (or have the right to acquire) voting securities of, perform services for, or otherwise carry on, any business involved with any activities other than those set out in Section  1.1(a) above; provided , however, that nothing in this Section  1.1(b) shall be deemed to limit in any way the activities of Covia or its controlled Affiliates pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Distribution Agreement or the Agency Agreement (each as may be amended and/or restated from time to time), or any joint venture, joint development or other agreement entered into following the date hereof between Sibelco (or a controlled Affiliate thereof), on the one hand, and Covia (or a controlled Affiliate thereof), on the other hand.

Section 1.2 Sibelco Activities

 

(a) The Parties each agree that Sibelco and its controlled Affiliates may:

 

  (i) sell, market or distribute the Covia/Fairmount Products or Sibelco Products to customers in the Covia/Fairmount Markets (other than the energy market) anywhere outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories;

 

  (ii) sell, market or distribute the Covia/Fairmount Products or Sibelco Products or provide any services to customers in markets other than the Covia/Fairmount Markets anywhere in the world;

 

  (iii) produce the Covia/Fairmount Products (other than coated products for energy markets) anywhere outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories, except for raw frac sand in any jurisdiction where Covia or its controlled Affiliates engaged in an acquisition or investment opportunity for raw frac sand with respect to which Sibelco and its controlled Affiliates failed to exercise their ROFO Opportunity in accordance with Article II(c) ; and

 

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  (iv) produce the Sibelco Products or provide any services anywhere in the world.

 

(b) During the Restricted Period, and except as provided in Article II , Sibelco will not, and will cause its controlled Affiliates (other than Covia and its controlled Affiliates) not to, directly or indirectly, whether as principal, partner, officer, director, stockholder or otherwise, alone or in association with any other person, own, manage, operate, control, participate in, acquire (or have the right to acquire) voting securities of, perform services for, or otherwise carry on, any business involved with any activities other than those set out in Section  1.2(a) above provided , however, that nothing in this Section  1.2 shall be deemed to limit in any way the activities of Sibelco or its controlled Affiliates pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Distribution Agreement or the Agency Agreement (each as may be amended and/or restated from time to time), or any joint venture, joint development or other agreement entered into following the date hereof between Sibelco (or a controlled Affiliate thereof), on the one hand, and Covia (or a controlled Affiliate thereof), on the other hand.

Section 1.3 Reasonableness of Restrictions

 

(a) The Parties each acknowledge and agree that the covenants contained in this Article I are a material and substantial part of the transactions contemplated by the Mergers and are entered into in connection with, and as an inducement to, the willingness of the Parties to consummate the Mergers and enter into the Distribution Agreement and the Agency Agreement.

 

(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that the terms of the covenants in this Article I are fair and reasonable in light of the furtherance of the Mergers and the transactions contemplated by the Distribution Agreement and the Agency Agreement.

 

(c) In the event that any of the covenants contained in this Article I shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then any such provision or provisions shall not be deemed void, and the Parties hereto agree that said limits may be modified by the court and that said covenant(s) contained in this Article I will be amended in accordance with said modification, it being specifically agreed by the Parties that it is their continuing desire that these covenants be enforced to the full extent of their terms and conditions or if a court finds the scope of the covenant(s) unenforceable, the court should redefine the covenant(s) so as to comply with Applicable Law.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES; RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER

 

(a) The Parties each agree that Covia and its controlled Affiliates may pursue acquisitions or investment opportunities with respect to the production of:

 

  (i) Covia/Fairmount Products in the Covia/Fairmount Territories,

 

  (ii) coated products for customers in the energy market outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories,

 

  (iii) subject to paragraph (c) below, raw frac sand outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories, and

 

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  (iv) subject to paragraph (c) below, any mineral that is not a Covia/Fairmount Product in the Covia/Fairmount Territories.

 

(b) The Parties each acknowledge and agree that Sibelco and its controlled Affiliates may pursue any acquisitions or investment opportunities except for those referred to in paragraph (a)(i) and (ii) above.

 

(c) If, during the Restricted Period, Covia or any of its controlled Affiliates wishes to pursue any acquisition or investment opportunity with respect to the production of: (i) raw frac sand outside of the Covia/Fairmount Territories, or (ii) any mineral that is not a Covia/Fairmount Product in the Covia/Fairmount Territories (each a ROFO Opportunity ), Covia will first serve a written notice (an Opportunity Notice ) on Sibelco offering Sibelco (or a controlled Affiliate thereof) the right to pursue such ROFO Opportunity. The offer set out in an Opportunity Notice will remain open for acceptance by Sibelco for a period of 30 Business Days following service of such notice.

 

(d) Covia (or a controlled Affiliate thereof) may not pursue a ROFO Opportunity unless Covia has served an Opportunity Notice on Sibelco in accordance with Article II(c) and Sibelco has elected in writing not to pursue such ROFO Opportunity as set out in the applicable Opportunity Notice.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.1 Termination of this Agreement

This Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate without any further action required by any Party upon either (i) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, or (ii) Sibelco, together with its controlled Affiliates, ceasing to own more than 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Covia. In addition to the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time by written consent of the Parties.

Section 3.2 Effect of Termination

In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section  3.1, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no liability on the part of any Party; provided , however, no such termination shall relieve any Party from any liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to such termination and the provisions of this Article III , shall survive any such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of this Agreement shall not prevent any Party from seeking any remedies (at law or in equity) against the other Party for that Party’s breach of any of the terms of this Agreement prior to the date of termination.

Section 3.3 Entire Agreement; Assignment.

This Agreement (together with the Merger Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and the Agency Agreement, to the extent referred to in this Agreement) and any documents delivered by the Parties in connection herewith constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person other than the

 

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Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

Section 3.4 Amendments and Waivers

This Agreement may only be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by each Party, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by Sibelco or Covia in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder.

Section 3.5 Notices

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, or, if confirmed, faxed or emailed, or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to Sibelco:

SCR-Sibelco NV

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00

with a copy to:

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

United States of America

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001

If to Covia:

Covia Holdings Corporation

258 Elm Street,

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: +1 (203) 966-1977

 

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with a copy to:

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

United States of America

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

Attention: Omar Pringle, Esq.

Email: omar.pringle@freshfields.com

Facsimile: +1 (212) 277 4001

Section 3.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

 

(a) This Agreement and all Actions (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of Sibelco or Covia in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

 

(b) In any Action between the Parties arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Parties (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware; (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court; and (iii) agrees that it will not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware and appellate courts thereof. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section  3.6 in any such Action by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to Section  3.5 . However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of a Party to effect service of process on the other party by any other legally available method.

 

(c) EACH OF COVIA AND SIBELCO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 3.7 Specific Performance

The Parties acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached, and that monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy therefor. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an

 

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injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the performance of terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court referred to in Section  3.6 above, without proof of actual damages (and each Party hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. The Parties further agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, nor to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy for any such breach.

Section 3.8 Counterparts; Effectiveness

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each Party and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the Parties.

Section 3.9 Headings

The headings, table of contents and index of defined terms contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 3.10 Severability

If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

Section 3.11 Interpretation

When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein” and “hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to dollars and $ will be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA
COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Campbell Jones
Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Operating Officer

SIBELCO
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee
SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Non-Compete Agreement

Exhibit 10.8

EXECUTION VERSION

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement ), dated as of May 31, 2018, is by and among Unimin Corporation, a Delaware corporation ( Unimin ), and Sibelco North America, Inc., a Delaware corporation ( SNA ) and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of SCR-Sibelco N.V., a Belgian company ( Sibelco ). Unimin and SNA are each referred to herein individually as a Party (each as Provider and Recipient , as applicable) and collectively as the Parties . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on December 11, 2017, Unimin, Sibelco, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Fairmount ), Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Unimin ( Merger Sub ), and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Unimin ( Merger Sub LLC ), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement ), pursuant to which Sibelco, Unimin, Merger Sub, Merger Sub LLC and Fairmount shall effect: (i) a business combination through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Fairmount (the Merger ), with Fairmount being the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unimin; and (ii) a further business combination through the merger of Fairmount with and into Merger Sub LLC (the Second Merger ) immediately following the consummation of the Merger, with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unimin;

WHEREAS , Sibelco and Unimin entered into a Business Contribution Agreement, dated on or around the date hereof (the Business Contribution Agreement ), pursuant to which, prior to consummation of the Merger, Unimin will contribute all of the assets comprising its high purity quartz business (the Business ) to SNA solely in exchange for all the stock of SNA and the assumption of liabilities related to the Business;

WHEREAS , the Parties desire that Provider provides to Recipient certain transition services with respect to the operation of the Business (in the case of Unimin as Provider) and the operation of the business of Unimin (in the case of SNA as Provider) following the Closing, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , intending to be legally bound and in consideration of the mutual provisions set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

As used in this Agreement and in the schedules attached hereto:

Business Information ” has the meaning set forth in Article 9 .


Claim Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.2(c).

Disclosing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Article 9.

Force Majeure Event ” has the meaning set forth in Article 8.

Indemnification Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.2(c).

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.2(c).

Invoice Coordinator ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.3.

Non-Disclosing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Article 9.

Providers ” means Provider and any Affiliates of Provider providing Transition Services pursuant to this Agreement.

Provider Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.2(a)

Recipients ” means Recipient and any Affiliate of Recipient receiving Transition Services pursuant to this Agreement.

Recipient Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.2(b).

Service Coordinators ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.2.

Termination Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1.

Third Party Provider ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2.

Transition Services Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1.

ARTICLE 2

PROVISION OF TRANSITION SERVICES

2.1 Transition Services

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Provider shall provide, or cause one or more of its Affiliates or Third Party Providers (as defined below) to provide, to Recipient each of the services set forth in Schedule 1 (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Transition Services Schedule ) for the respective periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (such services, the Transition Services ).

2.2 Third Party Provider

Provider may satisfy its obligation to provide the Transition Services hereunder by (i) causing one or more of its Affiliates to provide such Transition Services or by subcontracting any such Transition Services or any portion thereof to such Affiliates; or (ii) procuring any such Transition Services or a portion thereof from contractors, subcontractors, vendors or other third party providers (each, a Third Party Provider ).

 

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2.3 Standard of Transition Services

In providing the Transition Services, the Provider and its Affiliates, and their employees, officers, directors and agents, shall (i) comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, (ii) provide the Transition Services in the same manner and at the same standard pursuant to which such services were being provided with respect to the Business (in the case of Unimin as Provider) or the business of Unimin (in the case of SNA as Provider) in the year period prior to the Closing, and (iii) provide the Transition Services in a professional and workmanlike manner, using personnel with sufficient training and expertise in providing the Transition Services. The Provider and the Recipient shall cooperate with each other in good faith to determine the additional details concerning the exact means of providing the Transition Services or any additional transition services that Recipient deems is reasonably necessary to conduct the Business or the business of Unimin, as applicable.

2.4 Third Party Consent

The Provider shall be responsible for any third party consents required in order to provide the Transition Services (the Third Party Consents ), and the Recipient shall reasonably assist the Provider in the Provider’s efforts to obtain such Third Party Consents as the Provider may reasonably request. Any fees or other out-of-pocket costs to obtain Third Party Consents shall be borne by the Recipient.

ARTICLE 3

TERM AND TERMINATION

3.1 Term

The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Closing Date and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, shall continue in effect with respect to each of the Transition Services for the term thereof as set forth in Schedule 1 (the last date in each such term being referred to in this Agreement as the Termination Date for each of such Transition Services). This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the last Termination Date.

3.2 Extension of Term

The term of any portion of the Transition Services as set forth in Schedule 1 may be extended by the Recipient upon fifteen (15) days’ written notice to Provider prior to the Termination Date of such Transition Services or such other period of notice as specifically provided in Schedule 1 with respect to the subject Transition Services.

3.3 Termination

This Agreement may be terminated prior to any Termination Date as follows:

 

(a) by mutual consent of the Parties;

 

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(b) automatically, without notice by or to either Party, upon the insolvency of the other Party;

 

(c) by the Recipient, as to any particular Transition Service upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice of its desire to terminate such Transition Service, in accordance with Section  3.4; or

 

(d) by either Party, in the event that the other Party breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other material obligation (other than payment) of such Party set forth in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, and fails to cure such breach as promptly as commercially practicable but in any event within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the non-breaching Party of such breach (which notice must specify, in commercially reasonable detail, the nature of such breach), then the non-breaching Party is entitled to immediately, at the expiration of such 15-day period, by written notice to the breaching Party, terminate this Agreement, without penalty, liability or further obligation therefore.

3.4 Partial Termination

The Provider shall reduce or terminate any portion of the Transition Services upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice from the Recipient. Any requested termination or reduction of Transition Services pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall become effective at the end of such 15-day notice period. The Provider shall thereafter no longer be obligated to provide Transition Services with respect to such Transition Service and the Recipient shall only be obligated to (a)  pay for fees, if any, incurred with respect to such Transition Service up to such date, and (b)  reimburse the Provider for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses attributable to such Transition Service as of such date. Schedule 1 shall thereafter be amended to reflect the termination or reduction of such Transition Service.

3.5 Survival

Article 3 , Article 7, Article 9 and Article 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4

INVOICES

Within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month for which fees are payable hereunder, Provider shall submit one invoice to Recipient for all Transition Services provided during such calendar month pursuant to this Agreement. The invoices shall include a reasonably detailed description of, and specify the amount for, each type of Transition Service. Recipient shall pay such invoices within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the invoice. The Recipient shall promptly notify the Provider, and in no event later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of such invoice, of any objection of the Recipient with regard to such invoice, and the Parties shall promptly commence good faith negotiations to resolve such dispute.

 

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ARTICLE 5

PERSONNEL

5.1 Access

The Recipient shall grant the personnel of the Provider or its Affiliates access to the locations, systems and information of the Recipient as reasonably necessary for the Transition Services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, subject to the Provider’s compliance with the Recipient’s terms of use and access and network policies.

5.2 Service Coordinators

The Provider and the Recipient shall each nominate one coordinator for each functional area of the Transition Services, as set forth on Schedule 1 or as subsequently nominated from time to time by each Party (each coordinator, a Service Coordinator ), to act as the primary contact person with respect to the performance of the relevant Transition Services. Each Party shall have a Service Coordinator for each functional area of the Transition Services in place at all times. Unless Provider and Recipient agree otherwise, all communications relating to this Agreement and the schedule of Transition Services shall be directed by the relevant Service Coordinator. Each Party may treat an act of a Service Coordinator of the other Party as the authorized act of such Party without any further inquiry. Each Party shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, without the prior approval of the other Party, to replace such Party’s Service Coordinator by giving written notice to the other Party setting forth (i) the name of the replacement Service Coordinator, and (ii) a certification that the replacement Service Coordinator is authorized to act for the Party giving notice in all matters relating to this Agreement.

5.3 Invoice Coordinators

The Provider and the Recipient shall each nominate from time to time one coordinator to act as the primary person with respect to the preparation (in case of the Provider) and payment (in case of the Recipient) of the monthly invoice (each coordinator, an Invoice Coordinator ). Each Party shall have an Invoice Coordinator in place at all times.

ARTICLE 6

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, the Provider, the Recipient and any Third Party Provider shall retain all right, title and interest in and to their respective Intellectual Property. No license or other right, express, implied or otherwise, is granted under this Agreement, except that solely to the extent use of any Intellectual Property of the Provider and the Recipient is required for the provision or receipt of the Transition Services (as the case may be) in accordance with this Agreement, each of the Provider and the Recipient hereby grants to the other a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable (except to third parties to the extent required for the provision or receipt of Transition Services, but not for such third party’s own independent use or for any other purpose), royalty-free license, during the term of this Agreement, to internally use such Intellectual Property solely to the extent and for the

 

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duration necessary to provide or receive the applicable Transition Service in accordance with this Agreement (it being understood that such a license shall automatically terminate immediately upon the applicable Termination Date, and is subject to any licenses granted by other Persons with respect to Intellectual Property not owned by the Provider or the Recipient).

ARTICLE 7

INDEMNIFICATION

7.1 No Other Representations or Warranties

The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement are the Provider’s only representations and warranties concerning the Transition Services and are made for the benefit of the Recipient in lieu of all other representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular use or purpose with respect to any Transition Services.

7.2 Indemnification

 

(a) The Recipient shall indemnify and hold harmless the Provider and its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the Provider Indemnitees ) from and against any and all losses which the Provider Indemnitees may incur arising or resulting from (i) the Recipient’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) the Recipient’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct or the material violation of any Law by the Recipient, in each case in connection with the receipt of the Transition Services.

 

(b) The Provider shall indemnify and hold harmless the Recipient and its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the Recipient Indemnitees ) from and against any and all losses which the Recipient Indemnitees may incur arising or resulting from (i) the Provider’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) the Provider’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct or the material violation of any Law by the Provider, in each case in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, the Transition Services.

 

(c) The party or parties against whom a claim for indemnification (an Indemnification Claim ) is made under this Section  7.2 shall be referred to as the Indemnifying Party . Indemnification Claims must be submitted to the Indemnifying Party within 60 days of the Termination Date with respect to the relevant Transition Service (the Claim Period ).

7.3 Limitations on Liability

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary:

 

(a) An Indemnifying Party’s maximum aggregate liability with respect to losses for each Transition Service under any Indemnification Claim shall not exceed the total amount of fees paid by the Recipient with respect to such Transition Service as of the date the Indemnification Claim for such losses is submitted to the Indemnifying Party;

 

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(b) An Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for losses under any Indemnification Claim submitted after the Claim Period; and

 

(c) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF REVENUE OR LOST SALES) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE 8

FORCE MAJEURE

In the event that the Provider or any of its Affiliates are delayed in or prevented from performing their obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, due to a cause beyond their reasonable control, including an act of God, fire, flood, explosion, civil disorder, strike, lockout or other labor trouble, material shortages of utilities, any law, judgment, demand or requirement of any Governmental Authority, riot, war, or other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Provider (each a Force Majeure Event ), then, upon written notice to the Recipient, (a) the affected obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended to the extent reasonably necessary during the period of the Force Majeure Event, (b) the Provider shall have the right to apportion its and its Affiliates’ services in an equitable manner to all users, (c) the Provider and its Affiliates shall not have any liability to the Recipient or any other Person in connection with such suspended obligation and (d) the Provider shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cure the cause of the delay or failure to perform and to resume performance as soon as practicable after the Force Majeure Event has ended. All fees otherwise payable in connection with the Transition Services affected by the Force Majeure Event shall be waived for the entire period of suspension.

ARTICLE 9

CONFIDENTIALITY

Both Parties shall hold, and shall cause their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, accountants and advisors to hold, in confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, all documents and information relating to the business of the other Party disclosed to it by reason of this Agreement (the Business Information ), except to the extent that such Business Information (a) must be disclosed in connection with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, (b) can be shown to have been in the public domain through no fault of the Disclosing Party (as defined below), or (c) was later lawfully acquired by the Disclosing Party from sources other than a Party to this Agreement or its Affiliates that were not bound by any confidentiality agreement with respect to such Business Information. In the event that either Party or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents is requested pursuant to, or

 

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required by, law to disclose any Business Information (the Disclosing Party ), such Disclosing Party shall notify the other Party (the Non-Disclosing Party ) promptly in writing of such requirement so that the Non-Disclosing Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with this Article 9, and if no such protective order or other remedy is obtained, or the Non-Disclosing Party waives compliance with this Article 9, the Disclosing Party shall disclose only that portion of such Business Information which it is advised by its outside legal counsel is legally required to be disclosed and shall use its best efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Business Information.

ARTICLE 10

GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1 Notices

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, or, if confirmed, emailed or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to Unimin:

Unimin Corporation

258 Elm Street

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: Chief Legal Counsel

Email: rsolazzo@unimin.com

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

If to SNA:

Sibelco North America, Inc.

258 Elm Street

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: C. E. Lindsey Jr.

Email: clindsey@unimin.com

 

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10.2 Amendment and Waivers

This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

10.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Rights

This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), taken together with the Merger Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement, (i) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; and (ii) is not intended to and shall not confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. In the event and to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement or any applicable Ancillary Agreement as it relates to the Transition Services, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. The Schedules to this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement.

10.4 Assignment and Successors

Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Any purported assignment in violation of the preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

10.5 Interpretation

When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or Section, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereby”, “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” shall be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

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10.6 Severability

If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law in a mutually acceptable manner to the end that the Transaction Services are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.

10.7 Expenses

Except as set forth in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transition Services shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses.

10.8 Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

10.9 Consent to Jurisdiction

Each of the Parties (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware; (ii) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court; and (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware and appellate courts thereof. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section 10.9 in any such Action by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to Section 10.1 . However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of a Party to effect service of process on the other Party by any other legally available method.

10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH OF UNIMIN AND SNA WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

10|13


10.11 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the other Parties.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

11|13


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date indicated in the first sentence of this Agreement.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

  Name: Campbell Jones
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
SIBELCO NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

  Name: Kurt Decat
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

Signature page to Sibelco North America, Inc. Transition Services Agreement


SCHEDULE 1

[ See attached ]


TRANSITION SERVICES SCHEDULES 1

OPERATIONS

 

Service No.

  

Functional

Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service
Charge

  

Extension of Services

OP. 01    Operations, Mine Planning   

Provider (Unimin): Scott Atkins

 

Recipient (SNA): Douglas Myers

   Mine Planning, Mining Planning Engineer  

Mine Planning Engineer needed to support the operations in High Purity Quartz (HPQ).

 

•  Provide expertise as needed to respond to specific customer related inquiries or complaints.

 

•  Complete 5 Year Mine Plans for 2018/2019 cycle.

 

•  Complete survey update for 2018.

 

•  Provide training to new Mine Planning Engineer for SNA.

 

•  Ensure all mining related electronic data is provided to Sibleco North America.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

   7 months   

Total: $62,174

 

Monthly: $8,882

 

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 7 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
OP. 02    Operations, Operations Optimization   

Provider (Unimin): Scott Atkins

 

Recipient (SNA): Douglas Myers

  

Operations Optimization, Operations

 

Optimization Engineer

 

 

Operations Optimization support for Bright Site Program (BSP) in High Purity Quartz (HPQ).

 

•  Assist with the building of the program “fact pack” of HPQ operations.

 

•  Provide HPQ Change Agent ability to observe BSP program in-progress at Unimin site .

 

•  Support the “Diagnostics” portion of the program at HPQ.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

   8 Months   

Total: $45,804

 

Monthly: $5,725

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 8 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
OP.03    Operations, Geology   

Provider (Unimin): Scott Atkins

 

Recipient (SNA): Douglas Myers

  

Drilling Management, Geologist

 

 

Geological drilling program management for High Purity Quartz (HPQ).

 

•  Manage the 2018 geologic drilling program at the Buna Mine.

 

•  Oversee drilling contractors, log drill core, conduct all necessary activities related to program.

   2 months   

Total: $30,465

 

Monthly: $15,233

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service

 

1 All Transition Services provided shall be provided in the same manner and at the same standard pursuant to which such services were being provided with respect to the business of the Recipient in the year prior to the Closing.

 

1


       

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

      Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
OP.04   Operations, Environmental  

Provider (Unimin): Steve

 

Westmoreland/Dan Gerber

 

Recipient (SNA): Douglas Myers

  Environmental, Environmental Engineer   Perform dispersion modeling studies at Crystal using onsite met data in order to show compliance with toxic air emission limits. Same study should be done for Red Hill early 2019.   13 months 6/30/19  

Total: $ 6,000 for 60 hours

 

Monthly: $462

 

Non-FTE Total: $ 6,000

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 7 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

2


T&I

 

Service No.

 

Functional

Area

 

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

 

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

 

Service
Period

 

Service
Charge

 

Extension of Services

TI.01   T&I, Analytical Services  

Provider (Unimin): Allison Reidies

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  XRF Calibration in support of ISO certification, Analytical Chemist  

•  Unimin to provide interim “calibration service” to SNA’s HPQ operations where and when necessary to comply with requirements for ISO certification of in-plant chemical analysis of process control plan samples by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and “training” to assist SNA in installing this process in house. “Calibration service” shall mean 1) fusing and creation of fused bead standards, 2) creation of regression curve 3) operational troubleshooting 4) shipping of standards to SNA 5) XRF testing of SNA standards to validate standard curve. “Training” shall mean 1) specification of equipment and materials to be purchased and installed by SNA, 2) Instrument and procedure training on installed equipment at SNA, where and when necessary 3) Validation and sign off on SNA competency to calibrate XRF independently. Services shall be provided on a hourly time and materials. Travel expenses, excluding billable travel time, will be allocated to SNA at cost.

 

•  Calibration service “When and Where” defined by 48 hour response time and 5 day resolution timeframe.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

  7 months  

Total: $9,240

 

Hourly: $116

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 80 additional hours (or 7 additional months if hours align) by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

3


SUPPLY CHAIN

 

Service No.

 

Functional

Area

 

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

 

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

 

Service
Period

 

Service
Charge

 

Extension of Services

SC.01   Supply Chain  

Provider (Unimin): Cameron Berry

 

Recipient (SNA): Markus Fischer

  Export Pricing Specialist  

Perform Supply Chain Export Pricing Specialist Roles & Responsibilities:

 

•  Negotiate Market Competitive Export Container and Air Cargo Freight Rates.

 

•  Complete Export Rate Requests for Sales, Customer Service and Marketing Departments.

 

•  Administer All Ocean Line Service Contracts.

 

•  Maintain Export Freight Pricing in Bourque System.

 

•  Act as Liaison for SNA with Ocean Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Sales, Customer Service and Plant Operations to Resolve Rate Related Service Issues.

 

•  Publish Rate and Routing Instructions for Customer Service and Freight Forwarder.

 

•  Maintain Ocean Carrier (Origin/Destination) Cost Database Spreadsheet.

 

•  Audit Ocean Carrier Invoices and Remit Payments to Accounts Payable Department for Payment Within Contract Terms.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

 

•  Employee to be paid in Canadian currency.

  7 months to be aligned with 2019 budget  

Total: $12,331

 

Monthly: $1,762

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 7 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

4


PROCUREMENT

 

Service No.

 

Functional

Area

 

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

 

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

 

Service
Period

 

Service
Charge

 

Extension of Services

PRC.01   Procurement  

Provider (Unimin): Jack Mirival

 

Recipient (SNA): Eric Roark

 

Fleet Management;

Fleet Manager

 

•  Unimin Fleet Manager needed to support the transition of large mobile equipment leases to High Purity Quartz (HPQ).

 

•  Assist in the orderly transfer of documentation of large mobile equipment leases from legacy Unimin to SNA.

 

•  Work with internal and external legal teams in negotiation and signing necessary lease transfer documents to SNA.

  2 Months (8/1/2018)  

Total: $4,333

 

Monthly: $2,167

 

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

5


FINANCE

 

Service No.

 

Functional

Area

 

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

 

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

 

Service
Period

 

Service
Charge

 

Extension of Services

FI.01   Finance, Record to Report  

Provider (Unimin): Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  GL Accounting and Close Procedures, Accounting Manager  

•  Perform G/L Accounting and monthly closing process:

 

•  Accounting, reporting and month end closing activities for the various functions Posting journal entries.

 

•  Changing cost center allocation cycles and executing the cycles at month end.

 

•  G/L account reconciliations for these functions.

 

•  Accruals – including Group Medical, with a separate accrual due as a related party vendor.

 

•  Workers compensation, prepaid insurance, property taxes and liability insurance.

 

•  Tax calculations (Vertex, Sales and Use and Property tax and filings related to these, priviledge tax, sales tax exemptions, audits).

 

•  Cost allocations.

 

•  Revaluation of financial balances (from transaction to local and transaction to group currency).

 

•  Provide data for trend/fluctuation analysis at a G/L level.

 

•  Business destination / geography manual entries.

 

•  Reporting (Generate IFS or other reports as needed to support consolidation and workarounds).

 

•  Provide agreed-upon support for footnotes/disclosure, exception investigation support, considering that materiality will be lower than what is contemplated for Unimin.

 

•  Accounting and reporting for Tagetik.

 

•  Includes training / mirroring from any new hire and/or internal transfer (Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service).

 

•  Pay, charge and get reimbursement of any costs that arise and need to be paid by Unimin on behalf of SNA (e.g. Wheels, American Express Travel Vendor, Purchasing cards, etc.)

  2 Months  

Total: $7,400

 

Monthly: $3,700

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

6


FI.02   Finance, Record to Report  

Provider (Unimin):

Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  Fixed Asset Accounting, Inventory Costing, Accounting Manager  

•  Project Accounting: (1) Project loading, maintenance, and authorization check, (2) Project capitalization, and (3) Transfer from construction to fixed asset.

 

•  Asset Accounting: (1) Asset sales (intercompany and third party), (2) Retirements, (3) Non Operating and Abandoned in Place, and (4) Unplanned and Accelerated Depreciation.

 

•  Month-End Closing: (1) Depreciation run-book and tax amortization/depreciation calculations and schedules, (2) PP&E impact on Financial Statements. Prepare Open Construction Balance reports. Gather reconciliation status from project owners at the project level and report reconciliation status of Open Construction balance at the legal entity level.

 

•  Prepare Open Construction Balance reports. Gather reconciliation status from project owners at the project level and report reconciliation status of Open Construction balance at the legal entity level.

 

•  Inventory Costing.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

 

  2 Months  

Total: $7,400

 

Monthly: $3,700

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
FI.03   Finance, Record to Report  

Provider (Unimin): Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  GL Data Maintenance,Accounting Manager  

•  Day-to-day services available to perform the agreed-upon master data management maintenance processes, tools, data upload services, and end user training for maintenance of G/L related master data (e.g., chart of accounts, local profit and cost centers, A/P & A/R registers, fixed assets & intangibles asset registers and others as necessary) Services included:

 

•  Communication and tracking of deviation / issues.

 

•  Recipient when a request does not meet Master Data Management standards before inputting into IFS System.

 

•  Provide end user with instructions in the form of training or otherwise to provide appropriate inputs in desired form and format.

 

•  Unimin master data services team will maintain any documentation of standards, procedures or policies associated with ERP Master data and have it readily available for SNA’s use.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

  2 Months  

Total: $7,400

 

Monthly: $3,700

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) day’s prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

7


FI.04   Finance, Order to Cash  

Provider (Unimin): Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  Accounts Receivable and Billing, Accounting Manager  

•  Perform billing, collections and payment application for A/R corporate/business customers. Continue with Unimin’s current collection process for unpaid items aged past 30 days.

 

•  Review and approve new corporate/business accounts in conjunction with Treasury and continue current process of requiring credit application from customer.

 

•  Credit approval should follow existing Unimin credit standards. Unimin will review, post and send AR accounting transactions to Unimin’s IFS General - Accounting group, who will in turn provide and AR aging summary and detail reports to SNA monthly.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

  1 Month  

Total: $3,500

 

Monthly: $3,500

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
FI.05   Finance, Treasury  

Provider (Unimin): Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  Treasury Bank Account Coordination, Accounting, and Cash Management, Treasury Support  

•  Assist SNA to ensure funding and bank account operationalization to Assist with business with funding for payroll, accounts payables, trade payables, or other purchases, which shall be made directly from a SNA cash disbursement account.

 

•  Releasing and entering wires, including international and pull wire reports to apply them to invoices.

 

•  Support plant-level / local-level cash management.

 

•  Assist with mis-directed cash payments.

 

•  Assist with Treasury Accounting / bank account.

 

•  Accounting support and questions as needed.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

 

•  Support Misdirected Cash: Escalate unidentified cash receipts to SNA Treasury and / or Finance Leadership for resolution. Up to and until 3-6 months after the Effective Date, when a payment is received by either party that belongs to the other party, the party receiving such payment will timely identify and transfer the funds to the other party (within the country and currency received, instead of being sent back to the customer). A daily reconciliation of customer cash receipts will be posted in IFS. Unimin to apply cash received only; while SNA is solely responsible for collecting A/R.

 

•  Unimin to provide services to SNA to handle claims that come through regarding local insurance policies (Automotive insurance for select individuals who have a company car, general liability insurance, and Worker’s Compensation insurance) for Day 1, as needed or until vendors are established separately by SNA.

  6 Months  

Total: $30,000

 

Monthly: $5,000

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 6 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

8


FI.06   Finance, Invoice to Pay  

Provider (Unimin): Meghan DeMasi

 

Recipient (SNA): Reynaldo Aloy

  Accounts Payable, Accounting Manager  

•  Unimin’s accounts payable team will process invoices via an IFS 3 way systemic matching process based on established thresholds. Discrepancies outside of the thresholds are resolved based on coordination with key stakeholders.

 

•  Once received, Unimin’s accounts payable team will process invoices. All invoices must have appropriate IFS GL coding along with an approval code. AP management maintains an approval matrix in IFS of authorized approvers and associated limits. The majority of invoices are and will continue to be processed via electronic loads including but not limited to rent, utilities, freight, repair and maintenance, telecom, customer refunds, advertising, tax, garnishments, etc.). Supplies are processed and approved via normal course of business for Unimin.

 

•  Assist in handling inquiries from vendors regarding payments.

 

•  Review, post, and send accounts payable accounting transactions to IFS GL. Provide accounts payable aging summary and detail reports.

 

•  Process 1099s, as and when appropriate according to IRS guidelines.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

 

•  Unimin to provide services to SNA for Purchasing Card chargebacks and T&E American Express Travel vendor usage.

  1 Month  

Total: $4,000

 

Monthly: $4,000

  Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

9


FACILITIES

 

Service No.

  

Functional
Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service
Charge

  

Extension of Services

FAC.01    Facilities   

Provider (Unimin):

Janet Kilbane

 

Recipient (SNA):

Reynaldo Aloy

   Charlotte Office Space   Unimin to provide Charlotte office space to SNA until new office space for SNA is agreed upon.    Through August 30, 2018 (3 months)   

Total:

$7,200

 

Monthly:

$2,400 per month

   This will be adjusted/renegotiated on a monthly basis.
FAC.02    Facilities   

Provider (Unimin):

Chris Goodwin

 

Recipient (SNA):

Reynaldo Aloy

   New Canaan Office Space   Unimin to provide New Canaan office space to SNA until necessary.    Through August 30, 2018 (3 months)   

Total:

$4,314

 

Monthly:

$1,458 per month

   This will be adjusted/renegotiated on a monthly basis as employees relocate, get hired and/or temporarily reside in New Canaan if needed.

 

10


COMM CPC

 

Service No.

  

Functional
Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description / Scope of
Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service
Charge

  

Extension of Services

CPC.01    Comm CPC, Sales Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Janet Kilbane

 

Recipient (SNA):

Matthew Smith

   C&P CS Specialist, Customer Service Rep  

•  Interface with Sales (SNA) and Customer Services personnel and the plants (Unimin) to attend to and resolve all customer related issues that keep the Customer at the Center for C&P business.

 

•  Main focus is to be the Data Steward for Sales and Marketing, maintaining accurate data in Salesforce and Unimin systems. Maintain accurate information flow for documents as TDS, MSDS, pricing etc.

 

•  Assist with customer communications including price increase letters, pricelists as well as day to day processing requests to support Sales Services teams and Sales.

 

•  Complaint acknowledgement and resolution and interface with Unimin for various customer requests in regards to invoice, BOL requirements, credit checks and other reporting needs. Sample management from receipt of incoming sample requests, validate sample information and assure interaction with the plants.

 

•  Will need to have a general understanding of all Sales Services functions to offer additional administrative support when necessary.

 

•  Maintain accurate data records for over 500 customers and 100 products.

 

•  Responsible for updating Salesforce with new customers.

 

•  Support annual price increases.

 

   7 months   

Total: $52,038

 

Monthly: $7,434

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 7 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
          

 

•  Responsible for follow up and final resolution of approximately 100 complaints per year.

 

•  Responsible for mailing new customer packages.

 

•  Customer requests for BOL support and invoice copies – number varies.

 

•  Manage companywide sample requests of approximately 30 per month.

 

•  Manage agency commissions Unimin -SNA transactions.

 

•  No direct reports to supervise.

 

•  Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

        

 

11


CPC.02    Comm CPC   

Provider (Unimin): Joaquin Duran Martinez Recipient

 

(SNA): Steven Devlies

   Mexico Technical Sales Manager: Coating and Polymer, Technical Sales Manager  

Provide employment service to C&P Technical Sales Manager Mexico (Carlos Hernandez) as long as SNA doesn’t have own system to employ him. This concerns payroll, benefits, social security, office support as provided today.

 

Job scope of Carlos Hernandez as Technical Sales Manager C&P (and temporarily Sales Manager C&P) for Mexico:

 

•  Reporting to Scott Vanremortel (Technical sales Manager Coatings NAM).

 

•  Provide Technical service to C&P customers as to the use of our products in their applications in Mexico.

 

•  (Temporarily) Commercial responsible for the C&P customers in Mexico (as agent).

 

•  Interfacing with Mexico plants (mostly Apodaca), customers, distributors, other technical sales managers and sales managers in C&P NAM team.

 

•  Working in CRM, Outlook, Oursibelco. Unimin to provide necessary onboarding and training prior to completion of this transition service.

   7 months   

Total:   NA

 

Monthly:

Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 7 additional months by giving no less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

12


HUMAN RESOURCES

 

Service No.

  

Functional

Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service
Charge

  

Extension of Services

HR.01    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Opportunity posting and applicant tracking, Recruiting Manager  

•  Provide job posting and applicant tracking tools for opportunities open and not yet hired during the transition to SNA utilizing Open Hire Software (open in May and not hired as of June 1).

 

•  Provide coverage for job posting and applicant tracking of a currently open opportunity until SNA Open Hire is live.

   4 months   

Total: $ 847

 

Monthly: $212

   Not needed.
HR.02    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Onboarding Services, HR Coordinator  

•  Provide onboarding tools, checklists, direct deposit, I-9, tax deductions, and benefits enrollment of new hires for open opportunities during the transition.

 

•  Provide background check, physicals, drug screening, and chest exams of new hires for open opportunities during the transition.

 

•  Provide direct deposit and tax elections of new hires until SNA ADP payroll is live.

 

•  Provide direct deposit and tax elections of new hires until SNA ADP benefits is live.

   7 months   

Total: $ 1797

 

Monthly: $257

   Not needed.
HR.03    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   US Payroll, Payroll Manager & Coordinator  

•  Provide weekly and bi-monthly payroll services for SNA employees under the SNA FEIN.

 

•  Provide tax remuneration for all federal and state taxes under the SNA FEIN and State IDs.

 

•  Provide unemployment tax remuneration to respective employee states under the SNA FEIN and State IDs.

 

•  Provide tax remuneration for all employees paid by Belgium payroll and require federal, state, and local tax services.

 

•  Provide direct deposit and paycheck processing.

 

•  Provide collection of hours for hourly employees.

 

•  Provide accurate and timely issue resolution.

 

•  Provide collection of time off and applicable holiday time for processing.

 

•  Provide new hire support for any new hires during the transition of services period.

 

•  Provide remuneration of all benefit related deductions to respective vendors.

   7 months   

Total: $ 63,548

 

Monthly: $9,078

   Not needed.

 

13


          

•  Provide IFS reporting requirements to accounting and finance.

 

•  Provide general ledger support.

 

•  Provide year-end tax filing on the federal and state levels.

        
HR.04    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   US Time Tracking  

•  Maintain time tracking for SNA salaried/hourly US employees through UniOps.

   7 months   

Total: $1,750

 

Monthly: $250

   Not needed.
HR.05    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Mexico Payroll, Payroll Manager & Coordinator  

•  Provide weekly payroll services for SNA Mexico employees under GMP.

 

•  Provide tax remuneration for all federal, state, and local taxes under the GMP and State IDs.

 

•  Provide unemployment tax remuneration to respective employee states under the GMP and State IDs.

 

•  Provide direct deposit and paycheck processing.

 

•  Provide collection of hours for hourly employees.

 

•  Provide accurate and timely issue resolution.

 

•  Provide collection of time off and applicable holiday time for processing.

 

•  Provide new hire support for any new hires during the transition of services period.

 

•  Provide remuneration of all benefit related deductions to respective vendors.

 

•  Provide JD Edwards reporting requirements to accounting and finance.

 

•  Provide general ledger support.

 

•  Provide year-end tax filing on the federal, state, and local levels.

   7 months   

Total: $ 1,633

 

Monthly: $233

   Not needed.

 

14


HR.06    HR   

Provider (Unimin):

Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   401k Benefits Administration, Benefits Manager  

•  Provide 401(k) benefits administration technology until SNA is live.

 

•  Provide participant oversight with loans, withdrawals, and general 401(k) plan questions.

 

•  Provide annual contribution calculations and details for posting in February 2019.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

 

•  Provide investment committee guidance and plan oversight.

  

7 months*

(12/31/18)

  

Total: $ 27,487

 

Monthly: $3,927

 

Non-FTE Total:  NA

   Not needed.
HR.07    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Health Care Services, Benefits Manager, Coordinator, and Benefits Finance Manager  

•  Provide health care, dental, vision, and stop loss services until SNA goes live with its solution.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide participant education and wellbeing activities.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   7 months* (12/31/18)   

Total: $ 23,660

 

Monthly: $3,380

 

Non-FTE Total: Plus pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.08    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Health Care Services  

•  Provide pharmacy benefits management (PBM) services until SNA goes live with its solution.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide participant education and wellbeing activities.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   7 months* (12/31/18)   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.09    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Welfare Services  

•  Provide disability (STD & LTD), adjudication, FMLA Administration, and critical illness insurance until SNA system is live.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   7 months* (12/31/18)   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.

 

15


HR.10    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Welfare Services  

•  Provide HSA, FSA, and COBRA services until SNA system is live.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   7 months* (12/31/18)   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.11    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Welfare Services  

•  Provide basic, supplemental, and AD&D insurance services until SNA system is live.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   7 months* (12/31/18)   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.12    HR   

Provider (Unimin):

Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   EAP  

Provide employee assistance programs until SNA is live.

   4 months   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.13    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Workers Compensation  

•  Provide workers compensation services until SNA is live.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

   4 months   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.

 

16


HR.14    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Immigration   Provide immigration services for those employees in-flight during the crossover of the transition.    4 months   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.15    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Relocation Services   Provide relocation services for those employees in-flight during the crossover of the transition.    4 months   

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.
HR.16    HR   

Provider (Unimin): Jennifer Fox

 

Recipient (SNA): Jennifer Bowen

   Employee Services  

•  Provide direct billing for medical premium for those employee on unpaid leave of absences services until SNA goes live with its solution.

 

•  Provide participant issue and claim resolution related to all benefits.

 

•  Provide claims and reimbursement support through all activities through 12/31/2018.

 

•  Provide annual plan testing and audit support.

  

7 months*

(12/31/18)

  

Total:  NA

 

Monthly: Pass through invoices for SNA related charges

   Not needed.

 

17


INFORMATION SERVICES

 

Service No.

  

Functional

Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service Charge

  

Extension of Services

IS.01    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   ERP  

Unimin shall provide SNA with vendor management support for IFS in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by SNA employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

 

Exit from this service should be planned and executed in coordination with exits from services IS-2 (BNA) and IS-3 (Logicalis DC) to accommodate for technical dependencies between the applications and infrastructure components associated with these services.

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from IFS and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.02    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   Fixed asset tracking support  

Unimin shall provide SNA with support for BNA in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Application access provisioning for SNA employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used for tracking of SNA assets.

 

•  Provide necessary data extracts for TSA exit activities.

 

Exit from this service should be planned and executed in coordination with exits from services IS-1 (ERP) and IS-3 (Logicalis DC) to accommodate for technical dependencies between the applications and infrastructure components associated with these services.

 

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from BNA and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used to track SNA assets.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

18


IS.03    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   Datacenter management for ERP  

Unimin vendor management services for core Data Center services, vendor escalations and payment of vendor invoices for services provided by Logicalis. Services include managed services for production and non-production environment as well as disaster recovery infrastructure.

 

Services provided by Logicalis include:

 

•  Support core Data Center services (e.g. virtual machine management) and Backup/Replication services to ensure business continuiy.

 

•  Enable SNA access to DR sites including the standing up associated infrastructure.

 

•  Allow mutually agreed upon administrative rights and physical access to data centers for IT infrastructure resources.

 

•  Provide monitoring services for core infrastructure and applications including reporting, availability metrics and uptime details consistent with practices prior to Day 1.

 

Exit from this service should be planned and executed in coordination with exits from services IS-2 (BNA) and IS-3 (Logicalis DC) to accommodate for technical dependencies between the applications and infrastructure components associated with these services.

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Logicalis and shall only include cost associated with services provided to SNA.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.04    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   CRM support for HPQ  

Unimin shall provide SNA with access to the Legacy Unimin Saleforce.com organization in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Application access provisioning for SNA employees.

 

•  Provide monitoring capability and reports to SNA as requested and mutually agreed.

 

•  Provide continued full access to historical data.

 

•  Provide necessary data extracts to support for TSA exit activities.

   3 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Salesforce.com and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

19


IS.05    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   CRM support for C&P  

Unimin shall provide SNA with access to the Legacy Unimin Saleforce.com organization in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Application access provisioning for SNA employees.

 

•  Provide monitoring capability and reports to SNA as requested and mutually agreed.

 

•  Provide continued full access to historical data.

 

•  Provide necessary data extracts to support for TSA exit activities.

 

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Salesforce.com and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.06    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

 

   Email Forwarding  

Unimin shall provide SNA with email forwarding services for SNA employees consistent with current practices of Unimin. Services include:

 

•  Forward all email (external and internal) addressed to SNA employees’ unimin.com email address to the appropriate recipient mailboxes in the sibelco.com domain.

 

•  Preventative and Routine maintenance (Levels 2 and 3) including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Routine configuration and monitoring support; On-going system maintenance (including minor break / fix work).

 

This service shall not begin on Day 1, but upon the migration of email accounts from Sibelco’s email tenant to Unimin’s tenant.

   The period starting on the migration of the Unimin.com domain from Sibelco’s email tenant to Unimin’s tenant and ending 6 months after close    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Microsoft and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.07    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Internet connectivity, MPLS  

Unimin shall provide SNA with support for Internet connectivity and MPLS core connectivity in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with services provided to SNA sites.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from the Internet Service Providers and shall only include cost associated with services provided to SNA sites.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.08    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Mobile Services and Devices  

Unimin shall provide SNA with support for mobile telecommunications (voice and data) services in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with services provided to SNA employees.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

 

•  Provide break/fix activities by and through their employees or designated vendor(s).

 

   12 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from the Mobile Telecommunications Service Providers and shall only include cost associated with services provided to SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 6 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

20


IS.09    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Telephony, Landlines   

Unimin shall provide SNA with support for telephony services providers to maintain local, long distance, voice and data telecommunication services in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with services provided to SNA sites.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   12 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from the Telephony Service Providers and shall only include cost associated with services provided to SNA sites.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 6 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.10    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Geographic Information System   

Unimin shall provide SNA with vendor management support for ARCGIS in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by SNA employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   6 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from ARCGIS and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.11    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Engineering Software   

Unimin shall provide SNA with vendor management support for Autodesk in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by SNA employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   2 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Autodesk and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by SNA employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional month by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.12    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA): Edilson Santos

   Health & Safety Application Support   

Unimin shall provide SNA with vendor and contractor management support for USIS in a manner consistent with current Unimin practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated Break/Fix support, migration planning and execution and application access provisioning.

 

•  Management of vendor and contractor escalations as required.

   3 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Unimin receives from Warren Systems and external contractors supporting USIS and shall only include cost associated with services provided to SNA.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional month by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

21


IS.13    Information Services   

Provider (Unimin):

Rob Hauzie

 

Recipient (SNA):

Edilson Santos

   Consultative Services   Unimin shall provide SNA with subject matter expertise and consultative services to support TSA exit activities for services described in this document.    24 months   

This service shall be charged at a per-hour basis at a rate of $113.75 per employee.

 

(Calculated at a standard rate of $700 per employee per day plus a 30% HR fringe rate).

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

22


INFORMATION SERVICES (REVERSE)

 

Service No.

  

Functional

Area

  

Service Coordinator
(for each Party)

  

Service

 

Description /Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service
Charge

  

Extension of Services

IS.14    Information Services   

Provider (SNA): Edilson Santos

 

Recipient (Unimin): Rob Hauzie

   Other Business Applications  

SNA shall provide Unimin with support for various business applications in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Preventative and Routine maintenance (Levels 2 and 3) including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Routine configuration and monitoring support; On- going system maintenance (including minor break / fix work).

 

•  Provide a transfer of knowledge as necessary to enable Unimin to assume the services in accordance with the provisions the TSA.

 

Supported applications:

 

•  UMIS

 

•  Manager Plus

 

•  OpsCon

 

•  UPODS

 

•  UniOps

 

•  LCS

 

•  BoL Importer

 

•  Labware (LIMS)

 

•  TSR/URR

 

•  Kasota Well Monitor

 

•  QCDars

 

•  USIM PAC

 

•  Sizer

 

This service shall not exceed 35 FTE hours per month.

   7 months   

$4,004 per month*

 

*Based on current level of support, estimated at 35 FTE / hours per month. Pricing will be adjusted to reflect additional support costs.

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

23

Exhibit 10.9

EXECUTION VERSION

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

THIS TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of June 1, 2018, is by and among SCR-Sibelco N.V., a Belgian public company ( Sibelco , as Provider), and Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation ( Covia , as Recipient) . Sibelco and Covia are each referred to herein individually as a Party and collectively as the Parties. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on December 11, 2017, Covia, Sibelco, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation ( Fairmount ), Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Covia ( Merger Sub), and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Covia ( Merger Sub LLC), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which Sibelco, Covia, Merger Sub, Merger Sub LLC and Fairmount shall effect: (i) a business combination through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Fairmount (the Merger), with Fairmount being the surviving corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia; and (ii) a further business combination through the merger of Fairmount with and into Merger Sub LLC (the Second Merger) immediately following the consummation of the Merger, with Merger Sub LLC surviving the Second Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Covia;

WHEREAS, the Parties desire that Provider provides to Recipient certain transition services with respect to the operation of the business of Covia (the Business) following the Closing, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound and in consideration of the mutual provisions set forth in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

As used in this Agreement and in the schedules attached hereto:

Business Information” has the meaning set forth in Article 9 .

“Claim Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(c) .

“Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Article 9 .

“Force Majeure Event” has the meaning set forth in Article 8 .

“Indemnification Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(c) .

“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(c) .


“Invoice Coordinator” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 .

“Non-Disclosing Party” has the meaning set forth in Article 9 .

“Providers” means Provider and any Affiliates of Provider providing Transition Services pursuant to this Agreement.

“Provider Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a)

“Recipients” means Recipient and any Affiliate of Recipient receiving Transition Services pursuant to this Agreement.

“Recipient Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b) .

“Service Coordinators” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 .

“Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 .

“Third Party Provider” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .

“Transition Services Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)

ARTICLE 2

PROVISION OF TRANSITION SERVICES

2.1 Transition Services

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Provider shall provide, or cause one or more of its Affiliates or Third Party Providers (as defined below) to provide, to Recipient each of the services set forth in Schedule 1 (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Transition Services Schedule) for the respective periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement (such services, the Transition Services) .

2.2 Third Party Provider

Provider may satisfy its obligation to provide the Transition Services hereunder by (i) causing one or more of its Affiliates to provide such Transition Services or by subcontracting any such Transition Services or any portion thereof to such Affiliates; or (ii) procuring any such Transition Services or a portion thereof from contractors, subcontractors, vendors or other third party providers (each, a Third Party Provider) .

2.3 Standard of Transition Services

In providing the Transition Services, the Provider and its Affiliates, and their employees, officers, directors and agents, shall (i) comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, (ii) provide the Transition Services in the same manner and at the same standard pursuant to which such services were being provided with respect to the Business in the year period prior to the Closing, and (iii) provide the Transition Services in a professional and workmanlike manner, using personnel with sufficient training and

 

2 | 11


expertise in providing the Transition Services. The Provider and the Recipient shall cooperate with each other in good faith to determine the additional details concerning the exact means of providing the Transition Services or any additional transition services that Recipient deems is reasonably necessary to conduct the Business.

2.4 Third Party Consent

The Provider shall be responsible for any third party consents required in order to provide the Transition Services (the Third Party Consents), and the Recipient shall reasonably assist the Provider in the Provider’s efforts to obtain such Third Party Consents as the

Provider may reasonably request. Any fees or other out-of-pocket costs to obtain Third Party Consents shall be borne by the Recipient.

ARTICLE 3

TERM AND TERMINATION

3.1 Term

The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Closing Date and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, shall continue in effect with respect to each of the Transition Services for the term thereof as set forth in Schedule 1 (the last date in each such term being referred to in this Agreement as the Termination Date for each of such Transition Services). This Agreement shall automatically terminate on the last Termination Date.

3.2 Extension of Term

The term of any portion of the Transition Services as set forth in Schedule 1  may be extended by the Recipient upon fifteen (15) days’ written notice to Provider prior to the Termination Date of such Transition Services or such other period of notice as specifically provided in Schedule 1 with respect to the subject Transition Services.

3.3 Termination

This Agreement may be terminated prior to any Termination Date as follows:

 

(a) by mutual consent of the Parties;

 

(b) automatically, without notice by or to either Party, upon the insolvency of the other Party;

 

(c) by the Recipient, as to any particular Transition Service upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice of its desire to terminate such Transition Service, in accordance with Section 3.4 ; or

 

(d)

by either Party, in the event that the other Party breaches any representation, warranty, covenant or other material obligation (other than payment) of such Party set forth in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, and fails to cure such breach as promptly as commercially practicable but in any event within fifteen (15) days after written notice from the non-breaching Party of such breach (which

 

3 | 11


  notice must specify, in commercially reasonable detail, the nature of such breach), then the non-breaching Party is entitled to immediately, at the expiration of such 15-day period, by written notice to the breaching Party, terminate this Agreement, without penalty, liability or further obligation therefore.

3.4 Partial Termination

The Provider shall reduce or terminate any portion of the Transition Services upon fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice from the Recipient. Any requested termination or reduction of Transition Services pursuant to this Section 3.4 shall become effective at the end of such 15-day notice period. The Provider shall thereafter no longer be obligated to provide Transition Services with respect to such Transition Service and the Recipient shall only be obligated to (a) pay for fees, if any, incurred with respect to such Transition Service up to such date, and (b) reimburse the Provider for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses attributable to such Transition Service as of such date. Schedule 1 shall thereafter be amended to reflect the termination or reduction of such Transition Service.

3.5 Survival

Article 3 , Article 7 , Article 9 and Article 10 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4

INVOICES

Within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar month for which fees are payable hereunder, Provider shall submit one invoice to Recipient for all Transition Services provided during such calendar month pursuant to this Agreement. The invoices shall include a reasonably detailed description of, and specify the amount for, each type of Transition Service. Recipient shall pay such invoices within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the invoice. The Recipient shall promptly notify the Provider, and in no event later than ten (10) Business Days following receipt of such invoice, of any objection of the Recipient with regard to such invoice, and the Parties shall promptly commence good faith negotiations to resolve such dispute.

ARTICLE 5

PERSONNEL

5.1 Access

The Recipient shall grant the personnel of the Provider or its Affiliates access to the locations, systems and information of the Recipient as reasonably necessary for the Transition Services to be provided pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, subject to the Provider’s compliance with the Recipient’s terms of use and access and network policies.

 

4 | 11


5.2 Service Coordinators

The Provider and the Recipient shall each nominate one coordinator for each functional area of the Transition Services, as set forth on Schedule 1 or as subsequently nominated from time to time by each Party (each coordinator, a Service Coordinator), to act as the primary contact person with respect to the performance of the relevant Transition Services. Each Party shall have a Service Coordinator for each functional area of the Transition Services in place at all times. Unless Provider and Recipient agree otherwise, all communications relating to this Agreement and the schedule of Transition Services shall be directed by the relevant Service Coordinator. Each Party may treat an act of a Service Coordinator of the other Party as the authorized act of such Party without any further inquiry. Each Party shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, without the prior approval of the other Party, to replace such Party’s Service Coordinator by giving written notice to the other Party setting forth (i) the name of the replacement Service Coordinator, and (ii) a certification that the replacement Service Coordinator is authorized to act for the Party giving notice in all matters relating to this Agreement.

5.3 Invoice Coordinators

The Provider and the Recipient shall each nominate from time to time one coordinator to act as the primary person with respect to the preparation (in case of the Provider) and payment (in case of the Recipient) of the monthly invoice (each coordinator, an Invoice Coordinator) . Each Party shall have an Invoice Coordinator in place at all times.

ARTICLE 6

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, the Provider, the Recipient and any Third Party Provider shall retain all right, title and interest in and to their respective Intellectual Property. No license or other right, express, implied or otherwise, is granted under this Agreement, except that solely to the extent use of any Intellectual Property of the Provider and the Recipient is required for the provision or receipt of the Transition Services (as the case may be) in accordance with this Agreement, each of the Provider and the Recipient hereby grants to the other a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable (except to third parties to the extent required for the provision or receipt of Transition Services, but not for such third party’s own independent use or for any other purpose), royalty-free license, during the term of this Agreement, to internally use such Intellectual Property solely to the extent and for the duration necessary to provide or receive the applicable Transition Service in accordance with this Agreement (it being understood that such a license shall automatically terminate immediately upon the applicable Termination Date, and is subject to any licenses granted by other Persons with respect to Intellectual Property not owned by the Provider or the Recipient).

ARTICLE 7

INDEMNIFICATION

7.1 No Other Representations or Warranties

The representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement are the Provider’s only representations and warranties concerning the Transition Services and are made for the benefit of the Recipient in lieu of all other representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular use or purpose with respect to any Transition Services.

 

5 | 11


7.2 Indemnification

 

(a) The Recipient shall indemnify and hold harmless the Provider and its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the Provider Indemnitees) from and against any and all losses which the Provider Indemnitees may incur arising or resulting from (i) the Recipient’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) the Recipient’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct or the material violation of any Law by the Recipient, in each case in connection with the receipt of the Transition Services.

 

(b) The Provider shall indemnify and hold harmless the Recipient and its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the Recipient Indemnitees) from and against any and all losses which the Recipient Indemnitees may incur arising or resulting from (i) the Provider’s material breach of the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) the Provider’s gross negligence or intentional misconduct or the material violation of any Law by the Provider, in each case in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, the Transition Services.

 

(c) The party or parties against whom a claim for indemnification (an Indemnification Claim) is made under this Section 7.2 shall be referred to as the Indemnifying Party. Indemnification Claims must be submitted to the Indemnifying Party within 60 days of the Termination Date with respect to the relevant Transition Service (the Claim Period) .

7.3 Limitations on Liability

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary:

 

(a) An Indemnifying Party’s maximum aggregate liability with respect to losses for each Transition Service under any Indemnification Claim shall not exceed the total amount of fees paid by the Recipient with respect to such Transition Service as of the date the Indemnification Claim for such losses is submitted to the Indemnifying Party;

 

(b) An Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for losses under any Indemnification Claim submitted after the Claim Period; and

 

(c) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, LOSS OF REVENUE OR LOST SALES) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

6 | 11


ARTICLE 8

FORCE MAJEURE

In the event that the Provider or any of its Affiliates are delayed in or prevented from performing their obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, due to a cause beyond their reasonable control, including an act of God, fire, flood, explosion, civil disorder, strike, lockout or other labor trouble, material shortages of utilities, any law, judgment, demand or requirement of any Governmental Authority, riot, war, or other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Provider (each a Force Majeure Event), then, upon written notice to the Recipient, (a) the affected obligations under this Agreement shall be suspended to the extent reasonably necessary during the period of the Force Majeure Event, (b) the Provider shall have the right to apportion its and its Affiliates’ services in an equitable manner to all users, (c) the Provider and its Affiliates shall not have any liability to the Recipient or any other Person in connection with such suspended obligation and (d) the Provider shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cure the cause of the delay or failure to perform and to resume performance as soon as practicable after the Force Majeure Event has ended. All fees otherwise payable in connection with the Transition Services affected by the Force Majeure Event shall be waived for the entire period of suspension.

ARTICLE 9

CONFIDENTIALITY

Both Parties shall hold, and shall cause their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, accountants and advisors to hold, in confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, all documents and information relating to the business of the other Party disclosed to it by reason of this Agreement (the Business Information), except to the extent that such Business Information (a) must be disclosed in connection with such Party’s obligations under this Agreement, (b) can be shown to have been in the public domain through no fault of the Disclosing Party (as defined below), or (c) was later lawfully acquired by the Disclosing Party from sources other than a Party to this Agreement or its Affiliates that were not bound by any confidentiality agreement with respect to such Business Information. In the event that either Party or any of their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents is requested pursuant to, or required by, law to disclose any Business Information (the Disclosing Party), such Disclosing Party shall notify the other Party (the Non-Disclosing Party) promptly in writing of such requirement so that the Non-Disclosing Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with this Article 9 , and if no such protective order or other remedy is obtained, or the Non-Disclosing Party waives compliance with this Article 9 , the Disclosing Party shall disclose only that portion of such Business Information which it is advised by its outside legal counsel is legally required to be disclosed and shall use its best efforts to obtain assurances that confidential treatment shall be accorded such Business Information.

 

7 | 11


ARTICLE 10

GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1 Notices

All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, or, if confirmed, emailed or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to the Provider:

SCR-Sibelco N.V.

Plantin en Moretuslei 1a, 2018 Antwerp

Belgium

Attention: Laurence Boens, Group Legal Counsel

Email: laurence.boens@sibelco.com

Facsimile: +32 3 223 67 00

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

If to the Recipient:

Covia Holdings Corporation

258 Elm Street

New Canaan, CT 06840

United States of America

Attention: Chief Legal Counsel

Email: rsolazzo@unimin.com

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

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Peter D. Lyons, Esq.

Email: peter.lyons@freshfields.com

 

8 | 11


10.2 Amendment and Waivers

This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

10.3 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Rights

This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto), taken together with the Merger Agreement and any applicable Ancillary Agreement, (i) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof; and (ii) is not intended to and shall not confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. In the event and to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the Merger Agreement or any applicable Ancillary Agreement as it relates to the Transition Services, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. The Schedules to this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement.

10.4 Assignment and Successors

Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Any purported assignment in violation of the preceding sentence shall be void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

10.5 Interpretation

When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or Section, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereby”, “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if.” All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, unless otherwise specifically indicated. References to a person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” shall be deemed references to the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

9 | 11


10.6 Severability

If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law in a mutually acceptable manner to the end that the Transaction Services are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.

10.7 Expenses

Except as set forth in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transition Services shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses.

10.8 Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

10.9 Consent to Jurisdiction

Each of the Parties (i) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware; (ii) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from such court; and (iii) agrees that it shall not bring any such action in any court other than the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County, Delaware, or any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware and appellate courts thereof. Each Party irrevocably consents to the service of process outside the territorial jurisdiction of the courts referred to in this Section 10.9 in any such Action by mailing copies thereof by registered or certified United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to its address as specified in or pursuant to Section 10.1 . However, the foregoing shall not limit the right of a Party to effect service of process on the other Party by any other legally available method.

10.10 Waiver of Jury Trial

EACH OF SIBELCO AND COVIA WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

10 | 11


10.11 Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (including by electronic transmission) to the other Parties.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

11 | 11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date indicated in the first sentence of this Agreement.

 

SCR-SIBELCO N.V.
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

  Name: Kurt Decat
  Title: Member of Executive Committee
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

  Name: Laurence Boens
  Title: Member of Executive Committee
COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

  Name: Campbell Jones
 

Title: Executive Vice President and

          Chief Operating Officer

[ Signature page to Covia Holdings Corporation Transition Services Agreement ]


SCHEDULE 1

[ See attached ]


TRANSITION SERVICES SCHEDULES1

 

Service

No.

  

Functional

Area

  

Service Coordinator

(for each Party)

  

Service

  

Description / Scope of Service

  

Service
Period

  

Service Charge

  

Extension of Services

IS.01    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia):

Rob Hauzie

   CRM vendor management   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with vendor management support for Salesforce.com in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by Covia employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   9 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from Salesforce.com and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by Covia employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 4 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.02    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Email license Management   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with vendor management support for Office 365 in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by Covia employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   18 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from Microsoft and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by Covia employees .    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 6 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.03    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Cloud subscription services   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with support for Azure subscription services under Sibelco’s tenant in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by Covia employees.

 

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

   12 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from Microsoft and shall only include cost associated with software licenses used by Covia employees.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 6 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.04    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Business analytics software support   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with support for business analytics solution (Power BI) under Sibelco’s Azure tenant in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Access provisioning for Covia employees requiring access to Power BI.

   4 months    $9,100 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service

 

1 All Transition Services provided shall be provided in the same manner and at the same standard pursuant to which such services were being provided with respect to the Business in the year period prior to the Closing.

 

1


           

•  Level 3 support including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; updates to the documentation associated with this application; Patching and system upgrades; One off issue resolution (including major break / fix work).

         Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
IS.05    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia):

Rob Hauzie

   End user services support   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with end user services for Covia employees consistent with current practices. Services include:

 

•  Active Directory management: manage the creation, maintenance and disablement of identities required to access Sibelco’s network including supporting moves, adds, changes deletions and password reset requests for Covia users.

 

•  Identity Access management: provide and maintain an identity access management system that processes the granting of authorized users the right to use a service while preventing access to non- authorized users.

 

•  Remote Desktop Configuration Management: remote desktop configuration of Covia desktops using Microsoft’s System Center Configuration Manager (SSCM) or any other tool used for that purpose.

 

•  Multi-factor authentication: user authentication for VPN access.

 

•  Anti-virus: Sibelco shall maintain all security software (including antivirus, spyware, malware) to protect against malicious threats that could be distributed across the network.

 

•  Inventory Management: Sibelco shall maintain inventory taking and asset management reporting related to Covia end user desktops.

   6 months    $18,200 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
           

 

•  DHCP: Sibelco shall provide dynamic IP address and subnet management to be used by Covia Receiver’s devices and applications using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

 

•  DNS: Sibelco shall provide Domain Name Services (DNS) for Covia users and systems.

 

•  SNOW: Sibelco shall maintain security and compliance software (SNOW) for Covia Receiver employees for audit and reporting.

        

 

2


IS.06    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Mobile Device Management   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with Mobile Device Management (MDM) services of mobile devices issued to for Covia employees in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices.

 

This service includes routine maintenance; incident diagnosis and resolution; routine configuration and monitoring support; On-going maintenance (including minor break / fix work).

   2 months    $2,730 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional month by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
IS.07    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   SharePoint Access    Sibelco shall provide management and administration of the Sibelco SharePoint environment and access to Covia employees to sites that they are members of (Infosites and team sites) in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices.    1 month    $3,640 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 1 additional month by giving no less than five (5) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
IS.08    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Wireless controller support   

Sibelco shall provide operation, monitoring and management services for wireless LAN access points for Covia though the centralized management system.

 

Service includes Level 3 support including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Maintenance of any related documentation; Required firmware upgrades; One off issue resolution (including major break / fix work and / or enhancements).

 

Service does not include on-site support, troubleshooting and replacement of any hardware component of the wireless Access Points.

   3 months    $3,640 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.
IS.09    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Service Management Tool   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with vendor management support for iTRP in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with licenses used by Covia.

   7 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from the vendor and shall only include cost associated with software    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
           

•  License management services.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required.

      licenses used by Covia.   

 

3


IS.10    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Datacenter management   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with core Data Center and communication services under the Interoute contract, in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Payment of vendor invoices for costs associated with services provided to Covia.

 

•  Management of vendor escalations as required .

 

•  Network Management: Load Balancer, traffic monitoring and routing, network optimization and automatic failover in case of network circuit failure.

 

•  Hybrid VPN: Sibelco shall provide IP Connectivity for remote user access via the Internet utilizing their VPN standard. Sibelco shall provide access and connectivity for each employee who is considered a remote user (as needed).

 

•  Firewall: Provides security firewall to filter inbound network traffic in accordance with security policies. Sibelco IT provides support for firewall operations in locations where such service is provided as of the Effective Date which are included in the Interoute contract. In all cases, security rules to be defined, implemented, and managed by site, in accordance with Covia security policy and practice.

 

•  Internet Access: Sibelco to provide Internet services including end-user Internet connectivity and MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switched) backbone services.

 

   24 months    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from Interoute and shall only include cost associated with services provided by Covia.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.11    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Environmental Health and Safety Software   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with support for EHS 360 (Cintellate) in a manner consistent with current Sibelco practices. Services include:

 

•  Access provisioning for Covia employees requiring access to EHS 360 (Cintellate).

 

•  Preventative and Routine maintenance: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Routine configuration and monitoring support; On-going system maintenance (including minor break / fix work).

   3 months    $2,275 per month    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 2 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period (the “Extended Service Term”). The Service Charge for these Transition Services shall not change or be adjusted during the Service Term Extension.

 

4


           

•  Level 2 and level 3 support including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Maintenance of knowledge management; Patching and system upgrades; One off issue resolution (including major break / fix work and / or enhancements).

 

•  Provide necessary support for TSA exit activities.

 

This service shall not exceed 5 FTE hours per week.

        
IS.12    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Email Forwarding   

Sibelco shall provide Covia with email forwarding services for Covia employees consistent with current practices of Covia. Services include:

 

•  Forward all email (external and internal) addressed to Covia employees’ sibelco.com email address to the appropriate recipient mailboxes in the Covia.com domain.

 

•  Preventative and Routine maintenance (Levels 2 and 3) including: Incident diagnosis and resolution; Routine configuration and monitoring support; On- going system maintenance (including minor break / fix work).

   6 months or upon the migration of the Covia.com domain from Sibelco’s email tenant to Covia’s tenant    The cost is on a monthly pass through cost basis in accordance with the invoice Sibelco receives from Microsoft and shall only include cost associated with email licenses used by Covia.    Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 3 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.
IS.13    Information Services   

Provider (Sibelco): Frank Kellens

 

Recipient (Covia): Rob Hauzie

   Consultative Services    Sibelco shall provide Covia with subject matter expertise and consultative services to support TSA exit activities for services described in this document.    24 months   

This service shall be charged at a per-hour basis at a rate of $113.75 per employee.

 

(Calculated at a standard rate of $700 per employee per day plus a 30% HR fringe rate)

   Recipient shall have the right at any time to extend the Termination Date for these Transition Services for a period of up to 12 additional months by giving no less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Provider’s Service Coordinator of such extended period.

 

5

Exhibit 10.10

EXECUTION VERSION

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

dated as of June 1, 2018

among

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

as Borrower,

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

as Guarantors,

VARIOUS LENDERS,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC and BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

and

ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

KBC BANK N.V. and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Co-Syndication Agents

KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

as Co-Documentation Agents

CITIZENS BANK, N.A.

as Managing Agent

$1,850,000,000 Senior Secured Credit Facilities


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     7  

Section 1.01

   Definitions      7  

Section 1.02

   Accounting Terms; Capital and Operating Leases; Pro Forma Calculations; Limited Conditionality Transaction      57  

Section 1.03

   Interpretation, Etc      58  

ARTICLE II LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

     59  

Section 2.01

   Term Loans      59  

Section 2.02

   Revolving Loans      60  

Section 2.03

   Swing Line Loans      61  

Section 2.04

   Issuance of Letters of Credit and Purchase of Participations Therein      63  

Section 2.05

   Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds      68  

Section 2.06

   Use of Proceeds      69  

Section 2.07

   Evidence of Debt; Registers; Notes      69  

Section 2.08

   Interest on Loans      70  

Section 2.09

   Conversion/Continuation      72  

Section 2.10

   Default Interest      73  

Section 2.11

   Fees      73  

Section 2.12

   Scheduled Payments      74  

Section 2.13

   Voluntary Prepayments/Commitment Reductions      75  

Section 2.14

   Mandatory Prepayments      78  

Section 2.15

   Application of Prepayments/Reductions      80  

Section 2.16

   General Provisions Regarding Payments      81  

Section 2.17

   Ratable Sharing      82  

Section 2.18

   Making or Maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans      83  

Section 2.19

   Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy      85  

Section 2.20

   Taxes; Withholding, Etc      87  

Section 2.21

   Obligation to Mitigate      90  

Section 2.22

   Defaulting Lenders      91  

Section 2.23

   Removal or Replacement of a Lender      91  

Section 2.24

   Incremental Facilities      93  

Section 2.25

   Refinancing Amendments      96  

ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     103  

Section 3.01

   Closing Date      103  

Section 3.02

   Conditions to Each Credit Extension      106  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     107  

Section 4.01

   Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification      107  

Section 4.02

   Equity Interests and Ownership      107  

Section 4.03

   Due Authorization      107  

Section 4.04

   No Conflict      107  

Section 4.05

   Governmental Consents      108  

 

i


Section 4.06

   Binding Obligation      108  

Section 4.07

   Historical Financial Statements      108  

Section 4.08

   [Reserved]      108  

Section 4.09

   No Material Adverse Change      109  

Section 4.10

   Adverse Proceedings, Etc      109  

Section 4.11

   Payment of Taxes      109  

Section 4.12

   Properties      109  

Section 4.13

   Environmental Matters      110  

Section 4.14

   No Defaults      110  

Section 4.15

   Governmental Regulation      110  

Section 4.16

   Margin Stock      111  

Section 4.17

   Employee Matters      111  

Section 4.18

   Employee Benefit Plans      111  

Section 4.19

   Solvency      112  

Section 4.20

   Compliance with Law      112  

Section 4.21

   Disclosure      112  

Section 4.22

   PATRIOT Act and Anti-Bribery      112  

Section 4.23

   Sanctions      113  

Section 4.24

   Intellectual Property      113  

Section 4.25

   EEA Financial Institutions      113  

Section 4.26

   Use of Proceeds      113  

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     113  

Section 5.01

   Financial Statements and Other Reports      113  

Section 5.02

   Existence      116  

Section 5.03

   Payment of Taxes and Claims      117  

Section 5.04

   Maintenance of Properties      117  

Section 5.05

   Insurance      117  

Section 5.06

   Books and Records; Inspections      118  

Section 5.07

   Compliance with Laws      118  

Section 5.08

   Environmental      119  

Section 5.09

   Subsidiaries      120  

Section 5.10

   Designation of Subsidiaries      121  

Section 5.11

   Additional Material Real Estate Assets      122  

Section 5.12

   [Reserved]      124  

Section 5.13

   Further Assurances      124  

Section 5.14

   Maintenance of Ratings      124  

Section 5.15

   Lender Calls      124  

Section 5.16

   Post-Closing Date Obligations      125  

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     125  

Section 6.01

   Indebtedness      125  

Section 6.02

   Liens      129  

Section 6.03

   No Further Negative Pledges      132  

Section 6.04

   Restricted Junior Payments      133  

Section 6.05

   Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions      134  

Section 6.06

   Investments      135  

 

ii


Section 6.07

   Financial Covenant      137  

Section 6.08

   Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions      137  

Section 6.09

   [Reserved      140  

Section 6.10

   [Reserved      140  

Section 6.11

   Transactions with Affiliates      140  

Section 6.12

   Conduct of Business      141  

Section 6.13

   Amendments or Waivers of Organizational Documents, Related Documents and Certain Indebtedness      141  

Section 6.14

   Fiscal Year      141  

ARTICLE VII GUARANTY

     141  

Section 7.01

   Guaranty of the Obligations      141  

Section 7.02

   Contribution by Guarantors      142  

Section 7.03

   Payment by Guarantors      142  

Section 7.04

   Liability of Guarantors Absolute      143  

Section 7.05

   Waivers by Guarantors      145  

Section 7.06

   Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc      145  

Section 7.07

   Subordination of Other Obligations      146  

Section 7.08

   Continuing Guaranty      146  

Section 7.09

   Authority of Guarantors or the Borrower      146  

Section 7.10

   Financial Condition of the Borrower      146  

Section 7.11

   Bankruptcy, Etc      147  

Section 7.12

   Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor      147  

ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     147  

Section 8.01

   Events of Default      147  

Section 8.02

   Right to Cure      151  

ARTICLE IX AGENTS

     152  

Section 9.01

   Appointment of Agents      152  

Section 9.02

   Powers and Duties      153  

Section 9.03

   General Immunity      153  

Section 9.04

   Agents Entitled to Act as Lender      155  

Section 9.05

   Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment      156  

Section 9.06

   Right to Indemnity      156  

Section 9.07

   Successor Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender      157  

Section 9.08

   Security Documents and Guaranty      159  

Section 9.09

   Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      160  

Section 9.10

   ERISA Matters      160  

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

     163  

Section 10.01

   Notices      163  

Section 10.02

   Expenses      165  

Section 10.03

   Indemnity      165  

Section 10.04

   Set-Off      167  

Section 10.05

   Amendments and Waivers      167  

 

iii


Section 10.06

   Successors and Assigns; Participations      171  

Section 10.07

   Independence of Covenants, Etc      177  

Section 10.08

   Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements      177  

Section 10.09

   No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative      177  

Section 10.10

   Marshalling; Payments Set Aside      177  

Section 10.11

   Severability      178  

Section 10.12

   Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights      178  

Section 10.13

   Table of Contents and Headings      178  

Section 10.14

   APPLICABLE LAW      178  

Section 10.15

   CONSENT TO JURISDICTION      179  

Section 10.16

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      179  

Section 10.17

   Confidentiality      180  

Section 10.18

   Usury Savings Clause      181  

Section 10.19

   Counterparts      182  

Section 10.20

   Effectiveness; Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries      182  

Section 10.21

   PATRIOT Act      182  

Section 10.22

   Electronic Execution of Assignments      182  

Section 10.23

   No Fiduciary Duty      183  

Section 10.24

   Judgment Currency      183  

Section 10.25

   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institution      184  

SCHEDULES:

1.01(a) – Initial Term Loan Commitments

1.01(c) – Revolving Commitments

1.01(d) – Notice Addresses

1.01(e) – Existing Letters of Credit

4.01 – Jurisdiction of Organization and Qualification

4.02 – Equity Interests and Ownership

4.12 – Real Estate Assets

5.16(a) – Closing Date Mortgaged Property

5.16(b) – Post-Closing Matters

6.01 – Certain Indebtedness

6.02 –Certain Liens

6.03 –Certain Negative Pledges

6.05 –Certain Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions

6.06 – Certain Investments

6.11 – Certain Transactions with Affiliates

EXHIBITS:

A-1 – Form of Borrowing Notice

A-2 – Form of Conversion/Continuation Notice

A-3 – Form of Issuance Notice

 

iv


B-1 – Form of Initial Term Loan Note

B-2 – Form of Revolving Loan Note

B-3– Form of Swing Line Note

C – Form of Compliance Certificate

D – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

E – Form of Assignment Agreement

F – Form of Joinder Agreement

G-1 – Form of Closing Date Certificate

G-2 – Form of Solvency Certificate

H     – Form of Counterpart Agreement

I      – Form of Pledge and Security Agreement

J      – Form of Intercompany Note

 

v


CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of June 1, 2018, is entered into by and among COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER, as Guarantors, the Lenders party hereto from time to time, BARCLAYS BANK PLC (“ Barclays ”), as Administrative Agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) and as Collateral Agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC (“ ABN AMRO ”), HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ HSBC ”), KBC BANK N.V. (“ KBC ”) and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ PNC ”), as Co-Syndication Agents (together with their permitted successors in such capacity, the “ Co-Syndication Agents ”), KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Keybank ”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. (“ Wells ”), as Co-Documentation Agents (together with their permitted successors in such capacity, the “ Co-Documentation Agents ”) and CITIZENS BANK, N.A. (“ Citizens ”), as Managing Agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, the “ Managing Agent ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these Recitals have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.01 hereof;

WHEREAS , pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2017, the Borrower has agreed to acquire (the “ Acquisition ”) Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “ Target ”) through a merger transaction involving Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned Delaware subsidiary of the Borrower (“ Merger Sub 1 ”) and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC (“ Merger Sub 2 ”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 11, 2017 (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto, the “ Merger Agreement ”) entered into among SCR-Sibelco N.V., the Borrower, Merger Sub 1, Merger Sub 2 and the Target. Pursuant to, and subject to the conditions set forth in, the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub 1 will merge with and into the Target (“ Merger 1 ”) and then the Target will merge with and into Merger Sub 2 (“ Merger 2 ” and, together with Merger 1, the “ Mergers ”). After giving effect to the Mergers, Merger Sub 2 will survive the Mergers as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has agreed to secure all of its Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of its respective assets, including a pledge of all of the Equity Interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries, 65.0% of all of the voting Equity Interests of each of its Foreign Subsidiaries and all of the non-voting Equity Interests of each of its Foreign Subsidiaries; and

WHEREAS, the Guarantors have agreed to guarantee the Obligations of the Borrower hereunder and to secure their respective Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a First Priority Lien on substantially all of their respective assets, including a pledge of all of the Equity Interests of each of their respective Domestic Subsidiaries, 65.0% of all of the voting Equity Interests of each of their respective Foreign Subsidiaries and all of the non-voting Equity Interests of each of their respective Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

6


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

Section 1.01     Definitions . The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, exhibits and schedules hereto, shall have the following meanings:

ABN AMRO ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Acquired EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Pro Forma Entity for any period, as the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity (determined as if references to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Pro Forma Entity and its Subsidiaries which will become Subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Pro Forma Entity.

Acquired Entity or Business ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Acquisition Documents ” means the Merger Agreement, together with all other instruments and agreements entered into by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection therewith.

Additional Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(f).

Additional Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness (including any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Permitted Refinancing, Incremental Facilities and Incremental Equivalent Debt) that is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) with the Obligations.

Adjusted Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any Interest Period as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, (a) (i) the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate which appears on the page of the Reuters Screen which displays the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (such page currently being the LIBOR01 page) (the “ LIBO Rate ”) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time), two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, 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 determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other

 

7


page or other service which displays the LIBO Rate for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that if LIBO Rates are quoted under either of the preceding clauses (i) or (ii), but there is no such quotation for the Interest Period elected, the LIBO Rate shall be equal to the Interpolated Rate; and provided, further, that if any such rate determined pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) or (ii) is less than zero, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate will be deemed to be zero; multiplied by (b) the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate with respect to Initial Term Loans will be deemed not to be less than 1.00% per annum.

Adjustment Date ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Applicable Margin”.

Administrative Agent ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Adverse Proceeding ” means any action, suit, proceeding, hearing (in each case, whether administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims), whether pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

Affected Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.18(b).

Affected Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.18(b).

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

Affiliated Lender ” means a Lender that is an Affiliate of the Borrower (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries).

Agent ” means each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co- Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents and the Managing Agent.

Agent Affiliates ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.01(b)(iii).

Aggregate Amounts Due ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17.

Aggregate Payments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

 

8


Agreement ” means this Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018, as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Agreement Currency ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24.

All-In Yield ” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereof, whether in the form of interest rate, margin, original issue discount (“OID”), upfront fees, recurring periodic fees in substance equivalent to interest or Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or Base Rate “floor” (to the extent the operation of such floor would increase the yield on drawn amounts on the proposed date of incurrence thereof), or otherwise, in each case, incurred or payable by the Borrower generally to all lenders of such Indebtedness; provided that OID and upfront fees shall be equated to interest rate assuming a four-year life to maturity (or, if less, the stated life to maturity at the time of incurrence of the applicable Indebtedness); provided, further, that “All-In Yield” shall not include customary arrangement fees, syndication and commitment fees or other similar fees not generally paid to the providers of such Indebtedness.

Anti-Bribery Laws ” shall mean (i) the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, (ii) the UK Bribery Act 2010, and (iii) any other law, rule, regulation, or other legally binding measure of any jurisdiction that relates to bribery or corruption, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Applicable Consent ” means the earlier to occur of the following:

(i) affirmative consent of the Required Lenders in writing; or

(ii) failure of the Required Lenders to make written objection to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after the first date on which the Counterpart Agreement, each Security Document and any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be entered into in connection with the applicable designation of a Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Guarantor are first provided to the Lenders.

Applicable Margin ” means for any day, with respect to (i) (a) Initial Term Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans, 3.75% per annum and (b) Initial Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 2.75% per annum, (ii) (a) Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans, 3.50% per annum and (b) Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 2.50% per annum; provided that in the case of each clause above, the Applicable Margin shall be adjusted on each Adjustment Date after the Closing Date as set forth below.

 

Leverage Ratio

 

Initial Term Loans

 

Revolving Loans

   

Applicable

Margin for

Eurodollar

Loans

 

Applicable

Margin for ABR

Loans

 

Applicable

Margin for

Eurodollar

 

Applicable

Margin for

ABR Loans

Greater than or equal to 2.50x

  4.00%   3.00%   3.75%   2.75%

Greater than or equal to 2.0x and less than 2.50x

  3.75%   2.75%   3.50%   2.50%

Greater than or equal to 1.50x and less than 2.0x

  3.50%   2.50%   3.25%   2.25%

Less than 1.50x

  3.25%   2.25%   3.00%   2.00%

 

9


Changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from changes in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective on the date on which quarterly or annual financial statements are delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.01 and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this definition (each an “ Adjustment Date ”). If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time periods specified in Section 5.01, then, at the option of (and upon delivery of notice (telephonic or otherwise) by) the Required Lenders, until such financial statements are delivered, the Leverage Ratio as at the end of the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby shall for the purposes of this definition be deemed to be in excess of 2.50:1.00. In the event that any financial statement or certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 is shown to be inaccurate, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “ Applicable Period ”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (i) the Borrower shall immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent a correct certificate required by Section 5.01 for such Applicable Period and (ii) the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional fees owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period.

Applicable Reserve Requirement ” means, at any time, for any Eurodollar Rate 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) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors or other applicable banking regulator. A Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credit for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage ” means 0.50% per annum (subject to a step-down to 0.375% per annum if and for so long as the corporate credit and/or family ratings in respect of the Borrower are BB (with a stable or better outlook) or higher and Ba2 (with a stable or better outlook) or higher from S&P and Moody’s, respectively).

 

10


Approved Electronic Communications ” means any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Loan Party provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Agents or to the Lenders by means of electronic communications pursuant to Section 10.01(b).

Arrangers ” means Barclays and BNPP in their capacities as joint lead arrangers.

Asset Sale ” means a non-ordinary course sale, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with (or any lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor) or exclusive license (as licensor or sublicensor) having substantially the same effect as any of the foregoing), any Person (other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary), in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of the Borrower’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased or licensed, including the Equity Interests of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, other than sales, leases, licenses or other dispositions of other assets for aggregate consideration of less than $10,000,000 with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions.

For purposes of clarity, “Asset Sale” shall not include the issuance of any Equity Interests of Borrower (including the issuance by any other Person of any warrant, right or option to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any Equity Interests of Borrower).

Assignment Agreement ” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.

Assignment Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(b).

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

Authorized Officer ” means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, president or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and a Financial Officer.

Available Amount ” means, as of any date, the sum, without duplication, of:

(i) $50,000,000;

 

11


(ii) the aggregate cumulative amount of any Consolidated Excess Cash Flow to the extent not otherwise required to be applied pursuant to Section 2.14(d), beginning with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019;

(iii) the net cash proceeds received after the Closing Date and on or prior to the date of such determination of the Available Amount, of any issuance of Equity Interests by, or capital contribution to, the Borrower (which, in the case of any such issuance of Equity Interests are not Disqualified Equity Interests or Equity Interests issued in connection with a transaction described in Section 6.06(w));

(iv) the principal amount of any Indebtedness or the net cash proceeds received in respect of the issuance of any Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests have been converted into or exchanged or redeemed with Equity Interests which are not Disqualified Equity Interests;

(v) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns on principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in cash and Cash Equivalents by any Loan Party in respect of any Investments made using the Available Amount (in an amount, together with amounts added pursuant to clause (vii) below, not to exceed the amount of such Investment made using the Available Amount);

(vi) an amount equal to the Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made using the Available Amount in any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated as a Subsidiary or that has been merged or consolidated into the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that have been transferred to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (in an amount not to exceed the amount of the Investment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary made using the Available Amount); and

(vii) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from Dispositions of Investments made using the Available Amount that are not required to be applied to repay the Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 (in an amount, together with amounts added pursuant to clause (v) above, not to exceed the amount of such Investment made using the Available Amount),

less , the sum of any Available Amount used to make (x) Restricted Junior Payments pursuant to Section 6.04(g) and (y) Investments permitted by Section 6.06(n).

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 Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

12


Barclays ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1•2 of 1.00%, and (iii) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate that would be payable on such day for a Eurodollar Rate Loan with a one-month Interest Period plus 1.00%. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

Beneficial Ownership Certification ”    means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation ” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Beneficiary ” means each Agent, Issuing Bank, Lender and Lender Counterparty.

Benefit Plan ” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as define in ERISA) that is subject to Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code to which Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code applies or (c) any Person whose assets include (for within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations s) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.

BNPP ” means BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

Board of Governors ” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.

Bookrunners ” means Barclays and BNPP in their capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Borrowing Notice ” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

Business Day ” means (i) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close and (ii) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection with the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or any Eurodollar Rate Loans, the term “Business Day” means any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capital Expenditures ” means for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “purchase of property and equipment” or

 

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similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided , that Capital Expenditures shall not include any expenditures which constitute a Permitted Acquisition permitted under Section 6.06 or Section 6.08. For the avoidance of doubt, Capital Expenditures shall include, without limitation, payments with respect to mineral interests (including, without limitation, payments with respect to leasehold interests therein).

Capital Lease ” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person; provided , that notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will any lease that would have been categorized as an operating lease as determined in accordance with GAAP as of the Closing Date, be considered a “Capital Lease” as a result of any changes in GAAP that take effect subsequent to the Closing Date.

Cash ” means money, currency or a credit balance in any demand or Deposit Account.

Cash Equivalents ” means:

(a) Dollars;

(b) Canadian Dollars, Mexican Peso, Pounds, Japanese Yen, Euros, any national currency of any participating member state of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union and Swiss Franc;

(c) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(d) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, demand deposits, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 in the case of U.S. banks and $100,000,000 (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;

(e) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c), (d) and (h) entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

(f) commercial paper rated at least P-2 by Moody’s or at least A-2 by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another rating agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation or acquisition thereof and Indebtedness or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(g) marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least P-2 or A-2 from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another rating agency);

(h) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another rating agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(i) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another rating agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(j) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated AAA- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Aaa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another rating agency);

(k) other investments described in the Borrower’s investment policy provided to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date; and

(l) investment funds investing at least 90.0% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (k) above.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (h) and clauses (j) through (l) above of foreign obligors (including investments that are denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the receipt of such amounts), which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies.

Cash Management Products ” means (a) treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements and cash management services (including controlled disbursements, zero balance arrangements, cash sweeps, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts, temporary advances, interest and fees and interstate depository network services) provided to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (b) commercial credit card, purchasing card services and related programs provided to the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

CFC ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Excluded Subsidiary”.

Change in Law ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.19(a).

 

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Change of Control ” means, (i) any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) other than the Permitted Investors shall have acquired beneficial ownership or control of 35.0% or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting interests in the Equity Interests of the Borrower; or (ii) any “change of control” (or similar event, however denominated) shall occur under and as defined in any indenture or agreement in respect of Material Indebtedness, to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

Citizens ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Class ” means (i) with respect to Lenders, each of the following classes of Lenders: (a) Lenders having Initial Term Loan Exposure (b) Lenders having Revolving Exposure (including the Swing Line Lenders), (c) Lenders having Incremental Term Loan Exposure of each applicable Series and (d) Lenders having Extended Term Loan Exposure, and (ii) with respect to Loans, each of the following classes of Loans: (a) Initial Term Loans (b) Revolving Loans (including Swing Line Loans), (c) each Series of Incremental Term Loans and (d) Extended Term Loans.

Closing Date ” shall mean June 1, 2018.

Closing Date Certificate ” means a Closing Date Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Closing Date Mortgaged Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16.

Co-Documentation Agents ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Co-Syndication Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Collateral ” means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property (including Equity Interests) in which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Security Documents as security for the Obligations.

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Commitment ” means any Revolving Commitment or Term Loan Commitment.

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

Compliance Certificate ” means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

Consolidated Current Assets ” means, as at any date of determination, the total assets of a Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding cash and Cash Equivalents.

 

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Consolidated Current Liabilities ” means, as at any date of determination, the total liabilities of a Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP, excluding the current portion of long term debt.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, an amount determined for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to:

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus , to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income in such period, the sum, without duplication, of amounts for:

(a) consolidated interest expense;

(b) provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital;

(c) total depreciation and depletion expense;

(d) total amortization expense;

(e) costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and any related transactions;

(f) all extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring charges and expenses and restructuring costs;

(g) transaction costs, fees, losses and expenses (including rationalization, legal, tax and structuring fees, costs and expenses) incurred in connection with the incurrence of indebtedness, disposition of assets, the making of Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments or transactions permitted hereunder (in each case whether or not consummated, including any such attempted transactions which are not consummated), including any equity offering, Restricted Junior Payment, dispositions, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, option buyouts or incurrences, repurchases, repayments, refinancings, amendments, waivers or modifications of Indebtedness (including any amortization or write-off of debt issuance or deferred financings costs, premiums and prepayment penalties or similar transactions) or any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Loans or other Indebtedness, including (x) such fees, expenses or charges (including rating agency fees and costs) related to the Loans and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (y) letter of credit fees and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges;

(h) without duplication of any expenses or charges included in any other subclause of this clause (i), the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to the Transactions or any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of actions that have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), including any cost savings, expenses and charges (including restructuring and integration charges) in connection with, or incurred by or on behalf of, any Joint Venture of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (whether accounted for on the financial statements of any such Joint Venture or the Borrower) (i) with respect to the Transactions, on or prior to the date that is 24 months after the Closing Date (including actions initiated prior to the

 

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Closing Date) and (ii) with respect to any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative whether initiated before, on or after the Closing Date, within 24 months after such Specified Transaction, restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that such amount shall not be greater than 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for any applicable period; provided further that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (B) the share of any such cost savings, expenses and charges with respect to a Joint Venture that are to be allocated to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall not exceed the total amount thereof for any such Joint Venture multiplied by the percentage of income of such venture expected to be included in Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant Test Period;

(i) other non-Cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period including (i) any write offs or write downs, (ii) losses on sales, disposals or abandonment of, or any impairment charges or asset write off related to, intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities, (iii) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method (other than to the extent funded with cash), (iv) non-cash asset impairment or goodwill write downs and (v) other non-cash charges, non- cash expenses or non-cash losses reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges, expenses or losses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Borrower may determine not to add back such non-cash charge, loss or expense in the current period or (B) to the extent the Borrower does decide to add back such non-cash charge, loss, or expense, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period);

(j) Public Company Costs;

(k) charges, losses, lost profits, expenses (including litigation expenses, fee and charges) or write offs to the extent indemnified or insured by a third party, including expenses or losses covered by indemnification provisions or by any insurance provider in connection with the Transactions, a Permitted Acquisition or any other acquisition or Investment, disposition or any casualty or similar event, in each case, to the extent that coverage has not been denied and so long as such amounts are actually reimbursed in cash within one year after the related amount is first added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (k) (and if not so reimbursed within one year, such amount shall be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA during the next measurement period);

(l) any net pension or other post-employment benefit costs representing amortization of unrecognized prior service costs, actuarial losses, including amortization of such amounts arising in prior periods, amortization of the unrecognized net obligation (and loss or cost) existing at the date of initial application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 715, and any other items of a similar nature;

 

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(m) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or net income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (ii) through (iv) below for any previous period and not added back;

(n) stock option, restricted or performance stock unit and other equity-based compensation expenses, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating Consolidated Net Income;

(o) the amount of any expense, loss or deduction associated with any subsidiary of such Person attributable to non-controlling interests or minority interests of third parties;

(p) non-recurring transaction costs, fees and expenses in connection with equity issuances by Borrower;

(q) reasonable costs and expenses directly incurred during such period in connection with (a) the opening of any new sand processing or mining facilities or facilities relating to transportation or logistics or (b) any substantial expansions of existing sand processing or mining facilities or facilities relating to transportation or logistics, in each case, with a capital cost in excess of $5,000,000; minus

(ii) other non-Cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such non-Cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash gain in any prior period); and minus

(iii) all extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period; provided that,

(I) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Closing Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Closing Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis, and

(II) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period (but if such operations are classified as discontinued due to the fact that they are subject to an agreement to dispose of such operations, only when and to the extent such operations are actually disposed of) (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Subsidiary that is

 

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converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).

For the avoidance of doubt, the Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Target) for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2017, September 30, 2017, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, was $118,675,000, $144,197,000, $130,044,000, and $151,705,000, respectively.

Consolidated Excess Cash Flow ” means, for any period, an amount (if positive) equal to:

(a) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of:

(i) Consolidated Net Income, plus ,

(ii) to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income, the sum, without duplication, of amounts for non-Cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income, including for depreciation and amortization and depletion (excluding any such non-Cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for potential Cash charge in any future period or amortization of a prepaid Cash charge that was paid in a prior period), plus

(iii) the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment, minus

(b) the sum, without duplication, to the extent not already reducing Consolidated Net Income, the amounts for such period paid in cash from operating cash flow (for the avoidance of doubt, not from the proceeds of indebtedness), of:

(i) scheduled repayments of Indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments) and scheduled repayments of obligations under Capital Leases (excluding any interest expense portion thereof), plus

(ii) Capital Expenditures, including Capital Expenditures which are contracted to be made during the next Fiscal Year so long as (1) such amounts are contractually committed by December 31 of the applicable Fiscal Year for which Consolidated Excess Cash Flow is being calculated (the “ ECF Calculation Year ”) to be utilized during the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year and (2) any amounts not utilized during the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year, plus

 

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(iii) other non-Cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such non-Cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash gain in any prior period), plus

(iv) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness, plus

(v) the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments made in cash by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period pursuant to clause (d) of Section 6.04; plus

(vi) the aggregate amount of Investments or other acquisitions made in cash by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period pursuant to clauses (h), (i), (j), (o), (p), (q), (u) and (bb) of Section 6.06 (other than any intercompany Investments); plus

(vii) fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to directors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Net Income ” means, for any period,

(i) the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP, minus

(ii) (a) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in which any other Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by such Person during such period,

(b) the income of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, and

(c) any after-tax non-Cash gains (or losses) attributable to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of any cash dividends paid by any Unrestricted Subsidiary and received by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries during any such period shall be included, without duplication and subject to clause (b) of the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period.

Consolidated Tangible Assets ” means, as of any date of determination, the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the Borrower’s most recent Fiscal Quarter by reference to the then most recent date for which the Borrower has delivered (or was required to deliver, if such delivery has not been made) its financial statements under Section 5.01 or, if the Borrower has not yet been required to deliver financial statements under Section 5.01, determined as of December 31, 2017, less all

 

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goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, organization expense, unamortized debt discount and expense and other similar intangibles properly classified as intangibles in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Total Debt ” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or, if higher, the par value or stated face amount of all such Indebtedness (other than zero coupon Indebtedness) consisting of debt for borrowed money, Capital Leases and debt evidenced by bonds, notes or similar instruments determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Working Capital ” means, as at any date of determination, the excess of Consolidated Current Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries over Consolidated Current Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment ” means, for any period on a consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which Consolidated Working Capital as of the beginning of such period exceeds (or is less than) Consolidated Working Capital as of the end of such period. In calculating the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment there shall be excluded the effect of reclassification during such period of current assets to long term assets and current liabilities to long term liabilities and the effect of any Permitted Acquisition during such period; provided , that there shall be included with respect to any Permitted Acquisition during such period an amount (which may be a negative number) by which the Consolidated Working Capital acquired in such Permitted Acquisition as at the time of such acquisition exceeds (or is less than) Consolidated Working Capital at the end of such period.

Contractual Obligation ” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

Contributing Guarantors ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies, or the dismissal or appointment of the management, of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

Conversion/Continuation Date ” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

Conversion/Continuation Notice ” means a Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Converted Restricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA.”

 

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Counterpart Agreement ” means a Counterpart Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H delivered by a Loan Party pursuant to Section 5.09(a).

Covered Entity ” means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Credit Date ” means the date of a Credit Extension.

Credit Extension ” means the making of a Loan or the issuing, renewal or amendment of a Letter of Credit.

Cure Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(a).

Default ” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Revolving Commitment within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing, or has otherwise indicated through a public statement, that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder and generally under agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three (3) Business Days after receipt of a written request from the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Revolving Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, (e) become the subject of a Bail-In Action or (f) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian, administrator, examiner, liquidator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, custodian, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Lender shall not qualify as a Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or its parent company, or of the exercise of control over such Lender or any Person controlling such Lender, by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof; provided , further, that if the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lenders and the Issuing Banks agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any cash collateralization of Letters of Credit and/or Swing Line Loans), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of

 

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outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the obligations of the Swing Line Lender and/or the Issuing Bank and the funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares (without giving effect to Section 2.22), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

Defaulting Revolving Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.22.

Deposit Account ” means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration ” means the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an officer’s certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash 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 6.08.

Disposed EBITDA ” means, with respect to any Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for any period, the amount for such period of Consolidated EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary (determined as if references to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the definition of the term “Consolidated EBITDA” (and in the component financial definitions used therein) were references to such Sold Entity or Business and its subsidiaries or to such Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary and its subsidiaries), all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Disposition ” means the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, or the issuance of any additional Equity Interest by any Subsidiary in such Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares and other than issuing Equity Interests to the Borrower or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section  6.06(c) ).

Disqualified Equity Interests ” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is redeemable at the option of

 

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the holder thereof (other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (iii) provides for scheduled payments or dividends in cash or (iv) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 91 days after the Latest Maturity Date (at the time of issuance), except, (x) in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), if as a result of a change of control or asset sale, so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of such a change of control or asset sale event are subject to the prior Payment in Full of all Obligations and (y) only the portion of the Equity Interests meeting one of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) prior to the date that is ninety one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date (at the time of issuance) will be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if an Equity Interest in any Person is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of directors, officers or employees of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such directors, officers or employees, such Equity Interest shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) or any of the Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations of such Person or as a result of such employee’s termination, death, or disability.

Disqualified Lender ” means, collectively, (i) competitors of the Borrower, the Target and their respective subsidiaries specified to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing from time to time, (ii) certain banks, financial institutions, other institutional lenders and other entities that have been specified to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in writing on or prior to December 11, 2017 and (iii) in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) above (the “ Primary Disqualified Lender ”), any of such Primary Disqualified Lender’s known Affiliates readily identifiable by the similarity of its name to the Primary Disqualified Lenders, but excluding any Affiliate that is primarily engaged in, or that advises funds or other investment vehicles that are engaged in, making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit or securities in the ordinary course and with respect to which the Primary Disqualified Lender does not, directly or indirectly, possess the power to direct or cause the direction of the investment policies of such entity; provided , however , that the Borrower, upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Agent, shall be permitted to supplement in writing (including by email) the list of persons that are Disqualified Lenders to the extent such supplemented person is or becomes a competitor or an Affiliate of a competitor of the Borrower or the Target; it being understood that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall an update or supplement to the list of Disqualified Lenders apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired commitments, loans or participation interests, or entered into a trade for any of the foregoing, but upon the effectiveness of such supplement (which shall occur one Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent of such supplement) any such entity may not acquire any additional commitments, loans or participations.

Dollars ” and the sign “ $ ” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means (i) any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and (ii) any Subsidiary treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes which is directly owned by the Borrower, a Guarantor or a Subsidiary described in clause (i) or this clause (ii).

 

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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.

Effect ” has the definition set forth in the definition of “Target Material Adverse Effect”.

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person other than a natural Person that is (i) a Lender, an Affiliate of any Lender or a Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof), (ii) a commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other entity that are “accredited investors” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and which extends credit or buys loans in the ordinary course of business or (iii) a Permitted Investor, so long as such Permitted Investor is an “accredited investor” (as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act); provided , that (x) no Loan Party nor any or its Subsidiaries shall be an Eligible Assignee except pursuant to Section 2.13(c) and (y) no Disqualified Lender shall be an Eligible Assignee.

Employee Benefit Plan ” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed by, the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or with respect to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has or would reasonably be expected to have liability, contingent or otherwise, under ERISA.

Environmental Claim ” means any investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, action, suit, litigation, cause of action, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other order, decree or directive (conditional or otherwise) by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, directly or indirectly, arising (i) pursuant to or otherwise related to any Environmental Law, (ii) in connection with any actual or alleged violation of, or liability pursuant to, any Environmental Law, including any Governmental Authorizations issued pursuant to Environmental Law, (iii) in connection with any Hazardous Material, including the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment, disposal, presence, threatened Release or Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials and any abatement, removal, remedial, corrective or other response action related to Hazardous Materials or (iv) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

 

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Environmental Laws ” means any and all current or future foreign or domestic, federal, state or local laws (including any common law), statutes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, judgments or any other requirements of Governmental Authorities relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct with respect to (i) environmental matters, (ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials; or (iii) the use, operation, development, mining, closure or reclamation of any surface or underground mines or (iv) occupational and other human safety and health (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials), industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of natural resources, in any manner applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Facility.

Equity Interests ” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.

ERISA Affiliate ” means, as applied to any Person, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA of which that Person is a member or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

ERISA Event ” means (i) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 412 or 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (iii) a determination that any Pension Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 of    ERISA);    (iv) the    provision    by the    administrator    of    any Pension    Plan    pursuant    to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (v) a receipt by the Borrower from any Multiemployer Plan of notice that such Multiemployer Plan has been determined to be or is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “critical” or “endangered” status under Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (vi) the withdrawal by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (vii) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which is reasonably expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for

 

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the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (viii) the imposition of liability on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (ix) the withdrawal of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in insolvency pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Employee Benefit Plan to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; (xi) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA or a violation of Section 436 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan; (xii) the failure of any foreign pension schemes sponsored or maintained by any of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to be maintained in accordance with the requirements of applicable foreign law in all material respects; or (xiii) the occurrence of a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” with respect to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a “disqualified person” or a “party of interest” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 406 of ERISA, respectively) which would reasonably be expected to result in material liability in to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

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

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

Event of Default ” means any of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.01.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Excluded Information ” shall mean any non-public information with respect to Parent, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities to the extent such information could have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, an assigning Lender’s decision to assign Loans or a purchasing Lender’s decision to purchase Loans.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that (A) is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (a “ CFC ”), (B) is a direct or indirect Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary that is a CFC or (C) has, directly or indirectly, no material assets other than Equity Interests or indebtedness of one or more direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiaries that are CFCs and (ii) Unrestricted Subsidiaries, Immaterial Subsidiaries, captive insurance subsidiaries, not-for-profit subsidiaries, special purpose vehicles and any Subsidiary where the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree that the cost of obtaining a guarantee by such Subsidiary is excessive in relation to the practical benefit to the Lenders afforded thereby.

 

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Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof or security interest in respect thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

Excluded Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient receiving payments on any Obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or net profits as a result of a connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such tax (or any political subdivision thereof), other than any such connection arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document, (b) any branch profits tax that is imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) any U.S. Federal withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to a recipient at the time the recipient becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent such recipient’s assignor was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts with respect to such tax pursuant to Section 2.20 hereof, (d) any withholding taxes attributable to a Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.20(c) and (e) any U.S. Federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing Credit Agreement ” means (i) the Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 1, 2017 among Fairmount Santrol Inc., FMSA Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto, Barclays, as administrative agent and as collateral agent and (ii) the Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 1, 2017 among Fairmount Santrol Inc., FMSA Inc., the lenders from time to time party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and as collateral agent.

Existing Indebtedness ” means the (i) Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) Senior Notes, (iii) Silfin Credit Facility, (iv) Silfin Term Loan, (v) Silfin Overdraft Facility and (vi) Parent Intercompany Note.

Existing Indebtedness Refinancing ” means, in connection with the Mergers, the repayment, repurchase, redemption or retirement of the Existing Indebtedness and the termination of all existing commitments, obligations and security interests in respect of the Existing Indebtedness.

 

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Existing Letters of Credit ” shall mean the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) outstanding on the Closing Date immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement. Schedule 1.1(c) contains a list of the Existing Letters of Credit.

Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Exposure, Revolving Exposure, Incremental Term Loan Exposure or Extended Term Loan Exposure, as applicable.

Extended Term Loan Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Extended Term Loans of such Lender.

Extended Term Loans ” means any Initial Term Loans or portion thereof extended pursuant to an amendment under Section 10.05(e).

Facility ” means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

Fair Share ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

Fair Share Contribution Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, any intergovernmental agreement between a non-U.S. jurisdiction and the United States of America with respect to the foregoing and any law, regulation or practice adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

Federal Funds Effective Rate ” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided, that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any day is less than zero, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day will be deemed to be zero.

Fiduciary Rule ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.10(b)(ii).

Financial Covenant ” means the covenant set forth in Section 6.07.

Financial Officer ” means the chief financial officer, vice president of finance, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of, unless otherwise noted, the Borrower (or any other officer acting in substantially the same capacity of the foregoing).

Financial Officer Certification ” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of a Financial Officer of the Borrower that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the

 

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Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

Financial Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(i).

First Priority ” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Security Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any Permitted Lien.

Fiscal Quarter ” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

Flood Certificate ” means a “Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any successor Governmental Authority performing a similar function.

Flood Program ” means the National Flood Insurance Program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, in each case as amended from time to time, and any successor statutes.

Flood Zone ” means areas having special flood hazards as described in the Flood Program.

Foreign Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.09(d).

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

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

Funding Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02.

GAAP ” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.02, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

Governmental Acts ” means any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, national or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity, officer or examiner exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court, in each case whether associated with a state of the United States, the United States, or a foreign entity or government.

 

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Governmental Authorization ” means any permit, license, authorization, certification, registration, approval, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

Grantor ” has the meaning specified in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Guaranteed Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

Guarantor ” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower other than any Excluded Subsidiary (but including any Foreign Guarantor and any other Excluded Subsidiary that the Borrower has elected to make a Guarantor).

Guaranty ” means the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Article VII.

Hazardous Materials ” means any pollutant, contaminant, chemical, waste, material or substance, which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or which may or could pose a hazard to human health and safety or to the indoor or outdoor environment, including petroleum, petroleum products, asbestos, urea formaldehyde, radioactive materials, and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Hedge Agreement ” means a Swap Contract entered into with a Lender Counterparty.

Highest Lawful Rate ” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

Historical Financial Statements ” means (a) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Borrower and the Target for the Fiscal Years ending December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and (b) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Borrower and the Target for the Fiscal Quarters ending March 31, 2018.

HSBC ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

IFRS ” means International Financial Reporting Standards promulgated by the International Accounting Standards Board and interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Committee from time to time, and any successor standards or bodies thereto.

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means as of any date, a Subsidiary that, as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which consolidated financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.01 (x) did not have (a) assets with a value in excess of 5.00% of Total Assets as of such date or (b) Consolidated EBITDA representing in excess of

 

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5.00% of Consolidated EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on such last day and (y) when taken together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.00% of Total Assets as of such date or Consolidated EBITDA representing in excess of 10.00% of Consolidated EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on such date, each calculated by reference to the latest consolidated financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 5.01. Any Immaterial Subsidiary may be designated to be a Material Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by written notice to the Administrative Agent.

Increased Amount Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(d).

Increased-Cost Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23.

Incremental Dollar Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Equivalent Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(c).

Incremental Facilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Ratio Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Request Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Revolving Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Revolving Loan Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(d).

Incremental Revolving Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(e).

Incremental Term Loan Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a).

Incremental Term Loan Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans of such Lender.

Incremental Term Loan Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(d).

Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date ” means the date on which Incremental Term Loans of a Series shall become due and payable in full hereunder, as specified in the applicable Joinder Agreement, including by acceleration or otherwise (it being understood that pursuant to Section 2.24 the applicable Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date of each Series shall be no shorter than the latest of the final maturity of the Revolving Loans and the Initial Term Loans).

Incremental Term Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(f).

Indebtedness ” means, as applied to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) all Attributable Indebtedness and that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP; (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of

 

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the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and any such obligations incurred under ERISA), which purchase price is (a) due more than six (6) months from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof or (b) evidenced by a note or similar written instrument; (v) all indebtedness of others secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the credit of that Person; (vi) the face amount of any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings; (vii) Disqualified Equity Interests; (viii) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making or discounting with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another that would otherwise constitute Indebtedness hereunder; (ix) any obligation of such Person the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the Indebtedness obligation of the obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof; (x) any liability of such Person for an obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or (b) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (a) or (b) of this clause (x), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (ix) above; and (xi) all obligations of such Person in respect of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, including any Swap Contract, in each case, whether entered into for hedging or speculative purposes. In no event will obligations in respect of Equity Interests constitute Indebtedness hereunder except as provided in clause (vii) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include purchase price adjustments, earnouts, holdbacks or deferred payments of a similar nature (including deferred compensation representing consideration or other contingent obligations incurred in connection with an acquisition), except in each case to the extent that such amount payable is, or becomes, reasonably determinable and contingencies have been resolved or such amount would otherwise be required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person for purposes of clause (v) above shall (unless such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person or such Person has otherwise become liable for the payment thereof) be deemed to be equal to the lesser of (A) the aggregate unpaid amount of such Indebtedness and (B) the fair market value of the property encumbered thereby as determined by such Person in good faith.

Indemnified Liabilities ” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, claims (including Environmental Claims), actions, judgments, suits, costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other necessary response or remedial action related to the Release or presence of any Hazardous Materials), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any    investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding or hearing commenced or threatened by any Loan Party, its Affiliates (including Subsidiaries) or any other Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by

 

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Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect, special or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions, the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)); (ii) the fee letter (or subsequent letter agreements entered into by any of the Borrower with any of the Arrangers or Bookrunners) delivered by any Agent or any Lender to any of the Borrower with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) any Environmental Claim relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) any Loan or the use of proceeds thereof; or (v) any of the Transactions.

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.03(a).

Indemnitee Agent Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06.

Initial Term Loan ” means an Initial Term Loan made by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

Initial Term Loan Commitment ” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund an Initial Term Loan and “Initial Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment, if any, is set forth on Schedule 1.01(a) or in the applicable Assignment Agreement, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof.     The aggregate amount of the Initial Term Loan Commitments as of the Closing Date is $1,650,000,000.

Initial Term Loan Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Initial Term Loans of such Lender; provided , that at any time prior to the making of the Initial Term Loans the Initial Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment.

Initial Term Loan Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (i) the Stated Maturity Date for the Initial Term Loans and (ii) the date on which all Initial Term Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

Initial Term Loan Note ” means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Installment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

Installment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Intellectual Property Security Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Intercompany Note ” means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit J evidencing Indebtedness owed among Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.

Interest Payment Date ” means with respect to (i) any Loan that is a Base Rate Loan (including any Swing Line Loan), each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date and the final maturity date of such Loan; and (ii) any Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan; provided , that in the case of each Interest Period of longer than three (3) months “Interest Payment Date” shall also include each date that is three (3) months, or an integral multiple thereof, after the commencement of such Interest Period.

Interest Period ” means, in connection with a Eurodollar Rate Loan, an interest period of one-, two-, three- or six-months (or, if available to all of the Lenders, twelve months or any shorter period), as selected by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation     Notice,     (i) initially,     commencing     on     the     Credit     Date     or Conversion/Continuation Date thereof, as the case may be; and (ii) thereafter, commencing on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; provided , that (a) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day; (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clauses (c) and (d), of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; (c) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of any Class of Term Loans shall extend beyond such Class’s applicable Stated Maturity Date; and (d) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Revolving Loans shall extend beyond the applicable Stated Maturity Date.

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.

Internal Revenue Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the Closing Date, or any successor provision of law.

“Interpolated Rate ” means, in relation to the LIBO Rate, the rate which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

 

  (i) the applicable LIBO Rate for the longest period (for which that LIBO Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and (ii) the applicable LIBO Rate for the shortest period (for which that LIBO Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan, and

 

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  (iii) each as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period of that Loan.

Investment ” means (i) any purchase or other acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Equity Interests of any other Person (other than a Guarantor); (ii) any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary of the Borrower from any Person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor), of any Equity Interests of such Person; (iii) any loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business) or capital contributions by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor), including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business and (iv) all investments consisting of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, including any Swap Contract. The amount of any Investment of the type described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P or, if the applicable instrument is not then rated by Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other rating agency.

Issuance Notice ” means an Issuance Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3.

Issuing Bank ” means Barclays, BNP Paribas and PNC or, in each case, one of their respective Affiliates, each as Issuing Bank hereunder (provided that Barclays shall only be required to issue standby letters of credit), and any other Lender that has notified the Administrative Agent that it has agreed to a request by the Borrower to become an Issuing Bank, together with its permitted successors and assigns in such capacity. Each Issuing Bank shall separately agree with the Borrower as to the portion of the Letter of Credit Sublimit that will represent the maximum Letter of Credit Usage that may be available from such Issuing Bank (it being understood that, notwithstanding any such portion of the Letter of Credit Sublimit representing the maximum Letter of Credit Usage that may be available from PNC, PNC and the Borrower agree that PNC shall remain the Issuing Bank in respect of the Existing Letters of Credit). Unless otherwise specified, in respect of any Letter of Credit, “Issuing Bank” shall refer to the Issuing Bank which has issued such Letter of Credit.

Joinder Agreement ” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

Joint Venture ” means a joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided , that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

 

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Judgment Currency ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.24.

KBC ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Keybank ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Latest Maturity Date ” means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration date of any Term Loan.

LCA Election ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Section 1.02(d).

Lender ” means each financial institution listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement or a Joinder Agreement. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term “Lenders” shall include the Swing Line Lender.

Lender Counterparty ” means each Lender, each Agent and each of their respective Affiliates counterparty to a Swap Contract or documentation governing any Cash Management Product (including any Person who is an Agent or a Lender (and any Affiliate thereof) as of the Closing Date but subsequently, whether before or after entering into a Swap Contract or documentation governing any Cash Management Product, ceases to be an Agent or a Lender, as the case may be).

Letter of Credit ” means any commercial or standby letter of credit issued or to be issued by an Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 2.04(a)(i) of this Agreement.

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means the lesser of (a) $20,000,000 and (b) the aggregate unused amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

Letter of Credit Usage ” means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding, and (ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by an Issuing Bank and not theretofore reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower.

Leverage Ratio ” means the ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter of (i) Consolidated Total Debt (net of Unrestricted Cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000) as of such day to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the four-Fiscal-Quarter period most recently ended for which financial statements have been (or were required to have been) delivered.

LIBO Rate ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Adjusted Eurodollar Rate”.

Lien ” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease or license in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing.

 

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Limited Conditionality Transaction ” means (i) any Permitted Acquisition or other permitted Investment by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries the consummation of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing and (ii) the incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith.

Loan ” means a Term Loan, a Revolving Loan and a Swing Line Loan.

Loan Document ” means any of this Agreement, the Notes, if any, the Security Documents, any documents or certificates executed by the Borrower in favor of any Issuing Bank relating to Letters of Credit, and all other documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered by a Loan Party for the benefit of any Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection herewith on or after the Closing Date, including without limitation any other amendment to this Agreement (other than any such document, instrument or agreements that have been terminated).

Loan Party ” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

Managing Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Margin Stock ” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

Material Adverse Effect ” means any event circumstance or condition that has caused or could reasonably be expected to cause a material adverse change with respect to (i) the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their payment obligations under the Loan Documents; or (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and any Lender under any Loan Document.

Material Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) of any one or more of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an individual principal amount (or Net Mark-to-Market Exposure) of $50,000,000 or more.

Material Real Estate Asset ” means any fee-owned Real Estate Asset having a fair market value in excess of $10,000,000 as of the date of the acquisition thereof.

Material Subsidiary ” means each Subsidiary that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Merger 1 ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Merger 2 ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Merger Sub 1 ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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Merger Sub 2 ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Mergers ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

Mortgage ” means a mortgage, deed of trust or similar instrument, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Borrower, as it may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, which shall be recorded against, and create a First Priority Lien in favor of Collateral Agent with respect to each Closing Date Mortgaged Property and each Mortgaged Property subsequently acquired by a Loan Party.

Mortgaged Property ” means (i) the Closing Date Mortgaged Property and (ii) any subsequently acquired Material Real Estate Asset contemplated by Section 5.11(a).

Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

NAIC ” means The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and any successor thereto.

Net Cash Proceeds ” means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) Cash payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (1) income or gains taxes payable by the seller as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale, (2) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that, in the case of a Loan Party, is secured by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale or for any other liabilities retained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries associated with such Asset Sale, (4) bona fide selling fees, costs, commissions and expenses (including reasonable brokers’ fees or commissions, legal, accounting and other professional and transactional fees, transfer and similar taxes) and (5) the Borrower’s good faith estimate of payments required to be made with respect to unassumed liabilities relating to the properties sold within 180 days of such Asset Sale; provided that, to the extent such Cash proceeds are not used to make payments in respect of such unassumed liabilities within 180 days of such Asset Sale, such Cash proceeds shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; (b) (i) any Cash payments or proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $15,000,000 (1) under any casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss thereunder or (2) as a result of the taking of any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (1) any actual and reasonable

 

40


costs incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the collection, adjustment or settlement of any claims of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in respect thereof, and (2) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in preceding clause (i)(2), including income taxes paid or payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of assets for transfer upon a taking or condemnation; and (c) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness, the Cash proceeds thereof, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

Net Mark-to-Market Exposure ” of a Person means, as of any date of determination, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from Swap Contracts or other Indebtedness of the type described in clause (xi) of the definition thereof. As used in this definition, “unrealized losses” means the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing such Swap Contract or such other Indebtedness as of the date of determination (assuming the Swap Contract or such other Indebtedness were to be terminated as of that date), and “unrealized profits” means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Swap Contract or such other Indebtedness as of the date of determination (assuming such Swap Contract or such other Indebtedness were to be terminated as of that date).

New Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

New Refinancing Term Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Non-Consenting Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23.

Non-Public Information ” means information which has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD.

Non-U.S. Lender ” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

Note ” means an Initial Term Loan Note, a Revolving Loan Note or a Swing Line Note.

Notice ” means a Borrowing Notice, an Issuance Notice, or a Conversion/ Continuation Notice.

Obligations ” means all obligations of every nature of each Loan Party, including obligations from time to time owed to Agents (including former Agents), the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, Lenders or any of them and Lender Counterparties, under any Loan Document, Hedge Agreement or Cash Management Products, whether for principal, interest (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such Loan Party, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such Loan Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments for early termination of Hedge Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

Obligee Guarantor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.07.

 

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OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

Offer ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c)(i).

Offer Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c)(i).

OID ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “All-In Yield”.

Optional Prepayment Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(a)(ii).

Organizational Documents ” means with respect to any Person all formation, organizational and governing documents, instruments and agreements, including (i) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization and its by-laws, (ii) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership and its partnership agreement, (iii) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement and (iv) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization and its operating agreement. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Loan Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

Other Taxes ” means any and all present or future stamp, transfer or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies (and interest, fines, penalties and additions related thereto) arising directly or indirectly from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including any such Taxes directly or indirectly imposed on or with respect to any reserve, deposit, insurance or other similar requirement that, as a result of a Change in Law, applies or is otherwise related to the Loan, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Parent ” means SCR-Sibelco N.V.

Parent Intercompany Note ” that certain intercompany note dated May 29, 2018 between Parent and Unimin Corporation.

Participant ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(g)(i).

Participant Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(g)(iv).

PATRIOT Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(l).

Payment in Full ” or “ Paid in Full ” means the payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent obligations not yet due and payable) and cancellation, expiration or cash collateralization of all Letters of Credit (in a manner and in an amount acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank) and termination of all Commitments to lend under this Agreement.

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

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Pension Plan ” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 or Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 or Section 303 of ERISA.

Perfection Certificate ” means a certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that provides information with respect to the personal or mixed property of each Loan Party.

Permitted Acquisition ” means any acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the Equity Interests of, or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided , that:

(i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

(ii) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;

(iii) in the case of the acquisition of Equity Interests, the acquisition of such Equity Interests shall result in the applicable Person becoming a Subsidiary;

(iv) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 6.12; and

(v) after giving effect to such acquisition as of the last date of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall, pro forma for such acquisition, have a Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) not exceeding the then applicable Leverage Ratio level set forth in Section 6.07 minus 0.50:1.00; and

(vi) such Permitted Acquisitions (together with the aggregate amount of (x) any Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party pursuant to Section 6.06(c) and (y) any Investments pursuant to Section 6.06(e)(ii)) of Subsidiaries other than Guarantors shall not exceed at any time an aggregate amount equal to the greater of $250,000,000 and 7.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

Permitted Investors ” SCR-Sibelco N.V. and its Controlled Affiliates.

Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(i).

Permitted Liens ” means each of the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02.

Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(i).

 

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Permitted Receivables Documents ” shall mean all documents and agreements evidencing, relating to or otherwise governing a Permitted Receivables Financing.

Permitted Receivables Financing ” shall mean one or more transactions by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to one or more Special Purpose Receivables Subsidiaries or to any other Person, or may grant a security interest in, any Receivables Assets (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, and any assets related thereto including all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in each case in respect of such Receivables Assets, the proceeds of such Receivables Assets and other assets which, in each case, are customarily transferred, or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted, in connection with sales, factoring or securitizations involving Receivables Assets; provided that (a) recourse in connection with such transactions shall be limited to the extent customary for similar transactions (and in any event without any guarantee by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Special Purpose Receivables Subsidiary)) and (b) the aggregate Receivables Net Investment shall not exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 2.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.

Permitted Refinancing ” means, with respect to any    Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided, that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder; (b) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended (except by virtue of amortization of or prepayment of Indebtedness prior to such date of determination); (c) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended; (d) the original obligors in respect of such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended remain the only obligors thereon; (e) if the Indebtedness being refinanced was (or was required to be) subject to an intercreditor agreement, the holders of such Permitted Refinancing (if such Indebtedness is secured) or their authorized representative on their behalf, shall become party to an equivalent intercreditor agreement; and (f) the terms and conditions of any such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable (as determined in good faith by an Authorized Officer) to the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended.

Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(i).

 

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Person ” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

Plan Asset Regulation ” means the regulations issued by the United States Department of Labor at Section 2510.3-101 of Part 2510 of Chapter XXV, Title 29 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(k).

Pledge and Security Agreement ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement entered into by the Borrower and each Guarantor on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

PNC ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Post-Transaction Period ” means, with respect to any Specified Transaction, the period beginning on the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated and ending on the last day of the eighth full consecutive fiscal quarter of the Borrower immediately following the date on which such Specified Transaction is consummated. “ Prime Rate ” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent).

Principal Office ” means, for each of the Administrative Agent, each Swing Line Lender and each Issuing Bank, such Person’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Schedule 1.01(d) , or such other office or office of a third party or sub-agent, as appropriate, as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender.

Pro Forma Adjustment ” means, for any Test Period, any adjustment to Consolidated EBITDA made in accordance with clause (h) of the definition of that term.

Pro Forma Basis ,” “ Pro Forma Compliance ” and “ Pro Forma Effect ” means, with respect to compliance with any test, financial ratio or covenant hereunder required by the terms of this Agreement to be made on a Pro Forma Basis, that (a) to the extent applicable, the Pro Forma Adjustment shall have been made and (b) all Specified Transactions and the following transactions in connection therewith that have been made during the applicable period of measurement or subsequent to such period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation is made shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test, financial ratio or covenant: (i) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (A) in the case of a Disposition of all or substantially all Equity Interests in any subsidiary of the Borrower or any division, product line, or facility used for operations of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, shall be excluded, and (B) in the case of a Permitted

 

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Acquisition or Investment described in the definition of “Specified Transaction,” shall be included, (ii) any retirement of Indebtedness and (iii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries in connection therewith (but without giving effect to any simultaneous incurrence of any Indebtedness pursuant to any fixed dollar basket or Consolidated EBITDA grower basket) and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided that, without limiting the application of the Pro Forma Adjustment pursuant to clause (a) above, the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such test, financial ratio or covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments are consistent with the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” (and subject to the provisions set forth in clause (h) thereof) and give effect to events (including cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies) that are (i) (x) directly attributable to such transaction, (y) expected to have a continuing impact on the Borrower and any of the Subsidiaries and (z) factually supportable or (ii) otherwise consistent with the definition of “Pro Forma Adjustment.” Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, the above calculations shall be based on the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b).

Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment ” means, for any four-quarter period that includes all or a portion of a fiscal quarter included in any Post-Transaction Period with respect to any Sold Entity or Business, the pro forma increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Borrower in good faith as a result of contractual arrangements between the Borrower or any Subsidiary entered into with such Sold Entity or Business at the time of its disposal or within the Post-Transaction Period and which represent an increase or decrease in Consolidated EBITDA which is incremental to the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business for the most recent four quarter period prior to its disposal.

Pro Forma Entity ” means any Acquired Entity or Business or any Converted Restricted Subsidiary.

Pro Rata Share ” means (i) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Initial Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Initial Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (b) the aggregate Initial Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders, (ii) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Revolving Commitment or Revolving Loans of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations purchased therein by any Lender or any participations in any Swing Line Loans purchased by any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Revolving Exposure of that Lender by (b) the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders, (iii) with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Extended Term Loans of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Extended Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (b) the aggregate Extended Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders. and (iv) with respect to all payments, computations, and other matters relating to Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Term Loans of a particular Series, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Incremental Term Loan Exposure of that Lender with respect to that Series by (b) the aggregate Incremental Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders with respect to that Series. For all other purposes with respect to each Lender, “Pro Rata Share” means the percentage obtained by dividing (A) an amount equal to the sum of the Initial Term Loan Exposure, Extended Term Loan Exposure, the Revolving Exposure and the Incremental Term Loan Exposure of that

 

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Lender, by (B) an amount equal to the sum of the aggregate Initial Term Loan Exposure, Extended Term Loan Exposure the aggregate Revolving Exposure and the aggregate Incremental Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

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 Company Costs ” means, as to any Person, costs associated with, or in anticipation of, or preparation for, compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith and costs relating to compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act or any other comparable body of laws, rules or regulations, as companies with listed equity, directors’ compensation, fees and expense reimbursement, costs relating to investor relations, shareholder meetings and reports to shareholders, directors’ and officers’ insurance, listing fees, other executive costs, legal and other professional fees and other expenses arising out of or incidental to an entity’s status as a reporting company.

Real Estate Asset ” means, at any time of determination, any interest then owned in fee by any Loan Party in any real property.

Receivables Assets ” shall mean accounts receivable (including bills of exchange) and related assets and property from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Receivables Net Investment ” means the aggregate cash amount paid by the lenders or purchasers under any Permitted Receivables Financing in connection with their purchase of, or the making of loans secured by, Receivables Assets or interests therein, as the same may be reduced from time to time by collections with respect to such Receivables Assets or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Permitted Receivables Documents; provided , however , that, if all or any part of such Receivables Net Investment shall have been reduced by application of any distribution and thereafter such distribution is rescinded or must otherwise be returned for any reason, such Receivables Net Investment shall be increased by the amount of such distribution, all as though such distribution had not been made.

Recipient ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender or (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Refinanced Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Refinanced Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(i).

Refinancing Amendment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(f).

Refinancing Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Refinancing Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).“ Refinancing Equivalent Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(i).

 

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Refinancing Facility Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(d).

Refinancing Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(c).

Refinancing Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(b).

Refinancing Loan Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Refinancing Revolving Credit Facility ” means the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder.

Refinancing Revolving Credit Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(c).

Refinancing Revolving Credit Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(b).

Refinancing Term Commitments ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a).

Refinancing Term Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(c).

Refinancing Term Loan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(b).

Refunded Swing Line Loans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b)(iv).

Register ” means the Revolving Commitment Register or the Term Loan Register, as applicable.

Regulation D ” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors, as in effect from time to time.

Regulation FD ” means Regulation FD as promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and Exchange Act.

Regulation U ” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors, as in effect from time to time.

Reimbursement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(d).

Related Fund ” means, with respect to any Lender that is an investment fund, any other investment fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

Release ” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of any Hazardous Material into the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

 

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Replacement Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23.

Reportable Compliance Event ” shall mean that any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is charged by indictment, criminal complaint or similar charging instrument, arraigned, or custodially detained in connection with any Sanctions Law.

Repricing Transaction ” means (a) any prepayment or repayment of Initial Term Loans with the proceeds of a concurrent incurrence of Indebtedness by the Borrower in the form of any long-term bank debt financing or any other financing similar to such Initial Term Loans in respect of which the All-In Yield is, on the date of such prepayment, lower than the All-In Yield on such Initial Term Loans (calculated in accordance with standard market practice, taking into account, in each case, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate floor in the definition of such term herein and any interest rate floor applicable to such financing, if applicable on such date, the Applicable Margin hereunder and the interest rate spreads under such Indebtedness, and any original issue discount and upfront fees applicable to or payable in respect of such Term Loans and such Indebtedness (but excluding arrangement, structuring, underwriting, commitment, amendment or other fees regardless of whether paid in whole or in part to any or all lenders of such Indebtedness and any other fees that are not paid generally to all lenders of such Indebtedness)) or (b) any amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification to this Agreement, the primary purpose of which is to reduce the All-In Yield applicable to the Initial Term Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that any such financing transaction consummated in connection with a Transformative Acquisition or Change of Control will not in any event constitute a Repricing Transaction. For purposes of this definition, original issue discount and upfront fees shall be equated to interest based on an assumed four-year life to maturity (or, if less, the actual life to maturity).

Required Lenders ” means one or more Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having or holding Initial Term Loan Exposure, Extended Term Loan Exposure, Incremental Term Loan Exposure and/or Revolving Exposure and representing more than 50.0% of the sum of (i) the aggregate Initial Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), (ii) the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders), (iii) the aggregate Extended Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) and (iv) the aggregate Incremental Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders).

Required Revolving Lenders ” means one or more Lenders having or holding Revolving Exposure representing more than 50.0% of the aggregate Revolving Exposure of all Lenders.

Restricted Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(h).

Restricted Junior Payment ” means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of stock to the holders of that class; (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value,

 

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direct or indirect, of any shares of any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) now or hereafter outstanding; (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) now or hereafter outstanding and (iv) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness.

Revolving Commitment ” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund any Revolving Loan and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans hereunder and “Revolving Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, if any, is set forth on Schedule 1.01(c ) or in the applicable Assignment Agreement or Joinder Agreement, as applicable, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments as of the Closing Date is $200,000,000.

Revolving Commitment Period ” means the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

Revolving Commitment Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(b).

Revolving Commitment Termination Date ” means the earliest to occur of (i) the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, (ii) the date the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.13(b) or 2.14 and (iii) the date of the termination of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 8.01.

Revolving Credit Facility ” means the Revolving Commitment and the extensions of credit made thereunder.

Revolving Exposure ” means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of determination, (i) prior to the termination of the Revolving Commitments, that Lender’s Revolving Commitment; and (ii) after the termination of the Revolving Commitments, the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender, (b) in the case of an Issuing Bank, the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (net of any participations by Lenders in such Letters of Credit), (c) the aggregate amount of all participations by that Lender in any outstanding Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawing under any Letter of Credit, (d) in the case of the Swing Line Lender, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (net of any participations therein by other Lenders), and (e) the aggregate amount of all participations therein by that Lender in any outstanding Swing Line Loans.

Revolving Lender ” means a Lender having a Revolving Commitment.

Revolving Loan ” means Loans made by a Lender in respect of its Revolving Commitment to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02(a)(i) and/or Section 2.24.

 

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Revolving Loan Note ” means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B- 2, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC.

Sanctioned Country ” shall mean any country or territory subject to a general export, import, financial or investment embargo under any Sanctions Law.

Sanctioned Person ” shall mean any individual person, group, regime, entity or vessel (i) designated on an OFAC list of designated persons, including the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, the Consolidated List of Persons, Groups and Entities Subject to EU Financial Sanctions, or the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by Her Majesty’s Treasury, (ii) that is, or is part of, a government of a Sanctioned Country, (iii) owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf of, any of the foregoing, (iv) located within or operating from a Sanctioned Country, or (v) otherwise targeted under any Sanctions Law.

Sanctions Law ” shall mean any economic or financial sanctions, anti-money laundering laws, terrorism laws or export controls administered by OFAC, the US State Department, any other agency of the US government, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, the European Union, or any member state thereof, Canada and Mexico.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor Governmental Authority performing a similar function.

Secured Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Secured Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Securities ” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Security Documents ” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, and all other instruments, documents and agreements delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any assets or property of that Loan Party as security for the Obligations, including UCC financing statements and amendments thereto and filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office.

 

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Senior Notes ” means Unimin Corporation’s 5.48% Senior Notes, Series D, due December 16, 2019 in the principal amount of $100,000,000.

Series ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24.

Silfin Credit Facility ” means the loan agreement dated as of February 1, 2017 between Unimin Corporation and Silfin NV.

Silfin Overdraft Facility ” means the overdraft credit facility dated as of July 2016 between Unimin Corporation and Silfin NV.

Silfin Term Loan ” means the term loan agreement dated as of July 25, 2014 between Unimin Corporation and Silfin NV.

Sold Entity or Business ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”

Solvency Certificate ” means a Solvency Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2.

Solvent ” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, that as of the date of determination, both (i) (a) the sum of the debt (including contingent liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis does not exceed the present fair saleable value of the present assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, which for this purpose shall include rights of contribution in respect of obligations for which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries has provided a guarantee; (b) the capital of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on the Closing Date or with respect to any transaction contemplated to be undertaken after the Closing Date; and (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole have not incurred and do not intend to incur, or believe (nor should they reasonably believe) that they will incur, debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as they become due at maturity; and (ii) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under the Bankruptcy Code and applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, 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).

Sophisticated Investor Letter ” means a letter from a Lender acknowledging that (1) an assignee may have Excluded Information, (2) the Excluded Information may not be available to such Lender, (3) such Lender has independently and without reliance on any other party made its own analysis and determined to assign Loans to such assignee pursuant to Section 10.06(c)(iv) notwithstanding its lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information and (4) such Lender waives and releases any claims it may have against the Administrative Agent, such assignee, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries of the Borrower with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information; or otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such assignee, the Administrative Agent and assigning Lender.

 

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Special Purpose Receivables Subsidiary ” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower established in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing for the acquisition of Receivables Assets or interests therein, and which is organized in a manner intended to reduce the likelihood that it would be substantively consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Special Purpose Receivables Subsidiaries) in the event the Borrower or any such Subsidiary becomes subject to a proceeding under any debtor relief law.

Specified Equity Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(a).

Specified Merger Agreement Representations ” mean the representations and warranties made by the Target with respect to the Target in the Merger Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the Borrower and/or its subsidiaries has the right to terminate its obligations under the Merger Agreement or decline to consummate the Merger as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement.

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.01(a), 4.01(b), 4.03, 4.04(a)(ii), 4.06, 4.15, 4.16, 4.19, 4.22 and 4.23 and Sections 5.4(a) and 5.4(b) of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Specified Transaction ” means, with respect to any period, any Investment, Permitted Acquisition, Disposition, incurrence, assumption or repayment of Indebtedness (including the incurrence of Incremental Facilities), Restricted Junior Payment, designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary or other event that by the terms of this Agreement requires “Pro Forma Compliance” with a test or covenant hereunder or requires such test or covenant to be calculated on a “Pro Forma Basis”.

Stated Maturity Date ” means with respect to the Initial Term Loans, June 1, 2025, with respect to the Revolving Loans, June 1, 2023, and with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, the date specified in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Subordinated Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated in right of payment to any of the Obligations.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided , that in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding; provided further , that Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to be Subsidiaries of the Borrower for any purpose of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

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Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement, in each case for the purpose of hedging the foreign currency, interest rate or commodity risk associated with the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes.

Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap Contract that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swing Line Lender ” means Barclays, in its capacity as the Swing Line Lender hereunder, together with its permitted successors and assigns in such capacity.

Swing Line Loan ” means a Loan made by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03.

Swing Line Note ” means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Swing Line Sublimit ” means the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate unused amount of Revolving Commitments then in effect.

Target ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Target Material Adverse Effect ” means any fact, circumstance, effect, change, event or development (each, an “ Effect ”) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, materially adversely affect the business, properties, financial condition or results of operations of the Target and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole, respectively, excluding any Effect to the extent that it results from or arises out of (A) general economic or political conditions or securities, credit, financial or other capital markets conditions, in each case in the United States or any foreign jurisdiction, (B) any failure, in and of itself, by the Target to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts, estimates or predictions in respect of revenues, earnings or other financial or operating metrics for any period (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Target Material Adverse Effect, unless otherwise excluded in this definition), (C) any change, in and of itself, in the market price or trading volume of the Target’s securities (it being understood that the facts or occurrences

 

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giving rise to or contributing to such change may be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Target Material Adverse Effect, unless otherwise excluded in this definition), (D) any change in GAAP or IFRS (or authoritative interpretation thereof), (E) geopolitical conditions, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities, any acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage or terrorism threatened or underway as of the date hereof, (F) any hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster, or (G) any action expressly required by Section 6.5 of the Merger Agreement, except in the case of clauses (A), (D), (E), (F) and (G) to the extent any such Effect affects the Target and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in a materially disproportionate manner as compared to other companies that participate in the businesses that the Target and its Subsidiaries, operate, but, in such event, only the incremental disproportionate impact of any such Effect shall be taken into account in determining whether a Target Material Adverse Effect has occurred.

Tax ” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction or withholding (and interest, fines, penalties and additions related thereto) of any nature and whatever called, by any Governmental Authority, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed. “ Term Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c)(i).

Term Loan ” means an Initial Term Loan, any Extended Term Loan and any Incremental Term Loan.

Term Loan Commitment ” means the Initial Term Loan Commitment or any Incremental Term Loan Commitment of a Lender, and “ Term Loan Commitments ” means such commitments of all Lenders.

Term Loan Maturity Date ” means the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and, if such Incremental Term Loans constitute a separate Series of Loans, the Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date of such Series of Incremental Term Loans.

Term Loan Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(b).

Terminated Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23.

Test Period ” means, at any time, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended (in each case taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b).

Title Company ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(b)(iii).

Title Policy ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(b)(iii).

Total Assets ” means, as of any date, the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), determined on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

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Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments ” means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans (other than Revolving Loans made for the purposes of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans or reimbursing the applicable Issuing Bank for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, but not yet so applied), (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swing Line Loans and (iii) the Letter of Credit Usage.

Transaction Costs ” means the fees, costs and expenses payable by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on or before the Closing Date in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Acquisition Documents.

Transactions ” means (i) the borrowing of the Initial Term Loans and the Revolving Loans and obtaining the Revolving Commitments on the Closing Date, (ii) the Mergers, (iii) the Existing Indebtedness Refinancing and (iv) the payment of the Transaction Costs.

Transformative Acquisition ” means any acquisition of a majority of the Equity Interests of another Person or of a business unit, division or line of business from any other Person which is not permitted hereunder or, with respect to which and after giving effect thereto, the Borrower would not (in its good faith judgment) have sufficient flexibility to operate under the covenants in this Agreement.

Type of Loan ” means (i) with respect to either Term Loans or Revolving Loans, a Base Rate Loan, or a Eurodollar Rate Loan and (ii) with respect to Swing Line Loans, a Base Rate Loan.

UCC ” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

U.S. Lender ” means any Lender that is a U.S. Person.

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

Unrestricted Cash ” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are not “restricted” for purposes of GAAP.

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.11 subsequent to the Closing Date and (b) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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Wells ” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than (x) directors’ qualifying shares and (y) shares issued to foreign nationals to the extent required by applicable law) are owned by such Person directly and/or through other wholly-owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Withholding Agent ” means the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be).

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

Section 1.02     Accounting Terms; Capital and Operating Leases; Pro Forma Calculations; Limited Conditionality Transaction . (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time; provided that (i) if the Borrower, by notice to the Administrative Agent, shall request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, shall 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 (ii) notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to (A) any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities), or any successor thereto (including pursuant to the Accounting Standards Codification), to value any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (B) any treatment of Indebtedness relating to convertible or equity-linked securities under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) requiring the valuation of any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

(b)    Notwithstanding any change in GAAP after the Closing Date that would require obligations that would be classified and accounted for as an operating lease (including, without limitation, any railcar operating leases) under GAAP as existing on the Closing Date to be classified and accounted for as Capital Leases or otherwise reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, such obligations shall continue to be treated as operating leases for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of determining compliance with any test contained in this Agreement (including under Section 6.07), the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis to give effect to all Specified Transactions (including the Transactions) that have been made during the applicable period of measurement or subsequent to such period and prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation is made.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein (including in connection with any calculation made on a Pro Forma Basis), to the extent that the terms of this Agreement require (i) compliance with any financial ratio or test, (ii) accuracy of any representations or warranties or (iii) the absence of a Default or Event of Default (or any type of Default or Event of Default), in each case, as a condition to the consummation of any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the determination of whether the relevant condition is satisfied may be made, at the election of the Borrower, either (i) at the time of the execution of the definitive documentation with respect to the relevant Acquisition or other Investment (such election, an “ LCA Election ”) or (ii) at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment, in each case, after giving effect to such Acquisition or Investment or incurrence of indebtedness and any related indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis (it being understood that, following an LCA Election, in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio or basket availability on or following such date of execution of such definitive documentation and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Acquisition or Investment is consummated or such definitive documentation is terminated or expires without consummation of such Acquisition or Investment, any such ratio or basket shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis assuming such Acquisition or Investment (and other transactions in connection therewith, including any incurrence of indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) has been consummated).

Section 1.03     Interpretation, Etc. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Article, Section, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to an Article, a Section, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”; and the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. The terms lease and license shall include sub-lease and sub-license, as applicable. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or therein, any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to any agreement, document or instrument shall mean such agreement, document or instrument as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, in each case, in accordance with the

 

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express terms of this Agreement or such Loan Document. For purposes of determining compliance at any time with Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.04, 6.06, 6.08 and 6.11, in the event that any Indebtedness, Lien, Restricted Junior Payment, Investment, Disposition or Affiliate transaction, as applicable, meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of transactions or items permitted pursuant to any clause of such Sections 6.01 (other than Sections 6.01(a) and (c)), 6.02 (other than Section 6.02(a) and (c)), 6.04, 6.06, 6.08 and 6.11, respectively, the Borrower, in its sole discretion, may, from time to time, classify or reclassify such transaction or item (or portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such transaction (or portion thereof) in any one category as so classified of each applicable covenant. It is understood and agreed that any Indebtedness, Lien, Restricted Junior Payment, Investment, Disposition or Affiliate transaction need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Indebtedness, Lien, Restricted Junior Payment, Investment, Disposition or Affiliate transaction under Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.04, 6.06, 6.08 and 6.11, respectively, but may instead be permitted in part under any combination thereof (it being understood that compliance with each such section is separately required).

ARTICLE II

LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

Section 2.01     Term Loans . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make, on the Closing Date, a term loan (each, an “ Initial Term Loan ”) to the Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment.

The Borrower may make only one borrowing under the Initial Term Loan Commitments, which shall be on the Closing Date. Any amount borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. Subject to Sections 2.13(a) and 2.14, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Initial Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date. Each Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Closing Date after giving effect to the funding of such Initial Term Loan Commitment on such date.

(b)     Borrowing Mechanics for Term Loans . Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, each Lender with an Initial Term Loan Commitment shall make its Initial Term Loan available to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the Principal Office designated by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Initial Term Loans available to the Borrower on the Closing Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by the Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited to the account of the Borrower at the Principal Office designated by the Administrative Agent or to such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

 

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Section 2.02     Revolving Loans .

(a) Revolving Commitments .

(i)     Revolving Commitments . During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate amount up to but not exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any Revolving Loans in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.02(a)(i) may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Commitment Period. Each Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and all Revolving Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Commitments shall be paid in full no later than such date.

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Revolving Loans .

(i)    Except pursuant to 2.04(d), Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount, Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount. Whenever the Borrower desires that Lenders make Revolving Loans to it, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Borrowing Notice no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) (x) at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed Credit Date in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan or (y) one (1) Business Day in advance of the proposed Credit Date in the case of a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Borrowing Notice for a Revolving Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the Borrower shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith.

(ii)    Notice of receipt of each Borrowing Notice in respect of Revolving Loans, together with the amount of each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof, if any, together with the applicable interest rate, shall be provided by the Administrative Agent to each applicable Lender by electronic transmission with reasonable promptness on the same day as the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such Borrowing Notice from the Borrower.

(iii)    Each Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Loan available to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Credit Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars, at the applicable Principal Office designated by the Administrative Agent. Except as provided herein, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Revolving Loans available to the Borrower on the applicable Credit Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Revolving Loans received by the Administrative Agent from Lenders to be credited to the account of Borrower at the Principal Office designated by Administrative Agent or such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

 

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Section 2.03     Swing Line Loans .

(a)     Swing Line Loans Commitments . During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender hereby agrees to make Swing Line Loans to the Borrower in Dollars in the aggregate amount up to but not exceeding the Swing Line Sublimit; provided , that after giving effect to the making of any Swing Line Loan, in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.03(a) may be repaid and reborrowed during the Revolving Commitment Period. The Swing Line Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date and all Swing Line Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Swing Line Loans shall be paid in full on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

(b) Borrowing Mechanics for Swing Line Loans .

(i)    Swing Line Loans shall be made in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii)    Whenever the Borrower desires that the Swing Line Lender make a Swing Line Loan, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a Borrowing Notice no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the proposed Credit Date.

(iii)    The Swing Line Lender shall make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Credit Date by wire transfer of same day funds in Dollars at the Administrative Agent’s Principal Office. Except as provided herein, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified herein, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swing Line Loans available to the Borrower promptly upon receipt from such Swing Line Lender on the applicable Credit Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Swing Line Loans received by the Administrative Agent from such Swing Line Lender to be credited to the account of the Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s applicable Principal Office, or to such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

(iv)    With respect to any Swing Line Loans which have not been voluntarily prepaid by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.13(a) or repaid pursuant to Section 2.03(a) above, the Swing Line Lender may at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, deliver to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower), no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least one (1) Business Day in advance of the proposed Credit Date, a notice (which shall be deemed to be a Borrowing Notice given by the Borrower) requesting that with regard to any Swing Line Loan outstanding on such date, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans to the Borrower on such Credit Date in an amount equal to the amount of such Swing Line Loans (the “ Refunded Swing Line Loans ”) in order to repay such outstanding Swing Line Loans. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (1) the proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by the Lenders other than the Swing Line Lender shall be immediately delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Swing Line Lender (and not to the Borrower) and applied to repay a corresponding

 

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portion of the applicable Refunded Swing Line Loans and (2) on the day such Revolving Loans are made, the Swing Line Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Refunded Swing Line Loans shall be deemed to be paid with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan made by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower, and such portion of the Swing Line Loans deemed to be so paid shall no longer be outstanding as Swing Line Loans and shall no longer be due under the Swing Line Note of the Swing Line Lender but shall instead constitute part of the Swing Line Lender’s outstanding Revolving Loans to the Borrower and shall be due under the applicable Revolving Loan Note issued by the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender. If any portion of any such amount paid (or deemed to be paid) to the Swing Line Lender should be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swing Line Lender in bankruptcy, by assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all Lenders in the manner contemplated by Section 2.17.

(v)    If for any reason Revolving Loans are not made pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(iv) in an amount sufficient to repay any amounts owed to the Swing Line Lender in respect of any outstanding Swing Line Loans on or before the third Business Day after demand for payment thereof by the Swing Line Lender, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have purchased a participation in any outstanding Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the applicable unpaid amount together with accrued interest thereon. Upon one (1) Business Day’s notice from the Swing Line Lender, each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment shall deliver to such Swing Line Lender an amount equal to its respective participation in the applicable unpaid amount in same day funds at the Principal Office of such Swing Line Lender. In the event any Lender holding such a Revolving Commitment fails to make available to the Swing Line Lender the amount of such Lender’s participation as provided in this paragraph, such Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for three (3) Business Days at the rate customarily used by such Swing Line Lender for the correction of errors among banks and thereafter at the Base Rate.

(vi)    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (1) each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans for the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(iv) and each Lender’s obligation to purchase a participation in any unpaid Swing Line Loans pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, any Loan Party or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default; (C) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of any Loan Party; (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto; or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , that such obligations of each Lender are subject to the condition that the Swing Line Lender had not received prior notice from the Borrower or the Required Lenders that any of the conditions under Section 3.02 to the making of the applicable Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans were not satisfied at the

 

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time such Refunded Swing Line Loans or unpaid Swing Line Loans were made; and (2) the Swing Line Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swing Line Loans (A) if it has elected not to do so after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default, (B) it does not in good faith believe that all conditions under Section 3.02 to the making of such Swing Line Loan have been satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders or (C) at a time when any Lender is a Defaulting Revolving Lender, unless such Swing Line Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrower to eliminate such Swing Line Lender’s risk with respect to the Defaulting Revolving Lender’s participation in such Swing Line Loan, including by the Borrower cash collateralizing such Defaulting Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Swing Line Loans.

Section 2.04     Issuance of Letters of Credit and Purchase of Participations Therein .

(a) Letters of Credit .

(i)    During the Revolving Commitment Period, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower (and, so long as the Borrower is the primary obligor, for the account of the Borrower on behalf of any of its Subsidiaries) in the aggregate amount up to but not exceeding the Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided , that (1) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars; (2) the stated amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $250,000 or such lesser amount as is acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank; (3) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect; (4) after giving effect to such issuance, in no event shall the Letter of Credit Usage exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect; (5) unless otherwise agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank, in no event shall any standby Letter of Credit have an expiration date later than the earlier of (x) 12 months after its date of issuance and (y) the fifth Business Day prior to the final maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that any letter of credit having a 12-month tenor may provide for the renewal of such letter of credit for additional 12-month periods (which shall, in no event, extend beyond the date referred to in clause 5(y) of this paragraph); and (6) unless otherwise agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank, in no event shall any commercial Letter of Credit (x) have an expiration date later than the earlier of (1) 12 months after its date of issuance and (2) the fifth Business Day prior to the final maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that any Letter of Credit having a 12-month tenor may provide for the renewal of such Letter of Credit for additional 12-month periods (which shall, in no event, extend beyond the date referred to in clause 6(x)(2) of this paragraph) or (y) be issued if such commercial Letter of Credit is otherwise unacceptable to the Issuing Bank in its reasonable discretion. Except as expressly provided in Section 2.04(d) with respect to same day reimbursement of any draft on any Letter of Credit, the amount of the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations under Section 2.04(d) for any amounts paid by the Issuing Bank in connection with any such Letter of Credit, shall be determined on the date of reimbursement pursuant to Section 2.04(d).

 

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(ii)    Subject to the foregoing, each Issuing Bank may agree that a standby Letter of Credit shall automatically be extended for one or more successive periods not to exceed one year each, unless such Issuing Bank elects not to extend for any such additional period; provided , that such Issuing Bank shall not extend any such Letter of Credit if it has received written notice that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time such Issuing Bank must elect to allow such extension; provided , further , that at any time when any Lender is a Defaulting Revolving Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, renew or extend any Letter of Credit unless such Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it and the Borrower to eliminate such Issuing Bank’s risk with respect to the participation in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Revolving Lender, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage.

(iii)    No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A)    any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Bank any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or

(B)    the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Bank now or hereafter in effect and applicable to letters of credit generally.

(b)     Notice of Issuance . Whenever the Borrower desires the issuance of a Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Issuance Notice (together with a completed application for Letter of Credit executed by the Borrower in such form as the applicable Issuing Bank may specify) no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three (3) Business Days, or in each case such shorter period as may be agreed to by the applicable Issuing Bank in any particular instance, in advance of the proposed date of issuance. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.02, the applicable Issuing Bank shall issue the requested Letter of Credit only in accordance with such Issuing Bank’s standard operating procedures. Upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender with an applicable Revolving Commitment of such issuance, amendment or modification which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment or modification to a Letter of Credit and the amount of such Lender’s respective participation in such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.04(e).

 

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(c)     Responsibility of the Issuing Bank With Respect to Requests for Drawings and Payments . In determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the applicable Issuing Bank shall be responsible only to examine the documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. As between the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit issued by the applicable Issuing Bank by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit; provided that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the applicable Issuing Bank shall not be responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank, including any Governmental Acts; none of the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of the Issuing Bank’s rights or powers hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing and in furtherance thereof, no action taken or omitted by an Issuing Bank under or in connection with the Letters of Credit or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good faith and in the absence of gross negligence and willful misconduct (as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), shall give rise to any liability on the part of such Issuing Bank to the Borrower.

(d)     Reimbursement by the Borrower of Amounts Drawn or Paid Under Letters of Credit . In the event an Issuing Bank has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit, it shall immediately notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Bank not later than one Business Day after such drawing is honored (the “ Reimbursement Date ”) in an amount in Dollars and in same day funds equal to the amount of such honored drawing;); provided , that anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date such drawing is honored that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing with funds other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have given a timely Borrowing Notice to the Administrative Agent requesting or (x) with respect to any Letter

 

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of Credit, that Lenders with Revolving Commitments to make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an amount in Dollars equal to the amount of such honored drawing and (ii) subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in Section 3.02, such Lenders with Revolving Commitments shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make such Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans, as applicable, in the amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank for the amount of such honored drawing; provided , further , that if for any reason proceeds of Revolving Loans are not received by such Issuing Bank on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of such honored drawing, the Borrower shall reimburse such Issuing Bank, on demand, in an amount in same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received. Nothing in this Section 2.04 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender with a Revolving Commitment from its obligation to make Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set forth herein, and the Borrower shall retain any and all rights it may have against any such Lender resulting from the failure of such Lender to make such Revolving Loans under this Section 2.04(d).

(e)     Lenders’ Purchase of Participations in Letters of Credit . Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender having a Revolving Commitment shall be deemed to have purchased, and hereby agrees to irrevocably purchase, from the applicable Issuing Bank a participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (with respect to the Revolving Commitments) of the maximum amount which is or at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder. In the event that the Borrower shall fail for any reason to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank as provided in Section 2.04(d), such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each Lender with an applicable Revolving Commitment of the unreimbursed amount of such honored drawing and of such Lender’s respective participation therein based on such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the applicable Revolving Commitments. Each Lender with a Revolving Commitment shall make available to the applicable Issuing Bank an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars and in same day funds, at the office of such Issuing Bank specified in such notice, not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the first Business Day (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such office of the Issuing Bank is located) after the date notified by such Issuing Bank. In the event that any Lender with a Revolving Commitment fails to make available to the applicable Issuing Bank on such Business Day the amount of such Lender’s participation in such Letter of Credit as provided in this Section 2.04(e), the applicable Issuing Bank shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon for three (3) Business Days at the rate customarily used by the applicable Issuing Bank for the correction of errors among banks and thereafter, in respect of Letters of Credit, at the Base Rate. In the event the applicable Issuing Bank shall have been reimbursed by other Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.04(e) for all or any portion of any drawing honored by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall distribute to each Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under this Section 2.04(e) with respect to such honored drawing such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (with respect to the applicable Revolving Commitments) of all payments subsequently received by the applicable Issuing Bank from the Borrower in reimbursement of such honored drawing when such payments are received. Any such distribution shall be made to a Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on Schedule 1.01(d ) or at such other address as such Lender may request.

 

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(f)     Obligations Absolute . The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse an Issuing Bank for drawings honored under Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Revolving Loans made by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.04(d) and the obligations of the Lenders under Section 2.04(e) shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances including any of the following circumstances: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit; (ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such transferee may be acting), any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person or, in the case of a Lender, against the Borrower, whether in connection herewith, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was procured); (iii) any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; (iv) payment by an Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does not substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; (v) any adverse change in the business, general affairs, assets, liabilities, operations, management, condition (financial or otherwise), stockholders’ equity, results of operations or value of any Loan Party; (vi) any breach hereof or any other Loan Document by any party thereto; (vii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Default shall have occurred and be continuing; or (viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

(g)     Indemnification . Without duplication of any obligation of the Borrower under Section 10.02 or 10.03, in addition to amounts payable as provided herein, the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless each applicable Issuing Bank from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which such Issuing Bank may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing Bank, other than as a result of (1) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Bank (as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) or (2) the wrongful dishonor by such Issuing Bank of a proper demand for payment made under any Letter of Credit issued by it or (ii) the failure of such Issuing Bank to honor a drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any Governmental Act.

(h)     Resignation and Removal of an Issuing Bank . An Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank upon 60 days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank ( provided that no consent of the replaced Issuing Bank will be required if the replaced Issuing Bank has no Letters of Credit or reimbursement Obligations with respect thereto outstanding) and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement or resignation of such Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement or resignation shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced or resigned Issuing Bank. From and after the effective date of any such replacement or resignation, (i) any successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term

 

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“Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement or resignation of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto to the extent that Letters of Credit issued by it remain outstanding and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement or resignation, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or to renew existing Letters of Credit.

(i)     Conflict with Application for Letter of Credit . In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any application for Letter of Credit, the terms hereof shall control.

(j)     Reporting . Not later than three (3) Business Days following the last day of each month (or at such other intervals as the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank shall agree), each Issuing Bank shall provide to the Administrative Agent a schedule of the Letters of Credit issued by it, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, showing the date of issuance of each Letter of Credit, the account party, the original face amount (if any), the expiration date, and the reference number of any Letter of Credit outstanding at any time during such month, and showing the aggregate amount (if any) payable by the Borrower to such Issuing Bank during such month.

(k)     Existing Letters of Credit . On the Closing Date, the Existing Letters of Credit will automatically, without any action on the part of any Person, be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued hereunder on the Closing Date for the account of the applicable Subsidiary of the Borrower that is the account party for such Existing Letter of Credit under the Existing Credit Agreement for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 2.05     Pro Rata Shares; Availability of Funds .

(a)     Pro Rata Shares . All Loans shall be made, and all participations purchased, by the Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby nor shall any Term Loan Commitment or any Revolving Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby.

(b)     Availability of Funds . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the applicable Credit Date that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender’s Loan requested on such Credit Date, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such Credit Date and the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount on such Credit Date. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from such Credit Date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent at the

 

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customary rate set by the Administrative Agent for the correction of errors among banks for three (3) Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from such Credit Date until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent at the rate payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans for such Class of Loans. Nothing in this Section 2.05(b) shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Term Loan Commitment and Revolving Commitment hereunder or to prejudice any rights that the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

Section 2.06     Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Initial Term Loans will be used by the Borrower on the Closing Date solely (i) first, to pay the Transaction Costs, (ii) second, to consummate the Existing Indebtedness Refinancing and (iii) third, together with cash on hand, to pay the consideration for the Mergers as set forth in the Merger Agreement. The proceeds of Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans will be used by the Borrower for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments). Letters of Credit will be used to support obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, Letters of Credit may be used on the Closing Date in order to, among other things, backstop or replace letters of credit outstanding on the Closing Date under facilities no longer available to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. The proceeds of loans under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments will be used by the Borrower for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments).

Section 2.07     Evidence of Debt; Registers; Notes .

(a)     Lenders’ Evidence of Debt . Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of the Borrower to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof.

(b)     Registers . The Administrative Agent (or its agent or sub-agent appointed by it) shall maintain at its Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names, addresses of, and the principal and stated interest owing to, the Lenders and the Term Loans of each Lender from time to time (the “ Term Loan Register ”). The Administrative Agent (or its agent or sub-agent appointed by it) shall maintain at its Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names, addresses of, and the principal and stated interest owing to, the Lenders and the Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans of each Lender from time to time (the “ Revolving   Commitment Register ”). The Registers shall be available for inspection by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or any Lender (but solely with respect to any entry relating to such Lender’s Loans) at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. The Administrative Agent shall record, or shall cause to be recorded, in the Term Loan Register or the Revolving Commitment Register, as applicable, the Revolving Commitments and the Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided , that failure to make any such

 

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recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Lender’s Revolving Commitment or the Borrower’s Obligations in respect of any Loan. The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrower’s agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Term Loan Register and the Revolving Commitment Register as the case may be, as provided in this Section 2.07, and the Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent the Administrative Agent serves in such capacity, the Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and Affiliates shall constitute “ Indemnitees .”

(c)     Notes . If so requested by any Lender by written notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.06) on the Closing Date (or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, promptly after the Borrower’s receipt of such notice) a Note or Notes to evidence such Lender’s Term Loan, Revolving Loan or Swing Line Loan, as the case may be.

Section 2.08     Interest on Loans .

(a)    Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Class of Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) thereof as follows:

(i)    in the case of Term Loans and Revolving Loans:

(A)    if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin; or

(B)    if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and

(ii)    in the case of Swing Line Loans, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans.

(b)    The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan (except a Swing Line Loan which can be made and maintained as a Base Rate Loan only), and the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, shall be selected by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the applicable Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be; provided , that until the date on which the Arrangers notify the Borrower that the primary syndication of the Loans and Revolving Commitments has been completed, as determined by the Arrangers, the Term Loans shall be maintained as Base Rate Loans. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

(c)    In connection with (i) Term Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans there shall be no more than fourteen (14) Interest Periods outstanding at any time and (ii) Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans there shall be no more than six (6) Interest Periods outstanding at

 

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any time. In the event the Borrower fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a Dollar denominated Eurodollar Rate Loan) shall be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then-current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan shall remain as, or (if not then outstanding) shall be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event the Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and each Lender.

(d)    Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.08(a) shall be computed (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans based on the Prime Rate, on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as the case may be and (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans and Base Rate Loans not based on the Prime Rate, on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Term Loan, the last Interest Payment Date with respect to such Term Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of such conversion, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the date of such conversion, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided , that if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

(e)    Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan (i) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date with respect to interest accrued on and to each such payment date; (ii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears upon any prepayment of such Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable in arrears at maturity of such Loan, including final maturity of such Loan; provided , that with respect to any voluntary prepayment of a Base Rate Loan, accrued interest shall instead be payable on the applicable Interest Payment Date.

(f)    The Borrower agrees to pay to the applicable Issuing Bank, with respect to drawings honored under any Letter of Credit issued by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing Bank in respect of each such honored drawing from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at a rate equal to (i) for the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the applicable Reimbursement Date, the rate of interest otherwise payable hereunder with respect to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans and (ii) thereafter, a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the rate of interest otherwise payable hereunder with respect to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans.

 

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(g)    Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.08(f) shall be computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues, and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand is made, on the date on which the related drawing under a Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full. Promptly upon receipt by the applicable Issuing Bank of any payment of interest pursuant to Section 2.08(f), such Issuing Bank shall distribute to each applicable Lender, out of the interest received by such Issuing Bank in respect of the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date on which the Issuing Bank is reimbursed for the amount of such drawing (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of any Revolving Loans), the amount that such Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the letter of credit fee that would have been payable in respect of such Letter of Credit for such period if no drawing had been honored under such Letter of Credit. In the event an Issuing Bank shall have been reimbursed by the applicable Lenders for all or any portion of such honored drawing, such Issuing Bank shall distribute to each Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under Section 2.04(e) with respect to such honored drawing such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any interest received by such Issuing Bank in respect of that portion of such honored drawing so reimbursed by the applicable Lenders for the period from the date on which such Issuing Bank was so reimbursed by the applicable Lenders to but excluding the date on which such portion of such honored drawing is reimbursed by the Borrower.

Section 2.09     Conversion/Continuation .

(a)    Subject to Section 2.18 and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, the Borrower shall have the option:

(i)    to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan or Revolving Loan equal to $1,000,000 (or, in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan, $500,000) and integral multiples of $1,000,000 (or, in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan, $100,000) in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided , that a Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be converted on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loan unless the Borrower shall pay all amounts due under Section 2.18 in connection with any such conversion; or

(ii)    upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

(b)    The Borrower shall deliver a Conversion/Continuation Notice to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least one (1) Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to and from a Base Rate Loan) and at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date (in the case of a conversion to or from, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the Borrower shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

 

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Section 2.10     Default Interest . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g), amounts not paid when due (which, in the case of interest payments, will be to the extent permitted by applicable law) shall thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on demand at a rate (the “ Default Rate ”) that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans that are Revolving Loans); provided , that in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in interest rate is effective such Eurodollar Rate Loans shall thereupon become Base Rate Loans, as applicable, and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.10 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Section 2.11     Fees .

(a)    The Borrower agrees to pay to Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) having Revolving Exposure:

(i)    commitment fees equal to (1) the average of the daily difference between (a) the Revolving Commitments and (b) the aggregate principal amount of (x) all outstanding Revolving Loans plus (y) the Letter of Credit Usage, times (2) the Applicable Revolving Commitment Fee Percentage; and

(ii)    letter of credit fees equal to (1) the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans, times (2) the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all such Letters of Credit (regardless of whether any conditions for drawing could then be met and determined as of the close of business on any date of determination).

All fees referred to in this Section 2.11(a) shall be paid to the Administrative Agent at its Principal Office and upon receipt, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender that has Revolving Exposure its Pro Rata Share thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans of all Lenders shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating the commitment fee.

All fees referred to in this Section 2.11(b) shall be paid in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at its Principal Office and upon receipt, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender that has Revolving Exposure its Pro Rata Share thereof.

 

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(b)    The Borrower agrees to pay directly to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, the following fees:

(i)    a fronting fee equal to 0.25%, per annum, times the average aggregate daily maximum amount available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit issued by it (determined as of the close of business on any date of determination); and

(ii)    such documentary and processing charges for any issuance, amendment, transfer or payment of a Letter of Credit as are in accordance with the Issuing Bank’s standard schedule for such charges and as in effect at the time of such issuance, amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be.

(c)    All fees referred to in Section 2.11(a), 2.11(b) and 2.11(c) shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year during the Revolving Commitment Period, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.

(d)    In addition to any of the foregoing fees, the Borrower agrees to pay to Agents such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon.

Section 2.12     Scheduled Payments . The principal amounts of the Initial Term Loans shall be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments (each, an “ Installment ”) in the aggregate amounts set forth below on the dates set forth below (each, an “ Installment Date ”), commencing September 30, 2018:

 

Amortization Date

   Initial Term
Loan Installments
 

September 30, 2018

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2018

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2019

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2019

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2019

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2019

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2020

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2020

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2020

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2020

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2021

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2021

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2021

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2021

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2022

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2022

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2022

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2022

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2023

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2023

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2023

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2023

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2024

   $ 4,125,000  

June 30, 2024

   $ 4,125,000  

September 30, 2024

   $ 4,125,000  

December 31, 2024

   $ 4,125,000  

March 31, 2025

   $ 4,125,000  

 

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Amortization Date

  

Initial Term Loan
Installments

Initial Term Loan Maturity Date

   Remaining outstanding principal amount of the Initial Term Loans

provided , that in the event any Incremental Term Loans are made, such Incremental Term Loans shall be repaid on each Installment Date occurring on or after the applicable Increased Amount Date as set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement (including, if such Incremental Term Loans are documented as an increase in an existing Class of Term Loans) and, in connection with any such Incremental Term Loans, the foregoing amortization (and any other relevant Class of Term Loans) may be increased to enable the Initial Term Loans and any Incremental Term Loans which are to be an increase to an existing Class of Term Loans, as applicable, to be fungible for tax purposes.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) such Installments shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Initial Term Loans in accordance with Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15, as applicable; (y) the Initial Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be paid in full no later than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date; and (z) Incremental Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be paid in full no later than the applicable Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date.

Section 2.13     Voluntary Prepayments/Commitment Reductions .

(a)     Voluntary Prepayments .

(i)    Any time and from time to time (1) with respect to Base Rate Loans, the Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount; (2) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount and (3) with respect to Swing Line Loans, the Borrower may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $100,000, and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii)    All such prepayments shall be made (1) upon not less than one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice in the case of Base Rate Loans; (2) upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans; and (3) upon written notice on the date of prepayment, in the case of Swing Line Loans, in each case given to the Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, by 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date required (and the Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, shall promptly transmit such original notice for Term Loans, Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, by electronic transmission or telephone to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on

 

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the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.15(a). Any notice in respect of a prepayment of the Term Loans (an “ Optional Prepayment Notice ”) may be conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower by providing notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date of prepayment as specified in such Optional Prepayment Notice, and the failure to make a prepayment pursuant to such an Optional Prepayment Notice shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a).

(b)     Voluntary Commitment Reductions .

(i)    The Borrower may, upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice confirmed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which original written notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit by electronic transmission or telephone to each applicable Lender), at any time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part, without premium or penalty, the Revolving Commitments in an amount up to the amount by which the Revolving Commitments exceed the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments at the time of such proposed termination or reduction; provided , that any such partial reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount.

(ii)    The Borrower’s notice to the Administrative Agent shall designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of any partial reduction, and such termination or reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be effective on the date specified in the Borrower’s notice and shall reduce the Revolving Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its Pro Rata Share thereof.

(c)     Below-Par Purchases . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.13 or any other provision of this Agreement and without otherwise limiting the rights in respect of prepayments of the Loans of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or the rights of any Term Lender (as defined below) to receive payments of the Term Loans at par value, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may repurchase outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.13(c) on the following basis:

(i)    The Borrower may make one or more offers (each, an “ Offer ”) to repurchase all or any portion of the Term Loans (such Term Loans, the “ Offer Loans ”), provided that, (A) the Borrower delivers notice of its intent to make such Offer to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days in advance of the launch of any proposed Offer, (B) upon the launch of such proposed Offer, the Borrower delivers an irrevocable notice of such Offer to the Administrative Agent (and upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender holding a Term Loan (each such Lender, a “ Term Lender ”) thereof) indicating (1) the last date on which such Offer may be accepted, (2) the maximum Dollar amount of such Offer and (3) the repurchase price per Dollar of principal amount of such Offer

 

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Loans at which the Borrower is willing to repurchase such Offer Loans (which price shall be below par), (C) the maximum Dollar amount of each Offer shall be an amount reasonably determined by the Borrower in consultation with the Administrative Agent prior to the making of any such Offer; (D) the Borrower shall hold such Offer open for a minimum period of days to be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower prior to the making of any such Offer; (E) a Term Lender who elects to participate in the Offer may choose to sell all or part of such Term Lender’s Offer Loans; (F) such Offer shall be made to all Term Lenders holding the Offer Loans on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective principal amount then due and owing to the Term Lenders; provided , further that, if any Term Lender elects not to participate in the Offer, either in whole or in part, the amount of such Term Lender’s Offer Loans not being tendered shall be excluded in calculating the pro rata amount applicable to the balance of such Offer Loans; and (G) such Offer shall be conducted pursuant to such procedures the Administrative Agent may establish in consultation with the Borrower (which shall be consistent with this Section 2.13(c)) and that a Lender must follow in order to have its Offer Loans repurchased;

(ii)    With respect to all repurchases made by the Borrower such repurchases shall be deemed to be voluntary prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.13 in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Term Loans, provided that such repurchases shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.13 or Section 2.17;

(iii)    Upon the purchase by the Borrower of any Term Loans, (A) automatically and without the necessity of any notice or any other action, all principal and accrued and unpaid interest on the Term Loans so repurchased shall be deemed to have been paid for all purposes and shall be cancelled and no longer outstanding for all purposes of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents (and in connection with any Term Loan purchased pursuant to this Section 2.13(c), the Administrative Agent is authorized to make appropriate entries in the Term Loan Register to reflect such cancellation) and (B) the Borrower will promptly advise the Administrative Agent of the total amount of Offer Loans that were repurchased from each Lender who elected to participate in the Offer;

(iv)    Failure by the Borrower to make any payment to a Lender required by an agreement permitted by this Section 2.13(c) shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a);

(v)    No proceeds of any Revolving Loans may be used to purchase any Offer Loans; and

(vi)    The amount of such repurchases (based on the face value of the Term Loans purchased thereby) shall be applied on a pro rata basis to reduce the remaining Installments on the applicable Class of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.12.

 

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(d)     Initial Term Loan Call Protection . All (i) voluntary prepayments of Initial Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.13(a) effected on or prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date with the proceeds of a Repricing Transaction and (ii) amendments, amendments and restatements or other modifications of this Agreement on or prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date constituting a Repricing Transaction, shall in each case be accompanied by a fee payable to the Term Lenders in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Initial Term Loan borrowings so prepaid, in the case of a transaction described in clause (i) of this paragraph, or 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of Initial Term Loans affected by such amendment, amendment and restatement or other modification (including any such Loans assigned in connection with the replacement of a Term Lender not consenting thereto), in the case of a transaction described in clause (ii) of this sentence. Such fee shall be paid by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders in respect of the Initial Term Loans, on the date of such prepayment.

Section 2.14     Mandatory Prepayments .

(a)     Asset Sales . No later than the third Business Day following the date of receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Asset Sale pursuant to Section 6.08(d), (p), (t)(i) or (t)(iii), the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.15(b) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that the Borrower may exclude such Net Cash Proceeds in an aggregate amount not exceeding $10,000,000 in any fiscal year (which amount shall be increased by any unused portion of such $10,000,000 exclusion from the immediately preceding fiscal year) from the prepayment required by this Section 2.14(a); provided , further , that the Borrower shall have the option directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries, to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within twelve (12) months of receipt thereof in assets used in the business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries ( provided that if, prior to the expiration of such twelve (12) month period, the Borrower, directly or through its Subsidiaries, shall have entered into a binding agreement providing for such investment on or prior to the date that is six (6) months after the expiration of such twelve (12) month period, such twelve (12) month period shall be extended to an eighteen (18) month period).

(b)     Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds . No later than the third Business Day following the date of receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds of the type described in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.15(b) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds; provided , that the Borrower shall have the option directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries to invest such Net Cash Proceeds within twelve (12) months of receipt thereof, in assets used in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which investment may include the repair, restoration or replacement of the applicable assets thereof ( provided that if, prior to the expiration of such twelve (12) month period, the Borrower, directly or through its Subsidiaries, shall have entered into a binding agreement providing for such investment on or prior to the date that is six (6) months after the expiration of such twelve (12) month period, such twelve (12) month period shall be extended to an eighteen (18) month period).

(c)     Issuance or Incurrence of Debt . On the date of receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.01), the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.15(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100.0% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

 

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(d)     Consolidated Excess Cash Flow . In the event that there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019), the Borrower shall, no later than ten Business Days after delivery of the annual audited financial statements delivered in connection with such Fiscal Year, prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.15(b) in an aggregate amount equal to (i) 50% of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow minus (ii) voluntary repayments of the Loans during the applicable Fiscal Year or after year-end and prior to the time such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow prepayment is due (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments and including the actual amount paid by the Borrower in connection with any repurchase of Term Loans described in Section 2.13(c)), other than any such repayments of Loans funded with the proceeds of Indebtedness; provided , that if, as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Year, the Leverage Ratio (determined for any such period by reference to the Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) calculating the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year) shall be less than or equal to 3.00:1.00 and greater than 2.00:1.00, the Borrower shall only be required to make the prepayments required hereby in an amount equal to (i) 25% of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow minus (ii) voluntary repayments of the Loans during the applicable Fiscal Year or after year-end and prior to the time such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow prepayment is due (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments and including the actual amount paid by the Borrower in connection with any repurchase of Term Loans described in Section 2.13(c)), other than any such repayments of Loans funded with the proceeds of Indebtedness; provided further that if, as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Year, the Leverage Ratio (determined for any such period by reference to the Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(c) calculating the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such Fiscal Year) shall be less than or equal to 2.00:1.00, the Borrower shall not be required to make a prepayment of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow; provided that no prepayment will be made under this clause (d) for such fiscal year if the aggregate amount of such prepayment would not exceed $10,000,000.

(e) [ Reserved ].

(f)     Revolving Loans, Swing Loans and Letters of Credit . The Borrower shall from time to time prepay first , Swing Line Loans, second , its Revolving Loans and third cash collateralize its outstanding Letters of Credit, to the extent necessary so that the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Commitments then in effect.

(g) [Reserved].

(h)     Restricted Amount . If the Borrower determines in good faith that it would incur a material tax liability, including a deemed dividend pursuant to Section 956 of the Internal Revenue Code, if all or a portion of the funds required to make a mandatory prepayment from the proceeds of an Asset Sale, insurance proceeds or other disposition or with respect to Consolidated

 

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Excess Cash Flow were up-streamed or transferred from a Foreign Subsidiary as a distribution or dividend (a “ Restricted Amount ”), the amount the Borrower will be required to mandatorily prepay shall be reduced by the Restricted Amount until such time as the Borrower determines that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may upstream or transfer such Restricted Amount without incurring such material tax liability. Prepayment from Consolidated Excess Cash Flow attributable to Foreign Subsidiaries or from Net Cash Proceeds of their Asset Sales, insurance proceeds or other dispositions will not be required to the extent such prepayments (including the repatriation of cash in connection therewith) would be restricted by applicable law, rule or regulation. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute an Event of Default.

(i)     Additional Pari Passu Indebtedness . Additional Pari Passu Indebtedness may share in any mandatory prepayment under this Section on a ratable basis (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not on a greater than pro rata basis) to the extent such prepayment is required under the terms of such Additional Pari Passu Indebtedness and such prepayment shall reduce, without duplication, the amount of any prepayment of Term Loans otherwise required under this Section 2.14.

Section 2.15     Application of Prepayments/Reductions .

(a)     Application of Voluntary Prepayments by Type of Loans . Any prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.13(a) shall be applied as specified by or on behalf of the Borrower in the applicable notice of prepayment; provided that any voluntary prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.15(a) must be applied pro rata to all Term Loans of the same Class (but may be applied to (x) any Class of Term Loans (and, for the avoidance of doubt, prepayments of the Term Loans do not have to be applied to all Classes of Term Loan) and (y) the Installments thereof, in each case as specified by the Borrower); and provided further , that in the event the Borrower fails to specify the Loans (including, in the case of the Term Loans, the Class) to which any such prepayment shall be applied, such prepayment shall be applied as follows:

first , to repay outstanding Swing Line Loans of the Borrower to the full extent thereof;

second , to repay outstanding Revolving Loans of the Borrower to the full extent thereof; and

third , if such prepayment is made by (or on behalf of) the Borrower, to prepay the Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof); and further applied to prepay to the next eight (8) scheduled Installments of such Term Loans in direct order of maturity and thereafter applied on a pro rata basis to the remaining scheduled Installments of principal of such Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with respective outstanding principal amounts thereof).

(b)     Application of Mandatory Prepayments by Type of Loans . Any amount required to be paid pursuant to Sections 2.14(a) through 2.14(e) shall be applied to prepay to the next eight (8) scheduled Installments of the Term Loans in direct order of maturity and thereafter applied on a pro rata basis to the remaining scheduled Installments of principal of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with respective outstanding principal amounts thereof).

 

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(c)     Application of Prepayments of Loans to Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Rate Loans . Considering each Class of Loans being prepaid separately, any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.18(c).

Section 2.16     General Provisions Regarding Payments .

(a)    All payments by the Borrower of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, without defense, setoff or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the date due at the Principal Office designated by the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders. For purposes of computing interest and fees, funds received by the Administrative Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by the Borrower on the next succeeding Business Day.

(b)    All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan (other than voluntary prepayments of Revolving Loans and Base Rate Loans) shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and, in any event, any payments in respect of any Loan on a date when interest is due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest then due and payable before application to principal.

(c)    The Administrative Agent (or its agent or sub-agent appointed by it) shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such address as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due thereto, including all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by the Administrative Agent.

(d)    Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, if any Conversion/ Continuation Notice is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

(e)    Subject to the provisos set forth in the definition of “ Interest Period ” as they may apply to Revolving Loans, whenever any payment to be made hereunder with respect to any Loan shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and, with respect to Revolving Loans only, such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder or of the Revolving Commitment fees hereunder.

(f)    The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge the Borrower’s respective accounts, with the Administrative Agent in order to cause timely payment to be made to the Administrative Agent of all principal, interest, fees and expenses due hereunder (subject to sufficient funds being available in its accounts for that purpose).

 

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(g)    The Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to 12:00 noon (New York City time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds, and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic notice to the Borrower and each applicable Lender (confirmed in writing) if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.01(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the Default Rate from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

(h)    If an Event of Default shall have occurred and not otherwise been waived, and the maturity of the Obligations shall have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.01, all payments or proceeds received by Agents hereunder in respect of any of the Obligations, shall be applied in accordance with the application arrangements described in Section 9.2 of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Section 2.17     Ratable Sharing . The Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms hereof), through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross-action or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in respect of Letters of Credit, fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the “ Aggregate Amounts Due ” to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided , that if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. The Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by the Borrower to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder. The provisions of this Section 2.17 shall not be construed to apply to (a) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (b) any payment obtained by any Lender as consideration for the assignment or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or other Obligations owed to it.

 

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Section 2.18     Making or Maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans .

(a)     Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate .

(i)    In the event that the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice (by electronic transmission or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (A) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, Eurodollar Rate Loans until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist and (B) any Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by the Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by the Borrower.

(ii)    If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) the circumstances set forth in Section 2.18(a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (B) the circumstances set forth in Section 2.18(a)(i) have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the LIBO Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the LIBO Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the LIBO Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10.05, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five (5) Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. Provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

(b)     Illegality or Impracticability of Eurodollar Rate Loans . In the event that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that the making, maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful) or (ii) has become impracticable, as a

 

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result of contingencies occurring after the Closing Date which materially and adversely affect the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an “ Affected Lender ” and it shall on that day give notice (by electronic transmission or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other applicable Lender). If the Administrative Agent receives a notice from (x) any Lender pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence or (y) a notice from Lenders constituting the Required Lenders pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then (1) the obligation of the Lenders (or, in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender) to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by each Affected Lender, (2) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by the Borrower pursuant to a Borrowing Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Lenders (or, in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender) shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (3) the Lenders’ (or, in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender’s) obligations to maintain their respective outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans (the “ Affected Loans ”) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law and (4) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by the Borrower pursuant to a Borrowing Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Borrower shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.18(c), to rescind such Borrowing Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice as to all Lenders by giving notice (by electronic transmission) to the Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).

(c)     Compensation for Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods . The Borrower shall compensate each Lender for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by such Lender to Lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Rate Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Borrowing Notice, or a conversion to or continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Conversion/Continuation Notice; (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its Eurodollar Rate Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan; or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Eurodollar Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower. Such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower a written statement setting forth in reasonable detail any amount or amounts such Lender is entitled to receive under this Section 2.18(c), which statement shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such statement within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower’s receipt of such statement.

 

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(d)     Booking of Eurodollar Rate Loans . Any Lender may make, carry or transfer Eurodollar Rate Loans at, to or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

(e)     Assumptions Concerning Funding of Eurodollar Rate Loans . Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 2.18 and under Section 2.19 shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded each of its relevant Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such Eurodollar deposit from an offshore office of such Lender to a domestic office of such Lender in the United States of America; provided , that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section 2.18 and under Section 2.19.

Section 2.19     Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy .

(a)     Compensation For Increased Costs and Taxes . In the event that any Lender (which term shall include the Issuing Banks for purposes of this Section 2.19(a)) shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration, implementation or application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order), or the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any court or Governmental Authority, in each case is adopted or becomes effective after the Closing Date (a “ Change in Law ”), or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or directive issued or made after the Closing Date by any central bank or other Governmental Authority or quasi-Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law): (i) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other requirements with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans that are reflected in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); (ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes or (B) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or (iii) imposes any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or its obligations hereunder or the London interbank market; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make, making, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with respect thereto (whether of principal, interest or any other amount); then, in any such case, the Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, pay such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender for any

 

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such increased cost incurred or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 2.19(a), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error. Any demand for compensation made by any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.19(a) shall be made only to the extent such Lender is making similar demand with respect to its similarly situated commercial borrowers.

(b)     Capital Adequacy Adjustment . In the event that any Lender (which term shall include the Issuing Banks for purposes of this Section 2.19(b)) shall have determined that a Change in Law after the Closing Date regarding capital adequacy, liquidity requirements, or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) with any guideline, request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, in each case, after the Closing Date, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender’s Loans or Revolving Commitment or Letters of Credit, or participations therein or other obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans or the Letters of Credit, to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, phase-in, applicability, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or such controlling corporation with regard to capital adequacy or liquidity requirements), then from time to time, within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower from such Lender of the statement referred to in the next sentence, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as shall compensate such Lender or such controlling corporation on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to Lender under this Section 2.19(b), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error. Any demand for compensation made by any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.19(b) shall be made only to the extent such Lender is making similar demand with respect to its similarly situated commercial borrowers.

(c)     Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.19 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.19 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six (6)-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

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(d)     Dodd-Frank Act . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd- Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, publications, orders, guidelines and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith shall be deemed to have been adopted and gone into effect after the Closing Date regardless of when adopted, enacted or issued.

(e)     Basel III . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all requests, rules, publications, orders, guidelines and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to have been adopted and gone into effect after the Closing Date regardless of when adopted, enacted or issued.

Section 2.20     Taxes; Withholding, Etc.

(a)     Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section 2.20, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and “applicable law” includes FATCA.

(b)     Payments to Be Free and Clear . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax and if the applicable Lender has not exercised its discretion under the final sentence of Section 2.20(c)(i) by choosing not to complete, execute, or submit the relevant documentation, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(c)     Status of Lenders . (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in paragraphs (c)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) of this Section) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

(A)    any U.S. Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or about the date on which such U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B)    any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1)    in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2)    executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3)    in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4)    to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W- 8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or Exhibit D-3, IRS Form W- 9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or

 

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indirect partners of such Non-U.S. Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Non-U.S. Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C)    any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Non- U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

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

(d)    Without limiting the provisions of Section 2.20(b), the Borrower shall timely pay all Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authorities in accordance with applicable law. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent official receipts or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in respect of any Other Taxes payable hereunder promptly after payment of such Other Taxes.

(e)    The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and any Lender for the full amount of Indemnified Taxes, in each case arising in connection with payments made under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including any such Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.20) paid by the Administrative Agent or Lender or any of their respective Affiliates and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to such Loan Party shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Such payment shall be due within thirty (30) days of such Loan Party’s receipt of such certificate.

 

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(f)    Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(g) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (f).

(g)    If a Lender, the Administrative Agent, in good faith and in its sole discretion, receives a refund of any Indemnified Taxes (including any additions to tax, interest and penalties) with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts under this Section 2.20, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (including any additions to tax, interest or penalties received with respect thereto), but only to the extent of additional amounts paid by the Borrower under this Section 2.20 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes giving rise to such refund, and net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or Agent (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of such Lender or Agent, agrees to repay as soon as reasonably practicable the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to such Lender or Agent in the event such Lender or Agent is required to repay such refund to a Governmental Authority. This Section 2.20(f) shall not be construed to require any Lender or Agent to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

Section 2.21     Obligation to Mitigate . Each Lender (which term shall include the Issuing Banks for purposes of this Section 2.21) agrees that, as promptly as practicable after the officer of such Lender responsible for administering its Loans or Letters of Credit, as the case may be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle such Lender to receive payments under Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20, it shall, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts to (a) make, issue, fund or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any Affected Loans, through another office of such Lender or (b) take such other measures as such Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20 would be materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding

 

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or maintaining of such Revolving Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit through such other office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect such Revolving Commitments, Loans or Letters of Credit or the interests of such Lender; provided , that such Lender shall not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 2.21 unless the Borrower agrees to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing such other office as described above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.21 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Section 2.22     Defaulting Lenders . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any obligations of any Lender to purchase participations in or otherwise refinance or support any Swing Line Loans or Letters of Credit exist at the time any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender (such Lender, a “ Defaulting Revolving Lender ”) then:

(a)    all obligations of the applicable Defaulting Revolving Lender to purchase participations in or otherwise refinance or support such Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders of the applicable Class in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share thereof, but only to the extent (i) with respect to Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit, the sum of the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders’ Pro Rata Shares of the Total Utilization of Revolving Commitments plus such Defaulting Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of Revolving Exposure do not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments, and (ii) in each case, the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 are satisfied at such time;

(b)    if the reallocation described in clause (a) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall (i) first, within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent, prepay any outstanding Swing Line Loans to the extent the obligations of the applicable Defaulting Revolving Lender to purchase participations in or otherwise refinance or support Swing Line Loans have not been reallocated pursuant to clause (a) above and (ii) second, within three (3) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent, cash collateralize such Defaulting Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the obligations to purchase participations in or otherwise refinance or support Letters of Credit (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (a) above) for so long as such obligations are outstanding; and

(c)    if the obligations of the applicable Defaulting Revolving Lender to purchase participations in or otherwise refinance or support Letters of Credit are reallocated among the non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders pursuant to clause (a) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.11 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Revolving Lenders’ Pro Rata Shares.

Section 2.23     Removal or Replacement of a Lender . Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that: (a) (i) any Lender (an “ Increased-Cost Lender ”) is or becomes an Affected Lender or is or becomes entitled to receive payments under Section 2.18, 2.19 or 2.20 and (ii) the circumstances which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or which entitle such Lender to receive such payments shall remain in effect; or (b) (i) any

 

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Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, (ii) such Defaulting Lender’s default shall remain in effect and (iii) such Defaulting Lender shall fail to cure the default as a result of which it has become a Defaulting Lender within five (5) Business Days thereafter; or (c) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the provisions hereof as contemplated by Section 10.05(b), the consent of Required Lenders shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders (each a “ Non- Consenting Lender ”) whose consent is required shall not have been obtained; then, with respect to each such Increased-Cost Lender, Defaulting Lender or Non-Consenting Lender (the “ Terminated Lender ”), the Borrower may, by giving written notice to the Administrative Agent and any Terminated Lender of its election to do so, elect to cause such Terminated Lender (and such Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees) to assign its outstanding Loans and its Revolving Commitments, if any, in full to one or more Eligible Assignees (each a “ Replacement Lender ”) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06 and the Borrower shall pay the fees, if any, payable thereunder in connection with any such assignment from an Increased-Cost Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender or a Defaulting Lender shall pay the fees, if any, payable thereunder in connection with any such assignment from such Defaulting Lender; provided , that (1) on the date of such assignment, the Replacement Lender shall pay to Terminated Lender an amount equal to the sum of (A) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Terminated Lender, (B) an amount equal to all unreimbursed drawings that have been funded by such Terminated Lender, together with all then unpaid interest with respect thereto at such time and (C) an amount equal to all accrued but theretofore unpaid fees owing to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.11; (2) on the date of such assignment, the Borrower shall pay any amounts payable to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.13(c), 2.18(c), 2.19 or 2.20; or otherwise as if it were a prepayment, (3) in the event such Terminated Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, each Replacement Lender shall consent, at the time of such assignment, to each matter in respect of which such Terminated Lender was a Non-Consenting Lender and (4) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.20 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.19, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; provided , that the Borrower may not make such election with respect to any Terminated Lender that is also an Issuing Bank unless, prior to the effectiveness of such election, the Borrower shall have caused each outstanding Letter of Credit issued thereby to be cancelled. Upon the prepayment of all amounts owing to any Terminated Lender and the termination of such Terminated Lender’s Revolving Commitment, if any, such Terminated Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided , that any rights of such Terminated Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive as to such Terminated Lender. Each Lender agrees that if the Borrower exercises its option hereunder to cause an assignment by such Lender as a Non-Consenting Lender or Terminated Lender, such Lender shall, promptly after receipt of written notice of such election, execute and deliver all documentation necessary to effectuate such assignment in accordance with Section 10.06. In the event that a Lender does not comply with the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence within one (1) Business Day after receipt of such notice, each Lender hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver such documentation as may be required to give effect to an assignment in accordance with Section 10.06 on behalf of a Non-Consenting Lender, Defaulting Lender or Terminated Lender and any such documentation so executed by the Administrative Agent shall be effective for purposes of documenting an assignment pursuant to Section 10.06.

 

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Section 2.24     Incremental Facilities . (a) The Borrower may by written notice (an “ Incremental Request Notice ”) to the Administrative Agent elect to request (i) prior to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, an increase to the existing Revolving Commitments (any such increase, the “ Incremental Revolving Commitments ”) and/or (ii) the increase in or the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (the “ Incremental Term Loan Commitments ” and, together with the Incremental Revolving Commitments, the “ Incremental Facilities ”), by an aggregate principal amount not to exceed for all such increases and Incremental Facilities the sum of (x) $250,000,000 (the “ Incremental Dollar Amount ”); (y) the maximum aggregate principal amount that can be incurred such that, after giving effect to the incurrence or establishment, as applicable, of any Incremental Facility or Incremental Equivalent Debt pursuant to this clause (y) on a Pro Forma Basis (but excluding the cash proceeds of such incurrence and assuming, in the case of any Incremental Revolving Commitments, that the commitments in respect thereof are fully drawn) the Leverage Ratio would not exceed 2.75:1.00 (the “ Incremental Ratio Amount ”) for the most recent Test Period then ended; and (z) the aggregate principal amount of all voluntary prepayments of the Initial Term Loans and any pari passu Incremental Term Loan Commitments originally incurred under the Incremental Dollar Amount (including all prepayments or purchases made at a discount to par) prior to the date of any such incurrence (it being understood that (I) the Borrower shall be deemed to have used amounts under clause (y), if available at the time of determination, prior to utilization of amounts under clause (x) or (z) and (II) loans may be incurred under clause (y) and one or both of clauses (x) and (z), and proceeds from any such incurrence under such multiple clauses may be utilized in a single transaction by first calculating the incurrence under clause (y) above and then calculating the incurrence under clause (x) and/or (z), as applicable, and, for avoidance of doubt, any such incurrence under clause (x) or (z) above shall not be given Pro Forma Effect for purposes of determining the Leverage Ratio for purposes of effectuating the incurrence under clause (y) in such single transaction); provided that both immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of any Incremental Facility (or, in the case of any Limited Conditionality Transaction, at the option of the Borrower, at the time of an LCA Election or at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment) no Default or Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (or in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g) exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility), (b) all fees and expenses owing in respect of such Incremental Facility to the Administrative Agent have been paid and (c) no Lender shall be required to participate in any such Incremental Facility; provided further that the loans under any Incremental Term Loan Commitments (i) will rank pari passu or junior in right of payment and security with the other Term Loans and Revolving Loans or be unsecured, (ii) will mature no earlier than the final maturity of the Initial Term Loans and (iii) will have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Initial Term Loans.

(b)    If the All-In Yield applicable to any Incremental Term Loan Commitments exceeds the All-In Yield applicable to the Initial Term Loans by more than 0.50%, then Applicable Margin applicable to the Initial Term Loans shall be increased so that the All-In Yield on the Initial Term Loans is equal to the All-In Yield applicable to such Incremental Term Loan Commitments less 0.50%. Any Incremental Term Loan Commitments will have terms as shall be agreed to between the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loan Commitments; provided that to the extent such terms are not substantially consistent with the Initial Term Loans (other than with respect to pricing, amortization and maturity), such terms

 

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shall, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, not be more favorable, taken as a whole, to the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans than the terms of the existing Initial Term Loans (except for covenants or other provisions that are applicable only to periods after the latest final maturity date of the Initial Term Loans existing under this Agreement at the time of incurrence of such Incremental Term Loan Commitments); provided further that any Incremental Term Loans may be provided the right to ratable or less than ratable (with the Initial Term Loans and any other Incremental Term Loan Commitments) prepayment in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments.

(c)    Incremental Facilities may be in the form of (in addition to Incremental Term Loan Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments and subject to the satisfaction of the requirements in Section 2.24(a)) (a) senior unsecured notes or loans (subject to a Leverage Ratio that, on a Pro Forma Basis, would not exceed 3.75:1.00), (b) senior secured notes or loans that are secured by the Collateral on a junior basis (subject to a Leverage Ratio that, on a Pro Forma Basis, would not exceed 3.25:1.00) or (c) senior secured notes that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (subject to a Leverage Ratio that, on a Pro Forma Basis, would not exceed 2.75:1.00) (“ Incremental Equivalent Debt ”); provided that, in addition to the requirements with respect to the amount, incurrence and maturity of any such Incremental Facilities set forth above, (a) in the case of any such Incremental Equivalent Debt in the form of notes, such Incremental Equivalent Debt is not required to be repaid, prepaid, redeemed, repurchased or defeased, whether on one or more fixed dates, upon the occurrence of one or more events or at the option of any holder thereof (except, in each case, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, a change in control, an event of loss or an asset disposition) prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest maturity date of the Initial Term Loans at such time, (b) if such Incremental Equivalent Debt is secured, (i) such indebtedness shall not be secured by any assets or property other than the Collateral and (ii) all security therefor shall be granted pursuant to documentation substantially similar to the applicable Security Documents, and the secured parties thereunder, or a trustee or collateral agent on their behalf, shall have become a party to a first lien intercreditor agreement or a junior lien intercreditor agreement, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (c) such Incremental Equivalent Debt is not guaranteed by any subsidiaries of the Borrower other than the Guarantors, (d) any Incremental Equivalent Debt does not have a shorter Weighted Average Life to Maturity than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Initial Term Loans and (e) the other terms and conditions of such Incremental Equivalent Debt (excluding pricing) are, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, no more favorable, taken as a whole, to the investors providing such Incremental Equivalent Debt than those applicable to the Initial Term Loans (except for covenants or other provisions that are applicable only to periods after the latest final maturity date of the Initial Term Loans existing under this Agreement at the time of incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Debt).

(d)    Each Incremental Request Notice shall specify (A) the date (each, an “ Increased Amount Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent and (B) the identity of each Lender or other Person that is an Eligible Assignee (each, an “ Incremental Revolving Loan Lender ” or “ Incremental Term Loan Lender ”, as applicable) to whom the Borrower proposes any portion of such Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, be allocated

 

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and the amounts of such allocations and any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Revolving Commitment or an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, as applicable. Such Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments shall become effective as of such Increased Amount Date (or, in the case of a Permitted Acquisition or Investment, at the time of an LCA Election or at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment); provided that (1) the Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, shall be effected pursuant to one or more Joinder Agreements executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Incremental Revolving Loan Lender or Incremental Term Loan Lender, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, and each of which shall be recorded in the Revolving Commitment Register or the Term Loan Register, as applicable, and each Incremental Revolving Loan Lender and Incremental Term Loan Lender shall be subject to the requirements set forth in Section 2.20(c); (2) the Borrower shall make (or cause to be made) any payments required pursuant to Section 2.18(c) in connection with the Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable; and (3) the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any legal opinions or other documents (including modifications of Mortgages and title insurance endorsements or policies) reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction. Any Incremental Term Loans made on an Increased Amount Date may be designated a separate series (a “ Series ”) of Incremental Term Loans for all purposes of this Agreement or may be designated as an increase to an existing Class of Term Loans. If such Incremental Term Loans are designated as an increase to an existing Class of Term Loans, the terms and provisions of such Incremental Term Loans shall be identical to the Class of Term Loans so increased.

(e)    On any Increased Amount Date on which Incremental Revolving Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (a) each of the applicable Revolving Lenders shall assign to each of the Incremental Revolving Loan Lenders, and each of the Incremental Revolving Loan Lenders shall purchase from each of the applicable Revolving Loan Lenders, at the principal amount thereof (together with accrued interest), such interests in the applicable Revolving Loans outstanding on such Increased Amount Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans will be held by existing applicable Revolving Loan Lenders and Incremental Revolving Loan Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such Incremental Revolving Commitments to the Revolving Commitments, (b) each Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Commitment and each Loan made thereunder (an “ Incremental Revolving Loan ”) shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Loan and (c) each Incremental Revolving Loan Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Incremental Revolving Commitment and all matters relating thereto.

(f)    On any Increased Amount Date on which any Incremental Term Loan Commitments are effective, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each Incremental Term Loan Lender shall make a Loan to the Borrower (an “ Incremental Term Loan ”) in an amount equal to its Incremental Term Loan Commitment and (ii) each Incremental Term Loan Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Incremental Term Loan Commitment and the Incremental Term Loans made pursuant thereto.

 

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(g)    The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower’s notice of each Increased Amount Date and in respect thereof (y) the Incremental Revolving Commitments and the Incremental Revolving Loan Lenders or the Series of Incremental Term Loan Commitments and the Incremental Term Loan Lenders of such Series, as applicable and (z) in the case of each notice to any applicable Revolving Loan Lender, the respective interests in such Revolving Loan Lender’s Revolving Loans, in each case subject to the assignments contemplated by this Section.

Section 2.25     Refinancing Amendments. (a) The Borrower may, at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date, with the consent of the Borrower and the lenders providing the refinancing term loans or refinancing revolving credit commitments, by notice to the Administrative Agent (a “ Refinancing Loan Request ”), request (A) (i) the establishment of one or more new Classes of term loans under this Agreement (any such new Class, “ New Refinancing Term Commitments ”) or (ii) increases to one or more existing Classes of Term Loans under this Agreement ( provided that the loans under such new commitments shall be fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the existing Class of Term Loans proposed to be increased on the Refinancing Facility Closing Date for such increase) (any such increase to an existing Class, collectively with New Refinancing Term Commitments, “ Refinancing Term Commitments ”), or (B) (i) the establishment of one or more new Classes of revolving credit commitments under this Agreement (any such new Class, “ New Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments ”) or (ii) increases to one or more existing Classes of revolving credit commitments (any such increase to an existing Class, collectively with the New Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, “ Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments ”, and collectively with any Refinancing Term Commitments, “ Refinancing Commitments ”), in each case, established in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace, repurchase, retire or refinance, in whole or in part, as selected by the Borrower, any one or more then existing Class or Classes of Loans or Commitments (with respect to a particular Refinancing Commitment or Refinancing Loan, such existing Loans or Commitments, “ Refinanced Debt ”), whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy of each such notice to each of the Lenders.

(b)    Any Refinancing Term Loans made pursuant to New Refinancing Term Commitments or any New Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments made on a Refinancing Facility Closing Date shall be designated a separate Class of Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement. On any Refinancing Facility Closing Date on which any Refinancing Term Commitments of any Class are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.25, (i) each Refinancing Term Lender of such Class shall make a Term Loan to the Borrower (a “ Refinancing Term Loan ”) in an amount equal to its Refinancing Term Commitment of such Class and (ii) each Refinancing Term Lender of such Class shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Refinancing Term Commitment of such Class and the Refinancing Term Loans of such Class made pursuant thereto. On any Refinancing Facility Closing Date on which any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments of any Class are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.25, (i) each Refinancing Revolving Credit Lender of such Class shall make its Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment available to the Borrower (when borrowed, (a “ Refinancing Revolving Credit Loan ” and collectively with any Refinancing Term Loan, a “ Refinancing Loan ” and, together with the Refinancing Commitments, the “ Refinancing Debt ”) and (ii) each Refinancing Revolving Credit Lender of such Class shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment of such Class and the Refinancing Revolving Credit Loans of such Class made pursuant thereto.

 

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(c) Each Refinancing Loan Request from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.25 shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and identify the Refinanced Debt with respect thereto. Refinancing Term Loans may be made, and Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments may be provided, by any existing Lender (but each existing Term Lender shall not have an obligation to make a portion of any Refinancing Term Loan, and each existing Revolving Lender shall not have an obligation to provide a portion of any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, in each case on terms permitted in this Section 2.25) or by any Additional Lender; provided that the Administrative Agent shall have consented (not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed) to such Lenders or Additional Lenders making such Refinancing Term Loans or providing such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments if such consent would be required under Section 10.06(c) for an assignment of Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, to such Lender or Additional Lender (each such existing Lender or Additional Lender providing such Commitment or Loan, a “ Refinancing Revolving Credit Lender ” or “ Refinancing Term Lender ,” as applicable, and, collectively, “ Refinancing Lenders ”).

(d)    The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, and the Refinancing Commitments thereunder, shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (a “ Refinancing Facility Closing Date ”) of each of the following conditions, together with any other conditions set forth in the Refinancing Amendment:

(i)    after giving effect to such Refinancing Commitments, the conditions of Sections 3.02(a) and (b) shall be satisfied (it being understood that all references to “the date of such Credit Extension” or similar language in such Section 3.02 shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Refinancing Facility Closing Date),

(ii)    each Refinancing Commitment shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 and shall be in an increment of $1,000,000 ( provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 and not in an increment of $1,000,000 if such amount is equal to (x) the entire outstanding principal amount of Refinanced Debt that is in the form of Term Loans or (y) the entire outstanding principal amount of Refinanced Debt (or commitments) that is in the form of Revolving Commitments),

(iii)    to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the receipt by the Administrative Agent (A) (I) customary officer’s certificates and board resolutions and (II) customary opinions of counsel to the Loan Parties, in each case, consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date (conformed as appropriate) 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 Administrative Agent) and (B) supplemental or reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Security Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (including Mortgage amendments, if applicable) in order to ensure that any Refinancing Term Commitment or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments (as applicable) are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents, and

 

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(iv)    the Refinancing Term Loans made pursuant to any increase in any existing Class of Term Loans shall be added to (and form part of) each borrowing of outstanding Term Loans under the respective Class so incurred on a pro rata basis (based on the principal amount of each borrowing) so that each Lender under such Class will participate proportionately in each then outstanding borrowing of Term Loans under such Class.

(e)    The terms and provisions of the Refinancing Term Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, as the case may be (and the Loans in respect of the foregoing), of any Class shall be as agreed between the Borrower and the lenders providing such Refinancing Term Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment; provided , that:

(i)    such Refinancing Term Commitments and Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall (x) rank pari passu in right of payment and of security with the Revolving Loans and the Term Loans made on the Closing Date and (y) may not be (I) secured by any assets other than Collateral or (II) guaranteed by any Person other than a Guarantor,

(ii)    Refinancing Term Loans shall not mature earlier than the Stated Maturity Date of the applicable Refinanced Debt (prior to any extension thereto), except with respect to customary bridge loans which, subject to customary conditions, would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing which does not mature earlier than the Stated Maturity Date of the applicable Refinanced Debt (prior to any extension thereto),

(iii)    Refinancing Term Loans shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity of no less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity as then in effect for the applicable Refinanced Debt (prior to any extension thereto), except with respect to customary bridge loans which, subject to customary conditions, would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing which has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity of no less than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity as then in effect for the applicable Refinanced Debt (prior to any extension thereto),

(iv)    (x) the discounts, premiums, fees, optional prepayment and redemptions terms and, subject to clauses (ii)  and (iii) above, the amortization schedule applicable to any Refinancing Term Loans shall be determined by the Borrower and the Lenders thereunder, and (y) the discounts, premiums, fees and optional prepayment and redemptions terms applicable to any Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall be determined by the Borrower and the Lenders thereunder,

(v)    the interest rate (including margin and floors) applicable to any Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments will be determined by the Borrower and the Lenders providing such Refinancing Term Loans or such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments,

(vi)    the Refinancing Term Loans may provide for the ability to participate on a pro rata basis or less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any voluntary repayments or prepayments of principal of Term Loans hereunder and on a pro rata basis or less than a pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any mandatory repayments or prepayments of principal of Term Loans hereunder,

 

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(vii)    the maturity date of any Class of Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall be no earlier than the Stated Maturity Date of the applicable Refinanced Debt and will require no scheduled amortization or mandatory commitment reduction prior to the maturity of the applicable Refinanced Debt, with respect to any New Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, (1) the borrowing and repayment (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments (and related outstandings), (B) repayments required upon the Revolving Commitment Termination Date of any Revolving Commitments and (C) repayments made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments (subject to clause (3) below)) of Revolving Loans with respect to Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments after the associated Refinancing Facility Closing Date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, (2) subject to the provisions of Section 2.13(b) and 2.14 to the extent dealing with Letters of Credit which mature or expire after a Stated Maturity Date when there exist Revolving Commitments with a longer Stated Maturity Date, all Letters of Credit shall be participated on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Commitments in accordance with their percentage of the Revolving Commitments (and except as provided in Section 2.13(b) and 2.14, without giving effect to changes thereto on an earlier Stated Maturity Date with respect to Letters of Credit theretofore issued) and (3) the permanent repayment of Revolving Loans with respect to, and termination of, Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments after the associated Refinancing Facility Closing Date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, except that the Borrower shall be permitted, in its sole discretion, to permanently repay and terminate commitments of any such Class on better than a pro rata basis (x) as compared to any other Class with a later Stated Maturity Date than such Class and (y) as compared to any other Class in connection with the refinancing thereof with Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments,

(viii)    Refinancing Term Loans shall not have a greater principal amount than the principal amount of the applicable Refinanced Debt plus any accrued but unpaid interest and fees on such Refinanced Debt plus existing commitments unutilized under such Refinanced Debt to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such new Indebtedness plus the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such Refinanced Debt and any defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses (including OID, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such Refinancing Term Loans,

(ix)    Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall not have a greater principal amount of Commitments than the principal amount of the utilized Commitments of the applicable Refinanced Debt plus any accrued but unpaid interest and fees on such Refinanced Debt plus existing commitments unutilized under such Refinanced Debt to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such new Indebtedness plus the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such Refinanced Debt and any defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses (including OID, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit Loans, and

(x)    except as set forth above, the material terms and conditions of any such Refinancing Term Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments (and the Loans in respect thereof) shall be (taken as a whole) no more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith) to the Refinancing Lenders or investors, as the case may be, providing such Refinancing Term Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit

 

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Commitments, as applicable, than those applicable to the applicable Refinanced Debt (except for (A) covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after either (i) the latest final maturity date of the Term Loans and Revolving Commitments existing under this Agreement at the time of such refinancing or (ii) after the Borrower and all Guarantors have been released from all obligations with respect to such Refinancing Debt and/or Refinancing Commitments and such Refinancing Debt and/or Refinancing Commitments have been assumed in full by a new borrower or borrowers as agreed by the applicable Lenders at the time of the incurrence of such Refinancing Debt and (B) pricing, fees, rate floors, premiums, optional prepayment or redemption terms); provided that except as provided in preceding clauses (i) through (x) above, the terms and conditions applicable to such Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Term Loans and Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments may be materially different from those of the applicable Refinanced Debt to the extent such differences are reflective of market terms and conditions at the time of incurrence or issuance thereof, in each case, as determined by the Borrower; provided , that no financial maintenance covenant applicable to the Borrower may be added to such Refinancing Term Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments (and the Loans in respect thereof) pursuant to this proviso without also being included in the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loans (which may be achieved by an amendment solely among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and, for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that if such financial covenant is a “springing” financial maintenance covenant applicable only to Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, such financial maintenance covenant shall be automatically included in the Revolving Credit Facility only for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Facility and any Refinancing Revolving Credit Facility and not for the benefit of the Term Loans, any Refinancing Term Loans or any Refinancing Term Commitments).

(f) Commitments in respect of Refinancing Term Loans and Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (a “ Refinancing Amendment ”) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, each existing Lender agreeing to provide such Commitment, if any, each additional Lender agreeing to provide such Commitment (each, an “ Additional Lender ”), if any, and the Administrative Agent. The 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 Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.25. The Borrower will, on or prior to the date which is five (5) Business Days after the receipt of such proceeds, use the proceeds, if any, of the Refinancing Term Loans and Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace, repurchase, retire or refinance, and shall permanently terminate applicable commitments under, the applicable Refinanced Debt.

(g) Upon any Refinancing Facility Closing Date on which Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments are effected through the establishment of a new Class of revolving credit commitments pursuant to this Section 2.25, (a) if, on such date, there are any revolving loans under any Revolving Credit Facility then outstanding, such revolving loans shall be prepaid from the proceeds of a new borrowing of the Refinancing Revolving Credit Loans under such new Class of Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments in such amounts as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to such borrowing and all such related prepayments, all revolving credit loans under all Revolving Credit Facilities will be held by all Lenders under the Revolving Credit Facilities (including Lenders providing such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments) ratably in accordance with their revolving credit commitments under all Revolving Credit

 

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Facilities (after giving effect to the establishment of such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments), (b) in the case of a Revolving Commitment, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations hereunder in Letters of Credit by each Lender under the Revolving Credit Facilities so that each such Lender shares ratably in such participations in accordance with their revolving credit commitments under all Revolving Commitments (after giving effect to the establishment of such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments), (c) each Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Loan and (d) each Refinancing Revolving Credit Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments and all matters relating thereto. Upon any Refinancing Facility Closing Date on which Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments are effected through the increase to any existing Class of Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.25, if, on the date of such increase, there are any Revolving Loans outstanding, each of the Revolving Lenders under such Class shall be deemed to assign to each of the Refinancing Revolving Credit Lenders, and each of the Refinancing Revolving Credit Lenders shall purchase from each of the Revolving Lenders under such Class, at par, such interests in the Revolving Loans outstanding on such Refinancing Facility Closing Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans under such Class will be held by existing Revolving Lenders under such Class and Refinancing Revolving Credit Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments under such Class after giving effect to the addition of such Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments to the Revolving Commitments under such Class. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing and prepayment requirements in Section 2.09 and 2.13(a) of this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

(h) Any Refinancing Term Commitment or Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment may be designated a separate Class of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, for all purposes of this Agreement.

(i) In lieu of incurring any Refinancing Term Loans, the Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time after the Closing Date issue, incur or otherwise obtain (A) secured Indebtedness in the form of one or more series of senior secured notes that are secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations (but without regard to the control of remedies) (such notes, “ Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt ”), (B) secured Indebtedness in the form of one or more series of second lien (or other junior lien) secured notes or second lien (or other junior lien) secured loans (such notes or loans, “ Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt ”) and (C) unsecured or subordinated Indebtedness in the form of one or more series of unsecured or subordinated notes or loans (such notes or loans, “ Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt ” and together with Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt and Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, “ Refinancing Equivalent Debt ”), in each case, in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace, repurchase, retire or refinance, in whole or in part, any existing Class or Classes of Loans (such Loans, “ Refinanced Loans ”).

 

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(i)    Any Refinancing Equivalent Debt:

(A)    (1) shall not have a final scheduled maturity date earlier than the Stated Maturity Date of the Refinanced Loans, except with respect to customary bridge loans which, subject to customary conditions, would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing which does not mature earlier than the Stated Maturity Date of the Refinanced Loans, (2) shall not have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Refinanced Loans (prior to any extension thereto), except with respect to customary bridge loans which, subject to customary conditions, would either automatically be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent refinancing which does not have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Refinanced Loans (prior to any extension thereto), (3) shall not be guaranteed by Persons other than Guarantors, (4) if in the form of subordinated Permitted Unsecured Refinancing Debt, shall be subject to a subordination agreement or provisions as reasonably agreed by the Administrative Agent, (5) shall not have a greater principal amount than the principal amount of the Refinanced Loans plus any accrued but unpaid interest and fees on such Refinanced Loans plus existing commitments unutilized under such Refinanced Loans to the extent permanently terminated at the time of incurrence of such new Indebtedness plus the amount of any tender premium or penalty or premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument or documents governing such Refinanced Loans and any defeasance costs and any reasonable fees and expenses (including OID, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with the issuance of such Refinancing Equivalent Debt, and (6) the covenants and events of default applicable to such Refinancing Equivalent Debt shall not be, when taken as a whole, materially more favorable, to the holders of such Indebtedness than those applicable to the Refinanced Loans unless such terms and conditions for such Refinancing Equivalent Debt are reflective of market terms and conditions for the type of Indebtedness incurred or issued at the time of incurrence or issuance thereof, in each case, as determined by the Borrower in good faith (it being understood that terms applicable only after the Stated Maturity Date of the applicable Refinanced Debt are acceptable in any event); provided , that no financial maintenance covenant applicable to the Borrower may be added to such Refinancing Equivalent Debt pursuant to this proviso without also being included in the Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loans (which may be achieved by an amendment solely among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and, for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that if such financial covenant is a “springing” financial maintenance covenant applicable only to Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, such financial maintenance covenant shall be automatically included in the Revolving Credit Facility only for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Facility and any Refinancing Revolving Credit Facility and not for the benefit of the Term Loans, any Refinancing Term Loans or any Refinancing Term Commitments).

(B)    (1) if either Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt or Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, shall be subject to security agreements substantially the same as the Security Documents (with such differences as are appropriate to reflect the nature of such Refinancing Equivalent Debt and are otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (2) if Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt, (x) shall be secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to control of remedies) with the Obligations and shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, and (y) shall be subject to a first lien intercreditor agreement or to other customary intercreditor agreements or arrangements reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (3) if Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt, (x) shall be secured by the Collateral on a second priority (or other junior priority) basis to the Liens

 

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securing the Obligations and shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than the Collateral, and (y) shall be subject to a second lien intercreditor agreement or to other customary intercreditor agreements or arrangements reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(C) shall be incurred, and the proceeds thereof used, solely to repay, repurchase, retire or refinance the Refinanced Loans and terminate all commitments thereunder within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by the Borrower of such proceeds.

(j)    This Section 2.25 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, Section 2.16, Section 2.17, Section 8.01 or Section 10.05 to the contrary.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 3.01 Closing Date . The obligation of each Lender to make an Initial Term Loans on the Closing Date and the effectiveness of the Revolving Commitments hereunder are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.05, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date:

(a) Loan Documents . The Administrative Agent shall have received this Agreement and each other Loan Document identified by it to be delivered on the Closing Date, duly executed and delivered by each applicable Loan Party.

(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency . The Administrative Agent shall have received (1) copies of the Organizational Documents of each Loan Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto; (2) signature and incumbency certificates of each such Person of each Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (3) resolutions of the board of directors or similar governing body of each Loan Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; and (4) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Loan Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation, each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Consummation of the Acquisition .

(i) The Borrower shall have consummated Merger 1 prior to or substantially simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Term Loans and Revolving Loans in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement (without giving effect to any amendments, consents or waivers to or of such documents that are materially adverse to the Lenders in their capacities as such and not consented to by the Arrangers (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned)).

 

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(ii) Since June 30, 2017, there shall not have been any occurrence, event, change, effect or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Target Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) The Existing Indebtedness Refinancing shall have occurred or shall occur simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Term Loans and Revolving Loans.

(d) Personal Property Collateral . In order to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority security interest in the personal property Collateral, each Loan Party shall have delivered to the Collateral Agent a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Closing Date and executed by an Authorized Officer of each Loan Party, together with all attachments contemplated thereby and all documents and instruments required to create or perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest, on behalf of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties, in the Collateral (in proper form for filing) (it being understood that, to the extent any security interest in any Collateral is not or cannot be provided and/or perfected on the Closing Date (other than the creation of and perfection (including by delivery of stock or other equity certificates, if any) of security interests (i) in the Equity Interests in any Material Subsidiaries which are Domestic Subsidiaries (to the extent constituting Collateral under this Agreement and other than in respect of the Target or its Subsidiaries, which shall be delivered to the extent made available by the Target on the Closing Date) and (ii) in other assets located in the United States with respect to which a lien may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC) after the Borrower’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so or without undue burden or expense, then the provision and/or perfection of a security interest in such Collateral shall not constitute a condition precedent to the availability of the Initial Term Loans and Revolving Loans on the Closing Date, but instead shall be required to be provided or delivered after the Closing Date pursuant to arrangements to be mutually agreed by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting reasonably, but at least 90 days after the Closing Date with respect to personal property and 120 days after the Closing Date with respect to real property (or, in each case, such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its reasonable discretion)).

(e) Financial Statements . The Administrative Agent shall have received the Historical Financial Statements from the Borrower and the Target; provided that the filing of the required financial statements on Form 10-K, Form S-4 or Form 10-Q by the Borrower and the Target, as applicable, will satisfy the requirements of this clause (e).

(f) Balance Sheet . The Lenders shall have received a pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements were delivered under Section 3.01(e), prepared after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(g) Opinions of Counsel to Loan Parties . The Agents and the Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received originally executed copies of the favorable written opinions of (i) Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP, as counsel for the Loan Parties, and (ii) Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP, as Ohio counsel for the Loan Parties, and in each case otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and each Loan Party hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to the Agents and the Lenders).

 

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(h) [Reserved] .

(i) Solvency; Solvency Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Financial Officer of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit G-2 hereto confirming the solvency of the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(j) Specified Merger Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations . The Specified Merger Agreement Representations and the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects.

(k) Closing Date Certificate . The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Closing Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto, and which shall include certifications to the effect that each of the conditions precedent described in this Section 3.01 and Section 3.02 will be satisfied on the Closing Date (except that no opinion need be expressed as to Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter).

(l)     Bank Regulatory Information .

(i) At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ PATRIOT Act ”), in each case requested at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

(ii) To the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Closing Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification ( provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

(m) Lien and Judgment Searches . The Collateral Agent shall have received the results of recent lien and judgment searches in each of the jurisdictions in which Uniform Commercial Code financing statements or other filings or recordations should be made to evidence or perfect security interests in all assets of the Loan Parties, and such search shall reveal no liens on any of the assets of the Loan Party, except for Permitted Liens or liens to be discharged on or prior to the Closing Date.

(n) Borrowing Notice . The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Borrowing Notice no later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date. Promptly upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of such Borrowing Notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing.

 

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(o) Fees . All fees required to be paid by the Borrower on the Closing Date and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed by the Borrower on the Closing Date, shall, upon the initial borrowing under the Initial Term Loans and Revolving Loans, have been paid (which amounts may be offset against the proceeds of the Initial Term Loans and Revolving Loans) to the extent invoiced at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

Section 3.02     Conditions to Each Credit Extension .

(a) Conditions Precedent . The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, or the Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit, on any Credit Date, including the Closing Date, are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.05, of the following conditions precedent:

(i) the Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and delivered Borrowing Notice or Issuance Notice, as the case may be;

(ii) as of such Credit Date, the representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of that Credit Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date; provided , that to the extent any such representation or warranty is already qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects; provided , further , that for purposes of the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date and in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the representations and warranties for purposes of this Section 3.02(a)(ii) shall be limited to the Specified Representations and the applicable Specified Merger Agreement Representations (or, with respect to any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the equivalent representations under the applicable definitive document with respect to such Limited Conditionality Transaction); and

(iii) as of such Credit Date (other than the Credit Date occurring on the Closing Date), no event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension that would constitute a Default or an Event of Default ( provided that both immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of any Incremental Facility (or, in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, at the option of the Borrower if agreed by the lenders providing such Incremental Facility, at the time of an LCA Election or at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment) no Default or Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (or, in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, if agreed by the lenders providing such Incremental Facility, no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g) exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility).

 

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(b) Notices . Any Notice shall be executed by an Authorized Officer in a writing delivered to the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Lenders and the Issuing Bank to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Loan Party represents and warrants to each Lender and the Issuing Bank, on the Closing Date and on each Credit Date that the following statements are true and correct (it being understood and agreed that the representations and warranties made on the Closing Date are deemed to be made concurrently with the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby):

Section 4.01 Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification . Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization (which jurisdictions, as of the Closing Date are identified on Schedule 4.01 ), (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, (c) has all requisite power and authority to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby and (d) to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction, is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where any material portion of its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its material business and operations, except in the case of clause (a) (other than with respect to any Loan Party), clause (b) (other than with respect to the Borrower) and clause (d), where failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.02 Equity Interests and Ownership . The outstanding Equity Interests of each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and, to the extent applicable, non-assessable. Schedule 4.02 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the Transactions.

Section 4.03 Due Authorization . The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action on the part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.

Section 4.04 No Conflict . The execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not (a) violate (i) any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except with respect to performance of the Loan Documents only, as would not be material to the operation of the Loan Parties or the rights of the Secured Parties, (ii) any of the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except, with respect to clauses (i) and (iii), to the extent such violation could not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except to the extent such conflict, breach or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties); or (d) require any approval of stockholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents which have been obtained on or before the Closing Date and disclosed in writing to the Lenders and except for any such approvals or consents the failure of which to obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.05 Governmental Consents . The execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except (i) as otherwise set forth in the Merger Agreement, (ii) for filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date, (iii) for those approvals, consents, exemptions, registrations, authorizations, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and (iv) with respect to performance only, approvals, consents, exemptions, registrations, authorizations, actions, notices or filings, which individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the operation of the Loan Parties or the rights of the Secured Parties.

Section 4.06 Binding Obligation . Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

Section 4.07 Historical Financial Statements . The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis, of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis, of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments. As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent liability or liability for Taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the Historical Financial Statements or the notes thereto but should have been reflected in such statements or the notes thereto in accordance with GAAP and which in any such case is material in relation to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Section 4.08    [Reserved].

 

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Section 4.09 No Material Adverse Change . Since December 31, 2017, no event, circumstance or change has occurred that has caused, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.10 Adverse Proceedings, Etc . There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.11 Payment of Taxes . Except for any failure that would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, all Tax returns and reports of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all Taxes shown on such Tax returns to be due and payable and all material assessments, fees, Taxes and other governmental charges upon the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income, businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when due and payable except for Taxes that are being contested in accordance with the terms of Section 5.03. To the knowledge of the Borrower, there is no proposed material Tax assessment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided , that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

Section 4.12     Properties .

(a) Title . Subject to Permitted Liens, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (as applicable) has (i) valid and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in each parcel of land, including the Closing Date Mortgaged Property, that is material to the operation of the business), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real property or personal property that is material to the operation of the business), (iii) valid licensed rights in (in the case of licensed interests in intellectual property) and (iv) good title to (in the case of all other material personal property) all of their respective properties and assets reflected in their respective Historical Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.07 and in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01, in each case (1) except which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (2) except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.08. Except as permitted by this Agreement, including Permitted Liens, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

(b) Real Estate . As of the Closing Date, Schedule 4.12 contains a true, accurate and complete list of all Material Real Estate Assets.

(c) Mortgages . Each of the Mortgages shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid, binding and enforceable Lien on the Mortgaged Properties described therein; and when the Mortgages are filed or recorded in the offices designated by the Borrower, each Mortgage shall constitute a fully perfected First Priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Mortgaged Properties described therein, as security for the Obligations, subject only to Permitted Liens.

 

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(d) Flood Zone Properties . As of the Closing Date, no Closing Date Mortgaged Property is located in a Flood Zone (except any such property as to which flood insurance has been obtained and is in full force and effect as required by this Agreement).

Section 4.13 Environmental Matters . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with, and have no liability under, any Environmental Law, and any past noncompliance has been fully resolved without any pending, on-going or future obligation or cost; (b) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained and maintained in full force and effect all Governmental Authorizations required pursuant to any Environmental Law for the current and reasonably anticipated future operation of their respective business and to own, lease, mine or operate their respective assets; (c) there are and, to the Borrower’s knowledge, are, and have been, no conditions, circumstances, activities, occurrences, violations of Environmental Law, or presence or Releases of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against, or require any investigation, remediation, remedial action or cleanup by, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or related to any Real Estate Assets; (d) there are no pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Environmental Claims against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notification of any alleged violation of, or liability pursuant to, any Environmental Law or responsibility for the Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials; (e) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries possess all bonds, guarantees, surety or other financial assurances or security requirements required pursuant to any Environmental Law or by any Governmental Authority to own, lease, mine or operate their respective assets; (f) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is conducting, funding or otherwise responsible for any investigation, remediation, remedial action or cleanup of any Hazardous Materials and (g) no Lien imposed pursuant to any Environmental Law has attached to any Collateral and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no conditions exist that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of such a Lien on any Collateral.

Section 4.14 No Defaults . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any agreement governing its Material Indebtedness, and no condition exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, could constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 4.15 Governmental Regulation . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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Section 4.16 Margin Stock . None of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is engaged, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refinance any Indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or for any other purpose that would entail a violation of Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors.

Section 4.17 Employee Matters . Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (c) to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no union organization activity that is taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.18 Employee Benefit Plans . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, each of their respective ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed in all material respects all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or similar state laws, no liability exists under any Employee Benefit Plan that provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates except for liabilities that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial valuation for such Pension Plan) did not exceed the aggregate current fair market value of the assets of such Pension Plan except when such excess would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan, the potential liability of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates for a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 or Section 4205 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete or partial withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except for instances of non-compliance or default which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

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Section 4.19 Solvency . The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and, upon the incurrence of any Obligation by any Loan Party on any date on which this representation and warranty is made, shall be, Solvent on a consolidated basis.

Section 4.20 Compliance with Law . Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it or its property, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.21     Disclosure .

(a) No representation or warranty of any Loan Party contained in any Loan Document or in any other documents, certificates or written statements furnished to any Agent or Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, other than projections and information of a general economic or general industry nature, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to the Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading, in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material.

(b) As of the Closing Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Closing Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct.

Section 4.22     PATRIOT Act and Anti-Bribery .

(a) To the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the PATRIOT Act. No part of the proceeds of the Loans shall be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

(b) No Loan Party or any Subsidiary of such Loan Party, is (i) a person on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” or (ii) currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC. The proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit will not be

 

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used directly or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, indirectly for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently the subject of any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or located within or operating from a Sanctioned Country, or for any payments that would constitute a violation of any Anti-Bribery Law.

Section 4.23     Sanctions .

(a) The Borrower represents and warrants that (i) no Covered Entity, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any officer or director thereof, is a Sanctioned Person and (ii) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, (A) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law; (B) does business in or with, or derives any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law; or (C) engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Sanctions Law.

(b) The Borrower represents and warrants that no Covered Entity, either in its own right or through any third party, will use any Loans or Letters of Credit to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law.

Section 4.24 Intellectual Property . Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each of the Loan Parties owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for or used in the conduct of its business as currently conducted and (ii) the use of Intellectual Property by each of the Loan Parties does not infringe on the rights of the other Person and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, the intellectual property owned by any Loan Party is not being infringed by any other Person.

Section 4.25     EEA Financial Institutions . No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

Section 4.26 Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit shall be used solely for the respective purposes set forth in Section 2.06.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until Payment in Full of all Obligations, such Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

Section 5.01 Financial Statements and Other Reports . In the case of the Borrower, deliver to the Administrative Agent (which shall furnish to each Lender):

(a) Quarterly Financial Statements . Within 45 days after the end of each of the first three (3) Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year (or 60 days in the case of the first three Fiscal Quarters ended after the Closing Date), commencing with the Fiscal Quarter in which the Closing

 

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Date occurs, (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification and (ii) a discussion and analysis by management with respect to the financial statements of such fiscal quarter and year to date results compared to the same periods in the prior year;

(b) Annual Financial Statements . Within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year (or 120 days in the case of the first Fiscal Year ended after the Closing Date), commencing with the Fiscal Year in which the Closing Date occurs, (i) the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification; (ii) a discussion and analysis by management with respect to the financial statements of such fiscal year compared to the financial statements of the prior fiscal year; and (iii) with respect to such consolidated financial statements of such Fiscal Year a report thereon of Ernst & Young, LLP, or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the Borrower, and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (which report and/or the accompanying financial statements shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit (except for any such qualification pertaining to impending debt maturities of any Indebtedness occurring within 12 months of such audit or any breach of any financial covenant), and shall state that such consolidated financial statements of such Fiscal Year fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the date(s) indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period(s) indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards);

(c) Unrestricted Subsidiary Designation . Simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(b) above, the related consolidating financial information (which may be unaudited) reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;

(d) Compliance Certificate . Together with each delivery of financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 5.01(a) and 5.01(b), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate; provided that if any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower most recently theretofore delivered under Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) above (or, prior to the first such delivery, referred to in Section 4.07) that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material effect on the calculation of the Leverage Ratio, the Compliance Certificate shall specify the nature of such change and the effect thereof on such calculation;

 

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(e) [Reserved] ;

(f) Notice of Default and Material Adverse Effect . Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or (ii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of an Authorized Officer specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event or change and any action taken or proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto. The Borrower shall deliver to the applicable Lender prompt written notice, upon any officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of, any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification.

(g) Notice of Litigation . Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of (i) any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Lenders or (ii) any development in any Adverse Proceeding that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby, or the exercise of rights or performance of obligations under any Loan Document written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to the Borrower to enable the Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such matters;

(h) ERISA . (i) Promptly upon the occurrence of or upon any officer of the Borrower becoming aware of the forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event other than any ERISA Event which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) with reasonable promptness, copies of (A) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request; (B) all notices received by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event; and (C) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

(i) Financial Plan . As soon as practicable and in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated plan and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year (a “ Financial Plan ”), including (1) a forecasted consolidated balance sheet and forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, and an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based and (2) forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter of such Fiscal Year;

(j)     [Reserved] .

 

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(k) Certification of Public Information . The Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or their securities) and, if documents or notices required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 or otherwise are being distributed through IntraLinks/IntraAgency, SyndTrak or another relevant website or other information platform (the “ Platform ”), any document or notice that the Borrower has indicated contains Non-Public Information shall not be posted on that portion of the Platform designated for such public-side Lenders. The Borrower agrees to clearly designate all information provided to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Loan Parties which is suitable to make available to Public Lenders. If the Borrower has not indicated whether a document or notice delivered pursuant to this Section 5.01 contains Non-Public Information, the Administrative Agent reserves the right to post such document or notice solely on that portion of the Platform designated for Lenders who wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their securities; and

(l) Other Information . (A) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses, if any, filed by the Borrower with any securities exchange or with the SEC or any governmental or private regulatory authority, (B) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” requirements under the PATRIOT Act and other applicable anti-money laundering laws and (C) such other information and data with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; provided that such other information is of a type customarily provided to lenders in similar syndicated credit facilities.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 5.01(a), (b), (d) or (l) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on its website as provided to the Administrative Agent; (ii) on which such documents are available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov; or (iii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on a website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent). The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 5.02 Existence . Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.08, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights and franchises, licenses and permits material to its business; provided , that no Loan Party (other than the Borrower with respect to existence) or any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any such existence, right or franchise, licenses and permits if failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.03 Payment of Taxes and Claims . Except for failures that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, pay all (x) Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or franchises before any penalty or fine accrues thereon, and (y) claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided , that no such Tax or claim need be paid to the extent it is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor and (b) in the case of a Tax or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such Tax or claim.

Section 5.04 Maintenance of Properties . Maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all properties used or useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries except to the extent failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.05     Insurance .

(a) In the case of the Borrower, maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable (in the good faith judgment of its management) insurance in respect of the assets, properties and businesses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in at least such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar business operating in the same or similar locations.

(b) Without limiting the generality of clause (a), the Borrower shall maintain or cause to be maintained (i) flood insurance that covers each Material Real Estate Asset subject to a Mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that is located in a Flood Zone in each case, in compliance with the Flood Program and otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent and (ii) replacement value property damage insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses in the same or similar locations. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each property damage insurance policy, contain a mortgagee and lender loss payable clause or endorsement, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent, that names the Collateral Agent of the benefit of the Secured Parties as the mortgagee and lender loss payee thereunder and provides, to the extent agreed to by the applicable insurance provider after commercially reasonable efforts on the part of the Borrower to obtain such agreement, for at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice (or ten (10) days’ prior written notice in the case of cancellation due to non-payment of premium) to the Collateral Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy.

 

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Section 5.06     Books and Records; Inspections . Maintain proper books of record and accounts in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving its assets and business, in a form in which financial statements conforming with GAAP can be generated. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized representation designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Loan Party and any of its respective Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested; provided , that in the case of any meeting with any independent public accountants, representatives of the Loan Parties shall have an opportunity to be present; provided , further , that in the absence of an Event of Default, only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise visitation and inspection rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Section 5.06 and no more than one such visit will be permitted in any Fiscal Year. The Lenders will use commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate any visits or inspections made pursuant to this Section 5.06 so as to minimize inconvenience to the Loan Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, none of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries will be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (a) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (b) in respect of which disclosure is prohibited by law or any binding agreement or (c) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

Section 5.07     Compliance with Laws .

(a) Comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority (including all Environmental Laws), except to the extent noncompliance with which could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with all applicable Anti-Bribery Laws and Sanctions Laws.

(b) The Borrower covenants and agrees that (i) no Covered Entity will become a Sanctioned Person, (ii) no Covered Entity, either in its own right or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, through any third party, will (A) have any of its assets in a Sanctioned Country or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law; (B) do business in or with, or derive any of its income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law; (C) engage in any dealings or transactions prohibited by any Sanctions Law or (D) use any Loans or Letters of Credit to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Country or Sanctioned Person in violation of any Sanctions Law, (iii) the funds used to repay the Obligations will not be derived from any unlawful activity, (iv) each Covered Entity shall comply with all applicable Sanctions Laws and Anti-Bribery Laws and (v) the Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event.

 

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Section 5.08     Environmental .

(a) In the case of the Borrower, deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(i) as soon as practicable following receipt thereof, copies of all written environmental assessments, audits, investigations, analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether prepared by personnel of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or by any independent consultants, Governmental Authorities or any Persons with respect to any matters or with respect to any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) promptly upon the occurrence or receipt thereof, written notice relating to (1) any Release of Hazardous Materials which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (2) any remedial action taken by the Borrower or any other Person in response to (A) any Hazardous Materials the existence of which could reasonably be expected to result in one or more Environmental Claims having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (B) any Environmental Claim that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (3) the Borrower’s discovery of any occurrence or condition on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that could cause such Facility or any part thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Law that could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect;

(iii) as soon as practicable following the sending or receipt thereof by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all written communications with respect to any Release of Hazardous Materials or any actual or threatened Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(iv) prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (A) any proposed acquisition of stock, assets, or other property by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to (1) expose the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (2) adversely affect the ability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to maintain compliance with Environmental Laws to a degree that could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect and (B) any proposed actions to be taken by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to modify current operations in a manner that could reasonably be expected to subject Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any additional obligations or requirements under any Environmental Law, to the extent any such obligation or requirement could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

(v) with reasonable promptness, such other documents and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this Section 5.09(a).

 

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(b) Promptly take any and all actions necessary to (i) cure any violation of any Environmental Law by such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) conduct any investigative or remedial action that may be required pursuant to any Environmental Law by such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in response to any Hazardous Materials the existence of which could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) make an appropriate response to any Environmental Claim against such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person thereunder where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, except in each case to the extent such Loan Party or Subsidiary is contesting such violation, action, Environmental Claim or obligation in good faith by proper proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and appropriate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.

(c) Use and operate all of its Facilities in compliance with all Environmental Laws, obtain and maintain in full force and effect all necessary Governmental Authorizations required pursuant to any Environmental Laws, and cause all lessees, contractors and other Persons that are agents or invitees of a Loan Party operating or occupying any property owned or leased by any Loan Party to comply in all material respects, with all Environmental Law, in each case except where the failure to comply, obtain or maintain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.09     Subsidiaries .

(a) In the case of the Borrower, in the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) after the Closing Date or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary after the Closing Date, within 60 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion) after the occurrence thereof (a) cause such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder and a Grantor under the Pledge and Security Agreement by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a Counterpart Agreement, and (b) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 3.01(b), 3.01(g), 3.01(i), 3.01(l), Section 5.11(b) (if applicable) and Section 5.13.

(b) In the case of the Borrower, with respect to any new Subsidiary created or acquired, as the case may be, after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, within 60 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion) after the creation or acquisition thereof, execute deliver, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 3.01(b)(1), and the Borrower shall take all of the actions referred to in Section 5.13 necessary to grant and to perfect a First Priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, under the Pledge and Security Agreement in the Equity Interests (other than Excluded Equity Interests (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement)) of such new Subsidiary that is owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries ( provided that in no event shall more than 65.0% of the voting Equity Interests and 100% of the non-voting Equity Interests of any new Excluded Subsidiary described in clause (i) of the definition thereof be required to be so pledged).

 

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(c) With respect to each new Subsidiary, within 60 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its discretion) after the formation or acquisition thereof, the Borrower shall send to the Collateral Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Subsidiary (i) the date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.01 and 4.02 with respect to such Subsidiary; and such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedule 4.01 and 4.02 for all purposes hereof.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Borrower may cause any Foreign Subsidiary organized under the laws of Canada, Mexico or any other jurisdiction approved by the Administrative Agent and with the Applicable Consent of the Required Lenders (each such Foreign Subsidiary, a “ Foreign Guarantor ”) to become a Guarantor hereunder by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Counterpart Agreement and to grant Liens on substantially all of its assets (subject to exclusions and limitations similar to those afforded to the Domestic Subsidiaries under the Loan Documents) to secure the Obligations by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a security, pledge or similar agreement governed by the laws of its jurisdiction of organization in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; provided that, in connection with any such designation of any such Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Guarantor, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended with the written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent solely to the extent necessary or advisable to effect such Guaranty and Liens to be provided by such Foreign Guarantor; provided further that the designation of any such Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Guarantor shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) such Foreign Guarantor shall take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 3.01(b), 3.01(g), 3.01(i), 3.01(l), Section 5.11(b) (if applicable) and Section 5.13 (which, for the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, shall include documents and actions governed by, required by or advisable under the local laws of such Foreign Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents or to perfect the security interest of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to the Collateral owned by such Foreign Guarantor) and (ii) the Counterpart Agreement, each Security Document and any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be entered into in connection with such designation shall have been provided to the Lenders and, to the extent applicable, the Applicable Consent of the Required Lenders shall have been received.

Section 5.10 Designation of Subsidiaries . The Borrower may at any time designate any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary by delivering to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower specifying such designation and certifying that the conditions to such designation set forth in this Section 5.10 are satisfied; provided that:

(i)    both immediately before and immediately after any such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

 

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(ii)    if the Financial Covenant is then in effect, the Borrower shall be in Pro Forma Compliance with the Financial Covenant, recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the last day of the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2017); and

(iii)    in the case of a designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, each subsidiary of such Subsidiary has been, or concurrently therewith will be, designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Section 5.10 .

The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower in such Subsidiary on the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment therein (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Borrower). The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary shall constitute (i) the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Indebtedness or Permitted Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time and (ii) a return on any Investment by the Borrower in such Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the preceding sentence in an amount equal to the fair market value at the date of such designation of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiary’s (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary.

Section 5.11     Additional Material Real Estate Assets .

(a) In the event that any Loan Party subsequently acquires a Real Estate Asset that constitutes a Material Real Estate Asset, and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Security Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, at the time of the acquisition thereof (or within a reasonable time after the completion of the construction of the improvement), such Loan Party shall within 120 days thereafter (or such later date as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents in the manner contemplated by Section 5.11(b) with respect to each such subsequently acquired Material Real Estate Asset, that the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and, subject to any filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority Lien in such subsequently acquired Material Real Estate Assets. In addition to the foregoing, at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, deliver, from time to time, to the Collateral Agent such appraisals as are required by law or regulation with respect to Material Real Estate Assets for which the Collateral Agent has been granted a Lien.

(b) In order to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and, subject to any filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority security interest in a Material Real Estate Asset as required by Section 5.11(a), the applicable Loan Party shall promptly take such actions, and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered the following, in each case, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent:

(i) a fully executed and notarized Mortgage, in proper form for recording in all appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions, encumbering such Material Real Estate Asset;

 

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(ii) an opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) in each jurisdiction in which such Material Real Estate Asset is located with respect to the enforceability of the form(s) of Mortgages to be recorded in such jurisdiction and such other matters of local law as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

(iii) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies or unconditional commitments therefor issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company, First American Title Insurance Company or another title company reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent (the “ Title Company ”) with respect to each such Material Real Estate Asset (each, a “ Title Policy ”), in amounts as reasonably agreed by the Collateral Agent and the Borrower insuring the fee simple title to each of the Material Real Estate Assets vested in the applicable Loan Party and insuring the Collateral Agent that the relevant Mortgage creates a valid and enforceable First Priority mortgage Lien on such Material Real Estate Asset encumbered thereby, each which Title Policy shall include endorsements reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to the extent available in each jurisdiction at commercially reasonably rates, together with evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that the applicable Loan Party has (i) delivered to the Title Company such affidavits as reasonably and customarily required by the Title Company in connection with the issuance of the applicable Title Policy and (ii) has paid to the Title Company or to the appropriate Governmental Authorities all expenses and premiums of the Title Company and all other sums required in connection with the issuance of the Title Policies and all recording and stamp taxes (including mortgage recording and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Mortgages with respect to such Material Real Estate Asset in the applicable real property records, it being agreed that the Collateral Agent shall reasonably cooperate with the applicable Loan Party in order to minimize all such taxes; together with a title commitment issued by a title company with respect thereto, dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date of the creation of the Mortgage on such Material Real Estate Asset and copies of all recorded documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to therein, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

(iv) (A) a completed Flood Certificate with respect to each such Material Real Estate Asset, which Flood Certificate shall (i) be addressed to the Collateral Agent, (ii) be completed by a company which has guaranteed the accuracy of the information contained therein, and (iii) otherwise comply with the Flood Program; (B) evidence describing whether the community in which each such Material Real Estate Asset is located participates in the Flood Program; (C) if any Flood Certificate states that such Material Real Estate Asset is located in a Flood Zone, the Borrower’s written acknowledgement of receipt of written notification from the Collateral Agent (i) as to the existence of each such Material Real Estate Asset, and (ii) as to whether the community in which each such Material Real Estate Asset is located is participating in the Flood

 

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Program; and (D) if any such Material Real Estate Asset is located in a Flood Zone and is located in a community that participates in the Flood Program, evidence that the applicable Loan Party has obtained a policy of flood insurance that is in compliance with the Flood Program; and

(v) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, either a new ALTA survey or express map of each Mortgaged Property or an existing survey or express map together with an “affidavit of no change” sufficient for such Title Company to remove all standard survey exceptions from the Title Policy relating to such Mortgaged Property and issue the survey related endorsements or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided that the Collateral Agent will only require new ALTA surveys or express maps to the extent the benefit to the Lenders of such new ALTA surveys or express maps outweigh the cost of obtaining such new ALTA surveys or express maps or are required by applicable law or regulation.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Loan Party shall be required to execute and deliver a Mortgage on any Mortgaged Property until the Borrower receives confirmation from the Administrative Agent that flood insurance due diligence and flood insurance compliance as required by this Section 5.11(b) has been completed.

Section 5.12 [Reserved] .

Section 5.13 Further Assurances . At any time or from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, at the expense of the Loan Parties, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents or to more fully perfect (subject to limitations contained in the Loan Documents) or renew the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to the Collateral (or with respect to any additions thereto or replacements or proceeds thereof or with respect to any other property or assets hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary which may be deemed to be part of the Collateral). In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (subject to limitations contained herein and in the other Loan Documents).

Section 5.14 Maintenance of Ratings . At all times, Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain (x) (i) a corporate family rating (but not any specific rating), in the case of Moody’s and (ii) an issuer credit rating (but not any specific rating), in the case of S&P and (y) credit ratings (but not any specific rating) issued by Moody’s and S&P with respect to the credit facilities hereunder.

Section 5.15 Lender Calls . In the case of the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, participate in an annual telephonic conference call with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, such telephonic conference call to be held at such time as may be agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent but in any event no later than ninety (90) days after the end of any Fiscal Year (or 120 days in the case of the first Fiscal Year ended after the Closing Date); provided that no such call shall be required for any year in which the Borrower conducts a public earnings call.

 

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Section 5.16     Post-Closing Date Obligations .

(a) Within 120 days following the Closing Date (or such later date as the Collateral Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower and each applicable Guarantor shall comply with each of the requirements set forth in Section 5.11(b) in the case of each Material Real Estate Asset listed on Schedule 5.16(a) (each, a “ Closing Date Mortgaged Property ”).

(b) The Borrower and each applicable Guarantor shall comply with each requirement set forth on Schedule 5.16(b) on or before the date specified for such requirement (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion).

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until Payment in Full of all Obligations, such Loan Party shall not, nor shall it cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

Section 6.01 Indebtedness . Create, incur, assume or otherwise become or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:

(a) the Obligations (including, without limitation, with respect to Refinancing Debt, Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Loans);

(b) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary owed to the Borrower or to any other Subsidiary, or of the Borrower owed to any Subsidiary; provided , that (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by the Intercompany Note, and, if owed to a Loan Party, shall be subject to a First Priority Lien pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, (ii) all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and all such Indebtedness owing by any Loan Party to a Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Payment in Full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Intercompany Note and (iii) in respect of any Indebtedness owing by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party, such Indebtedness is permitted as an Investment under the proviso to Section 6.06(e);

(c) Incremental Equivalent Debt and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(d) Refinancing Equivalent Debt and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(e) obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any Permitted Receivables Financing, to the extent such obligations constitute Indebtedness;

(f) Indebtedness in respect of Swap Contracts not entered into for speculative purposes;

 

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(g) Subordinated Indebtedness that (i) matures after, and does not require any scheduled amortization or other scheduled payments of principal prior to, the maturity date of the Term Loans in existence as of the date of such issuance (it being understood that such Indebtedness may have mandatory prepayment, repurchase or redemptions provisions satisfying the requirement of clause (ii) hereof), (ii) has terms and conditions that (other than interest rate, redemption premiums and subordination terms), as determined in good faith by the Borrower, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Borrower than the terms and conditions customary at the time for high-yield debt securities issued in a public offering (or if applicable, high-yield subordinated debt securities so issues) and (iii) is incurred by the Borrower or a Guarantor; provided, that (x) both immediately prior and after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom and (y) at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Borrower shall be in compliance with a Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) not exceeding (I) prior to December 31, 2018, 4.50:1.00 and (II) on or after December 31, 2018, 4.00:1.00;

(h) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations (including Indebtedness consisting of the deferred purchase price of assets or property acquired in a Permitted Acquisition), or from guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds or similar obligations securing the performance of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in connection with any Permitted Acquisitions, permitted Investments or permitted Dispositions;

(i) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits, unemployment insurance or other social security laws or regulations or property, casualty or liability insurance and premiums related thereto, self-insurance obligations, obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances, bids, tenders, trade contracts, governmental contracts and leases, customs, guaranties, performance, surety, stay, statutory, appeal or similar obligations in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(j) cash management obligations and Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of netting services, overdraft protections, commercial credit cards, stored value cards, purchasing cards and treasury management services, automated clearing-house arrangements, employee credit card programs, controlled disbursement, ACH transactions, return items, interstate deposit network services, dealer incentive, supplier finance or similar programs, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication transfers, cash pooling and operational foreign exchange management and similar arrangements, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business in connection with Deposit Accounts;

(k) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(l) guaranties by the Borrower of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary or guaranties by a Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, in each case with respect to Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 6.01; provided , that (i) if

 

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the Indebtedness that is being guarantied is unsecured and/or subordinated to the Obligations, the guaranty shall also be unsecured and/or subordinated to the Obligations to the same extent and (ii) in respect of any guaranty by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such guaranty is permitted as an Investment pursuant to Section 6.06(c);

(m) Indebtedness described in Schedule 6.01 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(n) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred to finance the acquisition, lease, construction, replacement, repair or improvement of any assets or other Investments permitted hereunder (including rolling stock), including (i) Capital Leases and (ii) purchase money Indebtedness (including any industrial revenue bonds, industrial development bonds and similar financings); provided that the aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding of Indebtedness under this clause (n) shall not exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 2.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided , further , that such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the asset acquired in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(o) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $100,000,000 and 3.00% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(p) (i) Indebtedness of a Person or Indebtedness attaching to assets of a Person that, in either case, becomes a Subsidiary or Indebtedness attaching to assets that are acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case after the Closing Date as the result of a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted under Section 6.06, provided , that (x) such Indebtedness existed at the time such Person became a Subsidiary or at the time such assets were acquired and, in each case, was not created in anticipation thereof (y) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed in any respect by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than by any such person that so becomes a Subsidiary) and (z) the Borrower shall be in compliance with a Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) not exceeding the then applicable Leverage Ratio level set forth in Section 6.07 minus 0.50:1.00 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(q) Capital Leases resulting from any sale and leaseback transaction that is permitted pursuant to Section 6.08(t)(iii);

(r) (i) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing to any insurance company in connection with the financing of any insurance premiums and (ii) take-or-pay obligations constituting Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Indebtedness consisting of customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods and services purchased, or otherwise in connection with services rendered, in the ordinary course of business;

(t) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, contingent obligations arising under indemnity agreements to title insurance companies to cause such title insurers to issue title insurance policies in the ordinary course of business with respect to the real property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

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(u) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities to the extent they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable law;

(v) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, deferred compensation or similar arrangements payable to future, present or former directors, officers, employees, members of management or consultants of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to the extent incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(w) Indebtedness consisting of unsecured promissory notes issued by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to future, present or former directors, officers, members of management, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective estates, executors, administrators, heirs, family members, legatees, distributes, spouses or former spouses, domestic partners or former domestic partners to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower permitted by Section 6.04;

(x) unsecured Indebtedness in respect of obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

(y) Indebtedness in respect of any letter of credit or bank guarantee issued in favor of any Issuing Bank to support any Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.22(b);

(z) Indebtedness of Borrower or any Subsidiary supported by a Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit;

(aa) any Attributable Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 2.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; provided that Dispositions pursuant to Section 6.08(t)(ii) shall not be included in calculating the foregoing basket or otherwise constitute Attributable Indebtedness for the purposes of this Agreement;

(bb) [Reserved];

(cc) other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $175,000,000 and 5.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; and

(dd) without duplication of any other Indebtedness, all premiums (if any), interest (including post-petition interest and payment in kind interest), accretion or amortization of original issue discount, fees, expenses and charges with respect to Indebtedness permitted hereunder.

 

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Section 6.02     Liens . Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired or licensed, or any income, profits or royalties therefrom, except:

(a) Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Loan Document; and (ii) Liens on cash or deposits to cash collateralize any Letters of Credit contemplated hereunder;

(b) Liens securing any Permitted Junior Secured Refinancing Debt or any Permitted Pari Passu Secured Refinancing Debt;

(c) Liens securing any Incremental Equivalent Debt that is permitted to be secured in accordance with Section 2.24(c) and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(d) Liens for Taxes to the extent obligations with respect to such Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted so long as adequate reserves or other appropriate provisions as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(e) statutory Liens of landlords, banks (and rights of set-off), of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law and securing obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet overdue by more than sixty (60) days or, if more than sixty (60) days overdue are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any such contested amounts;

(f) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with (i) workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits, unemployment insurance and other types of social security laws or regulations, property, casualty or liability insurance or premiums related thereto or self-regulation obligations, or (ii) to secure the performance of contracts, customs, tenders, statutory obligations, surety, stay and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds, performance and completion guarantees and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money or other Indebtedness), in each case including letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments posted to support payment of items set forth in the foregoing clause (f); provided that such letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit), bank guarantees or similar instruments are issued in compliance with Section 6.01;

(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and that, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto;

(h) any interest or title of a lessor, lessee, sublessor or sublessee under any lease or sublease permitted hereunder and any interest of a licensor, licensee, sublicensor or sublicensee under any license or sublicense permitted hereunder and covering only the assets so leased;

 

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(i) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements or similar arrangements made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

(j) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property, consignments and similar arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(k) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods that (a) are not overdue more than thirty (30) days or, if more than thirty (30) days overdue, are being contested in a manner consistent with Section 5.03 or (b) with respect to which the failure to make payment could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property;

(m) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses (including with respect to software, patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights) granted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(n) Liens described in Schedule 6.02 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) no additional property is covered thereby (other than proceeds of products thereof and accessions and improvements thereto), (ii) the amount secured or benefitted thereby is not increased (except, in connection with any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof, by an amount equal to accrued interest, a reasonable premium paid in connection with such renewal, replacement, extension or refinancing, as applicable, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection therewith) and (iii) if such Lien secures Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 6.01;

(o) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(n) and any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof; provided , that any such Lien shall encumber only the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness;

(p) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(p) and any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof, provided , that any such Lien shall encumber only those assets which secured such Indebtedness at the time such assets were acquired by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;

(q) Liens arising from judgments, writs or warrants of attachment or similar process in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

(r) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business by virtue of any contractual, statutory or common law provisions, banker’s liens, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with depository institutions and securities accounts and other financial assets maintained with a securities intermediary;

 

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(s) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 of the UCC or other similar provisions of applicable laws on items in the course of collection;

(t) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods arising under Article 2 of the UCC in the ordinary course of business securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances and letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods, in any case covering only goods actually sold;

(u) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of premiums with respect thereto to the extent permitted hereunder;

(v) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by any Loan Party in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of such Loan Party;

(w) Liens on repurchase agreements constituting Cash Equivalents pursuant to clause (e) of the definition thereof;

(x) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01(o); provided , that any such Lien shall encumber only the assets of the Subsidiary that incurred the Indebtedness secured by such Lien;

(y) Liens in respect of Permitted Receivables Financings that extend only to the receivables subject thereto, the agreements governing the receivables included in such Permitted Receivables Financings, the rights under any such agreements, the proceeds thereof and the accounts into which such proceeds are paid;

(z) Liens (A) on advances of cash or Cash Equivalents in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Sections 6.06 or 6.08 to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, and (B) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition permitted under Section 6.08, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(aa) Liens (i) consisting of customary rights of first refusal and tag, drag and similar rights in joint venture agreements and agreements with respect to non-wholly owned Subsidiaries and (ii) consisting of any encumbrances or restriction (including put and call arrangements) in favor of a joint venture party with respect to Equity Interests of, or assets owned by, any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(bb) Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents used for a defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness; provided such defeasance, discharge or redemption is permitted hereunder;

(cc) Liens constituting customary cash collateral arrangements in relation to obligations under Swap Contracts permitted by Section 6.01(f);

 

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(dd) (i) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries and (ii) cash collateral on deposit with banks or other financial institutions issuing letters of credit (or backstopping such letters of credit) or other equivalent bank guarantees issued naming as beneficiaries the owners or lessors of premises leased or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and such Subsidiaries to secure the performance of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises;

(ee) Liens securing obligations under any Attributable Indebtedness of the Borrower and any Subsidiary; provided that any such Lien shall encumber only the property interest subject to such sale and leaseback transaction;

(ff) other Liens on assets securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $75,000,000 and 2.25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (it being understood that, for purposes of this Section 6.02(ee), the amount of any such Lien shall be the lesser of (x) the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien and (y) the aggregate amount of the obligations secured by such Lien);

(gg) Liens and other interests of lessor in respect of rental obligations under mining leases entered into by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and

(hh) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business under sand leases, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of sand, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, sand balancing or deferred production agreements and other agreements that are usual and customary for dispositions of mineral rights in respect of the sand business and are for claims which are not delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP; provided that any such Lien referred to in this Section 6.2(hh) does not materially impair the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such property subject thereto.

Section 6.03 No Further Negative Pledges . Enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption by any Loan Party of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Obligations, except with respect to (a) Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) specific assets or property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to a permitted Asset Sale or other sale or disposition permitted by Section 6.08, (c) Liens permitted by Section 6.02 (g), (o), (p), (x), (y) and (z) or any document or agreement governing such Liens; provided that such restrictions are limited by the assets and/or property securing such Lien, (d) restrictions and conditions imposed by law, rule, regulation or order, (e) restrictions identified on Schedule 6.03 and any refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof, except to the extent any such refinancing, renewal or extension expands the scope of any such restriction, (f) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures and non-wholly owned Subsidiaries permitted under Section 6.06 and applicable solely to such Person entered into in the ordinary course of business and (g) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments,

 

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subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the assets or property secured by such Liens or the assets or property subject to such leases, licenses or similar agreements, as the case may be).

Section 6.04     Restricted Junior Payments . Directly or indirectly declare, order, pay, make or set apart any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment except that:

(a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions ratably with respect to its Equity Interests; provided that if such Subsidiary is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, such dividends must be made on a pro rata basis to the holders of its Equity Interests or on a greater than ratable basis to the extent such greater payments are made solely to the Borrower or a Subsidiary;

(b) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make regularly scheduled payments of interest and principal in respect of any Subordinated Indebtedness in accordance with the terms of, and only to the extent required by, and subject to any subordination provisions contained in, the agreement pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued;

(c) [Reserved];

(d) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, the Borrower may make Restricted Junior Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets to purchase common stock or common stock options from shareholders (including, without limitation, present or former officers, directors or employees of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (x) upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such officer, director or employee or (y) pursuant to any employee, management or director profit interests or equity plan, employee, management or director stock option plan or any other employee, management, or director benefit plan or any agreement with any employee, director or officer);

(e) [Reserved];

(f) the Borrower may make payments in cash, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, upon the exercise of warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person;

(g) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (in the case of clause (i) of the definition of “Restricted Junior Payments”, on the date of declaration), other Restricted Junior Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, if the Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) is less than 3.50:1.00, an amount equal to the Available Amount;

(h) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (in the case of clause (i) of the definition of “Restricted Junior Payments”, on the date of declaration), other Restricted Junior Payments in an aggregate amount such that the Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) shall not exceed 2.75:1.00;

 

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(i) other Restricted Junior Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $50,000,000 and 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets; and

(j) refinancings, replacements, substitutions, extensions, restructurings, exchanges and renewals of Subordinated Indebtedness for Subordinated Indebtedness to the extent such refinancing, replacement, exchange or renewed Subordinated Indebtedness is permitted by Section 6.01;

provided that the proceeds of any Specified Equity Contribution shall not be used to make payments otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.04.

Section 6.05 Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions . Except as provided herein, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower or (b) make or repay loans or advances to any Loan Party, other than restrictions:

(a) imposed by law or by any Loan Document;

(b) in agreements evidencing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(e), (n) and (p) that impose restrictions on the property so acquired or the property securing such Permitted Receivables Financing, as applicable, and any amendments, modifications, extensions or renewals thereof (including any such extension or renewal arising as a result of an extension, renewal or refinancing of any Indebtedness containing such restriction or condition) that does not expand the scope of any such restriction or condition in any material respect;

(c)    in agreements evidencing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(o);

(d) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(e) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to any property, assets or Equity Interests not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement;

(f) in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, restrictions and conditions imposed by its Organizational Documents or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Subsidiary and to any Equity Interests in such Subsidiary;

(g) identified on Schedule 6.05 and any amendments, modifications, extensions or renewals thereof (including any such extension or renewal arising as a result of an extension, renewal or refinancing of any Indebtedness containing such restriction or condition) that does not expand the scope of any such restriction or condition in any material respect; or

 

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(h) that are customary restrictions in any Incremental Equivalent Debt, any Refinancing Equivalent Debt or any Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(cc), in each case, so long as such restrictions shall not conflict with this Agreement.

Section 6.06     Investments . Make or own any Investment in any Person, including any Joint Venture, except:

(a) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiary and

Investments made after the Closing Date in any Loan Party;

(c) (i) additional Investments by the Borrower in any Guarantor and by any Guarantor in the Borrower or in another Guarantor, and (ii) Investments (including by way of capital contributions or guaranties of their obligations) by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in any Subsidiary; provided, in the case of clause (ii), the aggregate amount of Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (together with the aggregate amount of (x) any Investments pursuant to Section 6.06(e)(ii) and (y) Permitted Acquisitions of Subsidiaries that do not become Guarantors) at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the greater of $250,000,000 and 7.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(d) Investments (i) in any Securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and (ii) consisting of accounts receivables, deposits, prepayments and other trade credits to suppliers created, acquired or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(e) intercompany loans to the extent permitted under Section 6.01(b) and other Investments (i) in (including guarantees of obligations of) any Loan Party, (ii) by any Loan Party in (including (without duplication for purposes of the proviso in this clause (ii)) guarantees of obligations of) Subsidiaries of Borrower which are not Guarantors; provided that the aggregate amount of such Investments under this clause (ii) (together with the aggregate amount of (x) any Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party pursuant to Section 6.06(c) and (y) the aggregate amount of Permitted Acquisitions of Subsidiaries other than Guarantors) at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the greater of $250,000,000 and 7.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets and (iii) by any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor in (including guarantees of obligations of) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor;

(f)    Investments (if any) arising as a result of Permitted Receivables Financings;

(g) loans and advances to future, present or former employees, officers, members of management, consultants and directors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries made (i) in the ordinary course of business for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar purposes or consistent with past practices and (ii) for any other purposes in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000;

(h) Permitted Acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 6.08;

 

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(i)    Investments described in Schedule 6.06;

(j)    Swap Contracts of the type permitted under Section 6.01;

(k) loans by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the employees, officers or directors of the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with any non-qualified retirement plan or similar compensation or management incentive plans; provided that such loans represent cashless transactions pursuant to which such employees, officers or directors directly invest the proceeds of such loans in Equity Interests issued by the Borrower;

(l)    [Reserved];

(m) Investments arising directly out of the receipt by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of non-cash consideration that is permitted to be received for any sale of assets permitted under Section 6.08(d);

(n)    Investments in an aggregate amount equal to the Available Amount;

(o) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and similar businesses in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $25,000,000 and 0.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(p) Investments in Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $25,000,000 and 0.75% of Consolidated Tangible Assets;

(q) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, other Investments in an aggregate principal amount such that, as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements are available, the Borrower shall be in compliance with a Leverage Ratio (calculated on a Pro Forma Basis) not exceeding the then applicable Leverage Ratio level set forth in Section 6.07 minus 0.75:1.00;

(r) Investments received (i) upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment, (ii) as a result of the settlement, compromise or resolution of litigation, arbitration or other disputes or (iii) in settlement of debt created in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Investments consisting of advances or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

(t)    Investments consisting of Restricted Junior Payments permitted under Section 6.04;

(u) Investments consisting of advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(v) any Investments in any Subsidiary or Joint Venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; provided that any entity that serves to hold cash balances for the purposes of making such advances to Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures is a Loan Party;

 

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(w) any acquisition of assets or Equity Interests solely in exchange for the substantially contemporaneous issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower;

(x) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit;

(y) non-cash Investments in Subsidiaries in connection with reorganizations or other activities related to Tax planning; provided that, after giving effect to any such reorganization or other activity related to Tax planning, the security interest of the Administrative Agent in the Collateral, taken as a whole, is not materially impaired;

(z) Investments held by any Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date, or of any Person acquired by, or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, in each case as part of an Investment otherwise permitted by this Section 6.06 to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of the relevant acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(aa) Investments (i) constituting deposits, prepayments and/or other credits to suppliers, (ii) made in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client and customer contracts and/or (iii) in the form of advances made to distributors, suppliers, licensors and licensees, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; and

(bb) other Investments in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the sum of (i) the greater of $50,000,000 and 1.50% of Consolidated Tangible Assets and (ii) the amount of any cash returns actually received by the Borrower or any Guarantor with regard to any such Investments made pursuant to this clause (bb) during the term of this Agreement; provided that the amount of cash returns included in this clause (ii) with respect to each Investment shall not exceed the amount of such related Investment made pursuant to this clause (bb)).

Section 6.07 Financial Covenan t. Solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, the Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall not (a) as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter ending on or after September 30, 2018 and before December 31, 2018, permit the Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.50:1.00, or (b) in the case of any Fiscal Quarter ending on or after December 31, 2018, permit the Leverage Ratio to exceed 4.00:1.00.

 

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Section 6.08 Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions . (i) Merge, or consolidate, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or (ii) convey, sell, lease or license, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets or property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased or licensed, or (iii) acquire by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment and capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business) all or substantially all assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, except:

(a) (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged with or into the Borrower or any Subsidiary or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, assets or property may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided , that in the case of such a transaction involving the Borrower or a Guarantor, the Borrower or such Guarantor shall, as applicable, be the continuing or surviving Person or the Person to whom the applicable business, assets and/or property are conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed; (ii) any Person may merge into the Borrower in an Investment permitted by Section 6.06 in which the Borrower is the surviving Person; and (iii) any Person may merge with a Subsidiary in an Investment permitted by Section 6.06 in which the surviving person is a Subsidiary so long as if any party to such merger is a Loan Party, the surviving entity is a Loan Party (or the surviving Person is a Domestic Subsidiary that, simultaneously with the consummation of such merger, becomes a Loan Party and assumes the Obligations of such non-surviving Loan Party in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent);

(b) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve or change in legal form if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution or change in legal form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders;

(c) sales or other Dispositions of assets that do not constitute Asset Sales;

(d) Asset Sales; provided , that (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by the Borrower), (2) no less than 75% of the consideration for such asset sale shall be paid in Cash or Designated Non-Cash Consideration to the extent that all Designated Non-Cash Consideration at such time does not exceed $50,000,000 (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), (3) no Event of Default is continuing or would exist after giving effect thereto and (4) the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.14(a);

(e) (i) disposals of damaged, obsolete, used, worn out or surplus assets or property no longer useful to the business of such Person or economically impracticable to maintain and (ii) dispositions of inventory (including on an intercompany basis) and vehicles in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(f) (i) the Acquisition and any merger, amalgamation, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries expressly contemplated pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be permitted and (ii) Permitted Acquisitions;

(g) sales or other Dispositions of property (including like-kind exchanges) to the extent that (x) such property is exchanged for credit (on a fair market value basis) against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (y) such property is sold or otherwise disposed of for fair market value and the proceeds of such sale or Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of similar replacement property;

 

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(h) any Disposition of real property to a Governmental Authority that results in Net Cash Proceeds applied in accordance with Section 2.14(b);

(i) the abandonment, cancellation or other Disposition of Intellectual Property that is not material or is no longer used or useful in any material respect in the operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(j) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, of overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of receivables);

(k) Dispositions to effect (or which constitute) Liens permitted by Sections 6.02, Restricted Junior Payments permitted by 6.04 and Investments permitted by Section 6.06, in each case, other than by reference to this Section 6.08(k);

(l) Disposition of property subject to or resulting from casualty losses and condemnation proceedings (including in lieu thereof or any similar proceedings);

(m) any surrender or waiver of contract rights pursuant to a settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

(n) Dispositions of residential real property and related assets in the ordinary course of business in connection with relocation activities for directors, officers, members of management, employees or consultants of the Loan Parties;

(o) unwinding of Swap Contracts;

(p) Dispositions of Investments in Joint Ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in the joint venture agreement or similar binding agreements entered into with respect to such Investment in such Joint Venture;

(q) the expiration of any option agreement with respect to real or personal property;

(r) leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of property or intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

(s) Dispositions of non-core assets (which may include real property) acquired in an acquisition permitted under this Agreement to the extent such Disposition is consummated within two (2) years of such acquisition;

 

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(t) (i) Dispositions in connection with Attributable Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(aa), (ii) Dispositions of fixed or capital assets (including, without limitation, equipment and railcars) that have been owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries for less than six months at the time of such Disposition pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction with respect to which the resulting lease is an operating lease and (iii) Dispositions of railcars and related assets pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction to the extent such railcars and related assets were owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date; and

(u) the purchase and sale or other transfer (including capital contribution) of Receivables Assets pursuant to Permitted Receivables Financings.

Section 6.09 [Reserved.]

Section 6.10 [Reserved.]

Section 6.11 Transactions with Affiliates . Directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees) with any Affiliate of the Borrower on terms that are less favorable to the Borrower or that Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction at the time from a Person who is not such a holder or Affiliate; provided , that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) any transaction between or among the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary as a result of, or in connection with, such transaction, so long as neither such Person nor the selling entity was an Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary prior to such transaction);

(b) any Restricted Junior Payment permitted by Section 6.04; (c) the consummation of the Transactions;

(d) transactions described in Schedule 6.11;

(e) any agreement between any Person and an Affiliate of such Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by or merged into the Borrower or its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to the extent such agreement was not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or merger;

(f) payments to or from, and transactions with, Joint Ventures (to the extent any such Joint Venture is only an Affiliate as a result of Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such Joint Venture), non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent otherwise permitted under Section 6.06;

(g) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement, which are fair to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Borrower;

 

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(h) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for Tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;

(i) transactions undertaken in good faith (as certified by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower) for the purpose of improving the consolidated Tax efficiency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(j) reasonable and customary fees paid to officers, employees, consultants and members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(k) employment and severance arrangements between the Borrower and any Subsidiary and their respective directors, officers, employees, members of management and consultants in the ordinary course of business;

(l) compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(m) transactions pursuant to any Permitted Receivables Financing.

Section 6.12 Conduct of Business . Engage in any business other than the businesses engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and businesses which are reasonably related, ancillary or complementary thereto or are reasonable extensions thereof and, in the case of a Special Purposes Receivables Subsidiary, Permitted Receivables Financings.

Section 6.13 Amendments or Waivers of Organizational Documents, Related Documents and Certain Indebtedness . Agree to any material amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to, waiver of or termination of (other than in accordance with the regularly scheduled termination date) any of its Organizational Documents, any Subordinated Indebtedness or any Acquisition Document if such amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification or termination would be materially adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent; provided that it is understood and agreed that the foregoing shall not prohibit any Permitted Refinancing in respect of any Subordinated Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted by Section 6.01.

Section 6.14 Fiscal Year . Change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31.

ARTICLE VII

GUARANTY

Section 7.01 Guaranty of the Obligations . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.02, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual Payment in Full of all Obligations other than any Excluded Swap Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively, the “ Guaranteed

 

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Obligations ”). For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall any Excluded Subsidiary described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, except any Foreign Guarantor, guaranty the Obligations of the Borrower or of any other Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party.

Section 7.02 Contribution by Guarantors . All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves (collectively, the “ Contributing Guarantors ”), in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor (a “ Funding Guarantor ”) under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Contributing Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Contributing Guarantor’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. “ Fair Share ” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Contributing Guarantor to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Contributing Guarantors multiplied by (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. “ Fair Share Contribution Amount ” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder or thereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state law; provided , that solely for purposes of calculating the “ Fair Share Contribution Amount ” with respect to any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.02, any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor. “ Aggregate Payments ” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (1) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty (including in respect of this Section 7.02), minus (2) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor from the other Contributing Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.02. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding Guarantor. The allocation among Contributing Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.02 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Contributing Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.02.

Section 7.03 Payment by Guarantors . Subject to Section 7.02, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of the Borrower to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)), Guarantors shall upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in Cash, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all

 

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Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for the Borrower becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Borrower for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.

Section 7.04 Liability of Guarantors Absolute . Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than Payment in Full of the Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability;

(b) this Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety;

(c) the Administrative Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between the Borrower and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

(d) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Borrower and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of the Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any action is brought against the Borrower or any of such other guarantors and whether or not the Borrower is joined in any such action or actions;

(e) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantor’s covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(f) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive,

 

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alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith or the applicable Hedge Agreements and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against the Borrower or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Loan Documents or any Hedge Agreements; and

(g) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than Payment in Full of the Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether arising under the Loan Documents or any Hedge Agreements, at law, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) hereof, any of the other Loan Documents, any of the Hedge Agreements or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Loan Document, such Hedge Agreement or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Loan Documents or any of the Hedge Agreements or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any Beneficiary’s consent to the change, reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vii) any defenses, set-offs or counterclaims which the Borrower may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

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Section 7.05 Waivers by Guarantors . To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives, for the benefit of the Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against the Borrower, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Borrower, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Borrower or any other Guarantor 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 any Beneficiary’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (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 Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Beneficiary 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, the Hedge Agreements or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to the Borrower and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.04 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.

Section 7.06 Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc. Until the Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise and including (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.02. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to

 

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withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Guarantor may have against the Borrower or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against the Borrower, to all right, title and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Obligations shall not have been Paid in Full, such amount shall be held in trust for the Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 7.07 Subordination of Other Obligations . Any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the “ Obligee Guarantor ”) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such Indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for the Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision hereof.

Section 7.08 Continuing Guaranty . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations shall have been Paid in Full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 7.09 Authority of Guarantors or the Borrower . It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or the Borrower or the officers, directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

Section 7.10 Financial Condition of the Borrower . Any Credit Extension may be made to the Borrower or continued from time to time, and any Hedge Agreements may be entered into from time to time, in each case without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of the Borrower at the time of any such grant or continuation or at the time such Hedge Agreement is entered into, as the case may be. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantor’s assessment, of the financial condition of the Borrower. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from the Borrower on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and its ability to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents and Hedge Agreements, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of the Borrower and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of the Borrower now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

 

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Section 7.11     Bankruptcy, Etc.

(a) So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent acting pursuant to the instructions of Required Lenders, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding of or against the Borrower or any other Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or by any defense which the Borrower or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations which are guaranteed by Guarantors pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve the Borrower of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors shall permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person to pay the Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of the Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by the Borrower, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

Section 7.12 Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor . If all of the Equity Interests of any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger, amalgamation or consolidation) to a Person other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 8.01 Events of Default . If any one or more of the following conditions or events occur:

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due . Failure by the Borrower to pay (i) when due, any principal of any Loan; (ii) when due, any reimbursement of any drawing under a Letter of Credit; or (iii) within three (3) Business Days after the date due, any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount due hereunder; or

 

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(b) Default Under Other Agreements .

(i) Failure of any Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.01(a)) in an individual principal amount (or Net Mark-to-Market Exposure) of $50,000,000 or more beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor; or

(ii) breach or default by any Loan Party with respect to any other material term of (1) Indebtedness in the individual or aggregate principal amounts (or Net Mark-to-Market Exposure) referred to in clause (i) above or (2) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, that Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be; provided , that clause (ii) of this Section 8.01(b) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary disposition of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness, if such disposition is permitted hereunder and such Indebtedness that becomes due is paid upon such disposition; or

(c) Breach of Certain Covenants . Failure of any Loan Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Section 2.06, Section 5.01(f)(i), Section 5.02 (with respect to the Borrower), or Article VI; provided that, to the extent that such financial covenant is in effect, failure to comply with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.07 will not constitute an Event of Default for purposes of any Term Loan, and no Term Lender will be permitted to exercise any remedies with respect to an Event of Default in respect of the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.07 until the date, if any, on which the Revolving Commitments have been terminated and the Revolving Loans have been accelerated as a result of such breach of the covenant set forth in Section 6.07 ; or

(d) Breach of Representations, Etc. Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made or deemed made by any Loan Party in any Loan Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made or, to the extent that any such representation, warranty, certification or other statement is already qualified by materiality or material adverse effect in the text thereof, such representation, warranty, certification or other statement shall be false in any respect as of the date made or deemed made; or

 

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(e) Other Defaults Under Loan Documents . Any Loan Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or any of the other Loan Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other Section of this Section 8.01, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within thirty (30) days after an Authorized Officer of such Loan Party becoming aware of such default; or

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, conservator, custodian or other officer having similar powers over the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee, conservator or other custodian of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for sixty (60) days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. (i) the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee, conservator or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of the Borrower’s Material Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.01(f); or

(h) Judgments and Attachments . Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving (i) in any individual case an amount in excess of $50,000,000 or (ii) in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $50,000,000 (in either case to the extent not covered by insurance or indemnities as to which the applicable insurance company or third party has not denied its obligation) shall be entered or filed against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets (other than any such judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process entered or filed against a dormant or inactive Subsidiary that has no assets or de minimis assets, to the extent there is no recourse against the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or any of their respective assets as a result of such judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process) and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or

 

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(i) [Reserved. ]

(j) Employee Benefit Plans . There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate results in or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(k) Change of Control . A Change of Control occurs; or

(l) Guaranties, Security Documents and other Loan Documents . At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of the Obligations being Paid in Full, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate in writing its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement or any Security 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 the Obligations being Paid in Full) or shall be declared null and void, or the Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Security Documents with the priority required by the relevant Security Document, in each case for any reason other than the failure of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control, or (iii) any Loan Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall contest in writing the validity or perfection of any Lien in any Collateral purported to be covered by the Security Documents;

THEN, (x) (1) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.01(f) or 8.01(g), automatically, and (2) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default (other than any Event of Default under Section 8.01(c) arising from failure to comply with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.07, which has not been accelerated in accordance with clause (y) below), at the request of or with the consent of the Required Lenders, (A) the Revolving Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Revolving Commitments, the obligation of any Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit and the obligation of any Swing Line Lender to make any Swing Line Loan shall immediately terminate; (B) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party: (I) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Loans, (II) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (regardless of whether any beneficiary under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or shall be entitled at such time to present, the drafts or other documents or certificates required to draw under such Letters of Credit), and (III) all other Obligations; provided , that the foregoing shall not affect in any way the obligations of Lenders under Section 2.03(b)(v) or Section 2.04(e); (C) the Administrative Agent may cause the Collateral Agent to enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Security Documents; (D) the Administrative Agent shall direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower hereby agrees upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of any Event of Default

 

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specified in Sections 8.01(f) and (g) to pay) to the Administrative Agent such additional amounts of cash as reasonable requested by any Issuing Bank, to be held as security for the Borrower’s reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit then outstanding; and (E) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may exercise on behalf of themselves, the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the other Secured Parties all rights and remedies available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and any Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents or under applicable law or in equity and (y) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default described in Section 8.01(c) arising from failure to comply with the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.07, at the request of or with the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, (A) the Revolving Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Revolving Commitments, the obligation of any Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit and the obligation of any Swing Line Lender to make any Swing Line Loan shall immediately terminate; (B) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Loan Party: (I) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, (II) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (regardless of whether any beneficiary under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or shall be entitled at such time to present, the drafts or other documents or certificates required to draw under such Letters of Credit), and (III) all other Obligations in respect of the Revolving Loans, Revolving Commitments, Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit; provided , that the foregoing shall not affect in any way the obligations of Lenders under Section 2.03(b)(v) or Section 2.04(e); (C) the Administrative Agent may cause the Collateral Agent to enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Security Documents; (D) the Administrative Agent shall direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower hereby agrees upon receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Sections 8.01(f) and (g) to pay) to the Administrative Agent such additional amounts of cash as reasonable requested by any Issuing Bank, to be held as security for the Borrower’s reimbursement Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit then outstanding; and (E) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may exercise on behalf of themselves, the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and the other Secured Parties all rights and remedies available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and any Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents or under applicable law or in equity.

Section 8.02     Right to Cure .

(a)    In the event that the Borrower fails to comply with the covenant set forth in Section 6.07 and, after the last day of the applicable Fiscal Quarter with respect to which covenant in Section 6.07 is being tested and on or prior to the day that is 15 Business Days after the day on which financial statements are required to be delivered for such Fiscal Quarter if (i) the Borrower issues Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) for cash or otherwise receive cash contributions on account of its existing Equity Interests (the “ Specified Equity Contribution ”) and the net cash proceeds from such issuance or contribution (the “ Cure Amount ”) are contributed to the Borrower) and (ii) upon the receipt by the Borrower of such Cure Amount, then, the covenant set forth in such Section 6.07 shall be recalculated, giving effect to a pro forma increase to Consolidated EBITDA for such four Fiscal Quarter period in an amount equal to the Cure Amount.

 

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(b)    If, after the exercise of the Specified Equity Contribution and the recalculations pursuant to clause (a) above, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the requirements of the covenant set forth in Section 6.07 during such four Fiscal Quarter period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of such 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 Default or Event of Default under Section 8.01 that had occurred shall be deemed cured; provided that during the term of this Agreement (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 Borrower to be in compliance with the Financial Covenant, (iii) each Specified Equity Contribution will be disregarded for purposes of the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for all other purposes, including calculating basket levels, pricing, determining compliance with incurrence based or pro forma calculations or conditions, and other items governed by reference to Consolidated 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 reduction in indebtedness, through either the netting of cash or prepayment of Loans or other indebtedness, in connection with any Specified Equity Contribution for purposes of determining compliance with the Financial Covenant for the current fiscal quarter.

ARTICLE IX

AGENTS

Section 9.01     Appointment of Agents . Barclays is hereby appointed the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes Barclays to act as the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. ABN AMRO, HSBC, KBC and PNC are hereby appointed the Co-Syndication Agents hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes ABN AMRO, HSBC, KBC and PNC to act as the Co-Syndication Agents in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Keybank and Wells are hereby appointed the Co-Documentation Agents hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes Keybank and Wells to act as the Co-Documentation Agents in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Citizens is hereby appointed the Managing Agent hereunder, and each Lender hereby authorizes Citizens to act as the Managing Agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. Each Agent hereby agrees to act in its capacity as such upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Loan Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Article IX (other than as expressly provided herein) are solely for the benefit of the Agents and the Lenders and no Loan Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Article IX (other than as expressly provided herein). In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of the Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. The Co- Syndication Agents, each of the Co-Documentation Agents and the Managing Agent, without consent of or notice to any party hereto, may assign any and all of their respective rights or obligations hereunder to any of their respective Affiliates. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, each of the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents and the Managing Agent are named as such for recognition purposes only, and in their respective capacities as such

 

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shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; it being understood and agreed that each of the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents and the Managing Agent shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of the Agents provided herein and in the other Loan Documents and all of the other benefits of this Article IX. Without limitation of the foregoing, none of the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co- Documentation Agents nor the Managing Agent in their respective capacities as such shall, by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender, Loan Party or any other Person.

Section 9.02     Powers and Duties . Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. In the event that any obligations (other than the Obligations) are permitted to be incurred hereunder and secured by Liens permitted to be incurred hereunder on all or a portion of the Collateral, each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into intercreditor agreements, subordination agreements and amendments to the Security Documents to reflect such arrangements on terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein and the other Loan Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason hereof or any of the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship or other implied duties in respect of any Lender; and nothing herein or any of the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect hereof or any of the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents with reference to any Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under the agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

Section 9.03     General Immunity .

(a)     No Responsibility for Certain Matters . No Agent shall be responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency hereof or any other Loan Document, or for the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien, or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to the Lenders or by or on behalf of any Loan Party or to any Agent or Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Loan Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or as to the value or sufficiency of any Collateral or as to the satisfaction of

 

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any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein (other than confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent) or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans or the Letter of Credit Usage or the component amounts thereof.

(b)     Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to the Lenders (i) for any action taken or omitted by any Agent (A) under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents or (B) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders or any other instructing group of Lenders specified by this Agreement) except to the extent caused by such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (ii) for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. No Agent shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose or be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or any of the other Loan Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Required Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be), such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions and shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.05).

(c)     Delegation of Duties . Each of the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates. The exculpatory, indemnification and other provisions of this Section 9.03 and of Section 9.06 shall apply to any of the Affiliates of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities of the Administrative Agent or

 

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Collateral Agent, as applicable. All of the rights, benefits, and privileges (including the exculpatory and indemnification provisions) of this Section 9.03 and of Section 9.06 shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Affiliates of any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities as sub-agent as if such sub-agent and Affiliates were named herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to each sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent, (i) such sub-agent shall be a third party beneficiary under this Agreement with respect to all such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) and shall have all of the rights and benefits of a third party beneficiary, including an independent right of action to enforce such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) directly, without the consent or joinder of any other Person, against any or all of Loan Parties and the Lenders, (ii) such rights, benefits and privileges (including exculpatory rights and rights to indemnification) shall not be modified or amended without the consent of such sub-agent, and (iii) such sub-agent shall only have obligations to the Administrative Agent and not to any Loan Party, Lender or any other Person and no Loan Party, Lender or any other Person shall have any rights, directly or indirectly, as a third party beneficiary or otherwise, against such sub-agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

(d)     Notice of Default or Event of Default . No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by a Loan Party or a Lender. In the event that the Administrative Agent shall receive such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders; provided that failure to give such notice shall not result in any liability on the part of the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.04     Agents Entitled to Act as Lender . The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans and the Letters of Credit, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term “Lender” shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with the Borrower or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that pursuant to such activities, the Agents or their Affiliates may receive information regarding any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Loan Party or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Agents and their Affiliates shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them.

 

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Section 9.05     Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment .

(a)    Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with Credit Extensions hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

(b)    Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement, an Assignment Agreement or a Joinder Agreement and funding its Loans on the Closing Date or by the funding of any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Required Lenders or Lenders, as applicable on the Closing Date or as of the date of funding of such Loans.

Section 9.06     Right to Indemnity . Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to indemnify each (a) Agent, their Affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees and agents of each Agent and (b) Issuing Bank, their Affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees and agents of each Issuing Bank (each Person described in the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), an “ Indemnitee Agent Party ”), to the extent that such Indemnitee Agent Party shall not have been reimbursed by any Loan Party (and without limiting its obligation to do so), for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee Agent Party in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or otherwise in its capacity as such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of such Indemnitee Agent Party; provided , that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Indemnitee Agent Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. If any indemnity furnished to any Indemnitee Agent Party for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Indemnitee Agent Party, be insufficient or become impaired, such Indemnitee Agent Party may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided , that in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof; and provided , further , that this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement described in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

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Section 9.07     Successor Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Swing Line Lender .

(a)    The Administrative Agent shall have the right to resign at any time by giving prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower, and, if the Administrative Agent is deemed insolvent or becomes the subject of an insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization proceeding, or if the Administrative Agent or any substantial part of its property becomes the subject of an appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator, or a trustee or similar officer becomes the subject of a bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent may be removed at any time thereafter by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and signed by Required Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to appoint a financial institution to act as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent hereunder, subject to the reasonable satisfaction of the Borrower and the Required Lenders, and the Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective on the earlier of (i) the acceptance of such successor the Administrative Agent by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or (ii) the thirtieth day after such notice of resignation. Upon any such notice of resignation or any such removal, if a successor the Administrative Agent has not already been appointed by the retiring the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Borrower, to appoint a successor the Administrative Agent; provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, such appointment shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower. If neither Required Lenders nor the Administrative Agent have appointed a successor Administrative Agent, then the Required Lenders shall be deemed to have succeeded to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring the Administrative Agent; provided , that until a successor the Administrative Agent is so appointed by Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent, by notice to the Borrower and Required Lenders, may retain its role as the Collateral Agent under any Security Document. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor the Administrative Agent, that successor the Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed the Administrative Agent and the retiring or removed the Administrative Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor the Administrative Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held under the Security Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor the Administrative Agent such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor the Administrative Agent of the security interests created under the Security Documents, whereupon such retiring or removed the Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. Except as provided above, any resignation or removal of Barclays or its successor as the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute the resignation or removal of Barclays or its successor as the Collateral Agent. After any retiring or removed the Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as the Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9.07 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Administrative Agent hereunder. Any successor the Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to this Section shall, upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor the Collateral Agent for all purposes hereunder. If Barclays or its successor as the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section has resigned as the Administrative Agent but

 

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retained its role as the Collateral Agent and no successor the Collateral Agent has become the Collateral Agent pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Barclays or its successor may resign as the Collateral Agent upon notice to the Borrower and Required Lenders at any time.

(b)    In addition to the foregoing, the Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof to Lenders and the Borrower. The Administrative Agent shall have the right to appoint a financial institution as the Collateral Agent hereunder, subject to the reasonable satisfaction of the Borrower and the Required Lenders and the Collateral Agent’s resignation shall become effective on the earlier of (i) the acceptance of such successor Collateral Agent by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or (ii) the thirtieth day after such notice of resignation. Upon any such notice of resignation, Required Lenders shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to appoint a successor Collateral Agent provided that so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, such appointment shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, that the successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the Security Documents, and the retiring Collateral Agent under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder or under the Security Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the Security Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Collateral Agent or otherwise authorize the filing of such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Collateral Agent of the security interests created under the Security Documents, whereupon such retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the Security Documents. After any retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder as the Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement or the Security Documents while it was the Collateral Agent hereunder.

(c)    Any resignation or removal of Barclays or its successor as the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute the resignation or removal of Barclays or its successor as the Swing Line Lender, and any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to this Section shall, upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Swing Line Lender for all purposes hereunder. In such event (i) the Borrower shall prepay any outstanding Swing Line Loans made by the retiring or removed Administrative Agent in its capacity as Swing Line Lender, (ii) upon such prepayment, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender shall surrender any Swing Line Note held by it to the Borrower for cancellation and (iii)    the Borrower shall issue, if so requested by the successor Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender, a new Swing Line Note to the successor Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender, in the principal amount of the Swing Line Sublimit then in effect and with other appropriate insertions.

 

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Section 9.08     Security Documents and Guaranty .

(a)     Agents under Security Documents and Guaranty . Each Secured Party hereby further authorizes the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Secured Parties, to be the agent for and representative of Secured Parties with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral and the Security Documents; provided , that neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall owe any fiduciary duty, duty of loyalty, duty of care, duty of disclosure or any other obligation whatsoever to any holder of Obligations with respect to any Hedge Agreement.

(b)     Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty . Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party hereby agree that (i) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Required Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) 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 Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.

(c)     Rights under Swap Contracts and Cash Management Products . No Swap Contract nor any document governing any Cash Management Product shall create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Lender Counterparty that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Guarantor under the Loan Documents except as expressly provided in Section 10.05(c)(v) of this Agreement and Section 9.2 of the Pledge and Security Agreement. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, such Lender Counterparty shall be deemed to have appointed the Collateral Agent as its agent and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party, subject to the limitations set forth in this clause (c).

(d)     Release of Collateral and Guarantees, Termination of Loan Documents . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or any other Loan Document, when all Obligations have been Paid in Full, upon request of the Borrower, (i) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Lender or any Lender Counterparty) take such actions as shall be required to release its security interest in all Collateral and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall (without notice to, or the vote or consent of, any Lender or any Lender Counterparty) take such actions as shall be required to release all guarantee obligations provided for in any Loan Document. Any such release of guarantee obligations shall be deemed subject to the provision that such guarantee obligations shall be reinstated if after such release any portion of any payment in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the

 

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appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In addition (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any Lender or any Lender Counterparty), upon (x) any Disposition of Collateral (A) permitted by this Agreement or (B) to which Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give consent under Section 10.05) have otherwise consented, the Liens granted thereon shall be deemed to be automatically released and such assets shall automatically revert to the applicable Grantor with no further action on the part of any Person and (y) the consummation of any transaction permitted by the Loan Documents as a result of which a Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower (including as a result of the designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this Agreement), such Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations hereunder and under the Security Documents and the guaranty and security interest in the Collateral of such Guarantor shall automatically be released. To the extent the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, is required to execute any release documents in accordance with this Section 9.08, the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall do so promptly upon request of the Borrower without the consent or further agreement of any Secured Party.

Section 9.09     Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative 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 Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the other Secured Parties (including fees, disbursements and other expenses of counsel) allowed in such judicial proceeding and (b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same. Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or other Secured Party any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or other Secured Party to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of such Person or in any such proceeding.

Section 9.10     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 Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i)    such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments,

 

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(ii)    the 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), and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder will be satisfied in connection with respect to, such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments,

(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, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letter of Credit or 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, and the conditions for exemptive relief under PTE 84-14 will be satisfied in connection with, such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender to the effect that such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement will not give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(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 Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates that:

(i)    none of the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers or any of 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 Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related 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, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21, as amended from time to time (the “Fiduciary Rule”)) 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, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies, within the meaning of the Fiduciary Rule,

(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, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, Letter of Credit or 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 Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or any of their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments or this Agreement.

(c)    The Administrative Agent and the 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, Letter of Credit or the Commitments and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, Letter of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, Letter of Credit 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.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 10.01 Notices .

(a)     Notices Generally . Any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Loan Party, the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be sent to such Person’s address as set forth on Schedule 1.01(d) or in the other relevant Loan Document, and in the case of any Lender, the address as indicated on Schedule 1.01(d) or otherwise indicated to the Administrative Agent in writing. Except as otherwise set forth in paragraph (b) below, each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by electronic transmission or United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of electronic transmission, ordinary or registered post, or three (3) Business Days after depositing it in ordinary or prepaid post or United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided , that no notice to any Agent shall be effective until received by such Agent; provided , further , that any such notice or other communication shall at the request of the Administrative Agent be provided to any sub-agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.03(c) hereto as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time.

(b) Electronic Communications .

(i)    Notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, Lenders and any Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites, including the Platform) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent or, in the case of notices to the Swing Line Lender or any Issuing Bank, approved by such Person; provided , that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in their discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided , further , that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided , that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(ii)    Each Loan Party understands that the distribution of material through an electronic medium by the Administrative Agent, a Lender or Issuing Bank is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution and agrees and assumes the risks associated with such electronic distribution, except to the extent caused by the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(iii)    The Platform and any Approved Electronic Communications are provided “as is” and “as available”. None of the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or representatives (the “ Agent Affiliates ”) warrant the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of the Approved Electronic Communications or the Platform and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Platform and the Approved Electronic Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects is made by the Agent Affiliates in connection with the Platform and the Approved Electronic Communications. Each party hereto agrees that no Agent has any responsibility for maintaining or providing any equipment, software, services or any testing required in connection with any Approved Electronic Communication or otherwise required for the Platform. In no event shall any Agent nor any of the Agent Affiliates have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, whether or not based on strict liability and including (A) direct or damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or any Agent’s transmission of communications through the internet, except to the extent the liability of any such Person if found in a final ruling by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or (B) indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages. No Agent or Agent Affiliate shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through internet, electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent same resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or Agent Affiliate (to the extent determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment).

(iv)    Each Loan Party, each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each Agent agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, store any Approved Electronic Communications on the Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s customary document retention procedures and policies.

(v)    All uses of the Platform shall be governed by and subject to, in addition to this Section 10.01, separate terms and conditions posted or referenced in such Platform and related agreements executed by the Lenders and their Affiliates in connection with the use of such Platform.

(vi)    Any notice of Default or Event of Default may be provided by telephonic notice if confirmed promptly thereafter by delivery of written notice thereof.

(c)     Change of Address . Any party hereto may changes its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by written notice to the other parties hereto.

 

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Section 10.02 Expenses .    Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly (and without duplication) (a) all the documented and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents and their respective Affiliates in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, supplements, waivers or other modifications thereto; (b) all the costs of furnishing all opinions by counsel for the Borrower and the other Loan Parties; (c) the actual, reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses and disbursements of counsel to the Agents (in each case limited to a single outside counsel for such persons and one local counsel in each jurisdiction as the Administrative Agent shall deem advisable in connection with the creation and perfection of security interests in the Collateral) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, supplements, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by the Borrower; (d) all the documented costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of creating, perfecting, recording, maintaining and preserving Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and Taxes, stamp or documentary Taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of outside counsel to each Agent and of outside counsel providing any opinions that any Agent or Required Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents; (e) all the documented costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any agents employed or retained by the Collateral Agent and its counsel) in connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (f) all other documented and reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each Agent in connection with the syndication of the Loans and Commitments; (g) all the documented and reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Banks in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of the letters of credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (h) all documented costs and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and costs of settlement, incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders (including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Loan Party hereunder or under the other Loan Documents.

Section 10.03 Indemnity .

(a)    In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 10.02, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each Loan Party agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees’ rights to selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Banks, and Lenders and their respective Affiliates and each of their and the officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, representatives and controlling persons of each of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Banks, and Lenders, as well as the respective heirs, successors and assigns of the foregoing (each, an “ Indemnitee ”), from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided , that no Loan Party shall have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise (i) from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of that Indemnitee, in each case, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) from a claim brought by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries against such indemnified person for material breach of such indemnified person’s

 

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obligations hereunder if the Borrower or such subsidiary has obtained a final and non-appealable judgment in its or its subsidiary’s favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or (iii) from or out of any dispute among Indemnitees (other than a dispute involving claims against the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arrangers, the Bookrunners or any other agent or co-agent (if any) designated by the Arrangers with respect to the credit facilities hereunder, in each case in their respective capacities as such, or the Arrangers or any Bookrunner, solely in connection with its syndication activities as contemplated hereunder) that did not involve an act or omission of the Loan Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, each Loan Party agrees not to assert and hereby waives all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery against any Indemnitee with respect to all Indemnified Liabilities relating to or arising out of any Environmental Claim or related to any actual or alleged presence, release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Materials; provided , that any Loan Party (i) shall not have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder and (ii) may assert and does not waive any rights for contribution or recovery with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities or Environmental Claim arising from or related to any Release of Hazardous Materials to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities or Environmental Claims arise and are incurred as a result of any Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct following foreclosure or deed in lieu or other similar transfer of such real property and are attributable to acts of such Indemnitee. To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section 10.03 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any law or public policy, the applicable Loan Party shall contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

(b)    To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against each Agent, the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender and Lender and their respective Affiliates, officers, partners, members, directors, trustees, shareholders, advisors, employees, representatives, attorneys, controlling persons, agents and sub-agents on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of or in any way related to this Agreement or any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Loan Party hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through internet, electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent same resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (to the extent determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment).

(c)    All amounts due under this Section 10.03 shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days after demand therefor.

 

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Section 10.04 Set-Off .    In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, during the continuance of any Event of Default each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender, to the fullest extent permitted by law) is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time subject to the consent of the Administrative Agent, to set off and to apply any and all deposits (time or demand, provisional or final, general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to such Lender hereunder, the Letters of Credit and participations therein and under the other Loan Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected hereto, the Letters of Credit and participations therein or with any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

Section 10.05 Amendments and Waivers .

(a)     Required Lenders’ Consent . Subject to the additional requirements of Sections 10.05(b) and 10.05(c) and except as provided in Section 2.24 and Sections 10.05(d) and (e), no amendment, supplement, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of the Required Lenders and the Borrower (delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to the applicable amendment, supplement, modification, termination or waiver by facsimile or other electronic transmission will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof); provided that all Loans held by an Affiliated Lender shall be disregarded for purposes of this Section 10.05(a).

(b)     Affected Lenders’ Consent . Without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) that would be directly and adversely affected thereby, no amendment, supplement, modification, termination, or consent shall be effective if the effect thereof would:

(i)     [Reserved];

(ii)    extend the scheduled amortization, final maturity of any Loan or Note;

(iii)    waive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment) of principal (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent or the waiver of any Default, Event of Default or mandatory prepayment shall not constitute a reduction in principal);

(iv)    reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or any fee or any premium payable hereunder (it being understood that (i) only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the Default Rate in Section 2.10 or to waive any obligation

 

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of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate and (ii) any change to the definition of “Leverage Ratio” or in the component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction of interest or fees);

(v) waive or postpone the time for payment of any such interest, fees or premiums;

(vi)    reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any Letter of Credit;

(vii)    amend, modify, terminate or waive Section 2.16(c), Section 2.17, this Section 10.05(b), Section 10.05(c) or Section 9.2 of the Pledge and Security Agreement;

(viii)    amend the definition of “ Required Lenders ” or amend Section 10.05(a) in a manner that has the same effect as an amendment to such definition or the definition of “ Pro Rata Share ”; provided that with the consent of Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant hereto may be included in the determination of “ Required Lenders ” or “ Pro Rata Share ” on substantially the same basis as the Term Loan Commitments, the Term Loans, the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Loans are included on the Closing Date;

(ix)    release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents;

(x)    consent to the assignment or transfer by any Loan Party of any of its rights and obligations under any Loan Document except as expressly provided in any Loan Document; or

(xi)    change the stated currency in which the Borrower is required to make payments of principal, interest, fees or other amounts hereunder or under any other Loan Document; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, all Lenders shall be deemed directly and adversely affected thereby with respect to any amendment described in clauses (vii), (viii), (ix) and (x).

(c)     Other Consents . No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents, or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall:

(i)    increase any Commitment of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect or extend the outside date for such Commitment without the consent of such Lender; provided that no amendment, modification or waiver of any condition precedent, covenant, Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to constitute an increase in any Commitment of any Lender;

(ii)    amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision hereof relating to the Swing Line Sublimit or the Swing Line Loans without the consent of Swing Line Lender;

 

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(iii)    alter the required application of any repayments or prepayments as between Classes pursuant to Section 2.15 without the consent of Lenders holding more than 50.0% of the aggregate Exposure of all Lenders, as applicable, of each Class which is being allocated a lesser repayment or prepayment as a result thereof; provided , that Required Lenders may waive, in whole or in part, any prepayment so long as the application, as between Classes, of any portion of such prepayment which is still required to be made is not altered;

(iv)    amend, modify, terminate or waive any obligation of Lenders relating to the purchase of participations in Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.04(e) without the written consent of the Administrative Agent and of the applicable Issuing Banks;

(v)    amend, modify or waive this Agreement, the Pledge and Security Agreement or any Security Document so as to alter the ratable treatment of Obligations arising under the Loan Documents and Obligations arising under Hedge Agreements or the definition of “ Lender Counterparty ,” “ Obligations ,” “ Hedge Agreement ” or “ Secured Obligations ” (as defined in any applicable Security Document) in each case in a manner adverse to any Lender Counterparty with Obligations then outstanding without the written consent of any such Lender Counterparty or release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender Counterparty with Obligations then outstanding;

(vi)    amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Article IX as the same applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case without the consent of such Agent or the Administrative Agent, as applicable;

(vii)    (x) increase or extend the Commitment or Loan of any Defaulting Lender, nor may the principal of any Loan of a Defaulting Lender be reduced, in each case without the consent of such Lender and (y) in the case of any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms, affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of each such Defaulting Lender; or

(viii)    amend any condition for any Credit Extensions set forth in Section 3.02 without the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders (it being understood that the waiver of a Default or Event of Default shall not be deemed to be an amendment to the conditions set forth in Section 3.02);

provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any waiver, amendment, supplement or other modification with respect to Section 6.07 (or, for purposes of the financial covenant set forth in Section 6.07, the definition of “Leverage Ratio” or any defined terms set forth in the definition of “Leverage Ratio” or any defined term used therein) shall require the written consent only of the Borrower and the Required Revolving Lenders.

 

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(d)     Refinancing Amendments . In addition, notwithstanding Sections 10.05(a), (b) and (c), this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the Replacement Term Loans (as defined below) to permit the refinancing of all outstanding Term Loans of a tranche (“ Refinanced Term Loans ”) with a replacement term loan (“ Replacement Term Loans ”) hereunder; provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Replacement Term Loans shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Refinanced Term Loans, (ii) the Applicable Margin with respect to such Replacement Term Loans (or similar interest rate spread applicable to such Replacement Term Loans) shall not be higher than the Applicable Margin for such Refinanced Term Loans (or similar interest rate spread applicable to such Refinanced Term Loans) immediately prior to such refinancing, (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Replacement Term Loans shall not be shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinanced Term Loans at the time of such refinancing (except to the extent of nominal amortization for periods where amortization has been eliminated as a result of prepayment of the Term Loans) and (iv) all other terms applicable to such Replacement Term Loans shall, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, be substantially identical to, or less favorable to the Lenders providing such Replacement Term Loans than, those applicable to such Refinanced Term Loans, except to the extent necessary to provide for covenants and other terms applicable to any period after the latest final maturity of the Term Loans in effect immediately prior to such refinancing (and, without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent are authorized to amend any Security Document to the extent necessary to ensure that all such Term Loans or Revolving Commitments are provided with the benefit of the applicable Security Documents on a pari passu basis with the other Obligations).

(e) Extensions of Maturity . In addition and notwithstanding Sections 10.05(a), (b) and (c), the Agreement may be amended to extend the maturity date of any Term Loan or Revolving Commitments hereunder; in each case with the consent solely of the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lenders providing such extended Term Loans or extended Revolving Commitments as applicable; provided that such extended Term Loans or Revolving Commitments otherwise meet the requirements set forth in clauses (i), (iii) (with respect to Term Loans only) and (iv) of the preceding clause (d) (and, without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are authorized to amend any Security Document to the extent necessary to ensure that all such Term Loans or Revolving Commitments (including as so extended) are provided with the benefit of the applicable Security Documents on a pari passu basis with the other Obligations). For the avoidance of doubt, the Applicable Margin with respect to any such extended Term Loans or Revolving Commitments may be greater than the Applicable Margin applicable to non-extended Term Loans or Revolving Commitments and such extended Term Loans or Revolving Commitments may be deemed to constitute a separate Class of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments.

(f)     Limitation on Rights of Affiliated Lenders . No Affiliated Lender shall have any right, (i) to consent to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other such action with respect to any of the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document except with respect to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action to (w) increase the commitment of the relevant Affiliated Lender, (x) extend or postpone the Term Loan Maturity Date, (y) reduce the principal, interest or fees applicable to the Term Loans held by such Affiliated Lender or (z) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty or

 

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release Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral, in each case, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents, (ii) to require any Agent or other Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) to otherwise vote on any matter related to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) to attend any meeting with any Agent or Lender or receive any information from any Agent or Lender or (v) to make or bring any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Agent or any Lender with respect to the duties and obligations of such Persons under the Loan Documents, but no amendment, modification or waiver shall deprive such Affiliated Lender of its share of any payments which the Lenders are entitled to share on a pro rata basis or disproportionately affects such Affiliated Lender more adversely than any other Lender of the same Class.

(g)     Execution of Amendments, Etc. The Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, supplements, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. In the case of any waiver, the parties hereto shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon. No notice to or demand on any Loan Party in any case shall entitle any Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.05 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by a Loan Party, on such Loan Party.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.05, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious or manifest error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders within five (5) Business Days following receipt of notice thereof. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, no consent of any Lender shall be required in connection with the marking of any amendment to any Loan Document of the type described in Section 2.24 hereof which states in such Section that no consent of any Lender, other than the applicable Incremental Revolving Loan Lender or Incremental Term Loan Lender, is required.

Section 10.06 Successors and Assigns; Participations .

(a)     Generally . This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and permitted assigns of Lenders. No Loan Party’s rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any Loan Party without the prior written consent of all Lenders (and any purported assignment or delegation without such consent shall be null and void).

 

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(b)     Register . The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof, and notwithstanding anything else herein, no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be effective, in each case, unless and until recorded in the Register following receipt of a fully executed Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer thereof, together with the required forms and certificates regarding Tax matters and any fees payable in connection with such assignment, in each case, as provided in Section 10.06(d). Each assignment shall be recorded in the Register promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of the fully executed Assignment Agreement and all other necessary documents and approvals, prompt notice thereof shall be provided to the Borrower and a copy of such Assignment Agreement shall be maintained, as applicable. The date of such recordation of a transfer shall be referred to herein as the “ Assignment Effective Date .” Any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

(c)     Right to Assign . Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign or transfer all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans owing to it or other Obligations:

(i)    to any Person meeting the criteria of clause (i) of the definition of the term of “Eligible Assignee” upon the giving of notice to the Administrative Agent and, if such Eligible Assignee is not, or is not an Affiliate of, a Revolving Lender, the applicable Issuing Bank and Swing Line Lender;

(ii)    to any Person meeting the criteria of clause (ii) or (iii) of the definition of the term of “Eligible Assignee” upon giving of notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and consented to by each of the Borrower ( provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof), the Administrative Agent and (unless such assignment is an assignment of Term Loans) the applicable Issuing Banks and the Swing Line Lender (such consents not to be (x) unreasonably withheld or delayed or (y) in the case of the Borrower, required at any time an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing); provided , that further each such assignment pursuant to this Section 10.6(c)(ii) shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than (A) $5,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by the Borrower (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and the Administrative Agent) or as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans of the assigning Lender) with respect to the assignment of the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans and (B) $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by the Borrower (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and the Administrative Agent or as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Initial Term Loans or with respect to Incremental Term Loans constituting a separate Series, such Incremental Term Loans of such Series of the assigning Lender) with respect to the assignment of Term Loans; provided , that the Related Funds of any individual Lender may aggregate their Loans for purposes of determining compliance with such minimum assignment amounts;

 

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(iii)    if the Eligible Assignee is an Affiliated Lender, such assignment may be of Term Loans only and (1) after giving effect to such assignment, to all other assignments and participations with all Affiliated Lenders and to all Offer Loans purchased and cancelled pursuant to Section 2.13(c), the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans then held by all Affiliated Lenders (whether by assignment, participation, or other derivative transaction) shall not at any time exceed 25% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding, (2) no Affiliated Lender may purchase any Term Loans if any Default or Event of Default is then existing or would result therefrom; and (3) such Affiliated Lender shall execute a waiver in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it shall have no right whatsoever, so long as such Person is an Affiliated Lender (A) to consent to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other such action with respect to any of the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document except to the extent set forth in Section 10.05(f), (B) to require any Agent or other Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (C) to attend or participate in (or receive any notice of) any meeting, conference call or correspondence with any Agent or Lender or receive any information from any Agent or Lender (other than administrative notices), (D) to have access to the Platform (including, without limitation, that portion of the Platform that has been designated for “private-side” Lenders) or (E) to make or bring any claim, in its capacity as Lender, against the Agent or any Lender with respect to the duties and obligations of such Persons under the Loan Documents, but no amendment, modification or waiver shall deprive any Affiliated Lender of its share of any payments which the Lenders are entitled to share on a pro rata basis hereunder or disproportionately affect such Affiliated Lender more adversely than any other Lender of the same Class. By purchasing or being assigned the Loans and by its acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement, each Affiliated Lender acknowledges and agrees that the Loans owned by it shall be non-voting under sections 1126 and 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code in the event that any proceeding thereunder shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any other Loan Party;

(iv)    with respect to Tem Loans only, to the Borrower on a non-pro rata basis pursuant to open market purchases, subject to the following limitations:

(A)    immediately and automatically, without any further action on the part of the Borrower, any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person, upon the effectiveness of such assignment of Term Loans from a Lender to the Borrower, such Term Loans and all rights and obligations as a Lender related thereto shall, for all purposes under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and otherwise, be deemed to be irrevocably prepaid, terminated, extinguished, cancelled and of no further force and effect and the Borrower shall neither obtain nor have any rights as a Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents by virtue of such assignment;

 

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(B)    no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing before or immediately after giving effect to such assignment;

(C)    each Lender that assigns any Loans to the Borrower pursuant to this clause (iv) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower a customary Sophisticated Investor Letter; and

(D)    purchases of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 10.06(c)(iv) shall not be funded with the proceeds of Revolving Loans.

(d)     Mechanics . Assignments and assumptions of Loans and Commitments by Lenders shall be effected by manual execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Assignment Agreement. Assignments made pursuant to the foregoing provision shall be effective as of the Assignment Effective Date. In connection with all assignments there shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent such forms, certificates or other evidence, if any, with respect to United States federal income Tax withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver pursuant to Section 2.20(c), together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a registration and processing fee of $3,500 (except that no such registration and processing fee shall be payable (y) in connection with an assignment by or to Barclays or any Affiliate thereof or (z) in the case of an assignee which is already a Lender or is an Affiliate or Related Fund of a Lender or a Person under common management with a Lender).

(e)     Representations and Warranties of Assignee . Each Lender, upon execution and delivery hereof or upon succeeding to an interest in the Commitments and Loans, as the case may be, represents and warrants as of the Closing Date or as of the Assignment Effective Date, as applicable, that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee; (ii) it has experience and expertise in the making of or investing in commitments or loans such as the applicable Commitments or Loans, as the case may be; and (iii) it shall make or invest in, as the case may be, its Commitments or Loans for its own account in the ordinary course and without a view to distribution of such Commitments or Loans within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.06, the disposition of such Commitments or Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive control).

(f)     Effect of Assignment . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10.06, as of the “Assignment Effective Date” (i) the assignee thereunder shall have the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder to the extent of its interest in the Loans and Commitments as reflected in the applicable Register(s) and shall thereafter be a party hereto and a “Lender” for all purposes hereof; (ii) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to the assignee, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the termination hereof, including under Section 10.08) and be released from its obligations hereunder (and, in the case of an assignment covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto on the Assignment Effective Date; provided , that anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, (y) the Issuing Bank shall continue to have all rights and obligations thereof with respect to such Letters of Credit until the cancellation or expiration of such Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn

 

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thereunder and (z) such assigning Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of all indemnities hereunder as specified herein with respect to matters arising out of the prior involvement of such assigning Lender as a Lender hereunder); (iii) the Commitments shall be modified to reflect any Commitment of such assignee and any Revolving Commitment of such assigning Lender, if any; and (iv) if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of any Note hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its applicable Notes to the Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon the Borrower shall issue and deliver new Notes, if so requested by the assignee and/or assigning Lender, to such assignee and/or to such assigning Lender, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Revolving Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender. Subject to Section 10.06(b), any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply the requirements of this Section 10.06 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 Section 10.06(g).

(g) Participations .

(i)    Each Lender shall have the right at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to sell one or more participations to any Person (other than Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates) (a “ Participant ”) in all or any part of its Commitments, Loans or in any other Obligation; provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Agents, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

(ii)    The holder of any such participation, other than an Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except with respect to any amendment, modification or waiver that would (A) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan, Note or Letter of Credit (unless such Letter of Credit is not extended beyond the Revolving Commitment Termination Date) in which such Participant is participating, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the Participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any Participant if the Participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof), (B) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Loan Party of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (C) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors or the Collateral under the Security Documents (except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such Participant is participating.

 

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(iii)    The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.18(c), 2.19 and 2.20 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.20(c) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.20(c) 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 (c) of this Section; provided , that a Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18(c), 2.19 or 2.20 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, 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 ; provided , further , that, except as specifically set forth in this sentence, nothing herein shall require any notice to the Borrower or any other Person in connection with the sale of any participation. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.04 as though it were a Lender; provided , that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.17 as though it were a Lender.

(iv)    Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register in the United States 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 to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Credit Extensions or other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that any such Commitment, Credit Extension 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.

(h)     Certain Other Assignments and Participations . In addition to any other assignment or participation permitted pursuant to this Section 10.06 any Lender may assign and/or pledge (without the consent of the Borrower or any Agent) all or any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed by or to such Lender, and its Notes, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender including any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank; provided , that no Lender, as between the Borrower and such Lender, shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge; provided , further , that in no event shall the applicable Federal Reserve Bank, pledgee or trustee, be considered to be a “Lender” or be entitled to require the assigning Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

 

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(i)     No Responsibility or Liability . The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders or Affiliated Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Lender or Affiliated Lender or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of loans or commitments, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Lender or Affiliated Lender. Upon the request of any Lender, the Administrative Agent may and the Borrower will make the list of Disqualified Lenders available to such Lender so long as such Lender agrees to keep the list of Disqualified Lenders confidential in accordance with the terms hereof.

Section 10.07 Independence of Covenants, Etc. All covenants, conditions and other terms hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, conditions or other terms, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant, condition or other term shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

Section 10.08 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Credit Extension as long as the Obligations shall not have been Paid in Full. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Loan Party set forth in Sections 2.18(c), 2.19, 2.20, 10.02 and 10.03 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in Sections 2.17, 9.03(b), 9.06, 9.09 and 10.04 shall survive the payment of the Loans, the cancellation or expiration of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder, and the termination hereof.

Section 10.09 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . No failure or delay or course of dealing on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. The rights, powers and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Loan Documents or any of the Hedge Agreements. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of any Credit Extension shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether any Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time of the making of any such Credit Extension.

Section 10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside . Neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Loan Party makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to the Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders), or any Agent or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their rights

 

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of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

Section 10.11 Severability . In case any provision in or obligation hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties hereto shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid, legal and enforceable provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as reasonably possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

Section 10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders’ Rights . The obligations of Lenders 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 Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out hereof and it shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

Section 10.13 Table of Contents and Headings . The Table of Contents hereof and Article and Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose, modify or amend the terms or conditions hereof, be used in connection with the interpretation of any term or condition hereof or be given any substantive effect.

Section 10.14 APPLICABLE LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY AGREED BY THE ISSUING BANK AND THE BORROWER WHEN A LETTER OF CREDIT IS ISSUED, (A)  EACH STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT ISSUED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE SUBJECT EITHER TO 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 (“UCP”) OR THE RULES OF THE INTERNATIONAL

 

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STANDBY PRACTICES (ICC PUBLICATION NUMBER 590), AS DETERMINED BY THE ISSUING BANK, AND (B) EACH COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE SUBJECT TO UCP, AND IN EACH CASE TO THE EXTENT NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

Section 10.15 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION . SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (E) OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE, ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY (A) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS (OTHER THAN WITH RESPECT TO ACTIONS BY ANY AGENT IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS UNDER ANY SECURITY DOCUMENT GOVERNED BY A LAWS OTHER THAN THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY COLLATERAL SUBJECT THERETO); (B) WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, (I) JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF COURTS IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT MAY BE ENTITLED TO BRING SUIT BY REASON OF ITS PRESENT OR FUTURE DOMICILE OR OTHERWISE AND (II) ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (C) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.01; (D) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (C) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND (E) AGREES THAT THE AGENTS AND THE LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY SECURITY DOCUMENT OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT.

Section 10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE

 

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TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER WILL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

Section 10.17 Confidentiality . Each Agent and each Lender (which term shall for the purposes of this Section 10.17 include the Issuing Bank) shall hold all non-public information regarding the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and their businesses identified as such by the Borrower and obtained by such Agent or such Lender pursuant to the requirements hereof in accordance with such Agent’s and such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, it being understood and agreed by the Borrower that, in any event, the Administrative Agent may disclose such information to the Lenders and each Agent and each Lender may make (i) disclosures of such information to Affiliates or Related Funds of such Lender or Agent and to their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and advisors (and to other Persons authorized by a Lender or Agent to organize, present or disseminate such information in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17); provided that prior to any disclosure, such Affiliates, Related Funds, officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and advisors and other persons are instructed to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Loan Parties received by it from any Agent or any Lender, (ii) disclosures of such information reasonably required by (A) any pledgee referred to in Section 10.06(h), (B) any bona fide or potential assignee, transferee or Participant in connection with the contemplated assignment, transfer or participation of any Loans or any participations therein, (C) any bona fide or potential direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations or (D) any direct or indirect investor or prospective investor in a Related Fund; provided , that such pledgees, assignees, transferees, Participants, counterparties, advisors and investors are advised of and agree to be bound by either the provisions of this Section 10.17 or other provisions at least as restrictive as this Section 10.17, (iii) disclosure to any rating agency when required by it; provided , that, prior to any disclosure, such rating agency be instructed to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Loan Parties received by it from any Agent or any

 

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Lender, (iv) disclosures in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (v) disclosures required or requested by any governmental agency or representative thereof or by the NAIC or pursuant to legal or judicial process (in which case the disclosing Agent or Lender agrees, to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to such disclosure) and (vi) disclosure to the extent requested or required by regulatory authorities (in which case the disclosing Agent or Lender agrees, to the extent practicable and not prohibited by applicable law, to inform the Borrower promptly thereof prior to such disclosure); provided , that unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender and each Agent shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information. In addition, each Agent and each Lender may disclose the existence of this Agreement and the information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar services providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, each party (and each of their respective employees, representatives or other agents) may disclose to any and all persons without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all materials of any kind (including opinions and other tax analyses) that are provided to any such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure. However, any information relating to the tax treatment or tax structure shall remain subject to the confidentiality provisions hereof (and the foregoing sentence shall not apply) to the extent reasonably necessary to enable the parties hereto, their respective Affiliates, and their respective Affiliates’ directors and employees to comply with applicable securities laws. For this purpose, “tax structure” means any facts relevant to the federal income tax treatment of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement but does not include information relating to the identity of any of the parties hereto or any of their respective Affiliates.

Section 10.18 Usury Savings Clause . Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law, shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Lenders and the Borrower to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender

 

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contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to the Borrower.

Section 10.19 Counterparts .    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

Section 10.20 Effectiveness; Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries .    This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any fee letter or commitment letter entered into in connection with this Agreement, represent the entire agreement of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Agents, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender, the Arrangers, the Bookrunners and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Agent, Issuing Bank, Swing Line Lender, the Arrangers or any of the Bookrunners or Lender relative to the subject matter hereof or thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents. Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, express or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and thereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereunder and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Affiliates of each of the Agents and Lenders, holders of participations in all or any part of a Lender’s Commitments, Loans or in any other Obligations, and the Indemnitees) any rights, remedies, obligations, claims or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of any Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement.

Section 10.21 PATRIOT Act . Each Lender, the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that shall allow such Lender, the Administrative Agent to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

Section 10.22 Electronic Execution of Assignments . The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

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Section 10.23 No Fiduciary Duty .    Each Agent, each Lender, the Arrangers, the Bookrunners, the Issuing Bank, the Swing Line Lender and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “ Lenders ”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower, their respective stockholders and/or their respective Affiliates. The Borrower agrees that nothing in the Loan Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between any Lender, on the one hand, and the Borrower, its respective stockholders or their respective Affiliates, on the other. The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Borrower, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower, its stockholders or its respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Borrower, its stockholders or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Borrower except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and (y) each Lender is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Borrower, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Borrower have consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent each deemed appropriate and that each is responsible for making its own respective independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. The Borrower agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Borrower, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

Section 10.24 Judgment Currency .    If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment in given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of such sum due from it to the Administrative 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 Administrative Agent of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent may in accordance with 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 Administrative Agent from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative 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 Administrative Agent in such currency, the Administrative Agent agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable Law).

 

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Section 10.25 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institution.

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.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
as Borrower
By:  

/s/ Jenniffer D. Deckard

Name:   Jenniffer D. Deckard
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


BISON MERGER SUB I, LLC,
as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   President and Secretary

 

 

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


  AQUILA MINERAL COMPANY
  POLYMORPHOUS MINERAL INVESTMENT
 

CORPORATION

  TINACO FELDSPAR COMPANY LLC
  UNIMIN FINANCE COMPANY L.L.C.
  UNIMIN LIME LLC
  UNIMIN PATRIOT HOLDINGS LLC
  UNIMIN SPECIALTY MINERALS INC.
  UNIMIN WISCONSIN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
  WINCHESTER AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY,
  each as Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ Andrew D. Eich

  Name:   Andrew D. Eich
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of each of the entities set forth above

 

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


  ALPHA RESINS, LLC
  BEST SAND CORPORATION
  BEST SAND OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
  BLACK LAB LLC
  CHEYENNE SAND CORP.
 

CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES CORPORATION

OF MICHIGAN, INC.

  FAIRMOUNT LOGISTICS LLC
  FAIRMOUNT MINERALS, LLC
  FAIRMOUNT SANTROL INC.
  FAIRMOUNT WATER SOLUTIONS, LLC
  FML ALABAMA RESIN, INC.
  FML RESIN, LLC
  FML SAND, LLC
  FML TERMINAL LOGISTICS, LLC
  FMSA INC.
  MINERAL VISIONS INC.
  SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC
  SHAKOPEE SAND LLC
  SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.
  STANDARD SAND CORPORATION
  TECHNISAND, INC.
  WEDRON SILICA COMPANY
  WEST TEXAS HOUSING LLC
  WEXFORD SAND CO.
  WISCONSIN INDUSTRIAL SAND COMPANY, L.L.C.
  WISCONSIN SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.,
  each as Guarantor
  By:  

/s/ Jenniffer D. Deckard

  Name:   Jenniffer D. Deckard
  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer
  of each of the entities set forth above

 

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


DEWEY RESOURCES, LLC,
as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Matthew I. Pollack

Name:   Matthew I. Pollack
Title:   Vice President

 

 

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Administrative

Agent, Collateral Agent and a Lender

By:  

/s/ Craig Molson

Name:   Craig Molson
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


BNP PARIBAS, as a Lender

By:

 

/s/ Julien Pecoud-Bouvet

Name:

  Julien Pecoud-Bouvet

Title:

  Vice President

By:

 

/s/ Brendan Heneghan

Name:

  Brendan Heneghan

Title:

  Director

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Jamie Matos

Name:   Jamie Matos
Title:   Vice President
ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ John Sullivan

Name:   John Sullivan
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


HSBC Bank USA N.A, as a Lender

By:

 

/s/ Marie Alava

Name:

 

Marie Alava

Title:

 

Vice President

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


KBC Bank N.V., New York Branch, as a Lender

By:

 

/s/ Francis X. Payne

Name:

  Francis X. Payne

Title:

  Managing Director

By:

 

/s/ Wei-Chun Wang

Name:

  Wei-Chun Wang

Title:

  Director

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]


PNC Bank, NA, as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Keven Larkin

Name:   Keven Larkin
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]

 


KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a

Lender

By:  

/s/ Brian P. Fox

Name:   Brian P. Fox
Title:   Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]

 


Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Corbin M. Womac

Name:   Corbin M. Womac
Title:   Director

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]

 


Citizens Bank, N.A., as a Lender
By:  

/s/ Nicholas Christofer

Name:   Nicholas Christofer
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to Covia Credit Agreement]

 


SCHEDULE 1.01(a)

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Initial Term Loan Commitments

 

Lender

   Initial Term Loan Commitment  

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 1,650,000,000  

Total:

   $ 1,650,000,000  


SCHEDULE 1.01(c)

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Revolving Commitments

 

Lender

   Revolving Commitment  

BNP Paribas

   $ 26,000,000  

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 26,000,000  

ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC

   $ 24,000,000  

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

   $ 24,000,000  

KBC Bank, N.V.

   $ 24,000,000  

PNC Bank, National Association

   $ 24,000,000  

Keybank National Association

   $ 18,000,000  

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

   $ 18,000,000  

Citizens Bank, N.A.

   $ 16,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 200,000,000  
  

 

 

 


SCHEDULE 1.01(d)

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Notice Addresses

If to any Loan Party:

Covia Holdings Corporation

8834 Mayfield Road

Chesterland, Ohio 44026

Attn: Mark Barrus

Facsimile: 440-729-0265

in each case, with a copy to:

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn: David Almroth

Facsimile: (646) 521 5670

If to the Administrative Agent:

Barclays Bank PLC

Attention: Matthew Martins

700 Prides Crossing

Newark, Delaware 19713

Telephone: 302-286-1988

Fax: 917 522-0569

Email: 12145455230@tls.ldsprod.com/matthew.martins@barclays.com

If to the Collateral Agent:

Barclays Bank PLC

Attention: Amy Ehlen

745 7th Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Telephone: + 1 212 526 8527

Fax: + 1 212 526 5115

Email: amy.ehlen@barclays.com/ltmny@barclays.com

 


If to the Swing Line Lender:

Barclays Bank PLC

Attention: Matthew Martins

700 Prides Crossing

Newark, Delaware 19713

Telephone: 302-286-1988

Fax: 917 522-0569

Email: 12145455230@tls.ldsprod.com/matthew.martins@barclays.com

If to an Issuing Bank:

Barclays Bank PLC, New York Branch

Letter of Credit Department

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Attn: Letters of Credit Dept / Dawn Townsend

Phone: (212) 320-7534

Fax: (212) 412-5011

Email: Dawn.Townsend@barclays.com/xraLetterofCredit@barclays.com

BNP Paribas RCC, Inc., as agent for BNP Paribas

525 Washington Blvd.

Jersey City, NJ 07310

Attn: Trade Finance Operations

Facsimile: (201) 616-7911

Email: dl.nytfstandby@us.bnpparibas.com

PNC Bank, National Association

Attn: Toni Edwards; Loan Support Analyst

Facsimile: (877) 736-6417

Email: ParticipationLA1BRV@pnc.com

If to a Lender, as set forth in the administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent by such Lender.


SCHEDULE 1.01(e)

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Existing Letters of Credit

 

Account Party

  

Letter of Credit

Number

  

Amount

  

Expiration Date

  

Beneficiary

Fairmount

Santrol, Inc.

   12500188    $10,095,891.00    9/16/2018   

U.S. Bank

National

Association

Shakopee Sand

LLC

   18120594    $783,348.09    12/12/2018   

Scott County

Community

Services

Fairmount

Santrol, Inc.

   18126488    $400,000.00    9/23/2019   

Wells Fargo

Bank, N.A.

Fairmount

Santrol, Inc.

   18126951    $200,000.00    9/1/2019   

Enterprise FM

Trust

Fairmount

Santrol, Inc.

   18127152    $2,695,835.00    2/2/2019   

Aspen American

Insurance

Company

Fairmount

Santrol, Inc.

   18127773    $715,000.00    6/19/2018   

Twin Eagle

Resource

Management,

LLC

Shakopee Sand

LLC

   18128694    $400,000.00    11/15/2018   

Quincunx

Mining LLC


SCHEDULE 4.01

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification

 

Name of Entity

  

Jurisdiction of Organization

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

   Delaware

Bison Merger Sub I, LLC

   Delaware

FMSA Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals Holdings, Inc.)

   Delaware

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Delaware

Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC

   Delaware

Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC

   Delaware

Aquila Mineral Company

   Delaware

Unimin Wisconsin Equipment Corporation

   Delaware

Blue Earth Properties LLC

   Illinois

Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation

   Delaware

Tinaco Feldspar Company LLC

   Delaware

Unisil Corporation

   New Jersey

Unimin Lime LLC (d/b/a Southern Lime)

   Delaware

Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.

   Delaware

Unimin Finance Company LLC

   Delaware

Winchester and Western Railroad Company

   Virginia

Grupo Materias Primas S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

Materias Primas Minerales de Ahuazotepec S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

Materias Primas Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

Servicios Integrales Lampazos S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

909273 Ontario, Inc.

   Ontario, Canada

Unimin Canada Ltd.

   Ontario, Canada

Wexford Sand Co.

   Michigan

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

   Michigan

Wedron Silica Company

   Ohio

Shakopee Sand LLC

   Minnesota

Mineral Visions Inc.

   Ohio

Fairmount Water Solutions, LLC

   Ohio

Black Lab LLC

   Ohio

TechniSand, Inc.

   Delaware

Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

Santrol de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

   Mexico

Fairmount Logistics LLC

   Texas

Self-Suspending Proppant LLC

   Delaware

Fairmount Minerals, LLC

   Ohio

Best Sand Corporation

   Ohio

Best Sand of Pennsylvania, Inc.

   Ohio

FML Sand, LLC

   Ohio

FML Resin, LLC

   Ohio

FML Terminal Logistics, LLC

   Ohio

FML Alabama Resin, Inc.

   Ohio

Dewey Resources, LLC

   Delaware


West Texas Housing LLC

   Delaware

Construction Aggregates Corporation of Michigan, Inc.

   Michigan

Standard Sand Corporation

   Michigan

Specialty Sands, Inc.

   Michigan

Lake Shore Sand Company (Ontario) Ltd.

   Ontario, Canada

Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.

   Delaware

Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.

   Texas

Alpha Resins, LLC

   Ohio

Technimat LLC

   Ohio

Santrol (Yixing) Proppant Co., Ltd.

   China

Santrol Europe ApS

   Denmark

Technisand Canada Sales Ltd.

   British Columbia, Canada


SCHEDULE 4.02

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Equity Interests and Ownership

Ownership Interests :    

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation):

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

SCR-Sibelco N.V.

    65

Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. Shareholders

    35

Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC:    

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC

    100

Blue Earth Properties LLC:    

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Aquila Mineral Company:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100


Unimin Wisconsin Equipment Corporation:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Unimin Lime LLC (d/b/a Southern Lime):

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Tinaco Feldspar Company LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation

    100

Winchester and Western Railroad Company:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Unisil Corporation:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Unimin Canada Ltd.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Unimin Finance Company LLC:    

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Unimin Canada Ltd.

    100


909273 Ontario, Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100

Grupo Materias Primas S. de R L de C. V.:

 

Shareholder

  Quota in the Capital  

Unimin Finance Company LLC

    50.01

Unimin Canada Ltd.

    49.99

Materias Primas Monterrey S. de R L de C. V.:

 

Shareholder

  Quota in the Capital  

Unimin Finance Company LLC

    0.001

Grupo Materias Primas S. de R L de C. V.

    99.999

Materias Primas Minerales de Ahuazotepec S. de R L de C. V.:

 

Shareholder

  Quota in the Capital  

Unimin Finance Company LLC

    0.001

Grupo Materias Primas S. de R L de C. V.

    99.999

Servicios Integrales Lampazos S. de R L de C. V.:

 

Shareholder

  Quota in the Capital  

Unimin Finance Company LLC

    0.001

Grupo Materias Primas S. de R L de C. V.

    99.999

Bison Merger Sub I, LLC:    

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

    100


FMSA Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Bison Merger Sub I, LLC

    100

Fairmount Santrol Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

FMSA Inc.

    100

Lake Shore Sand Company (Ontario) Ltd.:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

    100

Best Sand Corporation:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Best Sand of Pennsylvania, Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Best Sand Corporation

    100

Cheyenne Sand Corp.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Standard Sand Corporation:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

    100

Construction Aggregates Corporation of Michigan, Inc.:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

    100

Fairmount Logistics LLC:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100


Specialty Sands, Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

    100

Wedron Silica Company:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Wexford Sand Co.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Mineral Visions Inc.:    

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Fairmount Water Solutions, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

TechniSand, Inc.:    

 

Stockholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

TechniSand, Inc.

    100

Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.

    100

Technimat LLC:    

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

TechniSand, Inc.

    90


Fairmount Minerals, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Alpha Resins, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Technisand, Inc.

    100

Black Lab LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Self-Suspending Proppant LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100 %*** 

 

*** Fairmount Santrol Inc.’s share ownership could be reduced in the event certain earn-out calculation thresholds are not met in the future.

Shakopee Sand LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

FML Sand, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Dewey Resources LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

FML Sand, LLC

    100

West Texas Housing LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

FML Sand, LLC

    100

FML Resin, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100


FML Terminal Logistics, LLC:

 

Member

  Membership Interests  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

FML Alabama Resin, Inc.:

 

Member

  Ownership Percentage  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    100

Santrol (Yixing) Proppant Company, Ltd.:

 

Shareholder

  Interests  

Technimat LLC

    70

Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. :

 

Shareholder

  Quota in the Capital  

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    99.67

TechniSand, Inc.

    0.33

Santrol de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. :

 

Shareholder

  Series A Equity Quota
(fixed and variable)
    Series B Equity Quota
(fixed)
 

Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

    99.985     —    

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

    —         0.015

Santrol Europe ApS:

 

Shareholder

  Interests  

Technisand, Inc.

    100

Technisand Canada Sales Ltd.:

 

Shareholder

  Ownership Percentage  

Technisand, Inc.

    100


SCHEDULE 4.12

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Real Estate Assets

 

    

PROPERTY

  

COUNTY

  

STATE

  

APN/LEGAL

DESCRIPTION

1.   

Wedron Plant

3450 E. 2056 Road

Wedron, IL

   LaSalle    Illinois    See attached
2.   

Chardon Plant

12100 Claridon Troy Road

Chardon, OH

   Geauga    Ohio    See attached
3.   

Maiden Rock Plant

Maiden Rock, WI

   Pierce    Wisconsin    See attached
4.   

Voca Plant

Voca, TX

  

Mason;

McCulloch

   Texas    See attached
5.   

Katemcy Plant

Mason, TX

   Mason    Texas    See attached
6.   

Dividing Creek Plant

Haleyville Road

Dividing Creek, NJ

   Cumberland    New Jersey    See attached
7.   

Kasota Plant

35496 468 Street

Kasota, MN

  

Blue Earth;

LeSueur

   Minnesota    See attached
8.   

Ottawa Plant

39770 Ottawa Road

Le Sueur, MN

   LeSueur    Minnesota    See attached
9.   

Tunnel City Plant

20319 St. Hwy 21

Tomah, WI

   Monroe    Wisconsin    See attached
10.   

Utica Plant

402 Mill Street

Utica, IL

   LaSalle    Illinois    See attached


SCHEDULE 5.16(b)

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Post-Closing Matters

 

1. To the extent required by Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, no later than thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received signature pages to the Intercompany Note executed by each of the following Subsidiaries:

 

  a. Grupo Materias Primas S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  b. Materias Primas Minerales de Ahuazotepec S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  c. Materias Primas Monterrey S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  d. Servicios Integrales Lampazos S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  e. 909273 Ontario, Inc.

 

  f. Unimin Canada Ltd.

 

  g. Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  h. Santrol de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

  i. Lake Shore Sand Company (Ontario) Ltd.

 

  j. Santrol (Yixing) Proppant Co., Ltd.

 

  k. Santrol Europe ApS

 

  l. Technisand Canada Sales Ltd.

 

  m. Technimat LLC.

 

2. Subject to Section 5.05(b) of the Credit Agreement, no later than thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable) shall have received insurance certificates and endorsements naming the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent (as applicable), for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as additional insured or loss payee (as applicable) under the general commercial liability and property insurance policies of the Borrower.

 

3. No later than ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received:

 

  a. an original stock power relating to Bison Merger Sub I, LLC’s Equity Interests in FMSA Inc.

 

  b. an original stock certificate and stock power relating to Covia Holdings Corporation’s Equity Interests in Unimin Canada Ltd.

 

  c. an original stock certificate and stock power relating to Covia Holdings Corporation’s Equity Interests in 909273 Ontario, Inc.


SCHEDULE 6.01

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Certain Indebtedness

 

1. Loan Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2007, between Town of Red Cedar, Wisconsin (the “Issuer”) and Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C. relating to the Issuer’s Variable Rate Demand Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (Fairmount Santrol Inc. Project), Series 2007, in the aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000.

 

2. Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2001, among Fairmount Santrol Inc., Jack Goldfarb and David Sensibar, pursuant to which there is a deferred purchase price to be paid in 20 annual installments, together with a contingent purchase amount to be paid in 20 annual installments based on the tonnage of industrial sand mined and sold. The current outstanding amount of the deferred purchase price is $56,093.

 

3. Equipment Lease Agreement 002, dated as of November 25, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as lessee, for the lease of a Rosco RB50 Broom/Serial No. 166103 in the original amount of $69,280.

 

4. Equipment Lease Agreement 001, dated as of November 25, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as lessee, for the lease of a GD 655-6 Motor Grader/Serial No. 60240 in the original amount of $274,144.

 

5. Security Agreement 94843 dated as of December 31, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as seller, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as buyer for the purchase of a D155AX-8 Crawler Dozer/Serial No. 100175 in the original amount of $530,341.

 

6. Security Agreement 94845 dated as of December 31, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as seller, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as buyer, for the purchase of a D155AX-8 Crawler Dozer/Serial No. 100176 in the original amount of $530,341.

 

7. Security Agreement 94847 dated as of December 31, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as seller, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as buyer, for the purchase of a HM300-5 Haul Truck/Serial No. 10623 in the original amount of $410,258.

 

8. Security Agreement 94848 dated as of December 31, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as seller, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as buyer, for the purchase of a HM300-5 Haul Truck/Serial No. 10624 in the original amount of $410,258.

 

9. Equipment Lease Agreement 000 dated as of November 25, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as lessee, for the lease of a HM300-5 Haul Truck/Serial No. 10509 in the original amount of $410,719.


10. Acceptance Certificate and Financing Lease Schedule No. 098 to Master Lease Agreement No. 1184, dated as of November 30, 2015, by and between The Huntington National Bank, as lessor, and Wisconsin Industrial Sand LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a DPI I HD Jumbo Drill in the original amount of $427,182.

 

11. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-000, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a PC490LC-11 Excavator/Serial No. A41388 in the original amount of $384,685.

 

12. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-001, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a WA500-8 Front End Loader/Serial No. A96255 in the original amount of $393,855.

 

13. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-002, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a WA500-8 Front End Loader/Serial No. A96256 in the original amount of $406,707.

 

14. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-003, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a WA500-8 Front End Loader/Serial No. A96257 in the original amount of $406,707.

 

15. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-004, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM400-3 Haul Truck/Serial No. 3356 in the original amount of $314,200.

 

16. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-005, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM400-3 Haul Truck/Serial No. 3357 in the original amount of $318,565.

 

17. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-006, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM400-3 Haul Truck/Serial No. 3360 in the original amount of $332,533.

 

18. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0081709-000, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and Wisconsin Industrial Sand LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM300-5 Articulated Truck/Serial No. 10453 in the original amount of $407,626.


19. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-007, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM400-3 Haul Truck/Serial No. 3222 in the original amount of $275,400.

 

20. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-008, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM400-3 Haul Truck/Serial No. 3221 in the original amount of $265,700.

 

21. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-009, dated as of March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM300-5 Articulated Truck/Serial No. 10140 in the original amount of $340,450.

 

22. Equipment Lease Agreement 777-0089619-010, dated March 15, 2017, by and between Komatsu Financial Limited Partnership, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a HM300-3 Water Wagon / Serial No. 3167 in the original amount of $328,750.

 

23. Finance Lease Transaction Number 3044401, dated April 17, 2017, by and between Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as lessor, and FML Sand, LLC, as lessee, for the lease of a D8T Dozer / Serial No. FMC00456 in the original amount of $621,210.

 

24. Finance Lease Transaction Number 3063974, dated April 20, 2017, by and between Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as lessor, and Best Sand Corporation, as lessee, for the lease of a 980M Wheel Loader/Serial No. KRS01703 in the original amount of $344,400.

 

25. Finance Lease Transaction Number 3074360, dated May 18, 2017, by and between Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as lessor, and Wedron Silica Company, as lessee, for the lease of a D9T Dozer/Serial No. REX00502 in the original amount of $756,003.

 

26. Finance Lease Transaction Number 3045563, dated April 17, 2017, by and between Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, as lessor, and Wisconsin Industrial Sand LLC, as lessee, for the lease of two 982M Wheel Loaders, one TL 1055C Telehandler, and one 226D Skid Steer in the original total amount of $1,100,701.

 

27. Rental Agreement (with Purchase Option) Number 9907576001, dated March 14, 2017, by and between Wells Fargo Vendor Financial Services, as lessor, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, as lessee, for the lease of a Tennant Sentinel Diesel Sweeper in the original amount of $187,156.

 

28. Master Lease Agreement (MLA) and Schedule No. 1 to the MLA, dated May 12, 2017, by and between Varilease Finance Inc., as lessor, and Fairmount Santrol Inc, Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C., and FML Sand, LLC, as co-lessees, for the lease of a Genie SX-135 Boom Lift, JD 672G Motor Grader, JD 232E Skid Steer, two JD XUV 825I Gators, Cornell Diesel Pump, JD 200/DLC Excavator, Titan Trackmobile, and JD 316GR Skid Steer in the original total amount of $1,114,296.


29. Promissory Note No. 002, dated October 27, 2014, issued pursuant to Master Locomotive Loan and Security Agreement No. 1184-A, by and between The Huntington National Bank, as lender, and Technisand, Inc., as borrower for the purchase of a LEAF Locomotive with Remote Control System (Railcar No. RSSX 575) in the original amount of $1,010,812.

 

30. Equipment Lease Agreement, dated 30 April 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) as lessee and United Rentals, Inc. as lessor, for the lease of a JLG 2646ES Scissor Lift in the original total amount of $17,001.75 with $1 buyout at the end of the lease.

 

31. Equipment Lease Agreement, dated 30 April 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) as lessee and United Rentals, Inc. as lessor, for the lease of a Doosan D25S-7 Forklift in the original total amount of $30,063.23 with $1 buyout at the end of the lease.

 

32. Equipment Lease Agreement, dated 30 April 2018, by and between Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) as lessee and United Rentals, Inc. as lessor, for the lease of a JLG 600AJ AWD Boom Lift in the original total amount of $104,357.99 $1 buyout at the end of the lease.

 

33. 2,000,000 Canadian dollar overdraft facility by and between Unimin Canada, Limited and Bank of Montreal dated June 6, 2003.

 

34. Promissory Note, dated January 17, 2011, by and between Winchester and Western Railroad Company and Argos USA LLC in a principal outstanding amount of $1,790,000.

 

35. The following Letters of Credit:

 

Issuing Bank

  

Beneficiary

   Amount  

Bank of America

  

Ace American Insurance Company

   $ 1,330,500  

Bank of America

  

Zurich Insurance Company

   $ 200,000  

Bank of America

  

National Union Fire Insurance

   $ 345,000  

Bank of Montreal

  

Her Majesty the Queen/

   $ 80,817  
  

Ministry of Environment

  


SCHEDULE 6.03

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Certain Negative Pledges

None.


SCHEDULE 6.05

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Certain Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions

None.


SCHEDULE 6.06

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Certain Investments

 

1. An Investment-Rabbi Trust-SERP maintained at Huntington Bank in the name of Fairmount Santrol Inc.

 

2. Pursuant to a subscription agreement between Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) and CSL Energy Opportunities Fund I, L.P., acting by is general partner, CSL Energy Opportunity GP I, LLC, Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) made a capital commitment to CSL Energy Opportunities Fund I, L.P. of $5,000,000. The corresponding limited partnership agreement between Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation), CSL Energy Opportunity GP I, LLC, and the limited partners, pursuant to which Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) became a limited partner of CSL Energy Opportunities Fund I, L.P., is dated as of September 29, 2011.

 

3. Covia Holdings Corporation’s (f/k/a Unimin Corporation) $4,000,000 guarantee of Unimin Canada Limited’s 2,000,000 Canadian dollar overdraft facility with Bank of Montreal dated June 6, 2003.


SCHEDULE 6.11

TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Certain Transactions with Affiliates

None.


EXHIBIT A-1 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

BORROWING NOTICE

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

Pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.02 and 2.03 of the Credit Agreement, as applicable, the Borrower desires that Lenders make the following Loans to the Borrower in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement on [mm/dd/yy] (the “ Credit Date ”):

 

Initial Term Loans

     

•  Base Rate Loans:

   $[    ,    ,    ]   

•  Eurodollar Rate Loans, with an initial Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six] 1 month(s):

   $[    ,    ,    ]   

Revolving Loans

     

•  Base Rate Loans:

   $[    ,    ,    ]   

•  Eurodollar Rate Loans, with an initial Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six] 1 month(s):

   $[    ,    ,    ]   

Swing Line Loans

   $[    ,    ,    ]   

 

1   If available to all of the Lenders, twelve months, or any shorter period.


[The Loans requested above shall be funded to those accounts instructed by the Borrower in the funds flow memorandum as of the Closing Date attached hereto.] 1

[The Loans requested above shall be funded to the following account:

Bank:

ABA #:

Account #:

Account Name:

Reference:] 2

The Borrower hereby certifies that:

(i) as of such Credit Date, the representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of that Credit Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date; provided , that to the extent any such representation or warranty is already qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects[; provided , further , that for purposes of the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date and in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the representations and warranties for purposes of Section 3.02(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement shall be limited to the Specified Representations and the applicable Specified Merger Agreement Representations (or, with respect to any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the equivalent representations under the applicable definitive document with respect to such Limited Conditionality Transaction)]; 3 and

(ii) as of such Credit Date, no event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension that would constitute a Default or an Event of Default [( provided that both immediately before and immediately after the effectiveness of any Incremental Facility (or, in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, at the option of the Borrower if agreed by the lenders providing such Incremental Facility, at the time of an LCA Election or at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment) no Default or Event of Default exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility (or, in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, if agreed by the lenders providing such Incremental Facility, no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g) of the Credit Agreement exists or would exist after giving effect to such Incremental Facility)]. 4

 

Date: [mm/dd/yy]     COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    By:  

                                                                                   

    Name:  
    Title:  

 

1   Bracketed language to be included solely in connection with the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date.
2   Bracketed language to be included in connection with extension of credit after the initial extension of credit on the Closing Date.
3   Bracketed language to be included solely in connection with the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date and any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction.
4   Applicable only to extensions of credit after the initial extension of credit on the Closing Date. Bracketed language to be included solely in connection with an extension of credit under an Incremental Facility.

 

EXHIBIT A-1-2


EXHIBIT A-2 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

CONVERSION/CONTINUATION NOTICE

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

Pursuant to Section 2.09 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower desires to convert or to continue the following Loans, each such conversion and/or continuation to be effective as of [mm/dd/yy] :

 

1. Initial Term Loans:

$ [    ,    ,    ]    Eurodollar Rate Loans, with an initial Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six] 1 month(s):
$ [    ,    ,    ]    Base Rate Loans to be converted to Eurodollar Rate Loans with Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six ] 1 month(s)
$ [    ,    ,    ]    Eurodollar Rate Loans to be converted to Base Rate Loans

 

1   If available to all of the Lenders, twelve months, or any shorter period.

 

2. Revolving Loans:
$ [    ,    ,    ]    Eurodollar Rate Loans, with an initial Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six] 1 month(s):
$ [    ,    ,    ]    Base Rate Loans to be converted to Eurodollar Rate Loans with Interest Period of [one] [two] [three] [six ] 1 month(s)
$ [    ,    ,    ]    Eurodollar Rate Loans to be converted to Base Rate Loans

 

1   If available to all of the Lenders, twelve months, or any shorter period.

The Borrower hereby certifies that as of the date hereof, no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Date: [mm/dd/yy]     COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
    as Borrower
    By:  

                                                                                       

    Name:  
    Title:  

 

EXHIBIT A-2-1


EXHIBIT A-3 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

ISSUANCE NOTICE

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

Pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower desires a Letter of Credit to be issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement on [mm/dd/yy] (the “ Credit Date ”) in an aggregate face amount of $ [        ,        ,        ] .

Attached hereto for each such Letter of Credit are the following:

(a) the stated amount of such Letter of Credit;

(b) the name and address of the beneficiary;

(c) the expiration date; and

(d) either (i) the verbatim text of such proposed Letter of Credit, or (ii) a description of the proposed terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, including a precise description of any documents to be presented by the beneficiary which, if presented by the beneficiary prior to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, would require the Issuing Lender to make payment under such Letter of Credit.

The Borrower hereby certifies that:

(i) as of such Credit Date, the representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of that Credit Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date; provided , that to the extent any such representation or warranty is already qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects; [ provided , further , that for purposes of the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date, the representations and warranties for purposes of Section 3.02(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement shall be limited to the Specified Representations and the applicable Specified Merger Agreement Representations]; 1 and

(ii) as of such Credit Date, no event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension that would constitute a Default or an Event of Default. 2

 

Date: [mm/dd/yy]           COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    By:  

 

    Name:  
    Title:  

 

1   Bracketed language to be included solely in connection with the initial extensions of credit on the Closing Date.
2   Applicable only to extensions of credit after the initial extension of credit on the Closing Date.

 

EXHIBIT A-3-1


EXHIBIT B-1 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

INITIAL TERM LOAN NOTE

 

$[1][    ,    ,    ]   
[        ] [    ], 201[    ]    New York, New York

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), promises to pay [NAME OF LENDER] (together with its permitted registered assigns, “Payee”) the principal amount of [    ] DOLLARS ($ [    ,    ,    ] ) 1 in the installments referred to below.

The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

The Borrower shall make scheduled principal payments on this Note as set forth in Section 2.12 of the Credit Agreement.

This Note is one of the “Initial Term Loan Notes” issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the Initial Term Loan evidenced hereby was made and is to be repaid.

All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the Principal Office of Administrative Agent or at such other place as shall be designated in writing for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer of the obligations evidenced hereby shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Term Loan Register, the Borrower, each Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this Note and the obligations evidenced hereby. Payee hereby agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided, the failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on this Note.

THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

1   Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment

 

EXHIBIT B-1-1


No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of the Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

The Borrower promises to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, all as provided in the Credit Agreement and subject to the limitations therein, incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. The Borrower and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, diligence, presentment, protest, demand notice of every kind and, to the full extent permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT B-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:

 

                                                                       

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT B-1-3


TRANSACTIONS ON

INITIAL TERM LOAN NOTE

 

Date

  

Principal Amount of

Loan Made

  

Amount of

Principal/Interest Paid

  

Outstanding Principal
Balance

  

Notation Made By

           
           
           
           
           

 

EXHIBIT B-1-4


EXHIBIT B-2 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

REVOLVING LOAN NOTE

$[1][        ,        ,        ]

[    ], 2018 New York, New York

FOR VALUE RECEIVED , Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), promises to pay [NAME OF LENDER] (together with its permitted registered assigns, “Payee”), on or before the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, the lesser of (a) [    ] 1 DOLLARS ($[1] [        ,        ,        ] ) and (b) the unpaid principal amount of all advances made by Payee to the Borrower as Revolving Loans under the Credit Agreement referred to below.

The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the interest rates and at the times which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

This Note is one of the “Revolving Loan Notes” issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the Revolving Loans evidenced hereby were or will be made and are to be repaid.

All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the Principal Office of the Administrative Agent or at such other place as shall be designated in writing for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer of the obligations evidenced hereby shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Revolving Commitment Register, the Borrower, each Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this Note and the obligations evidenced hereby. Payee hereby agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided, the failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on this Note.

THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

1   Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment

 

EXHIBIT B-2-1


No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of the Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

The Borrower promises to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, all as provided in the Credit Agreement and subject to the limitations therein, incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. The Borrower and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive diligence, presentment, protest, demand notice of every kind and, to the full extent permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT B-2-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:  

                                                                       

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT B-2-3


TRANSACTIONS ON

REVOLVING LOAN NOTE

 

Date

  

Principal Amount of

Loan Made

  

Amount of

Principal/Interest Paid

  

Outstanding Principal
Balance

  

Notation Made By

           
           
           
           
           

 

EXHIBIT B-2-4


EXHIBIT B-3TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

SWING LINE NOTE

$[1][    ,    ,    ]

[    ], 2018 New York, New York

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), promises to pay to Barclays Bank PLC, as Swing Line Lender (“ Payee ”), on or before the earlier of (x) [ ] and (y) the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, the lesser of (a) [    ] 1 DOLLARS $[    ,    ,    ]) and (b) the unpaid principal amount of all advances made by Payee to the Borrower as Swing Line Loans under the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the interest rates and at the times which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

This Note is the “Swing Line Note” issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the Swing Line Loans evidenced hereby were made and are to be repaid.

All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the Principal Office of Swing Line Lender or at such other place as shall be designated in writing for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of the Borrower, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

The Borrower promises to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, all as provided in the Credit Agreement and subject to the limitations therein, incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. The Borrower and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, diligence, presentment, protest, demand notice of every kind and, to the full extent permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

1   Swing Line Sublimit

 

EXHIBIT B-3-1


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

                                                                           

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT B-3-2


TRANSACTIONS ON

SWING LINE NOTE

 

Date

  

Principal Amount of

Loan Made

  

Amount of

Principal/Interest Paid

  

Outstanding Principal
Balance

  

Notation Made By

           
           
           
           
           

 

EXHIBIT B-3-3


EXHIBIT C

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES AS OF THE DATE HEREOF (ON BEHALF OF THE BORROWER (AS DEFINED BELOW) AND NOT IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY) AS FOLLOWS:

1. I am the [        ] 1 of Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”).

2. I have reviewed the terms of that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the financial statements attached hereto as Annex A.

3. To the best of my knowledge no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of this Certificate, except as set forth on Annex C attached hereto, if any, to this Certificate, describing in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrower and/or the applicable Loan Party has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event.

4. No change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower most recently theretofore delivered under Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b) of the Credit Agreement (or, prior to the first such delivery, referred to in Section 4.07 of the Credit Agreement) that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material effect on the calculation of the Leverage Ratio, except as set forth on Annex D attached hereto, if any, to this Certificate, describing the nature of such change and the effect thereof on such calculation.

The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in the Annex B attached hereto and the financial statements attached hereto as Annex A, are made and delivered on [mm/dd/yy] pursuant to Section 5.01(d) of the Credit Agreement.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:  

                                                                           

Name:  
Title:  

 

1   To be signed by an “Authorized Officer” of the Borrower.

 

EXHIBIT C-1


ANNEX A TO

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL [QUARTER] [YEAR] ENDING [mm/dd/yy].

 

EXHIBIT C-2


ANNEX B TO

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

FOR THE FISCAL [QUARTER] [YEAR] ENDING [mm/dd/yy] .

 

1. Consolidated EBITDA 2 : (i) - (ii) - (iii) =    $[    ,    ,    ]
        (i)    for such period:   
   (a)    Consolidated Net Income:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (b)    consolidated interest expense:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (c)    provisions for taxes based on income, profits or capital:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (d)    total depreciation and depletion expense:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (e)    total amortization expense:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (f)    costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and any related transactions:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (g)    all extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring charges and expenses and restructuring costs:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (h)    transaction costs, fees, losses and expenses (including rationalization, legal, tax and structuring fees, costs and expenses) incurred in connection with the incurrence of indebtedness, disposition of assets, the making of Permitted Acquisitions or other Investments or transactions permitted hereunder (in each case whether or not consummated, including any such attempted transactions which are not consummated), including any equity offering, Restricted Junior Payment, dispositions, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, option buyouts or incurrences, repurchases, repayments, refinancings, amendments, waivers or modifications of Indebtedness (including any amortization or write-off of debt issuance or deferred financings costs, premiums and prepayment penalties or similar transactions) or any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Loans or other Indebtedness, including (x) such fees, expenses or charges (including rating agency fees and costs) related to the Loans and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (y) letter of credit fees and (z) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (i)    without duplication of any expenses or charges included in any other subclause of this clause (i), the amount of “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to the Transactions or any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative projected by the Borrower in good faith to be realized as a result of actions that have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken (in the good faith determination of the Borrower), including any cost savings, expenses and charges (including restructuring and integration charges) in connection with, or incurred by or on behalf of, any Joint Venture of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (whether accounted for on the financial statements of any such Joint Venture or the Borrower) (i) with respect to the Transactions, on or prior to the date that is 24 months after the Closing Date (including actions initiated prior to the Closing Date) and (ii) with respect to any other Specified Transaction, any restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative whether initiated before, on or after the Closing Date, within 24 months after such Specified Transaction, restructuring, cost saving initiative or other initiative (which cost savings shall be added to Consolidated EBITDA until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of the relevant period), net    $[    ,    ,    ]

 

2   For the avoidance of doubt, the Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Target) for the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2017, September 30, 2017, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, was $118,675,000, $144,197,000, $130,044,000, and $151,705,000, respectively.

 

EXHIBIT C-3


     of the amount of actual benefits realized from such actions; provided that such amount shall not be greater than 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for any applicable period; provided further that (A) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (B) the share of any such cost savings, expenses and charges with respect to a Joint Venture that are to be allocated to the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries shall not exceed the total amount thereof for any such Joint Venture multiplied by the percentage of income of such venture expected to be included in Consolidated EBITDA for the relevant Test Period:   
  (j)    other non-Cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period including (i) any write offs or write downs, (ii) losses on sales, disposals or abandonment of, or any impairment charges or asset write off related to, intangible assets, long-lived assets and investments in debt and equity securities, (iii) all losses from investments recorded using the equity method (other than to the extent funded with cash), (iv) non-cash asset impairment or goodwill write downs and (v) other non-cash charges, non- cash expenses or non-cash losses reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (provided that if any such non-cash charges, expenses or losses represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Borrower may determine not to add back such non-cash charge, loss or expense in the current period or (B) to the extent the Borrower does decide to add back such non-cash charge, loss, or expense, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from Consolidated EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period):    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (k)    Public Company Costs:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (l)    charges, losses, lost profits, expenses (including litigation expenses, fee and charges) or write offs to the extent indemnified or insured by a third party, including expenses or losses covered by indemnification provisions or by any insurance provider in connection with the Transactions, a Permitted Acquisition or any other acquisition or Investment, disposition or any casualty or similar event, in each case, to the extent that coverage has not been denied and so long as such amounts are actually reimbursed in cash within one year after the related amount is first added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (k) (and if not so reimbursed within one year, such amount shall be deducted from Consolidated EBITDA during the next measurement period):    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (m)    any net pension or other post-employment benefit costs representing amortization of unrecognized prior service costs, actuarial losses, including amortization of such amounts arising in prior periods, amortization of the unrecognized net obligation (and loss or cost) existing at the date of initial application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 715, and any other items of a similar nature:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (n)    cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or net income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (ii) through (iv) below for any previous period and not added back:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (o)    stock option, restricted or performance stock unit and other equity-based compensation expenses, to the extent the same was deducted (and not added back) in calculating Consolidated Net Income:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (p)    the amount of any expense, loss or deduction associated with any subsidiary of such Person attributable to non-controlling interests or minority interests of third parties:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (q)    non-recurring transaction costs, fees and expenses in connection with equity issuances by Borrower:    $[    ,    ,    ]
  (r)    reasonable costs and expenses directly incurred during such period in connection with (a) the opening of any new sand processing or mining facilities or facilities relating to transportation or logistics or (b) any substantial expansions of existing sand processing or mining facilities or facilities relating to transportation or logistics with a capital cost in excess of $5,000,000:    $[    ,    ,    ]

 

EXHIBIT C-4


        (ii)    other non-Cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income 3 :    $[    ,    ,    ]
        (iii)    all extraordinary gains and non-recurring gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period) 4:    $[    ,    ,    ]
2. Consolidated Current Assets :   

total assets of a Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding Cash and Cash Equivalents:

   $[    ,    ,    ]
3. Consolidated Current Liabilities :   

total liabilities of a Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP, excluding the current portion of long term debt:

   $[    ,    ,    ]
4. Consolidated Excess Cash Flow 5 : (i) - (ii) =   
    (i)   

(a)   Consolidated Net Income:

   $[    ,    ,    ]
    

(b)   to the extent reducing Consolidated Net Income, the sum, without duplication, of amounts for non-Cash charges reducing Consolidated Net Income, including for depreciation and amortization and depletion (excluding any such non-Cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for potential Cash charge in any future period or amortization of a prepaid Cash charge that was paid in a prior period):

   $[    ,    ,    ]
    

(c)   Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment:

   $[    ,    ,    ]
    (ii)    less: (a) + (b) + (c) + (d) + (e) + (f) + (g) =    $[    ,    ,    ]

 

3   Excluding any such non-Cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash gain in any prior period.
4   Provided that, (I) there shall be included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period, without duplication, the Acquired EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) whether such acquisition occurred before or after the Closing Date to the extent not subsequently sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (but not including the Acquired EBITDA of any related Person, property, business or assets to the extent not so acquired) (each such Person, property, business or asset acquired, including pursuant to the Transactions or pursuant to a transaction consummated prior to the Closing Date, and not subsequently so disposed of, an “ Acquired Entity or Business ”), and the Acquired EBITDA of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that is converted into a Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Restricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Acquired EBITDA of such Pro Forma Entity for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis, and (II) there shall be (A) excluded in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period the Disposed EBITDA of any Person, property, business or asset (other than any Unrestricted Subsidiary) sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinued operations by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period (but if such operations are classified as discontinued due to the fact that they are subject to an agreement to dispose of such operations, only when and to the extent such operations are actually disposed of) (each such Person, property, business or asset so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified, a “ Sold Entity or Business ”), and the Disposed EBITDA of any Subsidiary that is converted into an Unrestricted Subsidiary during such period (each, a “ Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary ”), in each case based on the Disposed EBITDA of such Sold Entity or Business or Converted Unrestricted Subsidiary for such period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition, closure, classification or conversion) determined on a historical Pro Forma Basis and (B) included in determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period in which a Sold Entity or Business is disposed, an adjustment equal to the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment with respect to such Sold Entity or Business (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such disposal) as specified in the Pro Forma Disposal Adjustment certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent (for further delivery to the Lenders).
5   Calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow (and calculation of related definitions) to be delivered commencing with Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2019.

 

EXHIBIT C-5


   the amounts for such period paid in cash from operating cash flow (for the avoidance of doubt, not from the proceeds of indebtedness) of:   
   (a)    scheduled repayments of Indebtedness for borrowed money (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans except to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments) and scheduled repayments of obligations under Capital Leases (excluding any interest expense portion thereof):    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (b)    Capital Expenditures, including Capital Expenditures which are contracted to be made during the next Fiscal Year so long as (1) such amounts are contractually committed by December 31 of the applicable Fiscal Year for which Consolidated Excess Cash Flow is being calculated (the “ECF Calculation Year”) to be utilized during the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year and (2) any amounts not utilized during the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for the Fiscal Year immediately following such ECF Calculation Year    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (c)    other non-Cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such non-Cash gain to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash gain in any prior period):    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (d)    the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (e)    the aggregate amount of Restricted Junior Payments made in cash by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period pursuant to clause (d) of Section 6.04 of the Credit Agreement:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (f)    the aggregate amount of Investments or other acquisitions made in cash by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during such period pursuant to clauses (h), (i), (j), (o), (p), (q), (u) and (bb) of Section 6.06 (other than any intercompany Investments):    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (g)    fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to directors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.    $[    ,    ,    ]
5. Consolidated Net Income 6 : (i) - (ii) =    $[    ,    ,    ]
        (i)    the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP:    $[    ,    ,    ]
        (ii)    (a) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in which any other Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by such Person during such period:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (b)    income of any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   (c)    after-tax non-Cash gains or losses attributable to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan:    $[ , , ]

 

6   The amount of any cash dividends paid by any Unrestricted Subsidiary and received by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries during any such period shall be included, without duplication and subject to clause (ii) of this calculation, in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period

 

EXHIBIT C-6


6. Consolidated Total Debt:

the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or, if higher, the par value or stated face amount of all such Indebtedness (other than zero coupon Indebtedness)) consisting of debt for borrowed money, Capital Leases and debt evidenced by bonds, notes or similar instruments determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP:

   $[    ,    ,    ]

7. Consolidated Working Capital: (i) - (ii) =

   $[    ,    ,    ]

            (i)

  

Consolidated Current Assets:

   $[    ,    ,    ]

            (ii)

  

Consolidated Current Liabilities:

   $[    ,    ,    ]

8. Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment: (i) - (ii) =

   $[    ,    ,    ]
            (i)    Consolidated Working Capital as of the beginning of such period:    $[    ,    ,    ]
            (ii)    Consolidated Working Capital as of the end of such period:    $[    ,    ,    ]

9. Leverage Ratio: ((i)-(ii))/(iii) =

  

            (i)

   Consolidated Total Debt:    $[    ,    ,    ]

            (ii)

   Unrestricted Cash: 7    $[    ,    ,    ]
            (ii)    Consolidated EBITDA for the four-Fiscal Quarter period then ended:    $[    ,    ,    ]
   Actual:    .     :1.00
   Required:    .     :1.00

 

7   In an aggregate amount not to exceed $150,000,000.

 

EXHIBIT C-7


ANNEX C TO

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

EXHIBIT C-8


ANNEX D TO

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

EXHIBIT C-9


EXHIBIT D-1 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of [            ], 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “Borrower”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents, KeyBank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent and Collateral Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  

Date:             , 20[    ]

 

EXHIBIT D-1


EXHIBIT D-2 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of [            ], 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “Borrower”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents, KeyBank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent and Collateral Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Date:             , 20[    ]

 

EXHIBIT D-2


EXHIBIT D-3 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of [    ], 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “Borrower”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents, KeyBank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent and Collateral Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Date:             , 20[    ]

 

EXHIBIT D-3


EXHIBIT D-4 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

[FORM OF]

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

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

Reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of [    ], 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “Borrower”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents, KeyBank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent and Collateral Agent.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.20 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

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

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

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  
Name:  
Title:  

Date:             , 20[    ]

 

EXHIBIT D-4


EXHIBIT E TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

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

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of the Assignor’s outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including, to the extent included in any such facilities, any letters of credit and swingline loans) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and the Credit Agreement, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:   
2.    Assignee:    [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund 1 ]
3.    Borrower:    Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation)
4.    Administrative Agent:    Barclays Bank PLC, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:    Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 1, 2018, among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation, certain Subsidiaries of Covia Holdings Corporation, as Guarantors, the Lenders parties thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and the other agents parties thereto.
6.    Assigned Interest:   

 

 

1   Select as applicable

 

EXHIBIT E-1


Facility Assigned

   Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans
for all Lenders
     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned
     Percentage Assigned of
Commitment/Loans 2
 

Initial Term Loan

   $      $            

Revolving Commitment

   $      $            

Effective Date:         , 20      3

 

7. Notice and Wire Instructions:

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]      [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
Notices :         Notices :
  

 

       

 

  

 

       

 

  

 

       

 

   Attention:         Attention:
   Telecopier:         Telecopier:
with a copy to:      with a copy to:
  

 

       

 

  

 

       

 

  

 

       

 

   Attention:         Attention:
   Telecopier:         Telecopier:
Wire Instructions :      Wire Instructions :

 

 

2   Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.
3   TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE TERM LOAN REGISTER AND/OR REVOLVING COMMITMENT REGISTER, AS APPLICABLE.

 

EXHIBIT E-2


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

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

 

Title:  
ASSIGNEE
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

 

Title:  

 

[Consented to and] 4 Accepted:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC , as Administrative

Agent

By:

 

 

Title:

 

[Consented to and] 5 Accepted:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC , as Revolving

Administrative Agent

By:

 

 

Title:

 

[Consented to:] 6

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION , as Borrower

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

4   To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
5   To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
6   To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

EXHIBIT E-3


ANNEX 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT

AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

 

1. Representations and Warranties .

 

  1.1 Assignor . The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

  1.2 Assignee . The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements and conditions specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, and upon becoming a Lender as of the Effective Date, it is not a Defaulting Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received and/or had the opportunity to review a copy of the Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase the Assigned Interest, (vii) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to the Assignment is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee and (viii) this Assignment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at that time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2.     Payments . All payments with respect to the Assigned Interests shall be made on the Effective Date as follows:

With respect to Assigned Interests for Loans, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

EXHIBIT E-4


3.     General Provisions . This Assignment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment by telecopy or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment. This Assignment and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Assignment shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws that would result in the application of any law other than the law of the State of New York.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT E-5


EXHIBIT F TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

JOINDER AGREEMENT

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT , dated as of [             , 20 ] (this “ Agreement ”), by and among [NEW LENDERS] (each a “ Lender ” and collectively the “ Lenders ”), Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (in such capacity, the “ Borrower ”) and Barclays Bank PLC (“ Barclays ”), as Administrative Agent (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Administrative Agent”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , reference is hereby made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower may request an increase to the existing Revolving Commitments and/or the establishment of Term Loan Commitments, with such increase or establishment becoming effective by the Borrower entering into one or more Joinder Agreements with the Incremental Term Loan Lender(s) and/or Incremental Revolving Loan Lender(s), as applicable, and the Administrative Agent.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Each Lender party hereto hereby agrees to commit to provide its respective Commitment as set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Credit Agreement.

Each Lender (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (iii) appoints and authorizes Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Syndication Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Syndication Agent, as the case may be, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (iv) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

Each Lender hereby agrees to make its Commitment on the following terms and conditions and in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement. 1

1. In accordance with Section 2.24 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower has requested an [increase in the existing Revolving Commitments in the amount of $[                 ]] [Incremental Term Loan in the amount of $[                ] to be made to the Borrower] on [                 ], 20[    ] (the “Increased Amount Date”).

 

 

1   Insert completed items 1-7 as applicable, with respect to Incremental Term Loans with such modifications as may be agreed to by the parties hereto to the extent consistent with Section 2.24 of the Credit Agreement.

 

EXHIBIT F-1


 

a.  

  

Interest rate option:    

  ☐         

a.

  

Base Rate Loan(s)

       ☐         

b.

  

Eurodollar Rate Loans with an initial Interest Period of month(s)

 

2. Incremental Term Loan:

 

  a. The Incremental Term Loan made on the Increased Amount Date shall be designated Series [                ].

 

  b. The Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date for the Series [                ] Incremental Term Loan shall be [                 ].

 

3. Applicable Margin.

 

  i. Base Rate Loans: The Applicable Margin for each Series [                ] Incremental Term Loan that is a Base Rate Loan shall mean, as of any date of determination, [    ]% per annum.

 

  ii. Eurodollar Rate Loans: The Applicable Margin for each Series [                ] Incremental Term Loan that is a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall mean, as of any date of determination, [    ]% per annum.

 

4. Principal Payments . The Borrower shall make principal payments on the Series [                ] Incremental Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.12 of the Credit Agreement in installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth below:

 

(A)

Payment

Date

   (B)
Scheduled
Repayment
of

Series [    ]
Incremental
Term
Loans
 
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  

 

(A)

Payment

Date

   (B)
Scheduled
Repayment
of

Series [    ]
Incremental
Term
Loans
 
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  
   $  

TOTAL

   $  

 

 

EXHIBIT F-2


5. Voluntary and Mandatory Prepayments . Scheduled installments of principal of the [Series [                ]] incremental Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the [Series [                ]] Incremental Term Loans in accordance with Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 of the Credit Agreement; provided further , that the [Series [                ]] Incremental Term Loans and all other amounts under the Credit Agreement with respect to the [Series [                ]] Incremental Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than the Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date.

 

6. Prepayment Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to each [Incremental Term Loan Lender] the following prepayment fees: [                 ].

[Insert other additional prepayment provisions with respect to Incremental Term Loans]

 

7. Other Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay each [Incremental Term Loan Lender] [Incremental Revolving Lender] its Pro Rata Share of an aggregate fee equal to [                 ,                ] on [                 ,                ].

 

8. [Incremental Lenders . Each [Incremental Term Loan Lender] [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] acknowledges and agrees that upon its execution of this Agreement [and the making of [Incremental Term Loans] Series                Incremental Term Loans] that such [Incremental Term Loan Lender] [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] shall become a “Lender” under, and for all purposes of, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Credit Documents, and shall be subject to and bound by the terms thereof, and shall perform all the obligations of and shall have all rights of a Lender thereunder.] 2

 

9. Credit Agreement Governs . Except as set forth in this Agreement, the [Incremental Revolving Loans] [Series [                ] Incremental Term Loans] shall otherwise be subject to the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

10. Borrower’s Certifications . By its execution of this Agreement, the undersigned officer, to the best of his or her knowledge, and the Borrower hereby certify that:

 

  i. The representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof to the same extent as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date; provided, that to the extent any such representation or warranty is already qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, such representation or warranty is true and correct in all respects; provided, further, that in the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, the representations and warranties for purposes of this Section 10(i) shall be limited to the Specified Representations and equivalent representations under the applicable definitive document with respect to such Limited Conditionality Transaction to the Specified Merger Agreement Representations;

 

 

2   Insert bracketed language if the lending institution is not already a Lender.

 

EXHIBIT F-3


  ii. No Default or Event of Default exists on such Increased Amount Date before or after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing contemplated hereby; 3 and

 

  iii. As of the date hereof, the undersigned officer of the Borrower hereby certifies that the conditions to lending specified in Section 3.02(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement have been or will be, as the case may be, satisfied (or waived in accordance with the Credit Agreement);

 

  iv. The Borrower has performed in all material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions which the Credit Agreement provides shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before the date hereof; and

 

  v. The Borrower is in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Section 6.07 of the Credit Agreement as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter after giving effect to such [Incremental Revolving Commitments] [Incremental Term Loan Commitments], the calculations of which are set forth in reasonable detail on Annex A attached hereto.

 

12. Borrower Covenants . By its execution of this Agreement, the Borrower hereby covenants that:

 

  i. The Borrower shall make (or cause to be made) any payments required pursuant to Section 2.18(c) of the Credit Agreement in connection with the [Incremental Revolving Loan Commitments] [Incremental Term Loan Commitments]; 4

 

  ii. The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered the following legal opinions and documents: [ ], together with all other legal opinions and other documents reasonably requested by Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement; and

 

13. Eligible Assignee . By its execution of this Agreement, each [Incremental Term Loan Lender] [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee.

 

14. Notice . For purposes of the Credit Agreement, the initial notice address of each [Incremental Term Loan Lender] [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] shall be as set forth below its signature below, which may be changed in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement.

 

15. Non-U.S. Lenders . For each [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] [Incremental Term Loan Lender] that is a Non-U.S. Lender, has delivered herewith to the Administrative Agent are such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters as such [Incremental Revolving Loan Lender] [Incremental Term Loan Lender] may be required to deliver to the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.20(c) of the Credit Agreement.

 

16. Recordation of the New Loans . Upon execution and delivery hereof, the Administrative Agent will record the [Series [                ] Incremental Term Loans] [Incremental Revolving Loans] made by [Incremental Term Loan Lenders] [Incremental Revolving Loan Lenders] in the [Term Loan] [Revolving Commitment] Register.

 

17. Amendment, Modification and Waiver . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed and delivered on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

 

3   In the case of any extension of credit under any Incremental Facility in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction, at the option of the Borrower if agreed by the lenders providing such Incremental Facility, may be determined at the time of an LCA Election or at the time of the consummation of the relevant Acquisition or Investment and may be limited to no Event of Default under Section 8.01(a), (f) or (g).
4   Select this provision in the circumstance where the Lender is a Incremental Revolving Loan Lender.

 

EXHIBIT F-4


18. Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and verbal, among the parties or any of them with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

19. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

20. Severability . Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as would be enforceable.

 

21. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT F-5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each of the undersigned has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and deliver this Joinder Agreement as of [                 ,         ].

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Notice Address:

Attention:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION, as

Borrower

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT F-6


Consented to by:
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT F-7


SCHEDULE A

TO JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

Name of Lender

  

Type of Commitment

  

Amount

[                                                              ]

   [Incremental Term Loan Commitment]   
   [Incremental Revolving Commitment]    $
      Total: $

 

EXHIBIT F-8


EXHIBIT G-1 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

CLOSING DATE CERTIFICATE

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES AS OF THE DATE HEREOF AS FOLLOWS:

1. I am the [            ] of Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”).

2. We have reviewed the terms of Section 3 of the Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among the Borrower, certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the definitions and provisions contained in such Credit Agreement relating thereto, and in our opinion we have made, or have caused to be made under our supervision, such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable us to express an informed opinion as to the matters referred to herein.

3. Based upon our review and examination described in paragraph 2 above, we certify, on behalf of the Borrower, that as of the date hereof each of the conditions precedent described in Section 3.01 and Section 3.02 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with the Credit Agreement), except that no opinion is expressed as to the Administrative Agent’s or Required Lenders’ satisfaction with any document, instrument or other matter 1 .

The foregoing certifications are made and delivered, in the undersigned’s capacity as [            ] of the Borrower and not in his/her individual capacity, as of [    ], 2018.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

1   Note to Simpson : subclauses (i) and (iii) deleted as duplicative of subclause (ii).

 

EXHIBIT G-1-1


EXHIBIT G-2 TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Form of Solvency Certificate

Date:             , 2018

To the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement referred to below:

I, the undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Company ”), in that capacity only and not in my individual capacity (and without personal liability), do hereby certify as of the date hereof, and based upon facts and circumstances as they exist as of the date hereof (and disclaiming any responsibility for changes in such facts and circumstances after the date hereof), that:

1. This certificate is furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.01(i) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as the same may be amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

2. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

3. For purposes of this certificate, the terms below shall have the following definitions:

(a) “Fair Value”

The amount at which the assets (both tangible and intangible), in their entirety, of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, within a commercially reasonable period of time, each having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts, with neither being under any compulsion to act.

(b) “Present Fair Salable Value”

The amount that could be obtained by an independent willing seller from an independent willing buyer if the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole are sold with reasonable promptness in an arm’s-length transaction under present conditions for the sale of comparable business enterprises insofar as such conditions can be reasonably evaluated.

(c) “Liabilities”

The recorded liabilities (including contingent liabilities that would be recorded in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as of the date hereof after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, determined in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

EXHIBIT G-2-1


(d) “Will be able to pay their Liabilities as they mature”

For the period from the date hereof through the Stated Maturity Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole will have sufficient assets and cash flow to pay their Liabilities as those liabilities mature or (in the case of contingent Liabilities) otherwise become payable, in light of business conducted or anticipated to be conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries as reflected in the projected financial statements and in light of the anticipated credit capacity.

(e) “Do not have Unreasonably Small Capital”

The Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole after consummation of the Transactions is a going concern and has sufficient capital to reasonably ensure that it will continue to be a going concern for the period from the date hereof through the Stated Maturity Date. I understand that “unreasonably small capital” depends upon the nature of the particular business or businesses conducted or to be conducted, and I have reached my conclusion based on the needs and anticipated needs for capital of the business conducted or anticipated to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as reflected in the projected financial statements and in light of the anticipated credit capacity.

4. Based on and subject to the foregoing, I hereby certify on behalf of the Company that after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, it is my opinion that (i) the Fair Value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole exceeds their Liabilities, (ii) the Present Fair Salable Value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole exceeds their Liabilities; (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis taken as a whole do not have Unreasonably Small Capital; and (iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be able to pay their Liabilities as they mature.

5. In reaching the conclusions set forth in this Certificate, the undersigned has made such investigations and inquiries as the undersigned has deemed appropriate, having taken into account the nature of the particular business anticipated to be conducted by the Company and the Subsidiaries after consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be executed on its behalf by

the Chief Financial Officer as of the date first written above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

EXHIBIT G-2


EXHIBIT H TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

COUNTERPART AGREEMENT

This COUNTERPART AGREEMENT , dated [mm/dd/yy] (this “ Counterpart Agreement ”) is delivered pursuant to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

Section  1. Pursuant to Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby:

(a) agrees that this Counterpart Agreement may be attached to the Credit Agreement and that by the execution and delivery hereof, the undersigned becomes a Guarantor under the Credit Agreement and agrees to be bound by all of the terms thereof;

(b) represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties applicable to the undersigned set forth in the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document is true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifier contained in such representation and warranty) on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty relates solely to any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty is true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date;

(c) represents and warrants that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof, or would result from the transactions contemplated hereby on the date hereof;

(d) agrees to irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations of the Borrower when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) and in accordance with Article VII of the Credit Agreement; and

(e) the undersigned hereby (i) agrees that this Counterpart Agreement may be attached to the Pledge and Security Agreement, (ii) agrees that the undersigned will comply with all the terms and conditions of the Pledge and Security Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto, (iii) grants to Collateral Agent a security interest in all of the undersigned’s right, title and interest in and to all “Collateral” (as such term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) of the undersigned, subject to the terms of Section 2 of the Pledge and Security Agreement, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which the undersigned now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located and (iv) delivers to Collateral Agent supplements to all schedules attached to the Pledge and Security Agreement. All such Collateral shall be deemed to be part of the “Collateral” and hereafter subject to each of the terms and conditions of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

Section  2. The undersigned agrees from time to time, upon request of Administrative Agent, to take such additional actions and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as Administrative Agent may request to effect the transactions contemplated by, and to carry out the intent of, this Counterpart Agreement. Neither this Counterpart Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party (including, if applicable, any party required to evidence its consent to or acceptance of this Counterpart Agreement) against whom enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be given pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, and for all purposes thereof, the notice address of the undersigned shall be the address as set forth on the signature page hereof. In case any provision in or obligation under this Counterpart Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

EXHIBIT H-1


THIS COUNTERPART AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT H-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned has caused this Counterpart Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date above first written.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Address for Notices:
 

 

 

 

 

 

  Attention:
  Telecopier

with a copy to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Attention:
  Telecopier

ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date above first written:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT H-3


Exhibit I

Pledge and Security Agreement

[Attached]

 

EXHIBIT I-1


EXECUTION VERSION

Dated as of June 1, 2018

EACH OF THE GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

 

 

LOGO

 


CONTENTS

 

CLAUSE         PAGE  
1.    DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY      1  
   1.1    General Definitions      1  
   1.2    Definitions; Interpretation      7  
2.    GRANT OF SECURITY      8  
   2.1    Grant of Security      8  
   2.2    Certain Limited Exclusions      9  
3.    SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE      10  
   3.1    Security for Obligations      10  
   3.2    Continuing Liability Under Collateral      10  
4.    CERTAIN PERFECTION REQUIREMENTS      10  
   4.1    Filing Requirements      10  
   4.2    Delivery Requirements      10  
   4.3    Control Requirements      11  
   4.4    Intellectual Property Recording Requirements      11  
   4.5    Timing and Notice      12  
5.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      12  
   5.1    Grantor Information & Status      12  
   5.2    Collateral Identification, Special Collateral      12  
   5.3    Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens      13  
   5.4    Status of Security Interest      13  
   5.5    Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property      14  
   5.6    Intellectual Property      15  
6.    COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS      15  
   6.1    Grantor Information & Status      15  
   6.2    Collateral Identification; Special Collateral      15  
   6.3    Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens      16  
   6.4    [Intentionally Omitted]      16  
   6.5    Receivables      16  
   6.6    Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property      17  
   6.7    Intellectual Property      19  
7.    ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS      20  

 

- i -


   7.1    Access; Right of Inspection    20
   7.2    Further Assurances    20
   7.3    Additional Grantors    21
8.    COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT    21
   8.1    Power of Attorney    21
   8.2    No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties    22
   8.3    Appointment Pursuant to Credit Agreement    22
9.    REMEDIES    23
   9.1    Generally    23
   9.2    Application of Proceeds    24
   9.3    Investment Related Property    25
   9.4    Grant of Intellectual Property License    25
   9.5    Intellectual Property    26
   9.6    Cash Proceeds    27
10.    COLLATERAL AGENT    27
11.    CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS    28
12.    STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM    28
13.    MISCELLANEOUS    29

SCHEDULE 5.1 — GENERAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE 5.2 — COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

SCHEDULE 5.4 — FINANCING STATEMENTS

EXHIBIT A — PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT

EXHIBIT B — TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C — PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT D — COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

- ii -


This PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”) and each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower party hereto from time to time, whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Grantor (as herein defined) (each, a “ Grantor ”), and Barclays Bank PLC as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as herein defined) (in such capacity as collateral agent, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), by and among the Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Borrower, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the Lenders ), Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents (the “ Co-Syndication Agents ”), Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, certain Grantors may enter into one or more Hedge Agreements with one or more Lender Counterparties;

WHEREAS , in consideration of the extensions of credit and other accommodations of Secured Parties as set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Hedge Agreements, respectively, each Grantor has agreed to secure such Grantor’s Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as set forth herein; and

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 is hereby acknowledged, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY

 

1.1 General Definitions

In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Grantors ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 7.3.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Cash Proceeds ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 9.6.

Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1.


Collateral Account ” shall mean any account established by the Collateral Agent.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Collateral Records ” shall mean books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, customer lists, supplier lists, blueprints, technical specifications, manuals, computer software and related documentation, computer printouts, tapes, disks and other electronic storage media and related data processing software and similar items that at any time evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization thereupon.

Collateral Support ” shall mean all property (real or personal) assigned, hypothecated or otherwise securing any Collateral and shall include any security agreement or other agreement granting a lien or security interest in such real or personal property.

Control ” shall mean: (i) ) with respect to any Uncertificated Securities, control within the meaning of Section 8-106(c) of the UCC, (ii) with respect to any Certificated Security, control within the meaning of Section 8-106(a) or (b) of the UCC, (iii) with respect to any Electronic Chattel Paper, control within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC and (iv) ) with respect to any “transferable record”(as that term is defined in Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction), control within the meaning of Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in the jurisdiction relevant to such transferable record.

Copyright Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Copyright or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement or other violation of any Copyright (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Copyright Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Copyrights ” shall mean all copyrights (whether or not the underlying works of authorship have been published), including but not limited to copyrights in software and all rights in and to databases, all designs (including but not limited to industrial designs, Protected Designs within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. 1301 et. Seq. and Community designs), and all Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act), whether registered or unregistered, as well as all moral rights, reversionary interests, and termination rights, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Copyrights” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (iv) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (v) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

Page 2


Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Excluded Accounts ” means (a) payroll and other employee wage and benefit accounts, (b) tax accounts, including sales tax accounts, (c) escrow, fiduciary or trust accounts and (d) the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account identified in clauses (a) through (c).

Excluded Asset ” shall mean any asset of any Grantor excluded from the Collateral and from the security interest hereunder by virtue of Section 2.2 hereof but only to the extent, and for so long as, so excluded thereunder.

Excluded Equity Interest ” shall mean (i) margin stock, (ii) Equity Interests of any Person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Grantors, (iii) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by (x) applicable law, rule or regulation or (y) contractual obligation (only to the extent such restriction is binding on such Equity Interests on the Closing Date or on the date of the acquisition of such Equity Interests and, in each case, such restriction was not entered into in contemplation of this Agreement) (in each case with respect to this clause (iii), excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the UCC), (iv) more than 65.0% of the voting Equity Interests and 100% of the non-voting Equity Interests of any Excluded Subsidiary and (v) Equity Interests of Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC, for so long as Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC is an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Excluded Receivable ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Grantors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Insurance ” shall mean (i) all insurance policies covering any or all of the Collateral (regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof) and (ii) any key man life insurance policies.

Intellectual Property ” shall mean, the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under the United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including without limitation, Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secrets, and Trade Secret Licenses, and the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment thereof, including the right to receive all Proceeds therefrom, including without limitation license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit, now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement ” shall mean each intellectual property security agreement executed and delivered by the applicable Grantors, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B, Exhibit C and Exhibit D, as applicable.

 

Page 3


Investment Accounts ” shall mean the Collateral Account, Securities Accounts, Commodity Accounts and Deposit Accounts.

Investment Related Property ” shall mean: (i) all “investment property” (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC) and (ii) all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the UCC): all Pledged Equity Interests, Pledged Debt, the Investment Accounts and certificates of deposit.

Lenders ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Material Intellectual Property ” shall mean any Intellectual Property included in the Collateral that is material to the business of any Grantor.

Patent Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Patent or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement or other violation of any Patent (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Patent Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Patents ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all patents and certificates of invention, or similar industrial property rights, and applications for any of the foregoing, including, without limitation: (i) each patent and patent application required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Patents” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all patentable inventions and improvements thereto, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Pledge Supplement ” shall mean any supplement to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

Pledged Debt ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all indebtedness for borrowed money owed to such Grantor, whether or not evidenced by any Instrument, including, without limitation, all indebtedness described on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Debt” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), issued by the obligors named therein, the instruments, if any, evidencing such any of the foregoing, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

Pledged Equity Interests ” shall mean all Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and any other participation or interests in any equity or profits of any business entity including, without limitation, any trust and all management rights relating to any entity whose equity interests are included as Pledged Equity Interests, in each case to the extent not constituting an Excluded Asset.

 

Page 4


Pledged LLC Interests ” shall mean all interests in any limited liability company and each series thereof including, without limitation, all limited liability company interests listed on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged LLC Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such limited liability company interests and any interest of any Grantor on the books and records of such limited liability company or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such limited liability company interests and all rights as a member of the related limited liability company.

Pledged Partnership Interests ” shall mean all interests in any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other partnership including, without limitation, all partnership interests listed on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Partnership Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such partnership interests and any interest of any Grantor on the books and records of such partnership or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such partnership interests and all rights as a partner of the related partnership.

Pledged Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all shares of capital stock owned by such Grantor, including, without limitation, all shares of capital stock described on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Stock” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the certificates, if any, representing such shares and any interest of such Grantor in the entries on the books of the issuer of such shares or on the books of any securities intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares.

Receivables ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all rights to payment, whether or not earned by performance, for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or services rendered or to be rendered, including, without limitation all such rights constituting or evidenced by any Account, Chattel Paper, Instrument, General Intangible or Investment Related Property, together with all of such Grantor’s rights, if any, in any goods or other property giving rise to such right to payment and all Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations related thereto and all Receivables Records.

Receivables Records ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, (i) all original copies of all documents, instruments or other writings or electronic records or other Records evidencing the Receivables, (ii) all books, correspondence, credit or other files, Records, ledger sheets or cards, invoices, and other papers relating to Receivables, including, without limitation, all tapes, cards, computer tapes, computer discs, computer runs, record keeping systems and other papers and documents relating to the Receivables, whether in the possession or

 

Page 5


under the control of such Grantor or any computer bureau or agent from time to time acting for such Grantor or otherwise, (iii) all evidences of the filing of financing statements and the registration of other instruments in connection therewith, and amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto, notices to other creditors, secured parties or agents thereof, and certificates, acknowledgments, or other writings, including, without limitation, lien search reports, from filing or other registration officers, (iv) all credit information, reports and memoranda relating thereto and (v) all other written or non-written forms of information related in any way to the foregoing or any Receivable.

Secured Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 3.1.

Secured Parties ” shall mean the Agents, Lenders and the Lender Counterparties and shall include, without limitation, all former Agents, Lenders and Lender Counterparties to the extent that any Obligations owing to such Persons were incurred while such Persons were Agents, Lenders or Lender Counterparties and such Obligations have not been Paid in Full.

Securities ” shall mean any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

Trademark Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Trademark or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement dilution or other violation of any Trademark or permitting co-existence with respect to a Trademark (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trademark Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Trademarks ” shall mean all trademarks, trade names, trade dress, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, Internet domain names, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of a like nature, whether or not registered, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trademarks”(as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution or other violation of any of the foregoing or for any injury to the related goodwill, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

Page 6


Trade Secret Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trade Secrets (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trade Secret Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Trade Secrets ” shall mean all trade secrets and all other confidential or proprietary information and know-how whether or not the foregoing has been reduced to a writing or other tangible form, including all documents and things embodying, incorporating, or referring in any way to the foregoing, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future misappropriation or other violation thereof, (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto; and (iii) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, priority or remedies.

United States ” shall mean the United States of America.

 

1.2 Definitions; Interpretation

 

(a) In this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning given to them in the UCC (and, if defined in more than one Article of the UCC, shall have the meaning given in Article 9 thereof): Account, Account Debtor, As-Extracted Collateral, Bank, Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Consignee, Consignment, Consignor, Commercial Tort Claims, Commodity Account, Commodity Contract, Commodity Intermediary, Deposit Account, Document, Entitlement Order, Equipment, Electronic Chattel Paper, Farm Products, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Health-Care-Insurance Receivable, Instrument, Inventory, Letter of Credit Right, Manufactured Home, Money, Payment Intangible, Proceeds, Record, Securities Account, Securities Intermediary, Security Certificate, Security Entitlement, Supporting Obligations, Tangible Chattel Paper and Uncertificated Security.

 

(b)

All other capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereto) and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. The incorporation by reference of terms defined in the Credit Agreement shall survive any termination of the Credit Agreement until this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 11 hereof. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Section,

 

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  Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The terms lease and license shall include sub-lease and sub-license, as applicable. If any conflict or inconsistency exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern. All references herein to provisions of the UCC shall include all successor provisions under any subsequent version or amendment to any Article of the UCC.

 

2. GRANT OF SECURITY

 

2.1 Grant of Security

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all personal property of such Grantor including, but not limited to the following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which any Grantor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located (all of which, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.2, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Collateral ):

 

(a) Accounts;

 

(b) Chattel Paper;

 

(c) Documents;

 

(d) General Intangibles;

 

(e) Goods (including, without limitation, Inventory and Equipment);

 

(f) Instruments;

 

(g) Insurance;

 

(h) Intellectual Property;

 

(i) Investment Related Property (including, without limitation, Deposit Accounts);

 

(j) Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(k) Money;

 

(l) Receivables and Receivable Records;

 

(m) As-Extracted Collateral;

 

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(n) Commercial Tort Claims now or hereafter described on Schedule 5.2

 

(o) to the extent not otherwise included above, all other personal property of any kind and all Collateral Records, Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations relating to any of the foregoing; and

 

(p) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Proceeds, products, accessions, rents and profits of or in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.1 hereof attach to (a) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money security interest or similar arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any other Grantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition; (b) Excluded Equity Interests; (c) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, 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 that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law; (d) all leasehold interests; (e) all motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title (but only to the extent that a security interest therein cannot be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement); (f) any specifically identified assets with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the costs of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby; (g) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences; (h) pledges and security interests prohibited or restricted by applicable laws, including any requirement to obtain consent of any governmental authority or third party unless such consent has been obtained (excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the UCC); (i) Receivables and any related assets securing a Permitted Receivables Financing (an “ Excluded Receivable ”); (j) As-Extracted Collateral from a wellhead or minehead to the extent such wellhead or minehead is valued at less than $1,500,000 individually and (k) Excluded Accounts and the funds or other property held in or maintained in any Excluded Accounts.

 

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3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE.

 

3.1 Security for Obligations

This Agreement secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt and complete payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §362(a) (and any successor provision thereof)), of all Obligations (the “ Secured Obligations ”).

 

3.2 Continuing Liability Under Collateral

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) each Grantor shall remain liable for all obligations under the Collateral and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be a delegation of duties to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (ii) each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the agreements included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, to perform all of the obligations undertaken by it thereunder all in accordance with and pursuant to the terms and provisions thereof and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any of such agreements by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or any other document related thereto nor shall the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party have any obligation to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or have any obligation to take any action to collect or enforce any rights under any agreement included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, and (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral.

 

4. CERTAIN PERFECTION REQUIREMENTS

 

4.1 Filing Requirements

With respect to As-Extracted Collateral included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall file within 90 days of the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its reasonable discretion), UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the As-Extracted Collateral with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction for the purposes of perfecting the Collateral Agent’s security interest in such As-Extracted Collateral.

 

4.2 Delivery Requirements

 

(a)

With respect to any Certificated Securities included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent the Security Certificates evidencing such Certificated Securities duly indorsed by an effective endorsement (within the meaning of Section 8-107 of the UCC), or accompanied by share transfer powers or other instruments of transfer duly endorsed by such an effective endorsement, in

 

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  each case, to the Collateral Agent or in blank . In addition, each Grantor shall cause any certificates evidencing any Pledged Equity Interests, including, without limitation, any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, to be similarly delivered to the Collateral Agent regardless of whether such Pledged Equity Interests constitute Certificated Securities.

 

(b) With respect to any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all such Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper to the Collateral Agent duly indorsed in blank; provided , however, that such delivery requirement shall not apply to any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper having a face amount of less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

4.3 Control Requirements

With respect to any Uncertificated Security included in the Collateral, the applicable Grantor shall cause the issuer of such Uncertificated Security to either (i) register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner thereof on the books and records of the issuer or (ii) execute an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with the Collateral Agent’s instructions with respect to such Uncertificated Security without further consent by such Grantor; provided that, the Collateral Agent agrees with the Grantors that it shall not give any such instructions unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

4.4 Intellectual Property Recording Requirements

 

(a) In the case of any Collateral consisting of issued U.S. Patents and applications therefor, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Patent Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Patents in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(b) In the case of any Collateral consisting of registered U.S. Trademarks and applications therefor, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Trademark Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Trademarks in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c) In the case of any Collateral consisting of registered U.S. Copyrights each applicable Grantor shall, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Copyright Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Copyrights and Copyright Licenses in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Copyright Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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4.5 Timing and Notice

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Credit Agreement: (x) with respect to any Collateral in existence on the Closing Date, each Grantor shall comply with the requirements of Section 4 on the date hereof, (y) with respect to any Collateral hereafter owned or acquired, such Grantor shall comply with such requirements as promptly as possible, but in any event, within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time agreed by the Collateral Agent in its discretion) of such Grantor acquiring rights therein, provided that any supplement agreement required to be executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.4 above shall be delivered to the Collateral Agent with respect to Collateral consisting of material U.S. Patents and applications therefor, material U.S. Trademarks and applications therefor, and material U.S. Copyrights, within 10 business days of the end of each calendar quarter, and (z) with respect to the accession of an Additional Grantor, such Grantor will comply with the requirements set forth in Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement. Each Grantor shall promptly inform the Collateral Agent of its acquisition of any Collateral for which any action is required by Section 4 hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the filing of any applications for, or the issuance or registration of, any U.S. Patents, U.S. Copyrights or U.S. Trademarks).

 

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date and on each Credit Date (and, in the case of any information relating to an Additional Grantor, on the date such Additional Grantor becomes a party hereto and each Credit Date thereafter), that:

 

5.1 Grantor Information & Status

 

(a) Schedule 5.1(A) & (B) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the appropriate headings: (1) the full legal name of such Grantor, (2) all trade names or other names under which such Grantor currently conducts business, (3) the type of organization of such Grantor, (4) the jurisdiction of organization of such Grantor and (5) its organizational identification number, if any;

 

(b) except as provided on Schedule 5.1(C), it has not changed its name, jurisdiction of organization or its corporate structure in any way (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) and has not done business under any other name, in each case, within the five (5) years prior to the Closing Date; and

 

(c) except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(D), no Grantor is a “transmitting utility” (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(81) of the UCC.

 

5.2 Collateral Identification, Special Collateral

 

(a)

as of the Closing Date and as of each date specified in the last sentence of this clause (a), Schedule 5.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the appropriate headings all of such Grantor’s: (1) Pledged Equity Interests, (2) Pledged Debt, (3) Commodity Contracts and Commodity Accounts, (4) United States registrations and issuances of and

 

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  applications for Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights owned by each Grantor, (5) Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secret Licenses and Copyright Licenses constituting Material Intellectual Property, (6) Commercial Tort Claims other than any Commercial Tort Claims having a value of less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate, (7) Letter of Credit Rights for letters of credit other than any Letters of Credit Rights worth less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate and (8) As-Extracted Collateral, other than any As-Extracted Collateral from a wellhead or minehead to the extent such wellhead or minehead is valued at less than $1,500,000 individually. Each Grantor shall supplement such schedules from time to time in accordance with Section 5.13 of the Credit Agreement and at the time any Additional Grantor becomes a party hereto in accordance with Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b) none of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, (1) Farm Products, (2) Manufactured Homes, (3) Health-Care-Insurance Receivables; (4) timber to be cut, and (5) aircraft, aircraft engines, satellites or ships; and (c) all information supplied by any Grantor with respect to any of the Collateral (in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

5.3 Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

 

(a) it owns the Collateral purported to be owned by it or otherwise has the rights it purports to have in each item of Collateral and, as to all Collateral whether now existing or hereafter acquired, developed or created (including by way of lease or license), will continue to own or have such rights in each item of the Collateral (except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement), in each case free and clear of any and all Liens, rights or claims of all other Persons, including, without limitation, liens arising as a result of such Grantor becoming bound (as a result of merger or otherwise) as debtor under a security agreement entered into by another Person other than any Permitted Liens; and

 

(b) other than any financing statements filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, it has not filed or consented to the filing of any financing statement or other analogous document under the UCC covering the Collateral except for (x) financing statements for which duly authorized proper termination statements have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing and (y) financing statements filed in connection with Permitted Liens.

 

5.4 Status of Security Interest

 

(a) upon (i) the filing of such UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the Collateral with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 5.4 hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(b) of this Agreement, the taking of possession or Control by the Collateral Agent of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured

 

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  Parties, will have a perfected First Priority security interest in respect of all Collateral, to the extent such security interest can be perfected under the UCC by such filings, possession or Control. Such security interests are and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens;

 

(b) with respect to all Collateral consisting of United States issued and applied for Patents, United States Trademark registrations and applications therefor and United States registered Copyrights in the name of any Grantor as of the date hereof, fully executed Intellectual Property Security Agreements, containing a description of all such Collateral have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for recordation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or for recordation with the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable. To the extent perfection or priority of the security interest therein is not subject to Article 9 of the UCC, upon the recordation of such security agreements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, and the filing of proper UCC financing statements with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction set forth opposite the applicable Grantor’s name on Schedule 5.4 hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, will have perfected first priority security interests in respect of all Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States Trademarks and United States Copyrights registered in the name of any Grantors as of the date hereof, subject in the case of priority only, to Permitted Liens; and

 

(c) no material authorization, consent, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body or any other Person is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Grantor of the Liens purported to be created in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or created hereunder or created or provided for by applicable law), except (A) for the filings, recordings and agreements contemplated by clauses (a) and (b) above, (B) as may be required, in connection with the disposition of any Investment Related Property, by laws generally affecting the offering and sale of Securities and (C) such actions as may be required by applicable foreign laws affecting the pledge of the Pledged Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement); and (d) each Grantor is in compliance with its obligations under Section 4 hereof.

 

5.5 Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

 

(a) it is the record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Equity Interests free of all Liens, rights or claims of other Persons and there are no outstanding warrants, options or 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 Pledged Equity Interests other than (x) Liens created by this Agreement and (y) inchoate tax liens; and

 

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(b) the Pledged LLC Interests and Pledged Partnership Interests on which liens are granted hereunder do not represent interests (i) that by their terms provide that they are securities governed by Article 8 of the UCC of an applicable jurisdiction or (ii) that are dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or markets.

 

5.6 Intellectual Property

 

(a) such Grantor has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of its Trade Secrets in accordance in all material respects with industry standards;

 

(b) no settlement or consents, covenants not to sue, co-existence agreements, non-assertion assurances, or releases have been entered into by such Grantor or bind such Grantor in a manner that could materially adversely affect such Grantor’s rights to own, license or use any Material Intellectual Property.

 

6. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

6.1 Grantor Information & Status

 

(a) Without limiting any prohibitions or restrictions on mergers or other transactions set forth in the Credit Agreement, it shall not change such Grantor’s name (e.g. by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise), type of organization or jurisdiction of organization or establish any trade names unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing at least ten (10) days (or such shorter period of time agreed by the Collateral Agent in its discretion) prior to any such change or establishment, identifying such new proposed name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or trade name and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (b) taken all actions necessary or advisable to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral granted or intended to be granted and agreed to hereby.

 

6.2 Collateral Identification; Special Collateral

 

(a) In the event that it hereafter acquires any Collateral of a type described in Section 5.2(b) hereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof in writing and take such actions and execute such documents and make such filings all at the Grantors’ expense as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to ensure that the Collateral Agent has a valid, perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral, subject in the case of priority only, to any Permitted Liens; and

 

(b) In the event that it hereafter acquires or has any Commercial Tort Claim in excess of $1,500,000 individually or $3,000,000 in the aggregate it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, identifying such new Commercial Tort Claims.

 

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6.3 Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

 

(a) Except for the security interest created by this Agreement, it shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral, other than Permitted Liens, and such Grantor shall defend the Collateral against all Persons at any time claiming any interest therein (other than Permitted Liens); and

 

(b) upon such Grantor or any officer of such Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any event that may have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the Collateral or any portion thereof, the ability of any Grantor or the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof, or the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent in relation thereto, including, without limitation, the levy of any legal process against the Collateral or any portion thereof; and

 

(c) it shall not sell, transfer or assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or exclusively license to another Person any Collateral except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

6.4 [Intentionally Omitted]

 

6.5 Receivables

 

(a) Following and during the continuation of an Event of Default, such Grantor shall not (w) grant any extension or renewal of the time of payment of any Receivable, (x) compromise or settle any dispute, claim or legal proceeding with respect to any Receivable for less than the total unpaid balance thereof, (y) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment thereof, or (z) allow any credit or discount thereon;

 

(b)

the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any Account Debtor of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and, in addition, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may: (i) direct the Account Debtors under any Receivables to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent; (ii) notify, or require any Grantor to notify, each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which Account Debtors under any Receivables have been directed to make payment to remit all amounts representing collections on checks and other payment items from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other arrangement directly to the Collateral Agent; and (iii) enforce, at the expense of such Grantor, collection of any such Receivables and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done. If the Collateral Agent notifies any Grantor that it has elected to collect the Receivables in

 

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  accordance with the preceding sentence (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall only take place following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default), any payments of Receivables received by such Grantor shall be forthwith (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, and until so turned over, all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by such Grantor in respect of the Receivables, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder and shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and such Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Receivable, or release wholly or partly any Account Debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon; and

 

(c) for the avoidance of doubt, the limitations set forth in this Section 6.5 shall not apply to any Excluded Receivables.

 

6.6 Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

 

(a) Each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Equity Interests to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable law; provided, however, that any non-cash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity Interests, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests or received in exchange for Pledged Equity Interests or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Equity Interests, and, if received by any Grantor, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its non-fiduciary agent or designee) in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or instrument of assignment);

 

(b)

 

  (i)

so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, except as otherwise provided under the covenants and agreements relating to Investment Related Property in this Agreement or elsewhere herein or in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Investment Related Property or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; provided , no Grantor shall exercise or refrain from exercising any such right

 

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  if it would violate or result in breach of any covenant contained in, or be inconsistent with, any of the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or, which would have the effect of materially compromising the value of such Investment Related Property or the Collateral or any material part thereof or the position or interests of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party therein in any material respect; it being understood, however, that neither the voting by such Grantor of any Pledged Stock for, or such Grantor’s consent to, the election of directors (or similar governing body) at a regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect to incidental matters at any such meeting, nor such Grantor’s consent to or approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section 6.6(b)(i); and

 

  (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

  (A) all rights of each Grantor to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights; and

 

  (B) in order to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive hereunder: (1) each Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Collateral Agent all proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request and (2) each Grantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may utilize the power of attorney set forth in Section 8.1.

 

(c) except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or denied), it shall not vote to enable or take any other action to cause any issuer of any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests which are not securities (for purposes of the UCC) on the date hereof to elect or otherwise take any action to cause such Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests to be treated as securities for purposes of the UCC; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any issuer of any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests takes any such action in violation of the foregoing in this clause (c), such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any such election or action and, in such event, shall take all steps necessary or advisable to establish the Collateral Agent’s Control thereof; and

 

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(d) the Collateral Agent agrees to notify each applicable Grantor promptly after the exercise of its rights pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above; provided that failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of any such actions.

 

6.7 Intellectual Property

 

(a) it shall not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any of the Material Intellectual Property or the security interest granted therein may lapse, or become abandoned, canceled, dedicated to the public, forfeited, unenforceable or otherwise impaired, or which would adversely affect the validity, grant, or enforceability of in each case except as such Grantor determines is appropriate in its commercially reasonable judgment;

 

(b) it shall notify the Collateral Agent as promptly as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of any item of Material Intellectual Property that has become (i) abandoned or dedicated to the public or placed in the public domain, (ii) invalid or unenforceable, (iii) subject to any adverse determination or development regarding such Grantor’s ownership, registration or use or the validity or enforceability of such item of Intellectual Property (including the institution of, or any adverse development with respect to, any action or proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the United States Copyright Office, or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing), or (iv) the subject of any reversion or termination rights;

 

(c) it shall take all actions that are appropriate as determined by its reasonable judgment, including in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the United States Copyright Office, or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, to pursue any application and maintain any registration or issuance of each Trademark, Patent, and Copyright owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor and constituting Material Intellectual Property;

 

(d) in the event that any Material Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor is infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated by a third party, such Grantor shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, take actions as appropriate in its reasonable judgment to stop such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation and protect its rights in such Material Intellectual Property;

 

(e) it shall take all actions as appropriate in its reasonable judgment to protect the secrecy of any material Trade Secrets, including, without limitation, entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and consultants and restricting access to secret information and documents;

 

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7. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS

 

7.1 Access; Right of Inspection . Subject to the provisions and limitations set forth in Section 5.06 of the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have access during normal business hours to all the books, correspondence and records of each Grantor, and the Collateral Agent and its representatives may examine the same, take extracts therefrom and make photocopies thereof, and each Grantor agrees to render to the Collateral Agent, at the Collateral Agent’s cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested with regard thereto. The Collateral Agent and its representatives shall also have the right to enter any premises of each Grantor and inspect any property of each Grantor where any of the Collateral of such Grantor granted pursuant to this Agreement is located for the purpose of inspecting the same, observing its use or otherwise protecting its interests therein.

 

7.2 Further Assurances

 

(a) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file a Record or Records, including, without limitation, financing or continuation statements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, in any jurisdictions in the United States and with any filing offices as the Collateral Agent may determine are necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent herein. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Collateral Agent may determine is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, developed or created” or words of similar effect.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Loan Document to the contrary, no Grantor shall be required to (v) grant the Collateral Agent perfection through control agreements or similar arrangements with respect to any Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts, (w) perfect any letter of credit rights or commercial tort claims (except to the extent perfected through the filing of a UCC financing statement), (x) obtain any landlord waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters or other similar agreements with respect to leasehold interests, (y) take any actions (other than the filing of a UCC financing statement) to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any railroad rolling stock or (z) take any actions under laws outside of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia to grant, perfect or provide for the enforcement of any security interest (including any Intellectual Property registered in any non-U.S. jurisdiction) (it being understood that there shall be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or any requirement to make any filings in any foreign jurisdiction including with respect to foreign Intellectual Property).

 

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  Notwithstanding anything herein (including this Section 7.1), no Grantor makes any representation or warranty as to the effects of perfection or non-perfection, the priority or the enforceability of any pledge of or security interest in any Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, or as to the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party with respect thereto, under foreign law.

 

7.3 Additional Grantors

Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement, any Person that desires to become a Grantor hereunder, or is required to grant security in the Collateral after the date hereof, shall become a party to this Agreement as a Grantor (each, an “ Additional Grantor ”), by executing a Pledge Supplement.    Upon delivery of any such Pledge Supplement to the Collateral Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Grantors, each Additional Grantor shall be a Grantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Grantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Grantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Grantor hereunder, nor by any election of Collateral Agent not to cause any Subsidiary of Borrower to become an Additional Grantor hereunder. This Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Grantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Grantor hereunder.

 

8. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

 

8.1 Power of Attorney

Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Grantor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, from time to time as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in the Collateral Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, in each case in accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by such Grantor or paid to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

 

(b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

 

(c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

 

(d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

 

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(e) to prepare, sign, and file for recordation in any intellectual property registry, appropriate evidence of the lien and security interest granted herein in any Intellectual Property in the name of such Grantor as debtor;

 

(f) to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to perform or comply or cause performance or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, access to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Permitted Liens) levied or placed upon or threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, any such payments made by the Collateral Agent to become obligations of such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, due and payable immediately without demand; and

 

(g) generally to sell, transfer, lease, license, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time or from time to time, all acts and things that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated.

 

8.2 No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the interests of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

8.3 Appointment Pursuant to Credit Agreement

The Collateral Agent has been appointed as collateral agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement. The rights, duties, privileges, immunities and indemnities of the Collateral Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

 

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9. REMEDIES

 

9.1 Generally

 

(a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it at law or in equity, all the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent on default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) to collect, enforce or satisfy any Secured Obligations then owing, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and also may pursue any of the following separately, successively or simultaneously:

 

  (i) require any Grantor to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it shall at its expense and promptly upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties;

 

  (ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and take possession thereof with or without judicial process;

 

  (iii) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent the Collateral Agent deems appropriate; and

 

  (iv) without notice except as specified below or under the UCC, sell, assign, lease, license (on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis) or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable.

 

(b)

The Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any public or private (to the extent to the portion of the Collateral being privately sold is of a kind that is customarily sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations) sale in accordance with the UCC and the Collateral Agent, as collateral agent for and representative of the Secured Parties, 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 sale made in accordance with the UCC, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor agrees that it would not be commercially unreasonable for the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof by using Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets

 

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  of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor hereby waives any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantors shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent, that the Collateral Agent has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities. Nothing in this Section shall in any way limit the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c) The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. The Collateral Agent may specifically disclaim or modify any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

 

(d) The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral.

 

9.2 Application of Proceeds

Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by the Collateral Agent, while an Event of Default exists and all or any portion of the Loans have been accelerated under the Credit Agreement, in respect of any sale of, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against, the Secured Obligations in the following order of priority: first , to the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent in connection therewith, and all amounts for which the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent are entitled to indemnification hereunder (in their respective capacities as Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent and not as a Lender) and all advances made by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Grantor, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under the Credit Agreement, all in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; second , to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment of all other Secured Obligations for the ratable

 

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benefit of the Lenders and the Lender Counterparties; and third, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment to or upon the order of the applicable Grantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

9.3 Investment Related Property

Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Investment Related Property conducted without prior registration or qualification of such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the Investment Related Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances, each Grantor agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Investment Related Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it. If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Investment Related Property, upon written request, each Grantor shall and shall cause each issuer of any Pledged Stock to be sold hereunder, each partnership and each limited liability company from time to time to furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may request in order to determine the number and nature of interest, shares or other instruments included in the Investment Related Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.

 

9.4 Grant of Intellectual Property License

For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise rights and remedies under Section 9 hereof at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent assignable, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable only during an Event of Default and without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Grantor), subject, in the case of Trademarks, to sufficient rights to quality control and inspection in favor of such Grantor to avoid the risk of invalidation of such Trademarks, to use, assign, license or sublicense any of the Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired, developed or created by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located. Such license shall include access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout hereof and shall terminate upon Payment in Full of the Obligations.

 

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9.5 Intellectual Property

 

(a) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in addition to the other rights and remedies provided herein, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

  (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit or otherwise commence any action or proceeding in the name of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, to enforce any Intellectual Property rights of such Grantor, in which event such Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement, and such Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 12 hereof in connection with the exercise of its rights under this Section 9.5, and, to the extent that the Collateral Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Intellectual Property rights as provided in this Section 9.5, each Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of any of such Grantor’s rights in the Intellectual Property by others and for that purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating as shall be necessary to prevent such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation;

 

  (ii) upon written demand from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall grant, assign, convey or otherwise transfer to the Collateral Agent or such Collateral Agent’s designee all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to any Intellectual Property and shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement;

 

  (iii) each Grantor agrees that such an assignment and/or recording shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that the Collateral Agent (or any other Secured Party) receives cash proceeds in respect of the sale of, or other realization upon, any such Intellectual Property; and

 

  (iv)

the Collateral Agent shall have the right to notify, or require each Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of any Intellectual Property of such Grantor, of the existence of the security interest created herein, to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to the Collateral Agent, and, upon such notification and at the expense of such Grantor, to enforce

 

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  collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done.

 

(b) If (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (ii) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) an assignment or other transfer to the Collateral Agent of any rights, title and interests in and to any Intellectual Property of such Grantor shall have been previously made and shall have become absolute and effective, and (iv) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable, upon the written request of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such assignments or other transfer as may be necessary to reassign to such Grantor any such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof that may have been made by the Collateral Agent; provided, after giving effect to such reassignment, the Collateral Agent’s security interest granted pursuant hereto, as well as all other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect; and provided further, the rights, title and interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of any other Liens granted by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties.

 

9.6 Cash Proceeds

If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent specified in Section 6.5 with respect to payments of Receivables, all proceeds of any Collateral received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items (collectively, “ Cash Proceeds ”) shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required) and held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account. Any Cash Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent (whether from a Grantor or otherwise) may, in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent, (A) be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and/or (B) then or at any time thereafter may be applied by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations then due and owing.

 

10. COLLATERAL AGENT

The Collateral Agent has been appointed to act as Collateral Agent hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, the other Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Secured Party, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral

 

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hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Secured Party that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

11. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS

This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns, and inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, the security interest granted hereby shall automatically terminate hereunder without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors. Upon any such termination the Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ expense, execute and deliver to the Grantors or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as the Grantors shall reasonably request, including financing statement amendments to evidence such termination and shall deliver to the applicable Grantor any Collateral of such Grantor held by the Collateral Agent hereunder. Upon the occurrence of any of the other circumstances set forth in Section 9.08(d) of the Credit Agreement, the Liens granted herein on the property that is the subject of such circumstance shall be deemed to be automatically released and such property shall automatically revert to the applicable Grantor with no further action on the part of any Person. The Collateral Agent shall, at the applicable Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, including financing statement amendments to evidence such release and shall deliver to the applicable Grantor any Collateral of such Grantor held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the extent applicable.

 

12. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property and in compliance with applicable laws. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or otherwise. If any Grantor fails to perform

 

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any agreement contained herein after the applicable cure period with respect thereto, the Collateral Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by each Grantor under Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.

 

13. MISCELLANEOUS

Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement. No failure or delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Grantors and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Grantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent given in accordance with the Credit Agreement, assign any right, duty or obligation hereunder. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Grantors and the Collateral Agent and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF THE UCC RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

 

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THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT UNDER THE HEADINGS “CONSENT TO JURISDICTION” AND “WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL” ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE AND SUCH INCORPORATION SHALL SURVIVE ANY TERMINATION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each Grantor and the Collateral Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION,
as Grantor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[NAME OF OTHER GRANTORS],

as Grantor

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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SCHEDULE 5.1

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

(A) Full Legal Name, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization and Organizational Identification Number of each Grantor:

 

Full Legal Name

 

Type of Organization

 

Jurisdiction of Organization

 

Organization I.D.#

 

(B) Other Names (including any Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name) under which each Grantor currently conducts business:

 

Full Legal Name

 

Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name

 

(C) Changes in Name, Jurisdiction of Organization and Corporate Structure within past five (5) years:

 

Grantor    Date of Change    Description of Change

 

(D) “Transmitting Utility” Grantors:

 

SCHEDULE 5.1-1


SCHEDULE 5.2

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

I. INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY

 

(A) Pledged Stock:

 

                                   Percentage of
                    Stock              Outstanding
     Stock    Class of    Certificated    Certificate    Par    No. of    Stock of the

Grantor

   Issuer    Stock    (Y/N)    No.    Value    Pledged Stock    Stock Issuer

Pledged LLC Interests:

 

                         Percentage of
                         Outstanding
     Limited                   LLC Interests of
     Liability    Certificated    Certificate No.    No. of Pledged    the Limited

Grantor

   Company    (Y/N)    (if any)    Units    Liability Company

Pledged Partnership Interests:

 

          Type of               
          Partnership              Percentage of
          Interests (e.g.,              Outstanding
          general or    Certificated    Certificate No.    Partnership Interests

Grantor

   Partnership    limited)    (Y/N)    (if any)    of the Partnership

Trust Interests or other Equity Interests not listed above:

 

                         Percentage of
                         Outstanding
                         Trust Interests
          Class of Trust    Certificated    Certificate No.    of the

Grantor

   Trust    Interests    (Y/N)    (if any)    Trust

Pledged Debt:

 

          Original    Outstanding          
          Principal    Principal          

Grantor

   Issuer    Amount    Balance    Issue Date    Maturity Date

Commodity Contracts and Commodity Accounts:

 

     Name of Commodity          

Grantor

   Intermediary    Account Number    Account Name

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-1


II. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

(A) Copyrights

 

            Registration Number   Registration Date

Grantor

 

Jurisdiction

 

Title of Work

 

(if any)

 

(if any)

 

(B) Copyright Licenses

 

        Registration Number    
    Description of   (if any) of    

Grantor

 

Copyright License

 

underlying Copyright

 

Name of Licensor

 

(C) Patents

 

            Patent Number/   Issue Date/(Filing

Grantor

 

Jurisdiction

 

Title of Patent

 

(Application

Number)

 

Date)

 

(D) Patent Licenses

 

        Patent Number of    
    Description of Patent   underlying    

Grantor

 

License

 

Patent

 

Name of Licensor

 

(E) Trademarks

 

            Registration Number/   Registration

Grantor

 

Jurisdiction

 

Trademark

 

(Serial Number)

 

Date/(Filing Date)

 

(F) Trademark Licenses

 

        Registration Number    
    Description of   of underlying    

Grantor

 

Trademark License

 

Trademark

 

Name of Licensor

 

(G) Trade Secret Licenses

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-2


III. COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

 

Grantor

 

Commercial Tort Claims

IV. LETTER OF CREDIT RIGHTS

 

Grantor

 

Description of Letters of Credit

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-3


SCHEDULE 5.4 TO

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FINANCING STATEMENTS:

 

Grantor

   Filing Jurisdiction(s)

 

SCHEDULE 5.4-1


EXHIBIT A

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT

This PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT , dated [mm/dd/yy], is delivered by [NAME OF GRANTOR] a [NAME OF STATE OF INCORPORATION] [ corporation ] (the “Grantor”) pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of [                    ], 2018 (as it may be from time to time amended, restated, modified or supplemented, the “Security Agreement”), among Unimin Corporation, the other Grantors named therein, and Barclays Bank PLC, as the Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Security Agreement.

Grantor hereby confirms the grant to the Collateral Agent set forth in the Security Agreement of, and does hereby grant to the Collateral Agent, a security interest in all of Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located. Grantor represents and warrants that the attached Supplements to Schedules accurately and completely set forth all additional information required to be provided pursuant to the Security Agreement and hereby agrees that such Supplements to Schedules shall constitute part of the Schedules to the Security Agreement.

THIS PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF THE UCC RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Grantor has caused this Pledge Supplement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of [ mm/dd /yy ].

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT A-1


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.1

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Additional Information:

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

(A) Full Legal Name, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization and Organizational Identification Number of each Grantor:

 

Full Legal Name

 

Type of Organization

 

Jurisdiction of Organization

 

Organization I.D.#

 

(B) Other Names (including any Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name) under which each Grantor currently conducts business:

 

    Trade Name or Fictitious

Full Legal Name

 

Business Name

 

(C) Changes in Name, Jurisdiction of Organization and Corporate Structure within past five (5) years:

 

Grantor

 

Date of Change

 

Description of Change

 

(D) “Transmitting Utility” Grantors:


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.2

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

 

I. INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY

 

(A) Pledged Stock:

 

                                   Percentage of
                    Stock              Outstanding
     Stock    Class of    Certificated    Certificate    Par    No. of    Stock of the

Grantor

  

Issuer

  

Stock

  

(Y/N)

  

No.

  

Value

  

Pledged Stock

  

Stock Issuer

Pledged LLC Interests:

 

                    Percentage of
                    Outstanding
    Limited               LLC Interests of
    Liability   Certificated   Certificate No.   No. of Pledged   the Limited

Grantor

 

Company

 

(Y/N)

 

(if any)

 

Units

 

Liability Company

Pledged Partnership Interests:

 

        Type of           Percentage of
        Partnership           Outstanding
        Interests (e.g.,           Partnership
        general or   Certificated   Certificate No.   Interests of the

Grantor

 

Partnership

 

limited)

 

(Y/N)

 

(if any)

 

Partnership

Pledged Trust Interests:

 

                    [Percentage of
                    Outstanding
                    Partnership
        [Class of Trust   [Certificated   [Certificate No.   Interests of the

Grantor

 

[Trust]

 

Interests]

 

(Y/N)]

 

(if any)]

 

Partnership]

Pledged Debt:

 

        Original   Outstanding        
        Principal   Principal        

Grantor

 

Issuer

 

Amount

 

Balance

 

Issue Date

 

Maturity Date


Commodities Accounts:

 

    Name of Commodities        

Grantor

 

Intermediary

 

Account Number

 

Account Name

(B)

 

        Description of

Grantor

 

Date of Acquisition

 

Acquisition


II. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

(A) Copyrights

 

               Registration Number    Registration Date

Grantor

  

Jurisdiction

  

Title of Work

  

(if any)

  

(if any)

 

(B) Copyright Licenses

 

          Registration Number     
     Description of    (if any) of     

Grantor

  

Copyright License

  

underlying Copyright

  

Name of Licensor

 

(C) Patents

 

               Patent Number/     
               (Application    Issue Date/(Filing

Grantor

  

Jurisdiction

  

Title of Patent

  

Number)

  

Date)

 

(D) Patent Licenses

 

          Patent Number of     
     Description of Patent    underlying     

Grantor

  

License

  

Patent

  

Name of Licensor

 

(E) Trademarks

 

               Registration Number/    Registration

Grantor

  

Jurisdiction

  

Trademark

  

(Serial Number)

  

Date/(Filing Date)

 

(F) Trademark Licenses

 

          Registration Number     
     Description of    of underlying     

Grantor

  

Trademark License

  

Trademark

  

Name of Licensor

 

(G) Trade Secret Licenses


III. COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

 

Grantor

  

Commercial Tort Claims

IV. LETTER OF CREDIT RIGHTS

 

Grantor

  

Description of Letters of Credit


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.4 TO

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Financing Statements:

 

Grantor

 

Filing Jurisdiction(s)


EXHIBIT B

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to the Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [            ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between each of the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Trademark Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest in Trademark Collateral

SECTION 2.1 Grant of Security. Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s rights, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Trademark Collateral ”): the trademarks, trade dress, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks listed in Schedule A attached hereto, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor, (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution or other violation of any of the foregoing or for any injury to the related goodwill, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

SECTION 2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Trademark Collateral include or the security interest granted under this Section attach to any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a

 

EXHIBIT B-1


“Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, 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 that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law.

SECTION 4. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

EXHIBIT B-3


Accepted and Agreed:

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

EXHIBIT B-4


SCHEDULE A

to

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

Mark

 

Serial No.

 

Filing Date

 

Registration No.

 

Registration

Date

 

EXHIBIT B-5


EXHIBIT C

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to the Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [            ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Patent Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION. 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Patent Collateral ”): (i) each patent and patent application listed in Schedule A attached hereto, (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all improvements thereto, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

SECTION 3. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security

 

EXHIBIT C-1


Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT C-3


Accepted and Agreed:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

 

EXHIBIT C-4


SCHEDULE A

to

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

 

Title

 

Application No.

 

Filing Date

 

Patent No.

 

Issue Date

 

 

EXHIBIT C-5


EXHIBIT D

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [            ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [            ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Copyright Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Copyright Collateral ”):

The copyrights and Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act) listed in Schedule A attached hereto, as well as all moral rights, reversionary interests, and termination rights therein, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor, (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (iv) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (v) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

EXHIBIT D-1


SECTION 3. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Copyright Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 4. Termination

Upon the Payment in Full of the Obligations in accordance with Section 9.08(d) of the Credit Agreement and termination of the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Grantors a written instrument in recordable form releasing the collateral pledge, grant, assignment, lien and security interest in the Copyright Collateral under this Agreement.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT D-3


Accepted and Agreed:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT D-4


SCHEDULE A

to

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT    

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS AND APPLICATIONS    

 

Title

 

Application No.

 

Filing Date

 

Registration No.

 

Registration Date

EXCLUSIVE COPYRIGHT LICENSES

 

   

Description of Copyright

License

  

Name of Licensor

  

Registration Number of

underlying Copyright

   

 

EXHIBIT D-5


EXHIBIT J TO

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

INTERCOMPANY NOTE

 

Note Number: 1       Dated: [            ], 20[    ]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the Borrower and certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower (collectively, the “ Group Members ” and each, a “ Group Member ”) which are party to this intercompany note (the “ Promissory Note ”) promises to pay to the order of such other Group Member as makes loans to such Group Member (each Group Member which borrows money pursuant to this Promissory Note is referred to herein as a “ Payor ” and each Group Member which makes loans and advances pursuant to this Promissory Note is referred to herein as a “ Payee ”), on demand, in lawful money of the United States of America, in immediately available funds and at the appropriate office of the Payee, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans and advances heretofore and hereafter made by such Payee to such Payor and any other indebtedness now or hereafter owing by such Payor to such Payee as shown either on Schedule A attached hereto (and any continuation thereof) or in the books and records of such Payee. The failure to show any such Indebtedness or any error in showing such Indebtedness shall not affect the obligations of any Payor hereunder. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Credit Agreement ”; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, Barclays Bank PLC, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, ABN AMRO Capital USA LLC, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, and Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents.

The unpaid principal amount hereof from time to time outstanding shall bear interest at a rate equal to the rate as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time by the relevant Payor and Payee. Interest shall be due and payable as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time by the relevant Payor and Payee. Upon demand for payment of any principal amount hereof, accrued but unpaid interest on such principal amount shall also be due and payable. Interest shall be paid in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds. Interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year consisting of 365 days.

Each Payor and any endorser of this Promissory Note hereby waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of any kind (other than the written notice of Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement expressly described in the second succeeding paragraph below). No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any rights hereunder on the part of the holder hereof shall operate as a waiver of such rights.

This Promissory Note has been pledged by each Payee that is a Borrower or a Guarantor to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for such Payee’s Obligations, if any, under the Credit Agreement, the Pledge and Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Payee is a party and subject to the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement. Each Payor acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent may exercise all the rights of the Payees under this Promissory Note and will not be subject to any abatement, reduction, recoupment, defense, setoff or counterclaim available to such Payor.

Each Payee agrees that any and all claims of such Payee against any Payor or any endorser of this Promissory Note, or against any of their respective properties, shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Obligations of such Payor that is a Borrower or a Guarantor until all of the Obligations have been performed and Paid in Full. Notwithstanding any right of any Payee to ask, demand, sue for, take or receive any payment from any Payor, all rights, Liens and security interests of such Payee, whether now or hereafter arising and howsoever existing, in any assets of any Payor that is a Borrower or a Guarantor (whether constituting part of the security or collateral given to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to secure payment of all or any part of the Obligations or otherwise) shall be and hereby are subordinated to the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party in such assets. Except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Payees shall have no right to possession of any such asset or to foreclose upon, or exercise any other remedy in respect of, any such asset, whether by judicial action or otherwise, unless and until all of the Obligations shall have been Paid in Full. If written notice has been received by any Payor

 

EXHIBIT J-1


from the Administrative Agent that any Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement is then in existence or would result therefrom, no Payor may, directly or indirectly, make any payment in respect of any indebtedness arising under this Promissory Note or acquire any indebtedness arising under this Promissory Note for cash or property until all of the Obligations have been performed and Paid in Full. Each Payee hereby agrees that, so long as any such Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement for which such written notice has been given exists, it will not ask, demand, sue for, or otherwise take, accept or receive, any amounts owing in respect of this Promissory Note.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in any other Loan Document or in any such promissory note or other instrument, this Promissory Note (i) replaces and supersedes any and all promissory notes or other instruments which create or evidence any loans or advances made on or before the date hereof by any Group Member to any other Group Member, and (ii) shall not be deemed replaced, superseded or in any way modified by any promissory note or other instrument entered into on or after the date hereof which purports to create or evidence any loan or advance by any Group Member to any other Group Member.

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

From time to time after the date hereof, additional Subsidiaries of the Group Members may become parties hereto by executing a counterpart signature page to this Promissory Note (each additional Subsidiary, an “Additional Payor”). Upon delivery of such counterpart signature page to the Payees, notice of which is hereby waived by the other Payors, each Additional Payor shall be a Payor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Additional Payor were an original signatory hereof. Each Payor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Payor hereunder. This Promissory Note shall be fully effective as to any Payor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Payor hereunder.

Each Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances made by such Payee to any Payor (all of which shall be evidenced by this Promissory Note) and all repayments or prepayments thereof, on its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

This Promissory Note may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT J-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Payor has caused this Promissory Note to be executed and delivered by its proper

and duly authorized officer as of the date set forth above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT SANTROL INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT MINERALS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT LOGISTICS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES
CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CHEYENNE SAND CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-3


BLACK LAB LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BEST SAND OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BEST SAND CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
ALPHA RESINS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SHAKOPEE SAND LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
MINERAL VISIONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-4


FMSA INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML TERMINAL LOGISTICS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML SAND, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML RESIN, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML ALABAMA RESIN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT WATER SOLUTIONS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-5


WISCONSIN SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WISCONSIN INDUSTRIAL SAND COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WEXFORD SAND CO.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WEDRON SILICA COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
TECHNISAND, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
STANDARD SAND CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-6


WINCHESTER AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNISIL CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN WISCONSIN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN SPECIALTY MINERALS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN PATRIOT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN LIME LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN FINANCE COMPANY L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT J-7


TINACO FELDSPAR COMPANY LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
POLYMORPHOUS MINERAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
PATRIOT PROPPANTS ARKANSAS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLUE EARTH PROPERTIES LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
AQUILA MINERAL COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
DEWEY RESOURCES, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-8


WEST TEXAS HOUSING LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BISON MERGER SUB I, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-9


SCHEDULE A

TRANSACTIONS ON INTERCOMPANY NOTE

 

Date

 

Name of

Payor

 

Name of

Payee

 

Amount of

Advance

 

Amount of
Principal/

Interest

Paid

 

Outstanding
Principal

Balance

from Payor

to Payee

 

Notation Made

By

 

EXHIBIT J-10


ENDORSEMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of the undersigned does hereby sell, assign and transfer to [                     ] all of its right, title and interest in and to the Intercompany Note, dated [             ], 20[     ] (as amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Promissory Note ”), made by Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation) (the “ Borrower ”), and each other Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person that becomes a party thereto, and payable to the undersigned and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints to transfer the Promissory Note on the books kept for registration thereof with full power of substitution in the premises. This endorsement is intended to be attached to the Promissory Note and, when so attached, shall constitute an endorsement thereof.

Dated:

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT J-11


COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT SANTROL INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT MINERALS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT LOGISTICS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
CHEYENNE SAND CORP.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-12


BLACK LAB LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BEST SAND OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BEST SAND CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
ALPHA RESINS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SHAKOPEE SAND LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
MINERAL VISIONS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

Title:

 

 

EXHIBIT J-13


FMSA INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML TERMINAL LOGISTICS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML SAND, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML RESIN, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FML ALABAMA RESIN, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAIRMOUNT WATER SOLUTIONS, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-14


WISCONSIN SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WISCONSIN INDUSTRIAL SAND COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WEXFORD SAND CO.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
WEDRON SILICA COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
TECHNISAND, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
STANDARD SAND CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-15


WINCHESTER AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNISIL CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN WISCONSIN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN SPECIALTY MINERALS INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN PATRIOT HOLDINGS LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN LIME LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
UNIMIN FINANCE COMPANY L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-16


TINACO FELDSPAR COMPANY LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

POLYMORPHOUS MINERAL

INVESTMENT CORPORATION

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

PATRIOT PROPPANTS ARKANSAS

LLC

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BLUE EARTH PROPERTIES LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
AQUILA MINERAL COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
DEWEY RESOURCES, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-17


WEST TEXAS HOUSING LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
BISON MERGER SUB I, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT J-18

Exhibit 10.11

EXECUTION VERSION

Dated as of June 1, 2018

EACH OF THE GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO


CONTENTS

 

CLAUSE    PAGE  

1.

  DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY      1  
  1.1       

General Definitions

     1  
  1.2   

Definitions; Interpretation

     7  

2.

  GRANT OF SECURITY      8  
  2.1   

Grant of Security

     8  
  2.2   

Certain Limited Exclusions

     9  

3.

  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE      10  
  3.1   

Security for Obligations

     10  
  3.2   

Continuing Liability Under Collateral

     10  

4.

  CERTAIN PERFECTION REQUIREMENTS      10  
  4.1   

Filing Requirements

     10  
  4.2   

Delivery Requirements

     10  
  4.3   

Control Requirements

     11  
  4.4   

Intellectual Property Recording Requirements

     11  
  4.5   

Timing and Notice

     12  

5.

  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      12  
  5.1   

Grantor Information & Status

     12  
  5.2   

Collateral Identification, Special Collateral

     12  
  5.3   

Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

     13  
  5.4   

Status of Security Interest

     13  
  5.5   

Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

     14  
  5.6   

Intellectual Property

     15  

6.

  COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS      15  
  6.1   

Grantor Information & Status

     15  
  6.2   

Collateral Identification; Special Collateral

     15  
  6.3   

Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

     16  
  6.4   

[Intentionally Omitted]

     16  
  6.5   

Receivables

     16  
  6.6   

Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

     17  
  6.7   

Intellectual Property

     19  

7.    

  ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS      20  

 

- i -


  7.1   

Access; Right of Inspection

     20  
  7.2   

Further Assurances

     20  
  7.3   

Additional Grantors

     21  

8.

  COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT      21  
  8.1   

Power of Attorney

     21  
  8.2   

No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties

     22  
  8.3   

Appointment Pursuant to Credit Agreement

     22  

9.

  REMEDIES      22  
  9.1   

Generally

     22  
  9.2   

Application of Proceeds

     24  
  9.3   

Investment Related Property

     25  
  9.4   

Grant of Intellectual Property License

     25  
  9.5   

Intellectual Property

     26  
  9.6   

Cash Proceeds

     27  

10.

  COLLATERAL AGENT      27  

11.

  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS      28  

12.

  STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM      28  

13.

  MISCELLANEOUS      29  

SCHEDULE 5.1 — GENERAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE 5.2 — COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

SCHEDULE 5.4 — FINANCING STATEMENTS

EXHIBIT A — PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT

EXHIBIT B — TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT C — PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT D — COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

- ii -


This PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of June 1, 2018 (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”) and each of the subsidiaries of the Borrower party hereto from time to time, whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Grantor (as herein defined) (each, a “ Grantor ”), and Barclays Bank PLC as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as herein defined) (in such capacity as collateral agent, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , reference is made to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement ), by and among the Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Borrower, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the Lenders ), Barclays Bank PLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, KBC Bank, N.V. and PNC Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication Agents (the “ Co-Syndication Agents ”), Keybank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents, Citizens Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent and Barclays Bank PLC as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent; and

WHEREAS , subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, certain Grantors may enter into one or more Hedge Agreements with one or more Lender Counterparties;

WHEREAS , in consideration of the extensions of credit and other accommodations of Secured Parties as set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Hedge Agreements, respectively, each Grantor has agreed to secure such Grantor’s Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as set forth herein; and

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 is hereby acknowledged, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY

 

1.1 General Definitions

In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Grantors ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 7.3.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Borrower ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Cash Proceeds ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 9.6.

Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1.


Collateral Account ” shall mean any account established by the Collateral Agent.

Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Collateral Records ” shall mean books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, customer lists, supplier lists, blueprints, technical specifications, manuals, computer software and related documentation, computer printouts, tapes, disks and other electronic storage media and related data processing software and similar items that at any time evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization thereupon.

Collateral Support ” shall mean all property (real or personal) assigned, hypothecated or otherwise securing any Collateral and shall include any security agreement or other agreement granting a lien or security interest in such real or personal property.

Control ” shall mean: (i) ) with respect to any Uncertificated Securities, control within the meaning of Section 8-106(c) of the UCC, (ii) with respect to any Certificated Security, control within the meaning of Section 8-106(a) or (b) of the UCC, (iii) with respect to any Electronic Chattel Paper, control within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC and (iv) ) with respect to any “transferable record”(as that term is defined in Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction), control within the meaning of Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or in Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in the jurisdiction relevant to such transferable record.

Copyright Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Copyright or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement or other violation of any Copyright (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Copyright Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Copyrights ” shall mean all copyrights (whether or not the underlying works of authorship have been published), including but not limited to copyrights in software and all rights in and to databases, all designs (including but not limited to industrial designs, Protected Designs within the meaning of 17 U.S.C. 1301 et. Seq. and Community designs), and all Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act), whether registered or unregistered, as well as all moral rights, reversionary interests, and termination rights, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Copyrights” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (iv) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (v) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

Page 2


Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Excluded Accounts ” means (a) payroll and other employee wage and benefit accounts, (b) tax accounts, including sales tax accounts, (c) escrow, fiduciary or trust accounts and (d) the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account identified in clauses (a) through (c).

Excluded Asset ” shall mean any asset of any Grantor excluded from the Collateral and from the security interest hereunder by virtue of Section 2.2 hereof but only to the extent, and for so long as, so excluded thereunder.

Excluded Equity Interest ” shall mean (i) margin stock, (ii) Equity Interests of any Person that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Grantors, (iii) any Equity Interests to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by (x) applicable law, rule or regulation or (y) contractual obligation (only to the extent such restriction is binding on such Equity Interests on the Closing Date or on the date of the acquisition of such Equity Interests and, in each case, such restriction was not entered into in contemplation of this Agreement) (in each case with respect to this clause (iii), excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the UCC), (iv) more than 65.0% of the voting Equity Interests and 100% of the non-voting Equity Interests of any Excluded Subsidiary and (v) Equity Interests of Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC, for so long as Patriot Proppants Arkansas LLC is an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Excluded Receivable ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Grantors ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Insurance ” shall mean (i) all insurance policies covering any or all of the Collateral (regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof) and (ii) any key man life insurance policies.

Intellectual Property ” shall mean, the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under the United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including without limitation, Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secrets, and Trade Secret Licenses, and the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution, misappropriation, or other violation or impairment thereof, including the right to receive all Proceeds therefrom, including without limitation license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit, now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement ” shall mean each intellectual property security agreement executed and delivered by the applicable Grantors, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B, Exhibit C and Exhibit D, as applicable.

 

Page 3


Investment Accounts ” shall mean the Collateral Account, Securities Accounts, Commodity Accounts and Deposit Accounts.

Investment Related Property ” shall mean: (i) all “investment property” (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC) and (ii) all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the UCC): all Pledged Equity Interests, Pledged Debt, the Investment Accounts and certificates of deposit.

Lenders ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Material Intellectual Property ” shall mean any Intellectual Property included in the Collateral that is material to the business of any Grantor.

Patent Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Patent or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement or other violation of any Patent (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Patent Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Patents ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all patents and certificates of invention, or similar industrial property rights, and applications for any of the foregoing, including, without limitation: (i) each patent and patent application required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Patents” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all patentable inventions and improvements thereto, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

Pledge Supplement ” shall mean any supplement to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

Pledged Debt ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all indebtedness for borrowed money owed to such Grantor, whether or not evidenced by any Instrument, including, without limitation, all indebtedness described on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Debt” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), issued by the obligors named therein, the instruments, if any, evidencing such any of the foregoing, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing.

Pledged Equity Interests ” shall mean all Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and any other participation or interests in any equity or profits of any business entity including, without limitation, any trust and all management rights relating to any entity whose equity interests are included as Pledged Equity Interests, in each case to the extent not constituting an Excluded Asset.

 

Page 4


Pledged LLC Interests ” shall mean all interests in any limited liability company and each series thereof including, without limitation, all limited liability company interests listed on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged LLC Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such limited liability company interests and any interest of any Grantor on the books and records of such limited liability company or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such limited liability company interests and all rights as a member of the related limited liability company.

Pledged Partnership Interests ” shall mean all interests in any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other partnership including, without limitation, all partnership interests listed on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Partnership Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such partnership interests and any interest of any Grantor on the books and records of such partnership or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such partnership interests and all rights as a partner of the related partnership.

Pledged Stock ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all shares of capital stock owned by such Grantor, including, without limitation, all shares of capital stock described on Schedule 5.2(I) under the heading “Pledged Stock” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the certificates, if any, representing such shares and any interest of such Grantor in the entries on the books of the issuer of such shares or on the books of any securities intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares.

Receivables ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, all rights to payment, whether or not earned by performance, for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or services rendered or to be rendered, including, without limitation all such rights constituting or evidenced by any Account, Chattel Paper, Instrument, General Intangible or Investment Related Property, together with all of such Grantor’s rights, if any, in any goods or other property giving rise to such right to payment and all Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations related thereto and all Receivables Records.

Receivables Records ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, (i) all original copies of all documents, instruments or other writings or electronic records or other Records evidencing the Receivables, (ii) all books, correspondence, credit or other files, Records, ledger sheets or cards, invoices, and other papers relating to Receivables, including, without limitation, all tapes, cards, computer tapes, computer discs, computer runs, record keeping systems and other papers and documents relating to the Receivables, whether in the possession or

 

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under the control of such Grantor or any computer bureau or agent from time to time acting for such Grantor or otherwise, (iii) all evidences of the filing of financing statements and the registration of other instruments in connection therewith, and amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto, notices to other creditors, secured parties or agents thereof, and certificates, acknowledgments, or other writings, including, without limitation, lien search reports, from filing or other registration officers, (iv) all credit information, reports and memoranda relating thereto and (v) all other written or non-written forms of information related in any way to the foregoing or any Receivable.

Secured Obligations ” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 3.1.

Secured Parties ” shall mean the Agents, Lenders and the Lender Counterparties and shall include, without limitation, all former Agents, Lenders and Lender Counterparties to the extent that any Obligations owing to such Persons were incurred while such Persons were Agents, Lenders or Lender Counterparties and such Obligations have not been Paid in Full.

Securities ” shall mean any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

Trademark Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements, licenses and covenants providing for the granting of any right in or to any Trademark or otherwise providing for a covenant not to sue for infringement dilution or other violation of any Trademark or permitting co-existence with respect to a Trademark (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trademark Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Trademarks ” shall mean all trademarks, trade names, trade dress, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, Internet domain names, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of a like nature, whether or not registered, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trademarks” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution or other violation of any of the foregoing or for any injury to the related goodwill, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

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Trade Secret Licenses ” shall mean, with respect to any Grantor, any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trade Secrets (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement required to be listed in Schedule 5.2(II) under the heading “Trade Secret Licenses” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

Trade Secrets ” shall mean all trade secrets and all other confidential or proprietary information and know-how whether or not the foregoing has been reduced to a writing or other tangible form, including all documents and things embodying, incorporating, or referring in any way to the foregoing, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future misappropriation or other violation thereof, (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto; and (iii) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided, however, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the perfection or priority of, or remedies with respect to, any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, priority or remedies.

United States ” shall mean the United States of America.

 

1.2 Definitions; Interpretation

 

(a) In this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the meaning given to them in the UCC (and, if defined in more than one Article of the UCC, shall have the meaning given in Article 9 thereof): Account, Account Debtor, As-Extracted Collateral, Bank, Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Consignee, Consignment, Consignor, Commercial Tort Claims, Commodity Account, Commodity Contract, Commodity Intermediary, Deposit Account, Document, Entitlement Order, Equipment, Electronic Chattel Paper, Farm Products, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Health-Care-Insurance Receivable, Instrument, Inventory, Letter of Credit Right, Manufactured Home, Money, Payment Intangible, Proceeds, Record, Securities Account, Securities Intermediary, Security Certificate, Security Entitlement, Supporting Obligations, Tangible Chattel Paper and Uncertificated Security.

 

(b)

All other capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereto) and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement. The incorporation by reference of terms defined in the Credit Agreement shall survive any termination of the Credit Agreement until this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 11 hereof. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Section,

 

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  Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. The terms lease and license shall include sub-lease and sub-license, as applicable. If any conflict or inconsistency exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern. All references herein to provisions of the UCC shall include all successor provisions under any subsequent version or amendment to any Article of the UCC.

 

2. GRANT OF SECURITY

 

2.1 Grant of Security

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all personal property of such Grantor including, but not limited to the following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which any Grantor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located (all of which, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.2, being hereinafter collectively referred to as the Collateral ):

 

(a) Accounts;

 

(b) Chattel Paper;

 

(c) Documents;

 

(d) General Intangibles;

 

(e) Goods (including, without limitation, Inventory and Equipment);

 

(f) Instruments;

 

(g) Insurance;

 

(h) Intellectual Property;

 

(i) Investment Related Property (including, without limitation, Deposit Accounts);

 

(j) Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(k) Money;

 

(l) Receivables and Receivable Records;

 

(m) As-Extracted Collateral;

 

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(n) Commercial Tort Claims now or hereafter described on Schedule 5.2

 

(o) to the extent not otherwise included above, all other personal property of any kind and all Collateral Records, Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations relating to any of the foregoing; and

 

(p) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Proceeds, products, accessions, rents and profits of or in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.1 hereof attach to (a) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money security interest or similar arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Borrower or any other Grantor) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition; (b) Excluded Equity Interests; (c) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, 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 that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law; (d) all leasehold interests; (e) all motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title (but only to the extent that a security interest therein cannot be perfected by the filing of a UCC financing statement); (f) any specifically identified assets with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower reasonably agree that the costs of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby; (g) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences; (h) pledges and security interests prohibited or restricted by applicable laws, including any requirement to obtain consent of any governmental authority or third party unless such consent has been obtained (excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the UCC); (i) Receivables and any related assets securing a Permitted Receivables Financing (an “ Excluded Receivable ”); (j) As-Extracted Collateral from a wellhead or minehead to the extent such wellhead or minehead is valued at less than $1,500,000 individually and (k) Excluded Accounts and the funds or other property held in or maintained in any Excluded Accounts.

 

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3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE.

 

3.1 Security for Obligations

This Agreement secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt and complete payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §362(a) (and any successor provision thereof)), of all Obligations (the “ Secured Obligations ”).

 

3.2 Continuing Liability Under Collateral

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) each Grantor shall remain liable for all obligations under the Collateral and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be a delegation of duties to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (ii) each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the agreements included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, to perform all of the obligations undertaken by it thereunder all in accordance with and pursuant to the terms and provisions thereof and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any of such agreements by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or any other document related thereto nor shall the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party have any obligation to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or have any obligation to take any action to collect or enforce any rights under any agreement included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, and (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral.

 

4. CERTAIN PERFECTION REQUIREMENTS

 

4.1 Filing Requirements

With respect to As-Extracted Collateral included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall file within 90 days of the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may determine in its reasonable discretion), UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the As-Extracted Collateral with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction for the purposes of perfecting the Collateral Agent’s security interest in such As-Extracted Collateral.

 

4.2 Delivery Requirements

 

(a)

With respect to any Certificated Securities included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent the Security Certificates evidencing such Certificated Securities duly indorsed by an effective endorsement (within the meaning of Section 8-107 of the UCC), or accompanied by share transfer powers or other instruments of transfer duly endorsed by such an effective endorsement, in

 

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  each case, to the Collateral Agent or in blank . In addition, each Grantor shall cause any certificates evidencing any Pledged Equity Interests, including, without limitation, any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests, to be similarly delivered to the Collateral Agent regardless of whether such Pledged Equity Interests constitute Certificated Securities.

 

(b) With respect to any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper included in the Collateral, each Grantor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all such Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper to the Collateral Agent duly indorsed in blank; provided , however, that such delivery requirement shall not apply to any Instruments or Tangible Chattel Paper having a face amount of less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate.

 

4.3 Control Requirements

With respect to any Uncertificated Security included in the Collateral, the applicable Grantor shall cause the issuer of such Uncertificated Security to either (i) register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner thereof on the books and records of the issuer or (ii) execute an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with the Collateral Agent’s instructions with respect to such Uncertificated Security without further consent by such Grantor; provided that, the Collateral Agent agrees with the Grantors that it shall not give any such instructions unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

4.4 Intellectual Property Recording Requirements

 

(a) In the case of any Collateral consisting of issued U.S. Patents and applications therefor, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Patent Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Patents in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(b) In the case of any Collateral consisting of registered U.S. Trademarks and applications therefor, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Trademark Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Trademarks in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c) In the case of any Collateral consisting of registered U.S. Copyrights each applicable Grantor shall, each applicable Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent a Copyright Security Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto (or a supplement thereto) covering all such Copyrights and Copyright Licenses in appropriate form for recordation with the U.S. Copyright Office with respect to the security interest of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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4.5 Timing and Notice

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Credit Agreement: (x) with respect to any Collateral in existence on the Closing Date, each Grantor shall comply with the requirements of Section 4 on the date hereof, (y) with respect to any Collateral hereafter owned or acquired, such Grantor shall comply with such requirements as promptly as possible, but in any event, within thirty (30) days (or such longer period of time agreed by the Collateral Agent in its discretion) of such Grantor acquiring rights therein, provided that any supplement agreement required to be executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.4 above shall be delivered to the Collateral Agent with respect to Collateral consisting of material U.S. Patents and applications therefor, material U.S. Trademarks and applications therefor, and material U.S. Copyrights, within 10 business days of the end of each calendar quarter, and (z) with respect to the accession of an Additional Grantor, such Grantor will comply with the requirements set forth in Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement. Each Grantor shall promptly inform the Collateral Agent of its acquisition of any Collateral for which any action is required by Section 4 hereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the filing of any applications for, or the issuance or registration of, any U.S. Patents, U.S. Copyrights or U.S. Trademarks).

 

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Closing Date and on each Credit Date (and, in the case of any information relating to an Additional Grantor, on the date such Additional Grantor becomes a party hereto and each Credit Date thereafter), that:

 

5.1 Grantor Information & Status

 

(a) Schedule 5.1(A) & (B) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the appropriate headings: (1) the full legal name of such Grantor, (2) all trade names or other names under which such Grantor currently conducts business, (3) the type of organization of such Grantor, (4) the jurisdiction of organization of such Grantor and (5) its organizational identification number, if any;

 

(b) except as provided on Schedule 5.1(C), it has not changed its name, jurisdiction of organization or its corporate structure in any way (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) and has not done business under any other name, in each case, within the five (5) years prior to the Closing Date; and

 

(c) except as set forth in Schedule 5.1(D), no Grantor is a “transmitting utility” (as defined in Section 9-102(a)(81) of the UCC.

 

5.2 Collateral Identification, Special Collateral

 

(a)

as of the Closing Date and as of each date specified in the last sentence of this clause (a), Schedule 5.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the appropriate headings all of such Grantor’s: (1) Pledged Equity Interests, (2) Pledged Debt, (3) Commodity Contracts and Commodity Accounts, (4) United States registrations and issuances of and

 

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  applications for Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights owned by each Grantor, (5) Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secret Licenses and Copyright Licenses constituting Material Intellectual Property, (6) Commercial Tort Claims other than any Commercial Tort Claims having a value of less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate, (7) Letter of Credit Rights for letters of credit other than any Letters of Credit Rights worth less than $1,500,000 individually and $3,000,000 in the aggregate and (8) As-Extracted Collateral, other than any As-Extracted Collateral from a wellhead or minehead to the extent such wellhead or minehead is valued at less than $1,500,000 individually. Each Grantor shall supplement such schedules from time to time in accordance with Section 5.13 of the Credit Agreement and at the time any Additional Grantor becomes a party hereto in accordance with Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b) none of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, (1) Farm Products, (2) Manufactured Homes, (3) Health-Care-Insurance Receivables; (4) timber to be cut, and (5) aircraft, aircraft engines, satellites or ships; and

 

(c) all information supplied by any Grantor with respect to any of the Collateral (in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects.

 

5.3 Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

 

(a) it owns the Collateral purported to be owned by it or otherwise has the rights it purports to have in each item of Collateral and, as to all Collateral whether now existing or hereafter acquired, developed or created (including by way of lease or license), will continue to own or have such rights in each item of the Collateral (except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement), in each case free and clear of any and all Liens, rights or claims of all other Persons, including, without limitation, liens arising as a result of such Grantor becoming bound (as a result of merger or otherwise) as debtor under a security agreement entered into by another Person other than any Permitted Liens; and

 

(b) other than any financing statements filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, it has not filed or consented to the filing of any financing statement or other analogous document under the UCC covering the Collateral except for (x) financing statements for which duly authorized proper termination statements have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing and (y) financing statements filed in connection with Permitted Liens.

 

5.4 Status of Security Interest

 

(a) upon (i) the filing of such UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the Collateral with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 5.4 hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(b) of this Agreement, the taking of possession or Control by the Collateral Agent of the Collateral, the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured

 

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  Parties, will have a perfected First Priority security interest in respect of all Collateral, to the extent such security interest can be perfected under the UCC by such filings, possession or Control. Such security interests are and shall be prior to any other Lien on any of the Collateral, subject to Permitted Liens;

 

(b) with respect to all Collateral consisting of United States issued and applied for Patents, United States Trademark registrations and applications therefor and United States registered Copyrights in the name of any Grantor as of the date hereof, fully executed Intellectual Property Security Agreements, containing a description of all such Collateral have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for recordation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or for recordation with the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 261 15 U.S.C. § 1060 or 17 U.S.C. § 205 and the regulations thereunder, as applicable. To the extent perfection or priority of the security interest therein is not subject to Article 9 of the UCC, upon the recordation of such security agreements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, and the filing of proper UCC financing statements with the appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction set forth opposite the applicable Grantor’s name on Schedule 5.4 hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, will have perfected first priority security interests in respect of all Collateral consisting of United States Patents, United States Trademarks and United States Copyrights registered in the name of any Grantors as of the date hereof, subject in the case of priority only, to Permitted Liens; and

 

(c) no material authorization, consent, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body or any other Person is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Grantor of the Liens purported to be created in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or created hereunder or created or provided for by applicable law), except (A) for the filings, recordings and agreements contemplated by clauses (a) and (b) above, (B) as may be required, in connection with the disposition of any Investment Related Property, by laws generally affecting the offering and sale of Securities and (C) such actions as may be required by applicable foreign laws affecting the pledge of the Pledged Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and the Credit Agreement); and

 

(d) each Grantor is in compliance with its obligations under Section 4 hereof.

 

5.5 Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

 

(a) it is the record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Equity Interests free of all Liens, rights or claims of other Persons and there are no outstanding warrants, options or 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 Pledged Equity Interests other than (x) Liens created by this Agreement and (y) inchoate tax liens; and

 

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(b) the Pledged LLC Interests and Pledged Partnership Interests on which liens are granted hereunder do not represent interests (i) that by their terms provide that they are securities governed by Article 8 of the UCC of an applicable jurisdiction or (ii) that are dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or markets.

 

5.6 Intellectual Property

 

(a) such Grantor has taken commercially reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of its Trade Secrets in accordance in all material respects with industry standards;

 

(b) no settlement or consents, covenants not to sue, co-existence agreements, non-assertion assurances, or releases have been entered into by such Grantor or bind such Grantor in a manner that could materially adversely affect such Grantor’s rights to own, license or use any Material Intellectual Property.

 

6. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

6.1 Grantor Information & Status

 

(a) Without limiting any prohibitions or restrictions on mergers or other transactions set forth in the Credit Agreement, it shall not change such Grantor’s name (e.g. by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise), type of organization or jurisdiction of organization or establish any trade names unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing at least ten (10) days (or such shorter period of time agreed by the Collateral Agent in its discretion) prior to any such change or establishment, identifying such new proposed name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or trade name and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (b) taken all actions necessary or advisable to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral granted or intended to be granted and agreed to hereby.

 

6.2 Collateral Identification; Special Collateral

 

(a) In the event that it hereafter acquires any Collateral of a type described in Section 5.2(b) hereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof in writing and take such actions and execute such documents and make such filings all at the Grantors’ expense as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to ensure that the Collateral Agent has a valid, perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral, subject in the case of priority only, to any Permitted Liens; and

 

(b) In the event that it hereafter acquires or has any Commercial Tort Claim in excess of $1,500,000 individually or $3,000,000 in the aggregate it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, identifying such new Commercial Tort Claims.

 

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6.3 Ownership of Collateral and Absence of Other Liens

 

(a) Except for the security interest created by this Agreement, it shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral, other than Permitted Liens, and such Grantor shall defend the Collateral against all Persons at any time claiming any interest therein (other than Permitted Liens); and

 

(b) upon such Grantor or any officer of such Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any event that may have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the Collateral or any portion thereof, the ability of any Grantor or the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof, or the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent in relation thereto, including, without limitation, the levy of any legal process against the Collateral or any portion thereof; and

 

(c) it shall not sell, transfer or assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or exclusively license to another Person any Collateral except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement.

 

6.4 [Intentionally Omitted]

 

6.5 Receivables

 

(a) Following and during the continuation of an Event of Default, such Grantor shall not (w) grant any extension or renewal of the time of payment of any Receivable, (x) compromise or settle any dispute, claim or legal proceeding with respect to any Receivable for less than the total unpaid balance thereof, (y) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment thereof, or (z) allow any credit or discount thereon;

 

(b)

the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any Account Debtor of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and, in addition, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may: (i) direct the Account Debtors under any Receivables to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent; (ii) notify, or require any Grantor to notify, each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which Account Debtors under any Receivables have been directed to make payment to remit all amounts representing collections on checks and other payment items from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other arrangement directly to the Collateral Agent; and (iii) enforce, at the expense of such Grantor, collection of any such Receivables and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done. If the Collateral Agent notifies any Grantor that it has elected to collect the Receivables in

 

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  accordance with the preceding sentence (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall only take place following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default), any payments of Receivables received by such Grantor shall be forthwith (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, and until so turned over, all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by such Grantor in respect of the Receivables, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder and shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and such Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Receivable, or release wholly or partly any Account Debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon; and

 

(c) for the avoidance of doubt, the limitations set forth in this Section 6.5 shall not apply to any Excluded Receivables.

 

6.6 Pledged Equity Interests, Investment Related Property

 

(a) Each Grantor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends, interest, principal and other distributions paid on or distributed in respect of the Pledged Equity Interests to the extent and only to the extent that such dividends, interest, principal and other distributions are permitted by, and otherwise paid or distributed in accordance with, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable law; provided, however, that any non-cash dividends, interest, principal or other distributions that would constitute Pledged Equity Interests, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the outstanding Equity Interests of the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests or received in exchange for Pledged Equity Interests or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which such issuer may be a party or otherwise, shall be and become part of the Pledged Equity Interests, and, if received by any Grantor, shall not be commingled by such Grantor with any of its other funds or property but shall be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its non-fiduciary agent or designee) in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or instrument of assignment);

(b)

 

  (i)

so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, except as otherwise provided under the covenants and agreements relating to Investment Related Property in this Agreement or elsewhere herein or in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Investment Related Property or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; provided , no Grantor shall exercise or refrain from exercising any such right

 

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  if it would violate or result in breach of any covenant contained in, or be inconsistent with, any of the terms of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or, which would have the effect of materially compromising the value of such Investment Related Property or the Collateral or any material part thereof or the position or interests of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party therein in any material respect; it being understood, however, that neither the voting by such Grantor of any Pledged Stock for, or such Grantor’s consent to, the election of directors (or similar governing body) at a regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect to incidental matters at any such meeting, nor such Grantor’s consent to or approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section 6.6(b)(i); and

 

  (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

  (A) all rights of each Grantor to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights; and

 

  (B) in order to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive hereunder: (1) each Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Collateral Agent all proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request and (2) each Grantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may utilize the power of attorney set forth in Section 8.1.

 

(c) except as expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or denied), it shall not vote to enable or take any other action to cause any issuer of any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests which are not securities (for purposes of the UCC) on the date hereof to elect or otherwise take any action to cause such Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests to be treated as securities for purposes of the UCC; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any issuer of any Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests takes any such action in violation of the foregoing in this clause (c), such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any such election or action and, in such event, shall take all steps necessary or advisable to establish the Collateral Agent’s Control thereof; and

 

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(d) the Collateral Agent agrees to notify each applicable Grantor promptly after the exercise of its rights pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above; provided that failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of any such actions.

 

6.7 Intellectual Property

 

(a) it shall not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any of the Material Intellectual Property or the security interest granted therein may lapse, or become abandoned, canceled, dedicated to the public, forfeited, unenforceable or otherwise impaired, or which would adversely affect the validity, grant, or enforceability of in each case except as such Grantor determines is appropriate in its commercially reasonable judgment;

 

(b) it shall notify the Collateral Agent as promptly as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of any item of Material Intellectual Property that has become (i) abandoned or dedicated to the public or placed in the public domain, (ii) invalid or unenforceable, (iii) subject to any adverse determination or development regarding such Grantor’s ownership, registration or use or the validity or enforceability of such item of Intellectual Property (including the institution of, or any adverse development with respect to, any action or proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the United States Copyright Office, or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing), or (iv) the subject of any reversion or termination rights;

 

(c) it shall take all actions that are appropriate as determined by its reasonable judgment, including in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or the United States Copyright Office, or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, to pursue any application and maintain any registration or issuance of each Trademark, Patent, and Copyright owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor and constituting Material Intellectual Property;

 

(d) in the event that any Material Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor is infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated by a third party, such Grantor shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, take actions as appropriate in its reasonable judgment to stop such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation and protect its rights in such Material Intellectual Property;

 

(e) it shall take all actions as appropriate in its reasonable judgment to protect the secrecy of any material Trade Secrets, including, without limitation, entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and consultants and restricting access to secret information and documents;

 

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7. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS

 

7.1 Access; Right of Inspection . Subject to the provisions and limitations set forth in Section 5.06 of the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have access during normal business hours to all the books, correspondence and records of each Grantor, and the Collateral Agent and its representatives may examine the same, take extracts therefrom and make photocopies thereof, and each Grantor agrees to render to the Collateral Agent, at the Collateral Agent’s cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested with regard thereto. The Collateral Agent and its representatives shall also have the right to enter any premises of each Grantor and inspect any property of each Grantor where any of the Collateral of such Grantor granted pursuant to this Agreement is located for the purpose of inspecting the same, observing its use or otherwise protecting its interests therein.

 

7.2 Further Assurances

 

(a) Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file a Record or Records, including, without limitation, financing or continuation statements, Intellectual Property Security Agreements and amendments and supplements to any of the foregoing, in any jurisdictions in the United States and with any filing offices as the Collateral Agent may determine are necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise protect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent herein. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Collateral Agent may determine is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, developed or created” or words of similar effect.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Loan Document to the contrary, no Grantor shall be required to (v) grant the Collateral Agent perfection through control agreements or similar arrangements with respect to any Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts, (w) perfect any letter of credit rights or commercial tort claims (except to the extent perfected through the filing of a UCC financing statement), (x) obtain any landlord waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters or other similar agreements with respect to leasehold interests, (y) take any actions (other than the filing of a UCC financing statement) to perfect the Collateral Agent’s security interest in any railroad rolling stock or (z) take any actions under laws outside of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia to grant, perfect or provide for the enforcement of any security interest (including any Intellectual Property registered in any non-U.S. jurisdiction) (it being understood that there shall be no security agreements or pledge agreements governed under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or any requirement to make any filings in any foreign jurisdiction including with respect to foreign Intellectual Property).

 

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  Notwithstanding anything herein (including this Section 7.1), no Grantor makes any representation or warranty as to the effects of perfection or non-perfection, the priority or the enforceability of any pledge of or security interest in any Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, or as to the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party with respect thereto, under foreign law.

 

7.3 Additional Grantors

Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 5.09 of the Credit Agreement, any Person that desires to become a Grantor hereunder, or is required to grant security in the Collateral after the date hereof, shall become a party to this Agreement as a Grantor (each, an “ Additional Grantor ”), by executing a Pledge Supplement.    Upon delivery of any such Pledge Supplement to the Collateral Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Grantors, each Additional Grantor shall be a Grantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Grantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Grantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Grantor hereunder, nor by any election of Collateral Agent not to cause any Subsidiary of Borrower to become an Additional Grantor hereunder. This Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Grantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Grantor hereunder.

 

8. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT

 

8.1 Power of Attorney

Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Grantor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, from time to time as an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in the Collateral Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, in each case in accordance with applicable law, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by such Grantor or paid to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

 

(b) to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

 

(c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

 

(d) to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

 

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(e) to prepare, sign, and file for recordation in any intellectual property registry, appropriate evidence of the lien and security interest granted herein in any Intellectual Property in the name of such Grantor as debtor;

 

(f) to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to perform or comply or cause performance or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, access to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Permitted Liens) levied or placed upon or threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, any such payments made by the Collateral Agent to become obligations of such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, due and payable immediately without demand; and

 

(g) generally to sell, transfer, lease, license, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time or from time to time, all acts and things that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

This power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated.

 

8.2 No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the interests of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

8.3 Appointment Pursuant to Credit Agreement

The Collateral Agent has been appointed as collateral agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement. The rights, duties, privileges, immunities and indemnities of the Collateral Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

 

9. REMEDIES

 

9.1 Generally

 

(a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it at law or in equity, all the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent on default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) to collect, enforce or satisfy any Secured

 

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  Obligations then owing, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and also may pursue any of the following separately, successively or simultaneously:

 

  (i) require any Grantor to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it shall at its expense and promptly upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties;

 

  (ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and take possession thereof with or without judicial process;

 

  (iii) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent the Collateral Agent deems appropriate; and

 

  (iv) without notice except as specified below or under the UCC, sell, assign, lease, license (on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis) or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable.

 

(b) The Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any public or private (to the extent to the portion of the Collateral being privately sold is of a kind that is customarily sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations) sale in accordance with the UCC and the Collateral Agent, as collateral agent for and representative of the Secured Parties, 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 sale made in accordance with the UCC, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor agrees that it would not be commercially unreasonable for the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof by using Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets

 

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  of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor hereby waives any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantors shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent, that the Collateral Agent has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities. Nothing in this Section shall in any way limit the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c) The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. The Collateral Agent may specifically disclaim or modify any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

 

(d) The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral.

 

9.2 Application of Proceeds

Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by the Collateral Agent, while an Event of Default exists and all or any portion of the Loans have been accelerated under the Credit Agreement, in respect of any sale of, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against, the Secured Obligations in the following order of priority: first, to the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent in connection therewith, and all amounts for which the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent are entitled to indemnification hereunder (in their respective capacities as Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent and not as a Lender) and all advances made by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Grantor, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under the Credit Agreement, all in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; second , to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment of all other Secured Obligations for the ratable

 

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benefit of the Lenders and the Lender Counterparties; and third , to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment to or upon the order of the applicable Grantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

9.3 Investment Related Property

Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Investment Related Property conducted without prior registration or qualification of such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the Investment Related Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances, each Grantor agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Investment Related Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it. If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Investment Related Property, upon written request, each Grantor shall and shall cause each issuer of any Pledged Stock to be sold hereunder, each partnership and each limited liability company from time to time to furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may request in order to determine the number and nature of interest, shares or other instruments included in the Investment Related Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.

 

9.4 Grant of Intellectual Property License

For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise rights and remedies under Section 9 hereof at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent assignable, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable only during an Event of Default and without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Grantor), subject, in the case of Trademarks, to sufficient rights to quality control and inspection in favor of such Grantor to avoid the risk of invalidation of such Trademarks, to use, assign, license or sublicense any of the Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired, developed or created by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located. Such license shall include access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout hereof and shall terminate upon Payment in Full of the Obligations.

 

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9.5 Intellectual Property

 

(a) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in addition to the other rights and remedies provided herein, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

  (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit or otherwise commence any action or proceeding in the name of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, to enforce any Intellectual Property rights of such Grantor, in which event such Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement, and such Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 12 hereof in connection with the exercise of its rights under this Section 9.5, and, to the extent that the Collateral Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Intellectual Property rights as provided in this Section 9.5, each Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation of any of such Grantor’s rights in the Intellectual Property by others and for that purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating as shall be necessary to prevent such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or other violation;

 

  (ii) upon written demand from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall grant, assign, convey or otherwise transfer to the Collateral Agent or such Collateral Agent’s designee all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to any Intellectual Property and shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement;

 

  (iii) each Grantor agrees that such an assignment and/or recording shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that the Collateral Agent (or any other Secured Party) receives cash proceeds in respect of the sale of, or other realization upon, any such Intellectual Property; and

 

  (iv)

the Collateral Agent shall have the right to notify, or require each Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of any Intellectual Property of such Grantor, of the existence of the security interest created herein, to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to the Collateral Agent, and, upon such notification and at the expense of such Grantor, to enforce

 

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  collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done.

 

(b) If (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (ii) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) an assignment or other transfer to the Collateral Agent of any rights, title and interests in and to any Intellectual Property of such Grantor shall have been previously made and shall have become absolute and effective, and (iv) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable, upon the written request of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such assignments or other transfer as may be necessary to reassign to such Grantor any such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof that may have been made by the Collateral Agent; provided, after giving effect to such reassignment, the Collateral Agent’s security interest granted pursuant hereto, as well as all other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect; and provided further, the rights, title and interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of any other Liens granted by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties.

 

9.6 Cash Proceeds

If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent specified in Section 6.5 with respect to payments of Receivables, all proceeds of any Collateral received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items (collectively, “ Cash Proceeds ”) shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required) and held by the Collateral Agent in a Collateral Account. Any Cash Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent (whether from a Grantor or otherwise) may, in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent, (A) be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and/or (B) then or at any time thereafter may be applied by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations then due and owing.

 

10. COLLATERAL AGENT

The Collateral Agent has been appointed to act as Collateral Agent hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, the other Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Secured Party, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral

 

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hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Secured Party that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Section.

 

11. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS

This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns, and inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon the Payment in Full of all Secured Obligations, the security interest granted hereby shall automatically terminate hereunder without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors. Upon any such termination the Collateral Agent shall, at the Grantors’ expense, execute and deliver to the Grantors or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as the Grantors shall reasonably request, including financing statement amendments to evidence such termination and shall deliver to the applicable Grantor any Collateral of such Grantor held by the Collateral Agent hereunder. Upon the occurrence of any of the other circumstances set forth in Section 9.08(d) of the Credit Agreement, the Liens granted herein on the property that is the subject of such circumstance shall be deemed to be automatically released and such property shall automatically revert to the applicable Grantor with no further action on the part of any Person. The Collateral Agent shall, at the applicable Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, including financing statement amendments to evidence such release and shall deliver to the applicable Grantor any Collateral of such Grantor held by the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the extent applicable.

 

12. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property and in compliance with applicable laws. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or otherwise. If any Grantor fails to perform

 

Page 28


any agreement contained herein after the applicable cure period with respect thereto, the Collateral Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by each Grantor under Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.

 

13. MISCELLANEOUS

Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement. No failure or delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.    This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Grantors and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No Grantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent given in accordance with the Credit Agreement, assign any right, duty or obligation hereunder. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Grantors and the Collateral Agent and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission will be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF THE UCC RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

 

Page 29


THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT UNDER THE HEADINGS “CONSENT TO JURISDICTION” AND “WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL” ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY THIS REFERENCE AND SUCH INCORPORATION SHALL SURVIVE ANY TERMINATION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

Page 30


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,

as Grantor

By:  

/s/ Jenniffer D. Deckard

Name:   Jenniffer D. Deckard
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


BISON MERGER SUB I, LLC,

as Grantor

By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   President and Secretary

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


AQUILA MINERAL COMPANY

POLYMORPHOUS MINERAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

TINACO FELDSPAR COMPANY LLC

UNIMIN FINANCE COMPANY L.L.C.

UNIMIN LIME LLC

UNIMIN PATRIOT HOLDINGS LLC

UNIMIN SPECIALTY MINERALS INC.

UNIMIN WISCONSIN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION

WINCHESTER AND WESTERN RAILROAD COMPANY,

each as Grantor
By:  

/s/ Andrew D. Eich

Name:   Andrew D. Eich
Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief
Commercial Officer of each of the entities set forth above

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


ALPHA RESINS, LLC

BEST SAND CORPORATION

BEST SAND OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.

BLACK LAB LLC

CHEYENNE SAND CORP.

CONSTRUCTION AGGREGATES CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN, INC.

FAIRMOUNT LOGISTICS LLC

FAIRMOUNT MINERALS, LLC

FAIRMOUNT SANTROL INC.

FAIRMOUNT WATER SOLUTIONS, LLC

FML ALABAMA RESIN, INC.

FML RESIN, LLC

FML SAND, LLC

FML TERMINAL LOGISTICS, LLC

FMSA INC.

MINERAL VISIONS INC.

SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC

SHAKOPEE SAND LLC

SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.

STANDARD SAND CORPORATION

TECHNISAND, INC.

WEDRON SILICA COMPANY

WEST TEXAS HOUSING LLC

WEXFORD SAND CO.

WISCONSIN INDUSTRIAL SAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

WISCONSIN SPECIALTY SANDS, INC.,

each as Grantor

 

By:  

/s/ Jenniffer D. Deckard

Name:   Jenniffer D. Deckard
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer of
each of the entities set forth above

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


DEWEY RESOURCES, LLC,

as Grantor

By:  

/s/ Matthew I. Pollack

Name:   Matthew I. Pollack
Title:   Vice President

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Craig Molson

Name:   Craig Molson
Title:   Managing Director

[Pledge and Security Agreement]


SCHEDULE 5.1

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

  (A) Full Legal Name, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization and Organizational Identification Number of each Grantor:

 

Full Legal Name

    

Type of

Organization

  

Jurisdiction of
Organization

  

Organization I.D.#

  

Chief Executive

Office/Sole Place of

Business (or

Residence if

Grantor is a

Natural Person)

Covia Holdings Corporation

(f/k/a as Unimin

Corporation)

     Corporation    Delaware    739808    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026
Aquila Mineral Company      Corporation    Delaware    3850537    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation      Corporation    Delaware    3024934    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Tinaco Feldspar Company LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    3661291    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Unimin Finance Company L.L.C.      Limited liability company    Delaware    2770496    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Unimin Lime LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    3445621    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    4846311    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.      Corporation    Delaware    2201155    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Unimin Wisconsin Equipment Corporation      Corporation    Delaware    2230164    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Winchester and Western Railroad Company      Corporation    Virginia    None    258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840
Alpha Resins, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    2010075    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)

 

SCHEDULE 5.1-1


Best Sand Corporation      Corporation    Ohio    173285    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Best Sand of Pennsylvania, Inc.      Corporation    Ohio    CP450    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Bison Merger Sub I, LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    6651883    251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808
Black Lab LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    2023481    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Cheyenne Sand Corp.      Corporation    Michigan    217508    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Construction Aggregates Corporation of Michigan, Inc.      Corporation    Michigan    183558    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Fairmount Logistics LLC      Limited liability company    Texas    802257624    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Dewey Resources, LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    6711555    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Fairmount Minerals, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    1982717    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Fairmount Water Solutions, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    1902062    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)


FMSA Inc.      Corporation    Delaware    4855284    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Fairmount Santrol Inc.      Corporation    Delaware    2080649    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
FML Sand, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    2215595    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
FML Resin, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    2215636    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
FML Terminal Logistics, LLC      Limited liability company    Ohio    2215637    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
FML Alabama Resin, Inc.      Corporation    Ohio    2215422    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Mineral Visions Inc.      Corporation    Ohio    1525136    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Self - Suspending Proppant LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    5318306    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Shakopee Sand LLC      Limited liability company    Minnesota    4085361-2    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Specialty Sands, Inc.      Corporation    Michigan    276360   

8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio44026 (Geauga County)


Standard Sand Corporation      Corporation    Michigan    070733    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
TechniSand, Inc.      Corporation    Delaware    2268274    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Wedron Silica Company      Corporation    Ohio    636987    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
West Texas Housing LLC      Limited liability company    Delaware    6782746    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Wexford Sand Co.      Corporation    Michigan    095283    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.      Limited liability company    Delaware    2698524    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)
Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.      Corporation    Texas    800501502    8834 Mayfield Road Chesterland, Ohio 44026 (Geauga County)

 

  (B) Other Names (including any Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name) under which each Grantor currently conducts business:

 

Full Legal Name

 

 

  

Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name

Best Sand Corporation      Best Sand (registered)
TechniSand, Inc.      Santrol (unregistered)
Alpha Resins, LLC      Alpha Resins, Inc.


Black Lab LLC      Trade Name “Fairmount Custom Products” registered with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Black Lab LLC      The “Wedron Flux” logo is on certain existing marketing materials and business cards, which will be used until such existing stock is used up.
FML Sand, LLC     

Missouri White

Northern White

Wisconsin White

Texas Gold

FML Resin, LLC     

Southern Precision Sands

SPS

SPSand

Proppant Specialists

Partially Cured (PC)

Premier Partially Cured (PPC)

SpearProp

GreenProp

CrystalProp

Unimin Lime LLC      Southern Lime

 

  (C) Changes in Name, Jurisdiction of Organization and Corporate Structure within past five (5) years:

 

Grantor

  

Date of Change

  

Description of Change

Covia Holdings Corporation    June 1, 2018    Covia Holdings Corporation changed its name from Unimin Corporation on June 1, 2018.
Black Lab LLC    July 14, 2011    Black Lab LLC changed its name from FML BL Acquisition LLC on July 14, 2011.
Shakopee Sand LLC   

August 1, 2013

July 5, 2013

   Shakopee Sand LLC changed its name from Jordan Sand LLC on August 1, 2013, Jordan Sand LLC changed its name from Great Plains Sand LLC on July 5, 2013.
FMSA Inc.   

July 17, 2015

August 14, 2014

   FMSA Inc. changed its name from Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. on July 17, 2015 (and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. changed its name from Fairmount Minerals Holdings, Inc. on August 14, 2014).
Fairmount Santrol Inc.    August 14, 2014    Fairmount Santrol Inc. changed its name from Fairmount Minerals, Ltd. on August 14, 2014.
Unimin Lime LLC    June 30, 2015    Unimin Lime was converted from a corporation to a limited liability company on June 30, 2015.


  (D) “Transmitting Utility” Grantors:

 

Grantor

  

Description

Winchester and Western Railroad Company    Winchester and Western Railroad Company is primarily engaged in the business of operating a railroad.


SCHEDULE 5.2

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

I. INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY

 

(A) Pledged Stock:

 

Grantor

  

Stock Issuer

  

Class of

Stock

   Certificated
(Y/N)
   Stock
Certificate
No.
  

Par

Value

   No. of
Pledged
Stock
     Percentage
of
Outstanding
Stock of the
Stock Issuer
 
Best Sand Corporation    Best Sand of Pennsylvania, Inc.    Common    Y    2    Without par value      100        100
Cheyenne Sand Corp.    Construction Aggregates Corporation of Michigan, Inc.    Common    Y    1    No par value      1,000        100
Cheyenne Sand Corp.    Standard Sand Corporation    Common    Y    11    No par value      1251        100
Cheyenne Sand Corp.    Specialty Sands, Inc.    Common    Y    1    No par value      1,000        100
Bison Merger Sub I, LLC    FMSA Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals Holdings, Inc.)    Common    Y    3    Par value of $0.01 per share      100        100
FMSA Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.)    Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Common    Y    4    Par value of $0.01 per share      100        100
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Best Sand Corporation    Class A Common    Y    42    Without par value      9,225        100

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-1


      Class A Common    Y    43    Without par value      14,500     
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Cheyenne Sand Corp.    Common    Y    15    Without par value      220        100
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Wedron Silica Company    Common    Y    115    Without par value      2,500        100
      Common    Y    116    Without par value      4,500     
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Wexford Sand Co.    Common    Y    12    $100.00 par value      500        100
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    Mineral Visions Inc.    Common    Y    2    Without par value      100        100
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    TechniSand, Inc.    Common    Y    2    $0.01 par value per share      100        100
Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.    Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.    Common    Y    13    Par value of $1.00 per share      2,000        100
Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)    FML Alabama Resin, Inc.    Common    Y    2    Without par value      100        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Aquila Mineral Company    Common    Y    1    Par value of $1.00 per share      100        100

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-2


Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Polymorphou s Mineral Investment Corporation    Common    Y    1    Par value of $1.00 per share      100        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.    Common    Y    1    Par value of $1.00 per share      100        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Unimin Wisconsin Equipment Corporation    Common    Y    1    Par value of $1.00 per share      100        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Unisil Corporation    Common    Y    2    Par value of $1.00 per share      1,000        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Winchester and Western Railroad Company    Capital Stock    Y    35    Par value of $100.00 per share      62        100
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    Unimin Canada Ltd. 1    Common    Y    2    Without par value      650        65.0
            3    Without par value      350     
Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)    909273 Ontario, Inc. 2    Common    Y    1    Without par value      1        65.0

 

 

1   To be re-issued based on a 65% pledge of stock post-closing.
2   To be re-issued based on a 65% pledge of stock post-closing.

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-3


Cheyenne Sand Corp.    Lake Shore Sand Company (Ontario) Ltd.    Common    Y    C-5    Without par value      650        66.0
Fairmount Santrol Inc.    Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.    —      Y    1-A    —      $
 

1,974
M.N. of
the equity
quota
 
 
 
 
     66.0
TechniSand, Inc.    Fairmount Minerals Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V.    —      Y    2-A    —      $
 

6.00
M.N. of
the equity
quota
 
 
 
 
     66.0
TechniSand, Inc.    Santrol Europe ApS    —      —      N/A    —       








DKK
80,000
divided
into
shares of
DKK
1,000 or
any multi-
ples
thereof
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
     66.0
TechniSand, Inc.    Technisand Canada Sales Ltd.    Common    Y    C-2    Without par value     

0.66
Common
Share
 
 
 
     66.0

Pledged LLC Interests:

 

Grantor

  

Limited Liability Company

  

Certificated
(Y/N)

  

Certificate
No. (if any)

   No. of
Pledged
Units
    Percentage of
Outstanding
LLC Interests of
the Limited
Liability
Company
 

Covia Holdings Corporation

   Bison Merger Sub I, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Fairmount Water Solutions, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-4


Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Fairmount Minerals, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Self- Suspending Proppant LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Fairmount Logistics LLC    N    N/A      100     100

TechniSand, Inc.

   Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.    N    N/A      100     100

TechniSand, Inc.

   Alpha Resins, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Black Lab LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   FML Sand, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   FML Resin, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   FML Terminal Logistics, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

   Shakopee Sand LLC    N    N/A      100     100

FML Sand, LLC

   Dewey Resources, LLC    N    N/A      100     100

FML Sand, LLC

   West Texas Housing LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

   Blue Earth Properties LLC    N    N/A      100     100

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-5


Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation

   Tinaco Feldspar Company LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

   Unimin Lime LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a Unimin Corporation)

   Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC    N    N/A      100     100

Pledged Partnership Interests:

NONE

Trust Interests or other Equity Interests not listed above:

NONE

Pledged Debt:

The Intercompany Note (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

Commodity Contracts and Commodity Accounts:

NONE

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-6


II. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

(A) Copyrights

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Title of Work      Registration
Number (if any)
     Registration Date (if any)  

See Exhibit A attached.

           

 

(B) Copyright Licenses

NONE

 

(C) Patents

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Title of Patent      Patent Number/
(Application
Number)
     Issue Date/(Filing
Date)
 

See Exhibit B and Exhibit C attached.

           

 

(D) Patent Licenses

 

Grantor

 

Description of Patent

License

 

Patent Number of

underlying Patent

  Name of Licensor
TechniSand, Inc.   License Agreement, dated May 11, 2010, by and between University of Northern Iowa Research Foundation, as licensor, and TechniSand, Inc., as licensee.   International patent application WO 2009/065015 (PCT/US2008/083597) entitled Bio-Based Binder System and international patent application WO 2009/065018 (PCT/US2008/083603) entitled Humic Substances-Based Polymer System.   University
of Northern
Iowa
Research
Foundation
Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.   Supply Agreement, amended and restated as of November 19, 2010, between Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.), as licensee, and Plastics   A combined Plenco 14094-Neozien Technology package.   Plastics
Engineering
Company

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-7


  Engineering Company, as licensor.    
Fairmount Minerals, Ltd. TechniSand, Inc.  

Technology License

Agreement, dated June 28,

2007, between Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.) and TechniSand, Inc., as licensors, and Santrol (Yixing) Proppant Co., Ltd., as licensee.

  All patents which are owned by Fairmount Minerals, Ltd. And TechniSand, Inc. or under which they have the right to grant licenses without accounting to third parties and which would be infringed by the practice of the Licensed Technology, including any patents that may issue during the term of this Agreement that claim priority from the PCT Applications.   Fairmount Minerals, Ltd. and TechniSand, Inc.
HA International, LLC  

Intellectual Property License

Agreement, dated as of April

1, 2010, between HA International, LLC and Black Lab.

  Covers trademarks, copyrights, patents and other IP related to the Wedron Flux business.   Black Lab LLC

 

(E) Trademarks

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Trademark      Registration
Number/(Serial
Number)
     Registration
Date/(Filing Date)
 

See Exhibit D and Exhibit E attached.

           

 

(F) Trademark Licenses

 

Grantor

  

Description of

Trademark License

  

Registration Number

of underlying

Trademark

   Name of Licensor
TechniSand, Inc.    Secrecy Agreement, Distribution, Consignment, Trademark Licenses,    Use of the “Santrol” trade name and trademark application in    Santrol, Inc

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-8


 

Representation and

Operation, dated October

1, 2009, between TechniSand, Inc. (successor by merger to Santrol, Inc.), as licensor, and ISI, SRL, as licensee.

  the Argentine territory.  
Black Lab LLC   Intellectual Property License Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2010, between HA International, LLC and Black Lab LLC, covers trademarks, copyrights, patents and other IP related to the Wedron Flux business   In connection with a supply agreement for fluxes, HA International, LLC licenses to Black Lab LLC (a) rights associated with works of authorship (whether or not registered), including copyrights, (b) trade secret rights, (c) other types of legally recognized rights in know-how and other intangible assets and (d) trademark and service mark rights, trade dress rights, trade name rights, and similar branding rights.   HA International,
LLC
HA International, LLC   Intellectual Property License Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2010, between HA International, LLC and Black Lab.   Covers trademarks, copyrights, patents and other IP related to the Wedron Flux business.   Black Lab LLC

 

(G) Trade Secret Licenses

NONE

III. COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

NONE

IV. LETTER OF CREDIT RIGHTS

NONE

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-9


V. AS-EXTRACTED COLLATERAL

Set forth below are all the locations where any Grantor owns, leases or has an interest in any wellhead or minehead.

 

Debtor/Grantor

  

Address/City/State/Zip Code

  

County

     
Best Sand Corporation    11830 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH, 44024 - Munson Township, and Claridon Township    Geauga County, OH
  

 

No mailing address, raw mining land only

  

 

Pike County, OH

  

 

3535 Whiskey Run Road, Vigo Road and Wiles Lane, Richmond Dale, Jefferson Township, Ross County, OH, 43673

  

 

Ross County, OH

 

SCHEDULE 5.2-10


Debtor/Grantor

 

Address/City/State/Zip Code

 

County/City

Fairmount Santrol Inc. (f/k/a

Fairmount Minerals, Ltd.)

  Township of Claridon   Geauga, County, OH
Wedron Silica Company   3450 E. 2056th Road, Wedron, IL, 60557   LaSalle County, IL
  No address, raw mining land only (210 acres)   LaSalle County, IL
WEXFORD SAND CO.   Cleon Township, No mailing address, raw mining land only   Manistee County, MI
 

8770 West 28 Mile Road, Wexford Township, MI

49638

  Wexford County, MI
Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.   W3302 Highway 35 S, Wisconsin, 54750   Pierce County, WI
  N1467 770th Street, Town of Trenton, WI   Pierce County, WI
  E5610 US Highway 12/State Road 29, Menomonie, WI 54751   Dunn County, WI
Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.   No mailing address   Pierce County, WI
Shakopee Sand LLC   Johnson Highway, Shakopee, MN   Scott County, MN
FML Sand, LLC   US Hwy 190 & CR 414, Brady, TX   McCulloch County, TX
  Voca, TX  

McCulloch and Mason

Counties, TX

  12580 Ranch Road 2618, Fredonia, TX   Mason County, TX
  Brewer Plant, 63775   Perry County, MO
  Brewer Plant, 63775   Perry County, MO
  Brewer Plant   Perry County, MO


  Brewer Plant, 312 Hwy M, 63775   Perry County, MO
  Brewer Plant, 5751 North Hwy 61, 63775   Perry County, MO
  Brewer Plant, 6447 N Hwy 61, 63775   Perry County, MO
  No address, raw mining land only (3,250 Acres)   Winkler County, TX
  320 acres known as the Northeast Quarter (NE/4) of Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 15 WIM, Dew County, OK and the Southeast Quarter (SE/4) of Section 33, Township 19 North, Range 15 WIM, Dewey County, OK   Dewey County, OK

Covia Holdings Corporation (f/k/a

Unimin Corporation)

  1700 Sand Mill Rd Camden, TN 38320-6654   Camden, TN
  1788 County Road 308 Cleburne, TX 76033-9409   Cleburne, TX
  Crane Plant   Crane, TX
  1100 Whitehead Rd Dividing Creed, NJ 08315   Dividing Creek, NJ
  4601 Cascade Rd Emmett, ID 83617-9719   Emmett, ID
  334 Sand Mine Rd Gore, VA 22637-0400   Gore, VA
  PO Box 29 Main St Guion, AR 72540-0029   Guion, AR
  1 Albion Rd Hephzibah, GA 30815-4929   Hephzibah, GA
  1405 Industrial Park Dr. Huntingburg, IN 47542   Huntingburg, IN
  1333 Sandpit Rd Mauk, GA 31058-2252   Junction City, GA


  35496 468th St Kasota, MN 56050-4260   Kasota, MN
  1704 Gilles Creed Rd Lugoff, SC 29078   Lugoff, SC
  Highway 177 North Marston, NC 28363   Marston, NC
  107 Macon Rd McIntyre, GA 31054-2029   McIntyre, GA
  1446 W Devils Backbone Road Oregon, IL 61061-9583   Oregon, IL
  39770 Ottawa Rd Le Sueur, MN 56058-4292   Ottawa, MN
  2968 Highway Z Pevely, MO 63070-2303   Pevely, MO
  N6082 US-51 Pardeeville, WI 53954   Portage, WI
  PO Box 159 600 East Walling St Roff, OK 74865-0159   Roff, OK
  23769 State Highway 110 North Troup, TX 75789   Troup, TX
  20319 St. Hwy 21 Tomah, WI 54660   Tunnel, City, WI
  2400 Crabtree Rd Tuscaloosa, AL 35405-5599   Tuscaloosa, AL
  PO Box 409 402 Mill St Utica, IL 61373-0409   Utica, IL
  6680 State Highway 71 Voca, TX 76887-9704   Voca, TX
Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.   32079 State Highway 127 Tamms, IL 62988-3011   Elco, IL


SCHEDULE 5.4 TO

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FINANCING STATEMENTS

 

Grantor

   Filing Jurisdiction(s)

Covia Holdings Corporation

   Delaware

Aquila Mineral Company

   Delaware

Polymorphous Mineral Investment Corporation

   Delaware

Tinaco Feldspar Company LLC

   Delaware

Unimin Finance Company L.L.C.

   Delaware

Unimin Lime LLC (d/b/a Southern Lime)

   Delaware

Unimin Patriot Holdings LLC

   Delaware

Unimin Specialty Minerals Inc.

   Delaware

Unimin Wisconsin Equipment Corporation

   Delaware

Winchester and Western Railroad Company

   Virginia

Alpha Resins, LLC

   Ohio

Best Sand Corporation

   Ohio

Best Sand of Pennsylvania, Inc.

   Ohio

Bison Merger Sub I, LLC

   Delaware

Black Lab LLC

   Ohio

Cheyenne Sand Corp.

   Michigan

Construction Aggregates Corporation of Michigan, Inc.

   Michigan

Dewey Resources, LLC

   Delaware

Fairmount Logistics LLC

   Texas

Fairmount Minerals, LLC

   Ohio

Fairmount Santrol Inc.

   Delaware

Fairmount Water Solutions, LLC

   Ohio

FML Alabama Resin, Inc.

   Ohio


FML Resin, LLC

   Ohio

FML Sand, LLC

   Ohio

FML Terminal Logistics, LLC

   Ohio

FMSA Inc.

   Delaware

Mineral Visions Inc.

   Ohio

Self- Suspending Proppant LLC

   Delaware

Shakopee Sand LLC

   Minnesota

Specialty Sands, Inc.

   Michigan

Standard Sand Corporation

   Michigan

TechniSand, Inc.

   Delaware

Wedron Silica Company

   Ohio

West Texas Housing LLC

   Delaware

Wexford Sand Co.

   Michigan

Wisconsin Industrial Sand Company, L.L.C.

   Delaware

Wisconsin Specialty Sands, Inc.

   Texas


EXHIBIT A

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT

This PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT , dated [mm/dd/yy], is delivered by [NAME OF GRANTOR] a [NAME OF STATE OF INCORPORATION] [ corporation ] (the “ Grantor ”) pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of [            ], 2018 (as it may be from time to time amended, restated, modified or supplemented, the “ Security Agreement ”), among Unimin Corporation, the other Grantors named therein, and Barclays Bank PLC, as the Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used herein not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Security Agreement.

Grantor hereby confirms the grant to the Collateral Agent set forth in the Security Agreement of, and does hereby grant to the Collateral Agent, a security interest in all of Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all Collateral to secure the Secured Obligations, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located. Grantor represents and warrants that the attached Supplements to Schedules accurately and completely set forth all additional information required to be provided pursuant to the Security Agreement and hereby agrees that such Supplements to Schedules shall constitute part of the Schedules to the Security Agreement.

THIS PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF THE UCC RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Grantor has caused this Pledge Supplement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of [ mm/dd/yy ].

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT A-1


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.1

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Additional Information:

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

(A) Full Legal Name, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization and Organizational Identification Number of each Grantor:

 

Full Legal Name

 

Type of Organization

 

Jurisdiction of Organization

 

Organization I.D.#

     

 

(B) Other Names (including any Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name) under which each Grantor currently conducts business:

 

Full Legal Name

 

Trade Name or Fictitious Business Name

 

 

(C) Changes in Name, Jurisdiction of Organization and Corporate Structure within past five (5) years:

 

Grantor

 

Date of Change

 

Description of Change

   

 

(D) “Transmitting Utility” Grantors:


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.2

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

COLLATERAL IDENTIFICATION

I. INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY

 

(A) Pledged Stock:

 

Grantor

   Stock
Issuer
     Class of
Stock
     Certificated
(Y/N)
     Stock
Certificate
No.
     Par
Value
     No. of
Pledged Stock
     Percentage of
Outstanding
Stock of the
Stock Issuer
 
                    

Pledged LLC Interests:

 

Grantor

   Limited
Liability
Company
     Certificated
(Y/N)
     Certificate No.
(if any)
     No. of Pledged
Units
     Percentage of
Outstanding

LLC Interests of
the Limited
Liability Company
 
              

Pledged Partnership Interests:

 

Grantor

   Partnership      Type of
Partnership

Interests (e.g.,
general or
limited)
     Certificated
(Y/N)
     Certificate
No. (if any)
     Percentage of
Outstanding
Partnership
Interests of the
Partnership
 
              

Pledged Trust Interests:

 

Grantor

   [Trust]      [Class of Trust
Interests]
     [Certificated
(Y/N)]
     [Certificate No.
(if any)]
     [Percentage of
Outstanding
Partnership
Interests of the
Partnership]
 
              

Pledged Debt:

 

Grantor

   Issuer      Original
Principal
Amount
     Outstanding
Principal
Balance
     Issue Date      Maturity Date  
              


Commodities Accounts:

 

Grantor

   Name of Commodities
Intermediary
     Account Number      Account Name  
        

(B)

 

Grantor

   Date of Acquisition      Description of
Acquisition
 
     


II. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

(A) Copyrights

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Title of Work      Registration
Number (if any)
     Registration
Date

(if any)
 
              

 

(B) Copyright Licenses

 

Grantor

   Description of
Copyright License
     Registration Number
(if any) of

underlying Copyright
     Name of Licensor  
        

 

(C) Patents

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Title of Patent      Patent Number/
(Application
Number)
   Issue Date/(Filing
Date)
 
           

 

(D) Patent Licenses

 

Grantor

   Description of Patent
License
     Patent Number of
underlying
Patent
     Name of Licensor  
        

 

(E) Trademarks

 

Grantor

   Jurisdiction      Trademark      Registration Number/
(Serial Number)
     Registration
Date/(Filing Date)
 
           

(F) Trademark Licenses

 

Grantor

   Description of
Trademark License
     Registration Number
of underlying
Trademark
     Name of Licensor  
        

 

(G) Trade Secret Licenses


III. COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

 

Grantor

   Commercial Tort Claims  
  

 

IV. LETTER OF CREDIT RIGHTS

 

Grantor

   Description of Letters of Credit  
  


SUPPLEMENT TO SCHEDULE 5.4 TO

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

Financing Statements:

 

Grantor

   Filing Jurisdiction(s)  
  


EXHIBIT B

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [                     ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to the Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [                    ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between each of the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Trademark Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest in Trademark Collateral

SECTION 2.1 Grant of Security. Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s rights, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Trademark Collateral ”): the trademarks, trade dress, service marks, certification marks, and collective marks listed in Schedule A attached hereto, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor, (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement, dilution or other violation of any of the foregoing or for any injury to the related goodwill, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

SECTION 2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Trademark Collateral include or the security interest granted under this Section attach to any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a

 

EXHIBIT B-1


“Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, 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 that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law.

SECTION 4. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Trademark Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT B-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT B-3


Accepted and Agreed:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT B-4


SCHEDULE A

to

TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

Mark

  

Serial No.

  

Filing Date

  

Registration No.

  

Registration

Date

 

EXHIBIT B-5


EXHIBIT C

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [                 ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to the Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [                 ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Patent Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION. 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Patent Collateral ”): (i) each patent and patent application listed in Schedule A attached hereto, (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all improvements thereto, (iv) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (vi) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

SECTION 3. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Patent Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security

 

EXHIBIT C-1


Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT C-3


Accepted and Agreed:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT C-4


SCHEDULE A

to

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

 

Title

  

Application No.

  

Filing Date

  

Patent No.

  

Issue Date

 

EXHIBIT C-5


EXHIBIT D

TO PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

FORM OF COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of [                 ], 20[    ] (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), is made by the entities identified as grantors on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the “ Grantors ”) in favor of Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “ Collateral Agent ”) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS , the Grantors are party to a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of [                 ], 2018 (the “ Pledge and Security Agreement ”) between the Grantors and the other grantors party thereto and the Collateral Agent pursuant to which the Grantors granted a security interest to the Collateral Agent in the Copyright Collateral (as defined below) and are required to execute and deliver this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Grantors hereby agree with the Collateral Agent as follows:

SECTION 1. Defined Terms

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement and used herein have the meaning given to them in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest

Each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired, developed, created or arising and wherever located (collectively, the “ Copyright Collateral ”):

The copyrights and Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act) listed in Schedule A attached hereto, as well as all moral rights, reversionary interests, and termination rights therein, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor, (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) the right to sue or otherwise recover for any past, present and future infringement or other violation thereof, (iv) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, license fees, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit now or hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto, and (v) all other rights of any kind accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto throughout the world.

 

EXHIBIT D-1


SECTION 3. Security Agreement

The security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement is granted in conjunction with the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, and the Grantors hereby acknowledge and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent with respect to the security interest in the Copyright Collateral made and granted hereby are more fully set forth in the Pledge and Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is deemed to conflict with the Pledge and Security Agreement, the provisions of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall control.

SECTION 4. Termination

Upon the Payment in Full of the Obligations in accordance with Section 9.08(d) of the Credit Agreement and termination of the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Grantors a written instrument in recordable form releasing the collateral pledge, grant, assignment, lien and security interest in the Copyright Collateral under this Agreement.

SECTION 5. Governing Law

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND ALL CLAIMS AND CONTROVERSIES ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW, TORT LAW OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER LAW (OTHER THAN ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED HEREBY).

SECTION 6. Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

EXHIBIT D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT D-3


Accepted and Agreed:

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

as Collateral Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

EXHIBIT D-4


SCHEDULE A

to

COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

 

Title

 

Application No.

 

Filing Date

 

Registration No.

 

Registration

Date

EXCLUSIVE COPYRIGHT LICENSES

 

Description of Copyright

License

 

Name of Licensor

 

Registration Number of

underlying Copyright

 

EXHIBIT D-5

Exhibit 10.12

TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor claims ownership of the marks listed in the attached Schedule A for use in connection with industrial minerals (hereinafter “Said Marks”), and is the owner of the trademark applications and trademark registrations listed in the attached Schedule A for Said Marks; and

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to use Said Marks in connection with industrial minerals; and

WHEREAS, Licensor is willing to grant a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to Licensee to use Said marks in connection with industrial minerals;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, excluding North America and Mexico, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use Said Marks (including but not limited to the DUSTSHIELD and DST marks) in connection with the industrial minerals and services identified with each of Said Marks in the attached Schedule A, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement. For the purpose of this License Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

Licensor further grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use the DUSTSHIELD and DST marks in connection with the industrial minerals and services identified with each of the DUSTSHIELD and DST marks in the attached Schedule A in North America and Mexico, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement.

For the avoidance of doubt, the royalty-free, nonexclusive license granted in this Section 1 includes, but is not limited to, the trademark applications and trademark registrations listed in

 

1


the attached Schedule A for Said Marks and any new trademark applications and trademark registrations filed and registered for Said Marks in the future for use in in connection with the industrial minerals and services identified with Said Marks in the attached Schedule A.

2. SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use Said Marks conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Marks to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include: (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3. RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Marks in their respective businesses, including in connection with the manufacture, promotion, advertising, distribution, and sale of products or services similar to or competitive with the industrial materials and services of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.

4. OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Marks in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee further agrees that use of Said Marks by such Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries shall inure to the benefit of and be on behalf of Licensor. If Licensee acquires any rights in the Licensed Mark, by operation of law or otherwise, Licensee hereby irrevocably assigns such rights to Licensor without further action by any of the parties. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Marks other than the right to use Said Marks in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement. Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Marks and/or the validity of Said marks and/or the applications or registrations thereof.

5. FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed trademark application and/or registration for Said Marks, within the limits of Section 1 above, with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

 

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6. QUALITY STANDARDS

Licensee agrees that the nature and quality of all goods and/or services rendered by Licensee in connection with Said Marks and all related advertising, promotional and other related uses of the Said Marks by Licensee shall conform to such reasonable standards as may be set by Licensor. Licensee acknowledges and is familiar with the high standards, quality, style, and image of Licensor and Licensor’s products and services, and Licensee shall, at all times, conduct its business and use Said Marks in a manner consistent with these standards, quality, style, and image.

7. QUALITY MAINTENANCE

Licensee agrees to cooperate with Licensor in its obligation under Section 6. Licensee shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and obtain all appropriate government approvals pertaining to the sale, distribution and advertising of goods and services covered by Said Marks. Licensee shall promptly, upon Licensor’s request, provide Licensor with details of any complaints it has received relating to the goods and services of Licensee covered by Said Marks together with reports on the manner in which such complaints are being, or have been, dealt with and shall comply with any reasonable directions given by Licensor in respect thereof.

8. FORM OF USE

Licensee agrees to use Said Marks only in the form and manner and with appropriate legends and notices as prescribed from time to time by Licensor including that Said Marks are registered marks owned by Licensor.

9. INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any unauthorized use of Said Marks by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Marks and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Marks, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Marks within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Marks and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

 

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10. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Marks is valid; (ii) any of Said Marks (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

11. INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim or infringement, dilution, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, promotion, advertising, distribution or sale of the of the goods and services of Licensee covered by Said Marks.

12. TERM AND TERMINATION

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual unless terminated in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Marks; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods packaged, marked or otherwise branded with Said Marks in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

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13. SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 13 and Section 4, Section 10, Section 11, Section 12, Section 15, Section 16, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

14. MAINTENANCE OF TRADEMARKS

Licensor shall be solely responsible for filing and prosecuting trademark applications and maintaining trademark registrations for Said Marks and making all decisions related thereto in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides to not renew or otherwise maintain a trademark registration of Said Marks in any country, within the limits of Section 1 above, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to file the renewal or other maintenance action of such trademark registration, and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, file said renewal and pay the renewal fee to maintain such trademark registration at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of renewal, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such trademark registration to Licensee.

15. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

16. MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render

 

5


unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION      SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

     By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones      Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer      Title:   Member Executive Committee
       By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

       Name:   Laurence Boens
       Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.13

TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT

(to Sibelco Nederland N.V.)

THIS TRADEMARK ASSIGNMENT (“Assignment”) , effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”) is made by and between Covia Holdings Corporation (“Assignor”), a Delaware corporation having a place of business at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840, and SIBELCO NEDERLAND N.V. (“Assignee”), a corporation of the Netherlands having a place of business at Op de Bos 300, 6223 EP Maastricht, Netherlands.

WHEREAS, Assignor is the owner of the trademarks listed in the attached Schedule A and the corresponding trademark registrations listed in the attached Schedule A (hereinafter “Said Trademarks”);

WHEREAS , Assignee is interested in acquiring all of Assignor’s right, title and interest in Said Trademarks, and Assignor is willing to transfer all its right, title and interest in Said Trademarks to Assignee;

NOW, THEREFORE , to whom it may concern, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignor hereby sells, assigns, transfers and conveys to Assignee, its successors and assigns, its entire worldwide rights, title and interest in and to Said Trademarks including the goodwill of the business symbolized by Said Trademarks and the respective registrations therefore, to have and to hold the same for the sole exclusive use and benefit of Assignee, and for the use and benefit of its successors and assigns, as fully and entirely as the same would have been held and enjoyed by Assignor had the sale, assignment and transfer not been made. Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon reasonable request by the other party, and at Assignee’s sole cost and expense, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to maintain Said Trademarks including, but not limited to, recording this assignment with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary. This Assignment may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed one and the same agreement. Assignee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Assignor and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, taxes, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of or in connection with the sale, assignment, transfer and conveyance of Said Trademarks to Assignee by Assignor.

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank; signature page follows.]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Assignment as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SIBELCO NEDERLAND N.V.
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ John van Put

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   John van Put
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Bestuurder
      By:  

 

      Name:  

 

      Title:  

 

Exhibit 10.14

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of

June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

   Country    Application No.    Filing Date    Patent No.    Grant Date

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   United States    11/803093    5/11/2007    8858699    10/14/2014

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   WIPO    PCT/US07/15855    7/12/2007    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   Europe    7796807.1    7/12/2007    2054468    8/31/2016

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   Belgium    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   France    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   Germany    2054468    7/12/2007    60 2007 047 743.3    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   Italy    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   Netherlands    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   United Kingdom    2 054 468    7/12/2007    2054468    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   United States    14/481657    9/9/2014    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   United States    15/155455    5/16/2016    N/A    N/A

ULTRA FINE NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER AND PRODUCTS FOR USING SAME

   United States    15/943645    4/2/2018    N/A    N/A

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License

Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

2. SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3. RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.

4. OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow

 

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and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5. FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

6. INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any

 

3


obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

8. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

10. TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails

 

4


to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.    

11. SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10, Section 13, Section 14, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

12. MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio

 

5


in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Member Executive Committee
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.15

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

   Country    Application No.    Filing Date    Patent No.    Grant Date

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   United
States
   12/237628    9/25/2008    8182601    5/22/2012

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   WIPO    PCT/US2008/077657    9/25/2008    N/A    N/A

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Brazil    PI0822390-4    9/25/2008    N/A    N/A

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Canada    2720666    9/25/2008    2720666    2/25/2014

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   China    2008801286634    9/25/2008    2008801286634    9/17/2014

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   China    2014104119823    9/25/2008    N/A    N/A

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Colombia    10128358    10/15/2010    N/A    N/A

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   India    6496/CHENP/2010    10/12/2010    284543    6/23/2017

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Israel    207368    9/25/2008    207368    10/1/2014

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Japan    2011-504994    9/25/2008    5480884    2/21/2014

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Europe    8873950.3    9/25/2008    2 268 748    7/27/2016

 

1


POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Germany    602008045373.1    9/25/2008    602008045373.1    9/25/2008

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   France    2268748    9/25/2008    2268748    9/25/2008

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   United Kingdom    2268748    9/25/2008    2268748    9/25/2008

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   Netherlands    2268748    9/25/2008    2268748    9/25/2008

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   United States    13/420757    3/15/2012    8795427    8/5/2014

POWDER FORMED FROM MINERAL OR ROCK MATERIAL WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR THERMAL FILMS

   United States    14/313397    6/24/2014    9266115    2/23/2016

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License

Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

 

2


2. SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3. RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.    

4. OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5. FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

 

3


6. INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

 

4


8. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

10. TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred

 

5


twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.    

11. SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10, Section 13, Section 14, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

12. MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege

 

6


arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

   

SCR-SIBELCO NV

By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

   

By:

 

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones    

Name:

 

Kurt Decat

Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer    

Title:

  Member Executive Committee
     

By:

 

/s/ Laurence Boens

     

Name:

 

Laurence Boens

     

Title:

  Member Executive Committee

 

Exhibit 10.16

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

   Country    Application No.    Filing Date    Patent No.    Grant Date

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   United States    12/215643    6/27/2008    9034096    5/19/2015

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   Brazil    PI0814106-1    6/27/2008    N/A    N/A

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   Canada    2691830    6/27/2008    2691830    7/29/2014

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   China    2008800239354    6/27/2008    2008800239354    3/20/2013

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   Europe    08779806-2    6/27/2008    N/A    N/A

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   India    97/CHENP/2010    1/6/2010    290240    12/4/2017

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   Japan    2010-516024    6/27/2008    5275345    5/24/2013

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   Japan    2013-103004    5/15/2013    N/A    N/A

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   WIPO    PCT/US2008/008005    6/27/2008    N/A    N/A

NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER WITH CONTROLLED PARTICLE SIZE AND NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING SAME

   United States    14/687845    4/15/2015    N/A    N/A

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

 

1


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

2. SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3. RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.

4. OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to

 

2


use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5. FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

6. INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the

 

3


Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

8. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

10. TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily,

 

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to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

11. SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10, Section 13, Section 14, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

12. MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

 

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14. MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Member Executive Committee
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.17

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

  Country   Application No.   Filing Date   Patent No.    Grant Date

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  United States   12/009693   1/22/2008   7757976    7/20/2010

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  WIPO   PCT/US2008/000843   1/23/2008   N/A    N/A

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Brazil   PI0807116-0   1/23/2008   N/A    N/A

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Canada   2618864   1/23/2008   2618864    4/3/2012

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  China   200880004251.X   1/23/2008   200880004251X    6/12/2013

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  China   2013101731387   1/23/2008   103331194    5/20/2015

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Europe   8713224.9   1/23/2008   N/A    N/A

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  India   4617/CHEN/2009   8/6/2009   N/A    N/A

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Japan   2009-549074   1/23/2008   5230655    3/29/2013

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Mexico   Mx/a/2008/01809   2/7/2008   281981    12/13/2010

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  Mexico   10/11712   2/7/2008   320184    5/14/2014

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  United States   12/823313   6/25/2010   7942351    5/17/2011

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  United States   12/985035   1/5/2011   N/A    N/A

METHOD OF PROCESSING NEPHELINE SYENITE POWDER TO PRODUCE AN ULTRA- FINE GRAIN SIZE PRODUCT

  United States   12/985071   1/5/2011   8070080    12/6/2011

 

1


WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

2. SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3. RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License

 

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Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.    

4. OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5. FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

6. INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of

 

3


Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

8. DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

 

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10. TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

11. SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 10, Section 13, Section 14, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

12. MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

 

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13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

14. MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Member Executive Committee
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.18

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

   Country    Application No.    Filing Date    Patent No.    Grant Date

DUST FREE SILICA PARTICLES

   United States    62/512401    5/30/2017    N/A    N/A

DUST FREE SILICA PARTICLES

   United States    15907335    2/28/2018    N/A    N/A

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty- free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1.    GRANT OF LICENSE

Subject to Section 10, Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty- free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

 

1


2.    SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3.    RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.

4.    OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5.    FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

 

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6.    INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7.    CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential

 

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Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

8.    DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9.    INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

10.    RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Licensee and Licensor agree that nothing in this License Agreement shall grant Licensee, its affiliates or subsidiaries any right to use Said Patents other than (i) internally at facilities of Licensee, its affiliates or subsidiaries; (ii) in connection with products for the glass industry outside of North America, or (iii) in connection with products for the construction industry outside of North America.

11.    TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if

 

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Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

12.    SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 11, Section 14, Section 15, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

13.    MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

14.    GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of

 

5


Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

15.    MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Member Executive Committee
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.19

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

THIS PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENT (“License Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of June, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and between: Covia Holdings Corporation , a Delaware Corporation, having a business address at 258 Elm Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (hereinafter “Licensor”); and SCR-Sibelco N.V. , a corporation of Belgium, having a business address at Plantin Moretuslei 1A Antwerp Belgium B-2018 (hereinafter “Licensee”).

WHEREAS, Licensor has the right to grant nonexclusive licenses to others to make, have made, import use, sell and offer to sell the inventions claimed in the following patents and/or patent applications along with all rights associated with the following patents and/or patent applications (hereinafter “Said Patents”):

 

Title

   Country      Application No.      Filing Date      Patent No.      Grant Date  

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COATING A PROPPANT

     United States        62/206524        8/18/2015        N/A        N/A  

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COATING A PROPPANT

     United States        15/232912        8/10/2016        N/A        N/A  

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Licensee desires to acquire from Licensor, and Licensor is willing to grant to Licensee, a perpetual, royalty- free, worldwide, nonexclusive license under Said Patents, the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, and any future claims that may issue from Said Patents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1.    GRANT OF LICENSE

Subject to Section 10, Licensor grants to Licensee and its Affiliates a worldwide, royalty- free, nonexclusive license to use Said Patents to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale, or any combination thereof the inventions disclosed in Said Patents, claimed in Said Patents, and claimed in any future applications that may issue from Said Patents along with the knowhow and trade secrets that are needed to practice Said Patents that are known as of the date of this License Agreement, and Licensee accepts the license subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this License Agreement and as is limited by applicable laws. For the purpose of this License Agreement, an “Affiliate” of a party means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, association, or other entity (“Person”) that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the party. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise/ownership, beneficially or of record, of more than 50 percent (50%) of the voting securities of a Person.

 

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2.    SUBLICENSING AND ASSIGNMENT

The license to use Said Patents conferred to Licensee and its Affiliates in Section 1 above is not assignable or otherwise transferrable, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, by operation of law, or otherwise (other than exhaustion or the first sale doctrines or other similar rights conferred on third parties), by Licensee to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates), and does not include the right to sublicense Said Patents to any third parties (other than Licensee’s Affiliates) without the consent of Licensor, which consent Licensor shall not unreasonably withhold, condition, or delay. For purposes of this License Agreement, an assignment shall include (i) the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Licensee; (ii) the sale or transfer of a majority or controlling interest in Licensee; or (iii) the statutory merger or consolidation of Licensee into another entity.

3.    RIGHTS RETAINED BY LICENSOR

Licensor retains all rights not expressly conferred to Licensee and its affiliates and subsidiaries in this License Agreement including, but not limited to, the right to grant non-exclusive licenses to third parties. Without limiting the foregoing, all rights granted to Licensee under this License Agreement are subject to Licensor’s and its Affiliates’ reserved right to use Said Patents in their respective businesses, including to make, have made, use, import, sell or offer for sale products similar or competitive to those of Licensee and its Affiliates, anywhere in the world.

4.    OWNERSHIP

Licensee acknowledges the ownership of Said Patents in Licensor and agrees that Licensee will do nothing inconsistent with such ownership. Licensee agrees that nothing in this License Agreement shall give Licensee any right, title or interest in Said Patents other than the right to use the inventions disclosed in Said Patents along with the right to use the necessary knowhow and trade secrets and the inventions claimed in Said Patents in accordance with the terms of this License Agreement and as allowed under applicable laws. And, Licensee agrees that Licensee will not attack the title of Licensor to Said Patents or the validity of Said Patents.

5.    FURTHER ASSURANCES

Each party shall, at any time and from time to time on and after the Effective Date, upon request by the other party and without further consideration, take or cause to be taken such actions and execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be executed, acknowledged and delivered, such instruments and documents as may be required to better effectuate the spirit and purpose of this License Agreement, including but not limited to signing any necessary documents to record the license of any currently owned or newly filed patent application or issued patent for Said Patents with appropriate government authorities, as may be necessary.

 

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6.    INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Licensee agrees to notify Licensor in writing of any infringement of Said Patents by others as it comes to Licensee’s attention. Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall have the first right, but not obligation, to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded. In the event Licensor brings an infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents, Licensor may, for such purposes, request Licensee to join any such action or otherwise assist Licensor with such action, provided that all reasonable and documented costs and fees associated therewith shall be borne by Licensor.

However, in the event that Licensor does not take action with respect to the unauthorized use of Said Patents within one hundred twenty (120) days of receiving notice of such unauthorized use, then Licensee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to bring infringement and/or unfair competition proceedings involving Said Patents and recover any damages that may be rewarded.

7.    CONFIDENTIALITY

Licensee acknowledges that in connection with this License Agreement it will gain access to non-public, confidential, or proprietary information of Licensor, or its Affiliates, whether in oral, written, electronic, or other form or media, whether or not such information is marked, designated, or otherwise identified as “confidential” any information that, due to the nature of its subject matter or circumstances surrounding its disclosure, would reasonably be understood to be confidential or proprietary, including, specifically the licensed knowhow and trade secrets of Licensor (the “Confidential Information”). Confidential Information does not include information that Licensee can demonstrate by documentation: (i) was already known to Licensee without restriction on use or disclosure prior to the receipt of such information directly or indirectly from or on behalf of Licensor; (ii) was or is independently developed by Licensee without reference to or use of any Confidential Information; (iii) was or becomes generally known by the public other than by breach of this License Agreement by, or other wrongful act of, Licensee, or its Affiliates; or (iv) was received by Licensee from a third party who was not, at the time, under any obligation to Licensor or any other Person to maintain the confidentiality of such information. As a condition to being provided with Confidential Information, the Licensee shall: (i) not use the Confidential Information other than as strictly necessary to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) maintain the Confidential Information in strict confidence and, not disclose the Confidential Information without Licensor’s prior written consent. The term of foregoing prohibitions and requirements regarding the use and disclosure of the Confidential Information shall be: (i) in the case of Confidential Information that constitutes a trade secret, for as long as it remains a trade secret; and (ii) in the case of any other Confidential Information, for term of this License Agreement and for five (5) years thereafter. Licensee shall use reasonable care, at least as protective as the efforts it uses for its own confidential information, to safeguard the Confidential Information from use or disclosure other than as permitted hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Licensee becomes legally compelled to disclose any Confidential

 

3


Information, the Licensee shall: (i) provide prompt written notice to Licensor so that Licensor may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive its rights under this Section; and (ii) disclose only the portion of Confidential Information that it is legally required to furnish.

8.    DISCLAIMER OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Nothing in this Agreement constitutes any representation or warranty by Licensor that: (i) any of Said Patents is valid; (ii) any of Said Patents (if subject to a pending application) shall proceed to grant or, if granted, shall be valid; or (iii) the exercise by Licensee of rights granted under this License Agreement will not infringe the rights of any third party.

9.    INDEMNIFICATION

Licensee shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Licensor and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs, or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers arising out of, in connection with, or relating to any actual or alleged: (a) breach by Licensee of any representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation under this License Agreement; or (b) Licensee’s exercise of its rights granted under this Agreement, including any product liability claim, use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets, or infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of any intellectual property rights relating to the manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of any products made by the use of Said Patents or the licensed knowhow or trade secrets.

10.    RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Licensee and Licensor agree that nothing in this License Agreement shall grant Licensee, its affiliates or subsidiaries any right to use Said Patents other than (i) internally at facilities of Licensee, its affiliates or subsidiaries; (ii) in connection with products for the glass industry outside of North America, or (iii) in connection with products for the construction industry outside of North America.

11.    TERM

The license conferred to Licensee by this License Agreement is perpetual with respect to the licensed knowhow and trade secrets and, with respect to any issued patents, will continue in force and effect for the full term of such licensed patent unless terminated earlier in accordance with this Section. Licensor may terminate this License Agreement immediately on written notice to Licensee if: (i) Licensee breaches this License Agreement and (if such breach is curable) fails to cure such breach within ninety (90) days of being notified in writing to do so; provided, however, the parties agree that such ninety (90) day period shall be extended by an additional period of not less than thirty (30) days if

 

4


Licensee is taking bona fide action to cure the breach at the end of such ninety (90) day period; (ii) Licensee (a) becomes insolvent or admits its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; (b) becomes subject, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any proceeding under any domestic or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency law, which is not fully stayed within seven (7) business days or is not dismissed or vacated within forty-five (45) days after filing; (iii) is dissolved or liquidated or takes any corporate action for such purpose; (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (v) has a receiver, trustee, custodian, or similar agent appointed by order of any court of competent jurisdiction to take charge of or sell any material portion of its property or business. Upon the termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall cease all uses of Said Patents; provided, however, that Licensee shall have the right to dispose of all stocks of goods covered by Said Patents in its possession and in the course of manufacture or production as of the date of termination for a period of one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of termination (or such longer period as the parties may agree, acting reasonably and in good faith, taking into account the quantity of such stocks of goods), in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

12.    SURVIVING RIGHTS

The rights and obligations of the parties set forth in this Section 12 and Section 4, Section 7, Section 8, Section 9, Section 11, Section 14, Section 15, and any right, obligation, or required performance of the parties in this License Agreement, which, by its express terms or nature and context is intended to survive termination or expiration of this License Agreement, will survive any such termination.

13.    MAINTENANCE OF PATENTS

For each patent and patent application included in Said Patents, Licensor shall be solely responsible for, and make all decisions concerning, the preparation, filing, prosecution, and maintenance thereof in its sole discretion. If Licensor decides not to pay maintenance or renewal fees to maintain a patent of Said Patents in any country, Licensor will provide reasonable notice to Licensee to allow Licensee to pay the maintenance or renewal fees for such patent and wherein Licensee can, in its sole discretion, pay said maintenance or renewal fees to maintain such patent of Said Patents at Licensee’s expense. And, if Licensee exercises such right of maintenance or renewal fee payment, Licensor shall promptly take the necessary steps and execute the necessary documents to assign all rights, title and interest in and to such patent to Licensee.

14.    GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

This License Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Ohio or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of laws of any other. Any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this License Agreement will be instituted exclusively in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of Ohio in each case located in the city of Cleveland and County of

 

5


Cuyahoga, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action, or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice, or other document by mail to such party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action, or other proceeding brought in any such court.

15.    MISCELLANEOUS

The rights and obligations set forth in this License Agreement shall apply to any and all successors and permitted assigns of the Parties hereto. This License Agreement may only be amended, modified, or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by each party hereto. No waiver by either party of any of the provisions hereof will be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the waiving party. Except as otherwise set forth in this License Agreement, no failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power, or privilege arising from this License Agreement will operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor will 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. If any term or provision of this License Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this License Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Upon a determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this License Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. Licensee acknowledges that a breach by Licensee of this License Agreement may cause Licensor irreparable harm, for which an award of damages would not be adequate compensation and agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, Licensor will be entitled to equitable relief, including in the form of a restraining order, orders for preliminary or permanent injunction, specific performance, and any other relief that may be available from any court, and Licensee hereby waives any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond or the showing of actual monetary damages in connection with such relief. These remedies will not be deemed to be exclusive but are be in addition to all other remedies available under this License Agreement at law or in equity, subject to any express exclusions or limitations in this License Agreement to the contrary.

[ Signature page follows ]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this License Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION     SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

    By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Campbell Jones     Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer     Title:   Member Executive Committee
      By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

      Name:   Laurence Boens
      Title:   Member Executive Committee

Exhibit 10.20

REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

This REDEMPTION AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) dated as of May 29, 2018, by and between UNIMIN CORPORATION , a Delaware corporation ( Unimin ), and SCR-SIBELCO NV , a company incorporated under the laws of Belgium ( Sibelco ). Unimin and Sibelco are each referred to herein individually as a party and collectively as the parties . Reference is made herein to that certain agreement and plan of merger, dated as of December 11, 2017 (the Merger Agreement ) by and among Sibelco, Unimin, Bison Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Unimin, Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Merger Agreement.

WHEREAS , concurrently with the execution of an intercompany loan note (the Intercompany Loan Note ) by and between Unimin and Sibelco pursuant to which Unimin promises to pay $520,377,361.00 to Sibelco, Sibelco and Parent wish to execute this Agreement, pursuant to which Unimin will redeem 208,089 shares of Unimin common stock in exchange for the Intercompany Loan Note.

NOW THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the parties hereby agree as follows:

Section  1 .      Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set out below shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) Closing shall mean the consummation of the Redemption.

 

(b) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

 

(c) Redemption shall mean the redemption of the Unimin Shares acquired by Unimin from Sibelco, as contemplated by Section 2 of this Agreement.

 

(d) Unimin Shares shall mean two hundred thousand, eight thousand and eighty-nine (208,089) shares of common stock of Unimin, par value $1.00 per share, owned by Sibelco.

Section  2 .      Redemption . Unimin hereby agrees to redeem the Unimin Shares owned by Sibelco and, in consideration therefor, Sibelco hereby agrees to assign, transfer and convey the Unimin Shares to Unimin by duly executing and delivering to Unimin a stock power substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A .

Section  3 .      Consideration . In consideration of the Redemption, Unimin hereby agrees to execute the Intercompany Loan Note concurrently herewith and pay $520,377,361.00 to Sibelco in accordance with the terms set forth in the Intercompany Loan Note.


Section  4 .      Representations and Warranties . Each party represents and warrants to the other parties that it has all requisite corporate or equivalent power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is made without any other representation or warranty.

Section  5 .      Closing .     The Closing will be deemed to take place at the offices of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, immediately following execution of this Agreement, at which time the parties hereto shall make all the deliveries contemplated in this Agreement.

Section  6 .      Further Assurances . The parties hereby covenant, at any time and from time to time after delivery of this instrument, at the other party’s request and without further consideration, to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such further documents and instruments, and to take all such further actions as shall be necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

Section  7 .      No Third-Party Beneficiaries . There are not any intended third-party beneficiaries of any provision of the Agreement.

Section 8 .      Amendments; No Waivers .

 

(a) Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by each party to this Agreement or, in the case of a waiver, by each party against whom the waiver is to be effective.

 

(b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

Section 9 .      Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by either party without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment without such consent shall be void. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 10 .      Governing Law . This Agreement shall governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of the conflicts of laws thereof: provided , however, that the laws of the respective jurisdictions of incorporation of each of the parties hereto shall govern the relative rights, obligations, powers, duties and other internal affairs of such party and its board of directors.

Section 11 .      Captions . The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored as in the construction or interpretation hereof.

 

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Section 12 .      Severability .    If any term, provision, covenant, restriction or other condition of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or law, or public policy, all other terms, provisions, covenants, restrictions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either party. Upon such a determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to affect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated to the extent possible.

Section 13 .      Counterparts .     This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

Section 14 .      Enforcement ; Expenses of Litigation .

 

(a) Each party hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware State or United States Federal court sitting within the State of Delaware with respect to disputes arising out of this Agreement.

 

(b) Upon final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to any disputes arising out of this Agreement, the party against which judgment has been entered shall reimburse the prevailing party for all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the defense or prosecution, as the case may be, of such dispute.

Section 15 .      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .     EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 16 .      Entire Agreement .     This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

Section 17 .      Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by their authorized officer as of the date first above written.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Campbell Jones
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

 

SCR-SIBELCO NV
By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Cash Redemption Agreement


EXHIBIT A

Stock Power

 

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STOCK POWER

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SCR-Sibelco NV hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto Unimin Corporation 208,089 shares of the common stock, par value $1.00 (the Shares ) of Unimin Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Corporation ), standing in its name on the books of the Corporation, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP attorney to transfer the said Shares on the books of the Corporation maintained for that purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated: May 29, 2018


By:  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

 

By:  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Cash Redemption Stock Power

Exhibit 10.21

INTERCOMPANY NOTE

Amount: $520,377,361.00

May 29, 2018                   

IN CONSIDERATION for the redemption of 208,089 shares of common stock of Unimin Corporation (the Payor ) held by SCR-Sibelco NV (the Payee ) pursuant to that certain Redemption Agreement dated as of the date hereof, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Intercompany Note ( Note ), the Payor, hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the order of the Payee, in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available funds, at such location as the Payee shall designate in writing, $520,377,361.00 on June 1, 2018. The Payor further agrees to pay interest to the Payee on the unpaid principal amount hereof from June 13, 2018 at a rate per annum equal to 2.18%, and thereafter, until payment in full of the principal amount hereof (whether before or after judgment).

Upon the commencement by or against the Payor of any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar proceeding of any jurisdiction relating to the Payor or its debts, the unpaid principal amount hereof shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note.

The Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances made by it to the Payor (all of which shall be evidenced by this Note), and all repayments thereof, in its books and records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information contained therein.

The Payor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with this Note. All payments under this Note shall be made without counterclaim of any kind.

This Note shall be binding upon the Payor and its successors and assigns, and the terms and provisions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of the Payee and its successors and assigns, including subsequent holders hereof. The Payor’s obligations under this Note may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Payee.

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Note as of the date first above written.

 

UNIMIN CORPORATION

as Payor

By  

/s/ Campbell Jones

Name:   Campbell Jones
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

SCR-SIBELCO NV

as Payee

By  

/s/ Kurt Decat

Name:   Kurt Decat
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

SCR-SIBELCO NV

as Payee

By  

/s/ Laurence Boens

Name:   Laurence Boens
Title:   Member of Executive Committee

Signature Page to Intercompany Note

Exhibit 10.22

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of _____________, 20__ by and between Covia Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ____________ (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company the (“Certificate of Incorporation”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that

 


Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the DGCL. The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve as an [officer] [director] [agent] [employee] of the Company, as provided in Section 16 hereof.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a) References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

(b) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

i. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below), other than SCR-Sibelco NV or its subsidiaries (“Sibelco”), is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, so long as such Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of a larger percentage than Sibelco of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

ii. Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

iii. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

iv. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

v. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(A) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

(B) “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(C) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

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(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

(d) “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(e) “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(f) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(g) “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

(h) “Indemnity Obligations” shall mean all obligations of the Company to Indemnitee under this Agreement, including the Company’s obligations to provide indemnification to Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

(i) The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. If the Indemnitee believes in good faith that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, this shall be considered a Proceeding under this paragraph.

(j) “Sponsor Entities” shall mean (i) SCR-Sibelco NV and (ii) any subsidiary of SCR-Sibelco NV; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall be considered Sponsor Entities hereunder.

(k) Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

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Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of its stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.

Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court (as hereinafter defined) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 6. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

Section 8. Additional Indemnification.

(a) Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status.

(b) For purposes of Section 8(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

i. to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and

 

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ii. to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

Section 9. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim involving Indemnitee:

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act (or any similar rule); or

(c) except as provided in Section 14(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee or any Sponsor Entity, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee or any Sponsor Entity against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

Section 10. Advances of Expenses. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 14(d)), the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee with the prior approval of the Board as provided in Section 9(c), and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement. In accordance with Section 14(d), advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. This Section 10 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

Section 11. Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. The omission by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

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Section 12. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

(a) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a), a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied.

(b) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising Indemnitee of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

Section 13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) Subject to Section 14(e), if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such

 

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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 applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

(d) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Enterprise. The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 14. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Subject to Section 14(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, 6 or 7 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 8 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided , however , that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

 

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(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, 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 applicable law.

(d) The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

Section 15. Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a) The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement and insurance provided by one or more Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of the Indemnity Obligations, (ii) the Company shall be primarily liable for all Indemnification Obligations and any indemnification afforded to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding, Expense, Liability or matter that is the subject of Indemnity Obligations, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise, (iii) any obligation of any other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) to indemnify Indemnitee or advance Expenses or Liabilities to Indemnitee in respect of any Proceeding shall be secondary to the obligations of the Company hereunder, (iv) the Company shall be required to indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses or Liabilities to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, any Sponsor Entity) or insurer of any such Person and (v) the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) from any claim of contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company hereunder. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitations, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss which is the subject of any Indemnity Obligation owed by the Company or payable under any Company insurance policy, the payor shall have a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurer or insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurer or insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment of an Indemnity Obligation by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated

 

8


(including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for any Indemnity Obligation to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity). Any indemnification, insurance or advancement provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including, without limitation, any Sponsor Entity) with respect to any liability arising as a result of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or capacity as an officer or director of any Person is specifically in excess over any Indemnity Obligation of the Company or valid and any collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company under this Agreement.

(c) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(d) In the event of any payment made 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, who 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.

(e) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

(f) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

Section 16. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company or (b) one (1) year after the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 18. Enforcement.

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter

 

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hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Section 19. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 20. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

Section 21. Notices. 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 and receipted for 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 or (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed:

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

(b) If to the Company to

Covia Holdings Corporation

[address]

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

Section 22. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

Section 23. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, 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 “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 [ address of agent for service of process ] 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 24. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

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Section 25. Third-Party Beneficiaries . The Sponsor Entities are intended third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement and shall have all of the rights afforded to Indemnitee under this Agreement.

Section 26. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

Covia Holdings Corporation     INDEMNITEE
By:      
 

 

Name:

   

 

Name:

 

Office:

    Address:     
          
          

 

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Exhibit 10.23

F INAL V ERSION

COVIA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

 

 

2018 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Covia Holdings Corporation 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XV.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1 Affiliate means each of the following: (a) any Subsidiary; (b) any Parent; (c) any corporation, trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which is directly or indirectly controlled 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) by the Company or one of its Affiliates; or (d) any trade or business (including, without limitation, a partnership or limited liability company) which directly or indirectly controls 50% or more (whether by ownership of stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting interest) of the Company; provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Common Stock subject to any Award constitutes “service recipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code or otherwise does not subject the Award to Section 409A of the Code.

2.2 Award means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock Award, Performance Award, Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award. All Awards shall be confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, an Award Agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

2.3 Award Agreement means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and conditions applicable to an Award.

2.4 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.5 Cause means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or


an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award (or where there is such an agreement but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), termination due to a Participant’s insubordination, dishonesty, fraud, incompetence, moral turpitude, willful misconduct, refusal to perform the Participant’s duties or responsibilities for any reason other than illness or incapacity or materially unsatisfactory performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or an Affiliate, as determined by the Committee in its good faith discretion, or material breach of any employment or other material written agreement between the Participant and the Company or its Affiliates; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, consulting agreement, change in control agreement or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement; provided, however, that with regard to any agreement under which the definition of “cause” only applies on occurrence of a change in control, such definition of “cause” shall not apply until a change in control actually takes place and then only with regard to a termination thereafter. With respect to a Participant’s Termination of Directorship, “cause” means an act or failure to act that constitutes cause for removal of a director under applicable Delaware law.

2.6 Change in Control has the meaning set forth in 11.2.

2.7 Change in Control Price has the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.

2.8 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any treasury regulation promulgated thereunder.

2.9 Committee means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan.

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

2.11 Company means Covia Holdings Corporation (formerly known as Unimin Corporation), a Delaware corporation, and its successors by operation of law.

2.12 Consultant means any Person who is an advisor or consultant to the Company or its Affiliates (provided that any such consultant also meets the eligibility requirements for employees specified in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act).

2.13 Disability means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, with respect to a Participant’s Termination, a permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. A Disability shall only be deemed to occur at the time of the determination by the Committee of the Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, Disability shall mean that a Participant is disabled under Section 409A(a)(2)(C)(i) or (ii) of the Code.

2.14 Effective Date means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XV.


2.15 Eligible Employees means each employee of the Company or an Affiliate (provided that any such employee also meets the eligibility requirements for employees specified in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act).

2.16 Eligible Individual means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.17 Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.18 Fair Market Value means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, the closing price reported for the Common Stock on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or (b) if the Common Stock is not traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. If the Common Stock is publicly traded, listed or otherwise reported or quoted, and there are no sales on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price reported for the Common Stock on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred.

2.19 Family Member means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.

2.20 Incentive Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded to an Eligible Employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parents (if any) under the Plan intended to be and designated as an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.21 Non-Employee Director means a director or a member of the Board of the Company or any Affiliate who is not an active employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

2.22 Non-Qualified Stock Option means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.23 Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to receive an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (x) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such right is exercised, and (y) the aggregate exercise price of such right, otherwise than on surrender of a Stock Option.

2.24 Other Cash-Based Award means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.3 of the Plan and payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.


2.25 Other Stock-Based Award means an Award under Article X of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including, without limitation, an Award valued by reference to an Affiliate.

2.26 Parent means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.27 Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.28 Performance Award means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article IX hereof contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.

2.29 Performance Goals means goals established by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable.

2.30 Performance Period means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.

2.31 Person means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a government or any branch, department, agency, political subdivision or official thereof.

2.32 Plan means this Covia Holdings Corporation 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.33 Proceeding has the meaning set forth in Section 14.9.

2.34 Reference Stock Option has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

2.35 Reorganization has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b)(ii).

2.36 Restricted Stock means an Award of shares of Common Stock under the Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VIII.

2.37 Restriction Period has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock.

2.38 Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

2.39 Section  409A of the Code means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.


2.40 Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.41 Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII.

2.42 Stock Option or Option means any option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI.

2.43 Subsidiary means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.44 Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall mean the right to surrender to the Company all (or a portion) of a Stock Option in exchange for an amount in cash and/or stock equal to the difference between (i) the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option (or such portion thereof) is surrendered, of the Common Stock covered by such Stock Option (or such portion thereof), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Stock Option (or such portion thereof).

2.45 Ten Percent Stockholder means a Person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.46 Termination means a Termination of Consultancy, Termination of Directorship or Termination of Employment, as applicable.

2.47 Termination of Consultancy means: (a) that the Consultant is no longer acting as a consultant to the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) when an entity which is retaining a Participant as a Consultant ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, a Consultant to the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that a Consultant becomes an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Consultant’s consultancy, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Consultancy shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Consultant is no longer a Consultant, an Eligible Employee or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Consultancy thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Consultancy” does not cause the applicable Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

2.48 Termination of Directorship means that the Non-Employee Director has ceased to be a director of the Company; except that if a Non-Employee Director becomes an Eligible Employee or a Consultant upon the termination of such Non-Employee Director’s directorship, such Non-Employee Director’s ceasing to be a director of the Company shall not be treated as a Termination of Directorship unless and until the Participant has a Termination of Employment or Termination of Consultancy, as the case may be.


2.49 Termination of Employment means: (a) a termination of employment of a Participant from the Company and its Affiliates; or (b) when an entity which is employing a Participant ceases to be an Affiliate, unless the Participant otherwise is, or thereupon becomes, employed by the Company or another Affiliate at the time the entity ceases to be an Affiliate. In the event that an Eligible Employee becomes a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director upon the termination of such Eligible Employee’s employment, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, no Termination of Employment shall be deemed to occur until such time as such Eligible Employee is no longer an Eligible Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may otherwise define Termination of Employment in the Award Agreement or, if no rights of a Participant are reduced, may otherwise define Termination of Employment thereafter, provided that any such change to the definition of the term “Termination of Employment” does not cause the applicable Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

2.50 Transfer means: (a) when used as a noun, any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance or other disposition (including the issuance of equity in any entity), whether for value or no value and whether voluntary or involuntary (including by operation of law), and (b) when used as a verb, to directly or indirectly transfer, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, charge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including the issuance of equity in any entity) whether for value or for no value and whether voluntarily or involuntarily (including by operation of law). “Transferred” and “Transferable” shall have a correlative meaning.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 The Committee . The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Committee. Unless the entire Board constitutes the Committee, to the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall qualify as (a) a “non-employee director” under Rule 16b-3 and (b) an “independent director” under the rules of any national securities exchange or national securities association, as applicable. If it is later determined that one or more members of the Committee do not so qualify, actions taken by the Committee prior to such determination shall be valid despite such failure to qualify.

3.2 Grants of Awards . The Committee shall have full authority to grant, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, to Eligible Individuals: (i) Stock Options, (ii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) Restricted Stock Awards, (iv) Performance Awards; (v) Other Stock-Based Awards; and (vi) Other Cash-Based Awards. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority:

(a) to select the Eligible Individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted hereunder;

(b) to determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;


(c) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(d) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

(e) to determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(f) to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(g) to determine whether and under what circumstances a Stock Option may be settled in cash, Common Stock and/or Restricted Stock under Section 6.4(d);

(h) to determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;

(i) to determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award;

(j) to modify, extend or renew an Award, subject to Article XII and Section 6.4(l), provided, however, that such action does not cause the Award to fail to comply with Section 409A of the Code; and

(k) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances to provide loans (which may be on a recourse basis and shall bear interest at the rate the Committee shall provide) to Participants in order to exercise Options under the Plan.

3.3 Guidelines . Subject to Article XII hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special guidelines and provisions for Persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of, any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to comply with applicable tax and


securities laws of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action of the Committee under this Section 3.3 shall impair the rights of any Participant without the Participant’s consent. To the extent applicable, the Plan is intended to comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 and the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in a manner so as to comply therewith.

3.4 Decisions Final . Any decision, interpretation or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

3.5 Procedures . Unless the entire Board constitutes the Committee, if the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the By-Laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by applicable law. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the Committee members in accordance with the By-Laws of the Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

3.6 Designation of Consultants/Liability .

(a) The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by applicable law and applicable exchange rules) may grant authority to officers to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee. In the event of any designation of authority hereunder, subject to applicable law, applicable stock exchange rules and any limitations imposed by the Committee in connection with such designation, such designee or designees shall have the power and authority to take such actions, exercise such powers and make such determinations that are otherwise specifically designated to the Committee hereunder.

(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members and any Person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.


3.7 Indemnification . To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such Person, each officer or employee of the Company or any Affiliate and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification the employees, officers, directors or members or former officers, directors or members may have under applicable law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to such individual under the Plan.

ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1 Shares .

(a) The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 10,000,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2), which may be either authorized and unissued Common Stock or Common Stock held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan shall be 2,000,000 shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to Section 4.2). With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights settled in Common Stock, upon settlement, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Stock Appreciation Rights shall count against the aggregate and individual share limitations set forth under this Section 4.1. If any Option or Other Stock-Based Awards granted under the Plan is forfeited, expires, terminates, is settled for cash (in whole or in part) or is unearned (in whole or in part) or is canceled for any reason without having been exercised in full, the number of shares of Common Stock underlying any such Award shall again be available for the purpose of Awards under the Plan to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, cash settlement or unearned amount. If any shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards denominated in shares of Common Stock awarded under the Plan to a Participant are cancelled, are forfeited, expire, or are unearned (in whole or in part) for any reason, the number of such shares subject to such Restricted Stock, Performance Awards or Other Stock-Based Awards shall again be available for purposes of Awards under the Plan to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration or unearned amount. If a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or a Limited Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with an Option, such grant shall only apply once against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued under the Plan. Any Award under the Plan settled in cash shall not be counted against the foregoing maximum share limitations. If, under this Plan, a Participant has elected to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for shares of Common Stock under this Plan based on fair market value, such shares of Common


Stock will not count against the aggregate limit under this Section 4.1(a). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, (i) shares of Common Stock withheld by the Company, tendered or otherwise used in payment of the exercise price of an Option, (ii) shares of Common Stock withheld by the Company, tendered or otherwise used to satisfy tax withholding, and (iii) shares of Common Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Stock Options will not be added (or added back, as applicable) to the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock available under this Section 4.1(a) of the Plan.

(b) Annual Non-Employee Director Compensation Limitation . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article IV or elsewhere in the Plan, in no event will any individual Non-Employee Director in any fiscal year of the Company be granted compensation for such Non-Employee Director service having an aggregate maximum value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) exceeding $750,000.

4.2 Changes .

(a) The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board, the Committee or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Common Stock, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.1:

(i) If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, or combines (by reverse split, combination or otherwise) its outstanding Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, or engages in any other corporate transaction or event having an effect substantially similar to the foregoing, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant elected exercise and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by outstanding Awards, and other Award terms, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as it determines is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(ii) Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.2(b)(i), if the Company effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction or event having an effect substantially similar to the foregoing in such a manner that the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or other property of the Company or other entity (each, a Reorganization ), then, subject to the provisions of Section 11.1, the Committee shall


make or provide for such adjustments in the number of and kind of securities covered by any Award granted hereunder, in the exercise price provided in outstanding Awards, and in other Award terms, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iii) If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.2(b)(i) or 4.2(b)(ii), including by reason of any extraordinary dividend (whether cash or equity), any conversion, any adjustment, any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, or any other corporate transaction or event having an effect substantially similar to the foregoing, then the Committee shall adjust any Award and its terms and make such other adjustments to the Plan, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iv) If there shall occur any transaction or event described in Section 4.2(b)(ii) or a Change in Control, for each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price greater than the consideration offered in connection with any such transaction or event or Change in Control, the Committee may in its sole discretion elect to cancel such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right without any payment to the person holding such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

(v) Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.2(b) shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this Section 4.2(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.2 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under the Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.2.

(vi) Fractional shares of Common Stock resulting from any adjustment in Awards pursuant to Section 4.2(a) or this Section 4.2(b) shall be aggregated until, and eliminated at, the time of exercise or payment by rounding-down for fractions less than one-half and rounding-up for fractions equal to or greater than one-half. No cash settlements shall be required with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding. Notice of any adjustment shall be given by the Committee to each Participant whose Award has been adjusted and such adjustment (whether or not such notice is given) shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

4.3 Minimum Purchase Price . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if authorized but previously unissued shares of Common Stock are issued under the Plan, such shares shall not be issued for a consideration that is less than as permitted under applicable law.


ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 General Eligibility . All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its Parent (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3 General Requirement . The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director, respectively.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1 Options . Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2 Grants . The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options. The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3 Incentive Stock Options . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no term of the Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan under Section 422 of the Code, or, without the consent of the Participants affected, to disqualify any Incentive Stock Option under such Section 422.

6.4 Terms of Options . Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant, unless such Stock Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution of another Stock Option in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.


(b) Stock Option Term . The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted; and provided further that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder shall not exceed five years.

(c) Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.4, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any Stock Option is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that such Stock Option is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after the time of grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such Stock Option may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.4(c), to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price as follows: (i) in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company; (ii) solely to the extent permitted by applicable law, if the Common Stock is traded on a national securities exchange, and the Committee authorizes, through a procedure whereby the Participant delivers irrevocable instructions to a broker reasonably acceptable to the Committee to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the purchase price; or (iii) on such other terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Committee (including, without limitation, having the Company withhold shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option, or by payment in full or in part in the form of Common Stock owned by the Participant, based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the payment date as determined by the Committee). No shares of Common Stock shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e) Non-Transferability of Options . No Stock Option shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not Transferable pursuant to this Section is Transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is Transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently Transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a Transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any Stock Option granted under this Plan be transferred for value.


(f) Termination by Death or Disability . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(g) Involuntary Termination Without Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(h) Voluntary Resignation . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.4(i)(y) hereof), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options.

(i) Termination for Cause . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination (x) is for Cause or (y) is a voluntary Termination (as provided in Section 6.4(h)) after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination for Cause, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(j) Unvested Stock Options . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination.

(k) Incentive Stock Option Limitations . To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or


any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by applicable law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(l) Form, Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options . Subject to the terms and conditions and within the limitations of the Plan, Stock Options shall be evidenced by such form of agreement or grant as is approved by the Committee, and the Committee may (i) modify, extend or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof or cancel an outstanding “underwater” Option in exchange for cash, another Award or a Stock Option with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Option, nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than in all cases adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

(m) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock Options granted under this Plan may not provide for any dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.

(n) Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in conjunction with all or part of any Stock Option (a “ Reference Stock Option ”) granted under the Plan (“ Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights ”). In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such rights may be granted either at or after the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, such rights may be granted only at the time of the grant of such Reference Stock Option.


7.2 Terms and Conditions of Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant, unless such Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution of another Tandem Stock Appreciation Right in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

(b) Term . A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted with respect to a Reference Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable upon the termination or exercise of the Reference Stock Option, except that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of shares covered by the Reference Stock Option shall not be reduced until, and then only to the extent that the exercise or termination of the Reference Stock Option causes, the number of shares covered by the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right to exceed the number of shares remaining available and unexercised under the Reference Stock Option.

(c) Exercisability . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the extent that the Reference Stock Options to which they relate shall be exercisable in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.4(c).

(d) Method of Exercise . A Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised by the Participant by surrendering the applicable portion of the Reference Stock Option. Upon such exercise and surrender, the Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount determined in the manner prescribed in this Section 7.2. Stock Options which have been so surrendered, in whole or in part, shall no longer be exercisable to the extent that the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights have been exercised.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant shall be entitled to receive up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock over the Option exercise price per share specified in the Reference Stock Option agreement multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock in respect of which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

(f) Deemed Exercise of Reference Stock Option . Upon the exercise of a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Reference Stock Option or part thereof to which such Stock Appreciation Right is related shall be deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of the limitation set forth in Article IV of the Plan on the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan.


(g) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan may not provide for any dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.

(h) Non-Transferability . Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable only when and to the extent that the underlying Stock Option would be Transferable under Section 6.4(e) of the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan be transferred for value.

7.3 Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may also be granted without reference to any Stock Options granted under the Plan.

7.4 Terms and Conditions of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights . Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted hereunder shall be subject to such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price . The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the per share exercise price of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant, unless such Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution of another Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code.

(b) Term . The term of each Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not be greater than 10 years after the date the right is granted.

(c) Exercisability . Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.4, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides, in its discretion, that any such right is exercisable subject to certain limitations (including, without limitation, that it is exercisable only in installments or within certain time periods), the Committee may waive such limitations on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part (including, without limitation, waiver of the installment exercise provisions or acceleration of the time at which such right may be exercised), based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion.

(d) Method of Exercise . Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 7.4(c), Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights to be exercised.

(e) Payment . Upon the exercise of a Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Common Stock (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.


(f) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan may not provide for any dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.

(g) Termination . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason, Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights will remain exercisable following a Participant’s Termination on the same basis as Stock Options would be exercisable following a Participant’s Termination in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.4(f) through 6.4(j).

(h) Non-Transferability . No Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights shall be Transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Right granted under this Plan be transferred for value.

7.5 Limited Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Tandem and Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights either as a general Stock Appreciation Right or as a Limited Stock Appreciation Right. Limited Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised only upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or such other event as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, designate at the time of grant or thereafter. Upon the exercise of Limited Stock Appreciation Rights, except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall receive in cash and/or Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, an amount equal to the amount (i) set forth in Section 7.2(e) with respect to Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights, or (ii) set forth in Section 7.4(e) with respect to Non-Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.6 Modification of Stock Appreciation Rights . An outstanding Stock Appreciation Right may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof or cancel an outstanding “underwater” Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash, another Award or a Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Stock Appreciation Right, nor may a new Stock Appreciation Right at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Stock Appreciation Right (other than in all cases adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Section 4.2), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

7.7 Other Terms and Conditions . The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant has failed to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Right on the date of expiration of such Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 14.4. Stock Appreciation Rights may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.


ARTICLE VIII

RESTRICTED STOCK

8.1 Awards of Restricted Stock . Shares of Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock shall be made, the number of shares to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any shares of Restricted Stock granted under this Plan be transferred for value.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including, the Performance Goals) or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

8.2 Awards and Certificates . Eligible Individuals selected to receive Restricted Stock shall not have any right with respect to such Award, unless and until such Participant has delivered a fully executed copy of the agreement evidencing the Award to the Company, to the extent required by the Committee, and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award. Further, such Award shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) Purchase Price . The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. Subject to Section 4.2, the purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by applicable law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value.

(b) Custody . If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.

8.3 Restrictions and Conditions . The shares of Restricted Stock awarded pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(a) Restriction Period . (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to Transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan during the period or periods set by the Committee (the Restriction Period ) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement or as otherwise provided for by the Committee. Based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii) and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award.


(ii) If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or the lapse of restrictions is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage of the Restricted Stock applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in writing prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances.

(b) Rights as a Stockholder . Except as provided in Section 8.3(a) and this Section 8.3(b) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares. The payment of dividends or other distributions on Restricted Stock shall be deferred until, and conditioned upon, the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period.

(c) Termination . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter.

(d) Lapse of Restrictions . If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by applicable law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.

ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

9.1 Performance Awards . The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals. If the Performance Award is payable in shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be transferable to the Participant only upon attainment of the relevant Performance Goal in accordance with Article VIII. If the Performance Award is payable in cash, it may be paid upon the attainment of the relevant Performance Goals either in cash or in shares of Restricted Stock (based on the then current Fair Market Value of such shares), as determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion. Each Performance Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in such form that is not inconsistent with the Plan and that the Committee may from time to time approve.


9.2 Terms and Conditions . Performance Awards awarded pursuant to this Article IX shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Earning of Performance Award . At or in connection with the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which the Performance Goals are achieved and the percentage of each Performance Award that has been earned. The Committee may, subject to Section 409A of the Code, in its sole discretion, adjust the Performance Period to be subject to continued vesting, earlier lapse or other modification.

(b) Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, Performance Awards may not be Transferred during the Performance Period. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any Performance Award granted under this Plan be transferred for value.

(c) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant, amounts equal to dividends declared during the Performance Period with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock covered by a Performance Award will not be paid to the Participant. Any dividends or other distributions on Performance Awards will be deferred until, and paid contingent upon, the vesting of such Performance Awards.

(d) Payment . Following the Committee’s determination in accordance with Section 9.2(a), the Company shall settle Performance Awards, in such form (including, without limitation, in shares of Common Stock or in cash) as determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to such Participant’s earned Performance Awards.

(e) Termination . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination for any reason during the Performance Period for a given Performance Award, the Performance Award in question will vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee.

(f) Continued or Accelerated Vesting . Based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria, if any, as the Committee may determine, the Committee may, subject to Section 409A of the Code, at or after grant, provide for continued vesting of or accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Performance Award.

ARTICLE X

OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH-BASED AWARDS

10.1 Other Stock-Based Awards . The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, shares of Common Stock awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, shares of Common Stock in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, stock equivalent units, restricted stock units, and Awards valued by reference to book value of shares of Common Stock. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee may condition grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of Performance Goals, as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.


Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Common Stock under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period.

10.2 Terms and Conditions . Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:

(a) Non-Transferability . Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, shares of Common Stock subject to Awards made under this Article X may not be Transferred prior to the date on which the shares are issued, or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance or deferral period lapses. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in no event will any Other Stock Based Award granted under this Plan be transferred for value.

(b) Dividends . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or dividend equivalents in respect of the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Other Stock-Based Award. Any dividends or other distributions on Other Stock-Based Awards will be deferred until, and paid contingent upon, the vesting of such Other Stock-Based Awards.

(c) Vesting . Any Award under this Article X and any Common Stock covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

(d) Price . Common Stock issued on a bonus basis under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration. Common Stock purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article X shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

10.3 Other Cash-Based Awards . The Committee may from time to time grant Other Cash-Based Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Other Cash-Based Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of an Other Cash-Based Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.


ARTICLE XI

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

11.1 Benefits . In the event of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined below), and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s Award shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Common Stock on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company or an Affiliate for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price (as defined below) of the shares of Common Stock covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards. For purposes hereof, Change in Control Price shall mean the highest price per share of Common Stock paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.

11.2 Change in Control . Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee, a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur if:


(a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Stock of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(c) consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 11.2(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control of the Company; or

(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Person or Persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.


ARTICLE XII

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any regulatory requirement referred to in Article XIV or Section 409A of the Code), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension or termination, may not be impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided further, that without the approval of the holders of the Company’s Common Stock entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would (a) increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of Section 4.2); (b) increase the maximum individual Participant limitation for a fiscal year under Section 4.1(b); (c) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; (d) decrease the minimum exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right (except by operation of Section 4.2); (e) extend the maximum option period under Section 6.4; (f) award any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right in replacement of a canceled Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right with a higher exercise price than the replacement award; or (g) to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options, require stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In no event may the Plan be amended without the approval of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Delaware to increase the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan, decrease the minimum exercise price of any Award, or to make any other amendment that would require stockholder approval under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules and regulations or the rules of any exchange or system on which the Company’s securities are listed or traded at the request of the Company, except by operation of Section 4.2. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with applicable law including Section 409A of the Code or pursuant to (x) any right that the Company may have under any Company recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with a Participant, or (y) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

ARTICLE XIII

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which are not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.


ARTICLE XIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

14.1 Legend . The Committee may require each Person receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on Transfer. All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Common Stock is then quoted, any applicable federal or state securities law, and any applicable corporate law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

14.2 Other Plans . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

14.3 No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy . Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Option or other Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy or directorship at any time.

14.4 Withholding of Taxes . The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment to be made pursuant to the Plan, or to otherwise require, prior to the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash hereunder, payment by the Participant of, any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld. Upon the vesting of Restricted Stock (or other Award that is taxable upon vesting), or upon making an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, a Participant shall pay all required withholding to the Company. Any minimum statutorily required withholding obligation with regard to any Participant may be satisfied, subject to the consent of the Committee, by reducing the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable or by delivering shares of Common Stock already owned. Any fraction of a share of Common Stock required to satisfy such tax obligations shall be disregarded and the amount due shall be paid instead in cash by the Participant. The shares of Common Stock used for tax or other withholding will be valued at an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares of Common Stock on the date the benefit is to be included in Participant’s income. In no event will the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock to be withheld and delivered pursuant to this Section 14.4 exceed the maximum amount required to be withheld, unless (a) an additional amount can be withheld and not result in adverse accounting consequences, (b) such additional withholding amount is authorized by the Committee, and (c) the total amount withheld does not exceed the Participant’s estimated tax obligations attributable to the applicable transaction.


14.5 No Assignment of Benefits . No Award or other benefit payable under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be Transferable in any manner, and any attempt to Transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any Person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such Person.

14.6 Listing and Other Conditions .

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such shares unless and until such shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

(b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Option or other Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under the statutes, rules or regulations of any applicable jurisdiction, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to shares of Common Stock or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 14.6, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all shares available before such suspension and as to shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

14.7 Stockholders Agreement and Other Requirements . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver a stockholder’s agreement or such other documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Board or Committee shall from time to time establish. Such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation shall apply to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by such stockholder’s agreement or other documentation. The Company may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or other agreement).


14.8 Governing Law . The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable Delaware principles of conflict of laws).

14.9 Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . Any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or any judgment entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in respect of any thereof, shall be resolved only in the courts of the State of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts. In that context, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and each Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, the court of the United States of America for the District of Delaware, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and each Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any Award Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

14.10 Construction . Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

14.11 Other Benefits . No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates nor affect any benefit under any other benefit plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

14.12 Costs . The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Common Stock pursuant to Awards hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participants shall bear all brokerage fees attributable to exercise of Stock Options.


14.13 No Right to Same Benefits . The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

14.14 Death/Disability . The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require that the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

14.15 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act . All elections and transactions under the Plan by Persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act involving shares of Common Stock are intended to comply with any applicable exemptive condition under Rule 16b-3. The Committee may establish and adopt written administrative guidelines, designed to facilitate compliance with Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as it may deem necessary or proper for the administration and operation of the Plan and the transaction of business thereunder.

14.16 Section 409A of the Code . The Plan is intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.

14.17 Successor and Assigns . The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate.


14.18 Severability of Provisions . If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

14.19 Payments to Minors, Etc . Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent Person or other Person incapable of receipt thereof shall be deemed paid when paid to such Person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such Person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Committee, the Board, the Company, its Affiliates and their employees, agents and representatives with respect thereto.

14.20 Headings and Captions . The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

14.21 Company Recoupment of Awards . A Participant’s rights with respect to any Award hereunder shall in all events be subject to (i) any right that the Company may have under any Company recoupment policy or other agreement or arrangement with a Participant, or (ii) any right or obligation that the Company may have regarding the clawback of “incentive-based compensation” under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

14.22 Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Company . Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary:

(a) Awards may be granted under this Plan in substitution for or in conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock or stock-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary. Any conversion, substitution or assumption will be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition, and, to the extent applicable, will be conducted in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. The awards so granted may reflect the original terms of the awards being assumed or substituted or converted for and need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, and may account for Common Stock substituted for the securities covered by the original awards and the number of shares subject to the original awards, as well as any exercise or purchase prices applicable to the original awards, adjusted to account for differences in stock prices in connection with the transaction.

(b) In the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary merges has shares available under a pre-existing plan previously approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or merger, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, to reflect such acquisition or merger) may be used for awards made after such acquisition or merger under the Plan; provided, however, that awards using such available shares may not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan absent the acquisition or merger, and may only be made to individuals who were not employees or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary prior to such acquisition or merger.


(c) Any Common Stock that is issued or transferred by, or that is subject to any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company under Sections 14.22(a) or 14.22(b) above will not reduce the Common Stock available for issuance or transfer under the Plan or otherwise count against the limits contained in Section 4.1 of the Plan. In addition, no Common Stock that is issued or transferred by, or that is subject to any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company under Sections 14.22(a) or 14.22(b) above will be added to the aggregate plan limit contained in Section 4.1 of the Plan.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan shall become effective on May 31, 2018, which is the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE XVI

TERM OF PLAN

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth anniversary may extend beyond that date.

ARTICLE XVII

NAME OF PLAN

The Plan shall be known as the “Covia Holdings Corporation 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan.”

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-225331) of Covia Holdings Corporation of our report dated March 13, 2018 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., which appears in Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Cleveland, Ohio

June 6, 2018

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVIA TO COMMENCE TRADING FOLLOWING COMBINATION OF UNIMIN AND FAIRMOUNT SANTROL

CHESTERLAND, Ohio, June  1, 2018 – Covia Holdings Corporation (NYSE:CVIA) (“Covia”) announced today the completion of the previously announced strategic combination between Unimin Corporation (“Unimin”) and Fairmount Santrol. Covia will commence trading today on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “CVIA”. In connection with the completion of the transaction, Fairmount Santrol common stock ceased trading prior to the market opening today and will be delisted from the NYSE.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, for each share of Fairmount Santrol, stockholders will receive approximately $0.73 in cash consideration and 0.2 shares of Covia common stock. Any remaining Fairmount Santrol shares that cannot be converted into a whole Covia share will be redeemed for cash. Stockholders should expect to receive all cash consideration no later than June 8, 2018. As of June 1, 2018, Covia has 132.5 million fully diluted shares outstanding. Approximately 65% of Covia common stock is owned by SCR-Sibelco NV.

Jenniffer Deckard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Covia, said, “Today is a historic day for Covia and we would like to thank our stockholders, employees, customers and partners for their support in completing this significant achievement.” Deckard continued, “As we make our debut as Covia, the strong foundation built by our two highly complementary legacy organizations underpins an industry leader, strongly positioned to serve customers’ needs through our broad array of high-quality products, distinctive technical capabilities, and the industry’s most comprehensive production and distribution network. We look forward to utilizing these unique competitive advantages to achieve our near-term synergy goals and to create significant long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”

About Covia

Covia is a leading provider of minerals and material solutions for the Industrial and Energy markets, representing the legacy and combined strengths from the June 2018 merger of Unimin and Fairmount Santrol. The Company is a leading provider of diversified mineral solutions to the glass, ceramics, coatings, polymers, construction, water filtration, sports and recreation markets. The Company offers a broad array of high-quality products, including high-purity silica sand, nepheline syenite, feldspar, clay, kaolin, lime, resin systems and coated materials, delivered through its comprehensive distribution network. Covia offers its Energy customers an unparalleled selection of proppant solutions, additives, and coated products to enhance well productivity and to address both surface and down-hole challenges in all well environments. Covia has built long-standing relationships with a broad customer base consisting of blue-chip customers. Underpinning these strengths is an unwavering commitment to safety and to sustainable development further enhancing the value that Covia delivers to all of its stakeholders. For more information, visit CoviaCorp.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors include: the ability of Unimin and Fairmount Santrol to integrate their businesses successfully and to achieve anticipated synergies and the anticipated cost, timing and complexity of


integration efforts; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the completion of the merger; the actual results of operations and financial condition of the Company following the merger as compared to the unaudited pro forma combined financial information included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 related to the merger; SCR-Sibelco NV, the holder of a majority of the Company’s common stock, will have significant influence over the Company; changes in prevailing economic conditions, including continuing pressure on and fluctuations in demand for, and pricing of, our products; loss of, or reduction in business from the Company’s largest customers or their failure to pay the Company; possible adverse effects of being leveraged, including interest rate, event of default or refinancing risks, as well as potentially limiting the Company’s ability to invest in certain market opportunities; the level of cash flows generated to provide adequate liquidity; our ability to successfully develop and market new products; our rights and ability to mine our property and our renewal or receipt of the required permits and approvals from government authorities and other third parties; our ability to implement and realize efficiencies from capacity expansion plans, facility reactivation and cost reduction initiatives within our time and budgetary parameters; increasing costs or a lack of dependability or availability of transportation services or infrastructure and geographic shifts in demand; changing legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to our business, including environmental, mining, health and safety, licensing, reclamation and other regulation relating to hydraulic fracturing (and changes in their enforcement and interpretation); silica-related health issues and corresponding litigation; seasonal and severe weather conditions; and other operating risks that are beyond our control.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such factors. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in Covia Holdings

Corporation’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The risk factors and other factors noted in our filings with the SEC could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

Investor Contact:

Matthew Schlarb

+1 440-214-3284

Matthew.Schlarb@CoviaCorp.com

Media Contact:

Kristin Lewis

+1 440-279-0245

Kristin.Lewis@CoviaCorp.com

Exhibit 99.2

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015 and the unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet as of March 31, 2018, give effect to the disposition by Unimin Corporation (now known as Covia Holdings Corporation) (“Unimin” or the “Company”) of its global high purity quartz business (the “HPQ business”) to a wholly owned subsidiary of its parent company SCR-Sibelco NV (“Sibelco”). The summary unaudited pro forma condensed statements of operations is prepared as if such disposition occurred on January 1, 2015, and the summary unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet is prepared as if such disposition occurred on March 31, 2018. The following unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements are based on the historical financial statements of Unimin and are intended to illustrate how the transaction might have affected the historical financial statements of Unimin if each had been consummated as of the dates indicated above and do not represent future market conditions. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements reflect preliminary estimates and assumptions based on information available at the time of preparation.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial position that would have actually resulted had the transaction occurred as of the dates indicated, nor should they be taken as necessarily indicative of the future financial position or results of operations of the Company. Future results may vary significantly from the results reflected because of various factors, including those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-224228). In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements include adjustments that are preliminary and may be revised. There can be no assurance that such revisions will not result in material changes to the information presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements have been prepared solely to illustrate the effects of the disposition of the HPQ business in accordance with SEC rules regarding dispositions of assets. These pro forma condensed financial statements do not reflect the business combination transaction between Unimin and Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc. and related refinancing transactions, which have been reflected in the pro forma financial statements contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 and which will be included in a subsequent Form 8-K/A to be filed by Unimin.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying notes and the related management discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4.


Covia Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2018

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Historical
Unimin
    HPQ
Carveout
(Note 1)
    Unimin Pro
Forma
Total
 

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 284,274     $ (31,000   $ 253,274  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

     274,542       (32,739     241,803  

Inventories, net

     110,212       (26,199     84,013  

Other receivables

     28,217       —         28,217  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     19,112       (934     18,178  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     716,357       (90,872     625,485  

Noncurrent assets:

      

Property, plant and equipment, net

     1,256,192       (93,829     1,162,363  

Intangible assets, net

     26,483       (1,588     24,895  

Goodwill

     53,512       —         53,512  

Deferred tax assets, net

     9,019       —         9,019  

Other assets

     2,730       —         2,730  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

     1,347,936       (95,417     1,252,519  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,064,293     $ (186,289   $ 1,878,004  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Accounts payable

   $ 87,954     $ (5,163   $ 82,791  

Current portion of long-term debt

     49,742       —         49,742  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     77,129       (6,998     70,131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     214,825       (12,161     202,664  

Noncurrent liabilities:

      

Long-term debt

     366,942       —         366,942  

Employee benefit obligations

     99,079       —         99,079  

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     72,219       (7,648     64,571  

Other noncurrent liabilities

     30,437       (436     30,001  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

     568,677       (8,084     560,593  

EQUITY

      

Equity:

      

Unimin common stock, $1.00 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; 1,776,666 shares issued and 1,343,714 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018

     1,777       —         1,777  

Additional paid-in capital

     43,941       258,000       301,941  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

     (118,294     —         (118,294

Retained earnings

     1,963,999       —         1,963,999  

Treasury stock, 432,952 shares at March 31, 2018

     (610,632     (424,044     (1,034,676
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     1,280,791       (166,044     1,114,747  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,064,293     $ (186,289   $ 1,878,004  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information


Covia Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Historical
Unimin
    HPQ
Carveout
(Note 1)
    Unimin
Pro Forma
Total
 

Revenue

   $ 414,607     $ (44,786   $ 369,821  

Cost of goods sold (excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     288,565       (28,246     260,319  

Operating Expenses

      

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     29,224       (4,000     25,224  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

     29,409       (2,278     27,131  

Other operating expense (income), net

     (40     40       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     67,449       (10,302     57,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     5,191       —         5,191  

Other expense, net

     5,300       —         5,300  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     10,491       —         10,491  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     56,958       (10,302     46,656  

Income tax provision

     11,416       (1,545     9,871  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 45,542     $ (8,757   $ 36,785  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

      

Basic and diluted

   $ 33.89       $ 31.33  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic and diluted

     1,344       (170     1,174  

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information


Covia Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2017

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Historical
Unimin
    HPQ
Carveout
(Note 1)
    Unimin Pro
Forma
Total
 

Revenue

   $ 1,444,487     $ (149,375   $ 1,295,112  

Cost of goods sold (excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     1,032,957       (100,775     932,182  

Operating Expenses

      

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     115,971       (14,519     101,452  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

     112,705       (11,145     101,560  

Other operating expense, net

     2,948       155       3,103
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     179,906       (23,091     156,815  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     14,653       —         14,653  

Other expense, net

     19,300       —         19,300  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     33,953       —         33,953  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before benefit for income taxes

     145,953       (23,091     122,862  

Income tax benefit

     (8,218     (621     (8,839
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 154,171     $ (22,470   $ 131,701  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

      

Basic and diluted

   $ 114.71       $ 112.18  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic and diluted

     1,344       (170     1,174  

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information


Covia Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2016

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Historical
Unimin
    HPQ
Carveout
(Note 1)
    Unimin
Pro
Forma
Total
 

Revenue

   $ 1,093,476     $ (110,780   $ 982,696  

Cost of goods sold (excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     826,945       (72,480     754,465  

Operating Expenses

      

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     112,715       (11,794     100,921  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

     116,259       (11,210     105,049  

Goodwill and other asset impairments

     9,634       —         9,634  

Other operating expense (income), net

     8,471       (642     7,829  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     19,452       (14,654     4,798  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     23,999       —         23,999  

Equity in (earnings) of affiliated companies

     (1,022     —         (1,022

Other expense, net

     12,923       —         12,923  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     35,900       —         35,900  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit for income taxes

     (16,448     (14,654     (31,102

Income tax benefit

     (20,113     (2,780     (22,893
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,665     $ (11,874   $ (8,209
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

      

Basic and diluted

   $ 2.73       $ (6.99

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic and diluted

     1,344       (170     1,174  

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information


Covia Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2015

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

     Historical
Unimin
    HPQ
Carveout
(Note 1)
    Unimin Pro
Forma
Total
 

Revenue

   $ 1,472,903     $ (101,225   $ 1,371,678  

Cost of goods sold (excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization)

     1,127,794       (61,900     1,065,894  

Operating Expenses

      

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     118,514       (9,990     108,524  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

     126,294       (15,369     110,925  

Goodwill and other asset impairments

     150,038       —         150,038  

Other operating expense (income), net

     27,131       (544     26,587
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (76,868     (13,422     (90,290
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     36,187       —         36,187  

Equity in (earnings) of affiliated companies

     (4,970     —         (4,970
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expenses, net

     31,217       —         31,217  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit for income taxes

     (108,085     (13,422     (121,507

Income tax benefit

     (35,727     (2,429     (38,156
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (72,358   $ (10,993   $ (83,351
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

      

Basic and diluted

   $ (53.84     $ (71.00

Weighted average shares outstanding:

      

Basic and diluted

     1,344       (170     1,174  

See accompanying notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information


Covia Holdings Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information

(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1. Description of the Disposition and Pro Forma Adjustments

HPQ Carveout

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2017 (the “Merger Agreement”), among Unimin, Sibelco, Fairmount Santrol Holdings Inc., Bison Merger Sub, Inc. and Bison Merger Sub I, LLC, on May 31, 2018, Unimin contributed certain assets, including its global high purity quartz business, which consists of Unimin’s Electronics segment, to Sibelco North America, Inc. (“Sibelco North America”), in exchange for all of the stock of Sibelco North America and the assumption by Sibelco North America of certain liabilities related to the business being transferred. Prior to the consummation of the Merger, Unimin redeemed 169,550 shares of its common stock from Sibelco in exchange for 100% of the stock of Sibelco North America transferred by Unimin to Sibelco. Accordingly, the pro forma adjustments are being made to exclude the assets, liabilities, stockholder’s equity, revenue and net income of the HPQ business, which are not part of the Company following consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The adjustment to eliminate the net assets sold to, and liabilities assumed by, Sibelco and to recognize the preliminary estimated gain was determined as follows:

 

Value of Unimin stock received

   $ 424.0  

Net Assets transferred

     (166.0
  

 

 

 

Estimated after-tax gain

   $ 258.0  

The transfer of the HPQ business to Sibelco is a tax-free spin-off and therefore, there will not be any tax expense on the gain for this transaction. Since the transaction is between entities under common control, the gain is reflected as an adjustment to additional paid in capital.

Note 2. Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X and are based on the audited historical financial information of Unimin. The audited historical consolidated financial information has been adjusted in the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the transactions, (2) factually supportable and (3) with respect to the unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations, expected to have a continuing impact on Unimin’s results.

The unaudited pro forma condensed financial information gives effect to the disposition to be accounted for in accordance with ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements , with the disposition treated as a discontinued operation, as if the disposition had been completed on January 1, 2015, for statement of operations purposes, and on March 31, 2018, for balance sheet purposes.

Exhibit 99.3

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

With respect to awards granted under the 2018 Incentive Plan that are based on the attainment of performance goals, the Company may base the performance goals on one or more measures including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    earnings;

 

    earnings per share;

 

    residual or economic earnings;

 

    economic profit;

 

    performance profit;

 

    operating income;

 

    gross income;

 

    net income (before or after taxes);

 

    cash flow ( e.g. , free cash flow; free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range; including or excluding divestments and/or acquisitions; total cash flow; cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);

 

    gross profit;

 

    gross profit return on investment;

 

    profit margins ( e.g. , profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues; material margin divided by sales pounds);

 

    gross margin return on investment;

 

    gross margin;

 

    gross margin growth;

 

    material margin;

 

    material margin growth;

 

    operating margin;

 

    working capital ( e.g ., working capital divided by sales; days’ sales outstanding; days’ sales inventory; days’ sales in payables);

 

    earnings before interest and taxes;

 

    earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”);

 

    EBITDA before non-cash stock-based compensation and other adjustments;

 

    liquidity measures ( e.g. , debt-to-capital; debt-to-EBITDA; total debt ratio);

 

    return on equity;

 

    return on assets;

 

    return on capital;

 

    return on invested capital;

 

    net revenues;


    gross revenues;

 

    revenue growth;

 

    revenue growth outside the United States;

 

    annual recurring revenues;

 

    recurring revenues;

 

    license revenues;

 

    sales or market share;

 

    sales and administrative costs divided by sales;

 

    sales and administrative costs divided by profits;

 

    total shareholder return;

 

    economic value added;

 

    specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in all or a portion of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion;

 

    the fair market value of a share of common stock;

 

    the growth in the value of an investment in the common stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends;

 

    reduction in operating expenses;

 

    strategic initiative key deliverable metrics consisting of one or more of the following: sustainable development objectives; product development; strategic partnering; research and development; vitality index; market penetration; geographic business expansion goals, cost targets; customer satisfaction; employee satisfaction; management of employment practices and employee benefits; supervision of litigation and information technology; and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries; affiliates and joint ventures; or

 

    individual performance objectives as may be established by the Compensation Committee in its discretion.